Luzern or Zurich - Where to stay?
 

Hello all,
We will be arriving from Lauterbrunen and then have the option to stay in either Luzern or Zurich for 2 Days...Where would you recommend.

Stay in Zurich and do a day-trip to Luzerne (Wood Bridge, Pilatus) and then spend the second day in Zurch (what to do?)

Thank you

I much prefer Luzern. Ride the ferry on the lake and see the transportation museum---lots to see. And, they are only 1:15 apart.

I love Luzern! It is especially beautiful on a sunny day. I have also taken a day trip from Luzern to Engelberg and up to Mt. Titlis.

I Would also go for Lucerne, you have Pilatus or Rigi on the doorstep and Titlis in Engleberg only about an hour away and Zurich is only an hour or so by rail

Thank you all for your suggestions. Seems like Luzerne is most popular...

One question. We have an international flight out of Zurich at 9.15am....Anyway one can get by train from Luzern to Zurich Airport by 7am?

Take a look at rail.ch, I think the earliest train is about 5 am, which would get you to the Zurich Airport at about 6 am. That is maybe a bit more time than you need, but better early than late, and security lines for US flights can be quite long.

I personally would stay in Lauterbrunnen as long as possible and not bother with Lucerne at all, especially for 2 whole days. IF you wanted to spend your last evening there that would be fine, but to leave the beautiful valley of the BO to hang around that city for 2 days, I don’t get it….take a train there after lunch in Lauterbrunnen, leave your big bags at the train station for the next day. Then get a hotel near the train station. Then spend the afternoon looking at the little bridge and the old town and taking the ferry ride around (I swear that is all you need) and have dinner either in one of the villages along the lake like Weggis or Vitznau or in Lucerne. You can either train back from Weggis (faster) or take the ferry back. Spend the night in Lucerne and then take the early morning train to the airport. You don’t need to do Pilatus or Titlilus around Lucerne when you have already been in the BO and done the Jungfrau, including I hope the fantastic Mannchilen walk, and hopefully gone over to the Kandersteg valley and done the Ochinesee walk and done the ferry rides on Lakes Thun and Brienz and seen the castle in Thun and maybe even gone over to see Gstaad in its valley. There is a ton of stuff to do in the BO valley area and IMO you don’t need to spend 2 days in the entirely touristy city of Lucerne…sorry I just don’t get the attraction of that place beyond the charming wooden bridge and about the 200 meters around it. Zurich has a much more interesting old town, IMO.

I also prefer Lucerne simply because it's a scenic lakeside town rather than a big business city like Zurich. It has a more intimate atmosphere. You can do a short hike up the hill to the old citywall & its 7 remaining towers,or stay near the lake to visit a few museums and explore the maze of winding cobblestone lanes filled with shops in its oldtown. You will also have an easy access to ride the lake boat/ferry to visit various lakeside resort villages as well as Mt.Pilatus.

Thank you so much for your responses...

My vote for Luzern also. Smaller and nicer than Zurich, but Zurich is worth a visit too.

I vote for Luzern... I live here. It's great! The earliest train from Luzern leaves at 4:55am. If your flight is at 9:15am, that would be the best one if you are flying to the US. The 6:10am train is doable as well, but by the time you arrive, the check-in lines for your airline will be longer, I suppose. But you can always decide when you are here- just know your options. :) The times given above are the direct trains to the airport. There are other options, however you would have to change trains at the Zurich main station

The cost of the train from Luzern to Zurich airport is 24CHF (about $21) per person one way. The ticket machines ticket cash (but the machines don't give back more than 20CHF in change, so don't stick a 100CHF note in the machine!)

Anything in particular you were looking to do in Luzern? There is something for everyone. Also, what time of year will you be here?