A day trip to Lucerne from Basel

In Lucerne, the boat and cogwheel to Mt Rigi run all year round. It's spectacular, about a half-day activity.
Of course, you need agreeable weather, so don't buy anything in advance.
Walking around Lucerne Old Town, having lunch along the river, with a view of the Chapel Bridge, is
delightful. On a clear day, you can see the summits of both Rigi and Pilatus from the Old Town. Enjoy!

If you use the Saver Day Pass, Mt Pilatus is not covered. Even with Swiss Travel Pass, the ride to the top is only covered at 50 %. But Mt Rigi is covered, as is the Stanserhorn.

Thanks so much for your advices! I am looking forward to this trip!

I just thought of another option to see scenery and explore Lucerne:

1. Take an early train from Basel to Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen and return to Lucerne in early afternoon. Assuming we can see most of the scenic views from the train rides itself. Is that correct?
2. Take a lake cruise in Lucerne and/or a short mountain excursion or walk around town.
3. Take the train from Lucerne back to Basel in the evening.

Do you think it is doable with the same day?

Go to www.TheTrainline.com to enter those destinations to see just the amount of time those train trips will take.

Thanks Kenko for your quick reply and link! I did check the train schedule to figure out how long it will take from Basel to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen (over 2 hrs one way). If we need to get off the trains to see scenic sites in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, then we won't have time to explore Lucerne. That is my main question about how much scenery we can see from the trains vs we need to take time to explore off the train. Thanks!

If you really, really are up for the whirlwind daytrip of a lifetime—the Basel to Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne to Basel train ride is it!
The approach from Basel to Interlaaken takes you past Thun, with its castle. Lake Thun is beautiful as is Lake Brienz. Change trains in the town between the lakes— Interlaaken— and in 22 minutes you’ll be in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It’s a glacial-carved valley akin to Yosemite Valley in California, but with the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks towering above the valley. If you get a really early start, I highly recommend going up to Murren just to see the views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks across the Lauterbrunnen Valley. ( The views are so stunning that, armed with a Eurail Pass years ago, I once spontaneously jumped on a train from Frankfurt Germany just to see them again before continuing to the Netherlands. That was an incredibly long, but unforgettable daytrip)! There’s a Coop grocery store in Murren where you can get picnic supplies and take in the views outdoors. There also are hotel restaurants in Murren. With any extra time, the hike from Murren to the Stechelberg gondola is a flat, easy 45-minute hike with breathtaking views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau 13,000+ feet high mountain peaks Take the Stechelberg gondola back down to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. A bus runs from the base of the Stechelberg gondola to the Lauterbrunnen train station a few miles away— maybe a 10-minute ride. You’ll likely see the 900-feet Staubbach waterfall while in transit.

Return to Interlaaken from Lauterbrunnen and transfer trains for one of my favorite Swiss train rides in the entire country— Interlaaken to Lucerne via the Brunig Pass. This train ride takes 2.5 hours and is incredibly beautiful. From late spring to early fall, the mountainsides are blanketed with the greenest grass and there are turquoise lakes below, all colored by the minerals of the mountain glaciers. Words can not describe the experience.
After arriving in Lucerne, just walk across the street from the train station and you’ll be in the “Altstadt,” or old city, of Lucerne in 5-10 minutes.

Walk around the Altstadt and see if you agree with so many others who think Lucerne is the most beautiful city in Switzerland.

Kenko, your tips are so valuable! Because of the recommendations here, I decided to use Lucerne as our base instead of Basel.

Day 1 - fly into Basel, take a train to Lucerne and sightsee.
Day 2 - take a train from lucerne to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen -> Lucerne
Day 3 - lake cruise and mountain excursion in Lucerne -> Basel
Day 4 - embark Rhine River cruise at Basel.

What do you think?

Much appreciated!

Sounds fantastic!
You’ll get to double the fun by doing the Lucerne-Interlaaken train ride twice!
Have a great trip.