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Where to stay on a budget (!) in Lucerne in May?

The last leg of our trip at the end of the May will be in Lucerne, Switzerland for 3 nights. Then we flight out from the airport the next morning. Some very helpful people here told me that there is a direct train line from Lucerne to the airport. What about budget hotels? I know Switzerland is going to be expensive but ack! Just about everywhere else on our trip the hubby and I are staying in small, no frills but clean hotels for around $100 a night... Just a brief glance at trivago for local hotels has shot that budget for this leg! Any recommendations? We were hoping for something close to the city scenery, but also near to the train station as we need to get there very early on a Monday am...

Posted by
17440 posts

How early do you need to be at the airport? The train from Luzern to the airport takes a bit over an hour; sometimes an hour and 20 minutes. The first one leaves Luzern at 4:55 am and gets to the airport at 6:13---that is the earliest.

As you have learned, "Luzern" and "budget" do not fit well into the same sentence. We have never stayed there overnight for that reason. But it is a lovely city.

Posted by
2301 posts

We stayed at Hotel Pension Roesli in June 2008 for about euro 100 per night -- not $100, unfortunately! Still, not too bad.

Posted by
837 posts

I agonized over hotels/b&bs in Luzern. After much review of tripadvisor for Luzern and surrounding towns, decided on Hotel des Alpes. While not elegant, location and breakfast are great. Price was about 200SF per night. Not cheap, perhaps not even "reasonable", but it is for Luzern.

Posted by
61 posts

We have stayed at Tourist Hotel in Lucerne, off of the second covered bridge, a 7 minute walk to train station. Yes, there is a direct train to Zurich airport from Lucerne.

Posted by
231 posts

Do look at Tripadvisor. They have several places listed in the $130-150 range. We'll be in Lucerne in September so I've done some looking. If you find a good, inexpensive place, please post! Enjoy your trip! And don't forget that you need to be at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight leaves. Make sure the trains will be running that early.

Posted by
162 posts

We didn't stay there, but I see that Hotel Alpha is around 144 swiss francs a night and less than 100 swiss Fr if you are willing to share a bath. Breakfast included.

Posted by
56 posts

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I will look into those places. Yes our flight leaves at 10:30 am so we are looking to get there on the train that arrives a bit after 8 am.

Posted by
416 posts

I've stayed at Hotel Drei Koenige and it is less than $200/night (depending on the exact dates in May it is either $137/night or $174/night). It is in easy walking distance of the train station (on the same side of the river) and all of the sights. Breakfast is included. Very nice hotel.

Posted by
35 posts

We're going to be in Luzern for two nights in June and we are taking a private double room at the hostel, Backpackers Luzern. I think it is running us CHF 78 each night (including both of us adults). If you don't mind a community bathroom, this may be the most budget friendly option.