Traveling by plane

Zurich Airport stands as Switzerland's largest air hub, making it the prime destination for international flights. Conveniently located approximately an hour by train from Lucerne, it is the primary gateway for conference participants arriving in Switzerland. Another option is the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, a travel hub for low cost airlines about 1.5 hours by train from Lucerne. Additionally, Geneva Airport is another option. However, it is about three hours train ride from Lucerne.

Traveling from Zürich Airport to Lucerne (by train)

Upon your arrival in Switzerland, you can opt for a seamless train journey from Zurich Airport to Lucerne. A train station, called Zürich Flughafen, is present inside the airport facilities. Several train options are available, such as IR 75, IR 13, and IC 5. The first two provide direct routes from the airport to Lucerne, while the latter may involve one or two transfers.

Travelling from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg to Lucerne (by bus & train)

At the airport in Basel, there is a bus (bus 50) to the main station in Basel. This takes between 20–25 minutes. From there, various trains including IR 26, IR 27, IC 21 provide a  direct connection to Lucern, which takes about 1 hour.

Travelling from Geneva airport to Lucerne (by train)

In Geneva, there is a train station at the airport itself called Genève Aéroport. By taking the IR 90, IC 5 or IC 1 trains you can get to the main station in Geneva in 7 minutes. From the main station, there are several options to get to Lucerne. The IR 15 is a direct connection that takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. Other connections include the IC 5, which takes 2 hours and 50 minutes but requires changing trains once, in Olten, on your way to Lucerne.

To plan your journey, it is best to visit the website of the Swiss federal railways SBB. There is also the app "SBB mobile" available for Iphone and Android. The app allows you to select your train connection and stay updated on any changes or cancellations linked to your journey. If needed, you can also seek assistance from the SBB information helpdesk present at all major Swiss train stations. There you can turn for ticket purchases and other travel inquiries.

There are various hotels and apartments that are conveniently located near the city center and the main building of the University of Lucerne. These are options in different price categories:

Low range: <100 CHF/night

• Lucerne Youth Hostel
• Backpackers Lucerne Hostel

Budget-friendly: 100-200 CHF / night

• Hotel Ibis Budget
• Hotel Ibis Kriens
• Hotel Alpha
• Hotel Drei Könige

Mid-range: 200-300 CHF / night

• Hotel Wilden Mann
• Hotel Waldstätterhof
• Hotel Ameron Flora

Luxurious: 300+ CHF / night

• Hotel Continental Park
• Hotel Raddison Blu

Beyond these hotels, there are also other hotels available in Lucerne. See Lucerne Tourism website.

Individuals, who will be staying in hotels in the city of Lucerne, can make use of a free travel pass for trains and buses in Lucerne. This will be received upon check-in at one’s hotel. However, this is not applicable for those who are staying in an Airbnb or a rented apartment.

Switzerland has a well-developed and reliable public transport system, including trains and buses.

There are various types of train tickets. Second-class tickets are cheaper than first-class tickets. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a second-class ticket when travelling across Switzerland by train.

 To plan your local public transport journey, you can also use the website of the Swiss federal railways SBB or the "SBB mobile" app available for Iphone and Andoid. The app allows you to plan your journeys. You can select and purchase tickets for trains, buses, boat trips, and other modes of transport.

If you want to extend your stay before or after the conference, Lucerne Tourism offers the Tell pass, which provides unrestricted travel across Central Switzerland for 2-10 days.

Travel by taxi

Taxis are available in Lucern, however the short distances between hotels, event location and sights make walking, biking or public transport the smarter and often faster options. Taxis are costly, with a basic tariff of 6.60 CHF plus an additional 4.00 CHF per kilometer. After 8 pm from Monday to Friday, on public holidays and during the whole weekend, the cost per kilometer is 4.20 CHF. There are various taxi companies in Lucerne that offer taxi services, all can be compared on this website. 

Public bikes

Lucerne has a bike-sharing program called Nextbike, which allows you to rent classic or electric bikes. Prices are 2 CHF for 30 minutes for non-electric bikes and 4 CHF for 30 minutes for electric bikes. A 3-day rate for visitors is available for 40 CHF. Bikes can be collected and returned to designated drop-off areas in Lucerne and other locations within Central Switzerland.

Overall, Lucerne is a small and easily accessible city. Walking, biking, and using public transport are recommended for getting around.

More information about the following points can also be found on the website of Switzerland Tourism.

Time Zone

Switzerland follows Central European Summer Time (CEST) in summer (end of March till end of October).

Electricity/Plugs

Swiss power sockets fit three-pin round plugs, and standard continental plugs with two round pins are also compatible. The voltage is 230 V/50 Hz. Adaptors are typically available in most Swiss hotels.

Tap Water

Swiss tap water is safe for drinking and sourced from high-quality sources. Additionally, unless indicated otherwise, fountain water is also safe for consumption.

Weather

In June, Lucerne experiences an average temperature range from 13 to 23 degrees Celsius (51-67 degrees Fahrenheit). The weather is generally mild and pleasant, with occasional thunderstorms in the evenings. More detailed description of the weather can be found here. During your stay in Lucerne, it is recommended to use the following weather service: Meteo Schweiz. The service is also available as a mobile app for Iphone and Android and can be found under the name "Meteoswiss".

Emergency Numbers/Contacts

• Police: 117
• Fire Brigade: 118
• Ambulance: 144
• Rescue Helicopter (Rega): 1414

Additional emergency numbers can be found here.

Activities and Tourism

Lucerne Tourism serves as the local tourism office, located on the ground floor of the main train station in Lucerne. Their website offers comprehensive information on attractions, accommodations, restaurants, and more.

Noteworthy Tourist Attractions in Lucerne:

• Chapel Bridge (Kappelbrücke)
• Jesuit Church (Jesuiten Kirche)
• KKL (The Culture and Convention Center of Lucerne)
• Musegg Wall and Towers

Guided Tours

Lucerne Tourism offers various guided tours to explore multiple sightseeing locations during a single trip.

Hiking

Lucerne offers a range of hiking opportunities, from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes like Pilatus or Bürgenstock. People of all hiking ability levels can find a route that suits them.

Lakes

Exploring and enjoying Swiss lakes is an excellent activity during the summer months. Here are a few ideas for water-related locations and activities that one could do. One can swim, do SUPing, kayaking or a boat tour on lake Lucerne, for example. There are also other lakes in the vicinity that are worth a visit, such as Rotsee, Sempachersee, and Zugersee.

For a comprehensive overview of useful links, pictures and information connected to your stay in Lucerne, please consult this link.

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF) as its currency. There are coins in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 Rappen (Rp), as well as 1, 2, and 5 CHF. Banknotes are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1,000 CHF.

Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

To determine the exchange rate between your currency and Swiss Francs, you can use platforms like XE.com.

Currency exchange services are available at various airports (Zurich and Basel) and train stations. ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) are present across the city of Lucerne.

Visitors are responsible for obtaining the necessary travel documents to enter Switzerland. The required documents depend on the visitor's country of origin. Citizens of European Union member countries only need a valid passport or national identity card. Travelers from non-European Union/European Free Trade Association countries may need to apply for a visa to enter Switzerland.

For information on the appropriate visa for Switzerland, consult the Online Visa System. Additionally, you can find country-specific information on the Annex CH-1, List 1 of the Overview of ID and Visa Provisions According to Nationality.

If you require a letter of invitation, please contact us (islccc@unilu.ch).