Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Lucerne

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, budget guesthouses, shared bathrooms, basic amenities

Food & Dining

$20-45 per day

Self-catering from supermarkets, bakeries, occasional simple restaurants, local takeaway

Transportation

$8-20 per day

Public buses and trains, walking, occasional boat rides on Lake Lucerne

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free walking tours, lake walks, window shopping, occasional museum or attraction

Purchase a Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited public transport and discounts on attractions (typically saves 40-60% on transportation)

Shop at Coop and Migros supermarkets instead of tourist convenience stores (usually 50-70% cheaper for food)

Eat lunch at hotel breakfast buffets when possible and have lighter dinners (can reduce daily food costs by 30-40%)

Visit attractions on specific discount days or with city tourism cards (generally 20-50% savings on admission fees)

Stay slightly outside the old town center for accommodation (typically 30-50% cheaper with easy public transport access)

Pack lunches for mountain excursions rather than buying food at summit restaurants (usually 60-80% savings)

Use public transport instead of taxis (typically 70-85% cheaper for similar routes)

Eating every meal in the old town tourist area instead of residential neighborhoods (typically 100-150% markup in tourist zones)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using excellent public transport system (usually 3-5x more expensive)

Buying snacks and drinks at train stations and tourist attractions (generally 200-300% markup compared to supermarkets)

Not checking for combination tickets when visiting multiple attractions (missing out on typical 15-30% savings)

Exchanging money at airports or tourist areas instead of banks or ATMs (usually 5-10% worse exchange rates)