Home › Lucerne › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Lucerne: month by month
Short answer
June to September is best for the mountains, with average highs of 21–25°C and all mountain railways running. July and August are the busiest months, and the Lucerne Festival fills the KKL in August and early September. Winter is cold (highs of 5–9°C) but has Fasnacht in February and Rigi open for sledging.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5°C | 0°C | 14 | low |
| Feb | 9°C | 0°C | 12 | medium |
| Mar | 11°C | 1°C | 12 | low |
| Apr | 13°C | 4°C | 14 | medium |
| May | 18°C | 9°C | 18 | medium |
| Jun | 25°C | 14°C | 14 | high |
| Jul | 25°C | 16°C | 18 | very high |
| Aug | 24°C | 16°C | 16 | very high |
| Sep | 21°C | 13°C | 13 | high |
| Oct | 17°C | 9°C | 12 | medium |
| Nov | 9°C | 4°C | 20 | low |
| Dec | 6°C | 1°C | 17 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 11°C in March to 18°C in May, with lows of 1–9°C; May has around 18 rainy days. The Pilatus cogwheel railway reopens from about May.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 24–25°C and lows of 14–16°C, with 14–18 rainy days a month, often as afternoon showers; the best season for hiking and boat trips, and the busiest.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (about 21°C) and October (about 17°C) are relatively settled, with 12–13 rainy days; November turns cold and wet, with around 20 rainy days.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of 5–9°C and lows around 0°C; the Pilatus cogwheel railway is closed, but Rigi and the Kriens gondola route to Pilatus run, and Fasnacht fills the old town.
Events worth planning around
- Lucerne Fasnacht (carnival) — February or early March, dates change each year
- Swiss National Day with fireworks — 1 August
- Lucerne Festival (classical music) at the KKL — August to early September
- Christmas markets in the old town — December
When to avoid
If you want lower prices and fewer crowds, avoid July and August and the Lucerne Festival weeks. November is the greyest, wettest month in the data and some mountain lifts close for maintenance.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What is the best month to visit Lucerne?
June or September, with highs of about 21–25°C, all mountain railways running and fewer crowds than July and August.
Can I go up Pilatus in winter?
Yes, by gondola and cable car from Kriens. The cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad runs only from about May to November.
When is Lucerne Fasnacht?
In late winter, usually February; dates change each year. Hotels fill up, so book early.