A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Lucerne vs. Grindelwald for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Lucerne or Grindelwald?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Grindelwald. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Lucerne or Grindelwald?

Lucerne

Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland is a glacier village located in the picturesque Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. The Jungfrau Region encompasses many small villages and was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This Alpine paradise has been a popular destination since the 17th century, due to its natural beauty and fantastic hiking and skiing trails.

Which place is cheaper, Grindelwald or Lucerne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lucerne is $215, while the average daily cost in Grindelwald is $242. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lucerne and Grindelwald in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lucerne $138
    Grindelwald $142
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lucerne $276
    Grindelwald $284
Compare Hotels in Lucerne and Grindelwald

Looking for a hotel in Lucerne or Grindelwald? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Lucerne


Hotels in Grindelwald


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lucerne Hotel Prices and Grindelwald Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lucerne $13
    Grindelwald $53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucerne

Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Between Basel and Luzern: One-Way Private Transfer: $193
  • Departure Private Transfer Lucerne-Basel-Bern to Zurich Airport by Business Car: $191
  • Departure Private Transfer Lucerne-Basel-Bern to Zurich Airport by Luxury Van: $251
  • From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $239
  • Private Transfer from Lucerne City to interlaken City: $174
  • Private transfer from Lucerne City to Lucerne Train Station: $110
  • Private transfer from Lucerne City to Zurich Airport: $271
  • Rafting in Interlaken with Return Transfer from Lucerne: $239
  • Transfers Zurich Airport - Lucerne: $431
  • ZRH Airport - Lucern City (Transfer Service): $287
  • Zurich Airport Transfers : Lucerne City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Business Car: $118
  • Zurich Airport Transfers : Lucerne City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Luxury Van: $207

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grindelwald

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grindelwald:

  • Private transfer from Grindelwald to Zurich Airport: $525
  • Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Grindelwald: $462

Is it cheaper to fly into Lucerne or Grindelwald?

Prices for flights to both Grindelwald and Lucerne change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lucerne $63
    Grindelwald $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lucerne $34
    Grindelwald $60
Typical Entertainment prices in Lucerne

For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 1 Day Bicycle Rental
    $34
  • The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee
    $35

Tours and Activities in Lucerne

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.

  • Swiss Chocolate Adventure Experience at Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne: $19
  • Lucerne Swiss Museum of Transport Entrance Ticket: $39
  • Mount Titlis: Admission Ticket: $52
  • Pearls of Switzerland Cristina Tschuppert Private city walking tour Lucerne: $178
  • Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $206
  • Chocolate World Experience and Tasting Private Tour from Luzern: $226
  • Lucerne City Walking Tour in Portuguese (1-2 guests): $231
  • Luzern City Tour with Lake Cruise Private Tour: $231
  • Lake Lucerne Villas & Castles Private Walking Tour: $234
  • Lake Lucerne Castles and Villas Tour: $261
  • Mount Rigi with Lake Cruise Private Tour from Luzern: $279
  • ALL TRANSPORT INCLUSIVE Mt. Pilatus Guided Golden Roundtrip Tour: $280

Tours and Activities in Grindelwald

Here are a few actual costs in Grindelwald for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Private Photo Tour from Grindelwald: $1,489
  • Jungfraujoch Top of Europe with Eiger walking Tour from Grindelwald: $1,489
  • Lauterbrunnen Waterfalls & Mountain Trail Private Hiking Tour from Grindelwald: $1,489
  • Lauterbrunnen Waterfalls & Mountain View Trail Photo Tour from Grindelwald: $692

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lucerne $22
    Grindelwald $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:

  • Chocolate, Cheese and Wine Tour in Luzern region: $627

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Lucerne and Grindelwald, we can see that Grindelwald is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.


When is the best time to visit Lucerne or Grindelwald?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lucerne or Grindelwald in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Grindelwald. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Lucerne is around the same temperature as Grindelwald in the summer. The temperature in Lucerne is usually 21°C (70°F) in July, and Grindelwald stays around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Grindelwald. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grindelwald receives 250 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Grindelwald. Lucerne usually gets less rain in July than Grindelwald. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lucerne 21°C (70°F) 
    Grindelwald 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Lucerne or Grindelwald in the Autumn?

Both Grindelwald and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lucerne is cooler than Grindelwald. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lucerne in October are around 13°C (56°F), and Grindelwald is about 15°C (58°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Grindelwald during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Grindelwald receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. In October, Lucerne usually receives less rain than Grindelwald. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lucerne 13°C (56°F) 
    Grindelwald 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Lucerne or Grindelwald in the Winter?

Both Grindelwald and Lucerne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Grindelwald can be very cold. Lucerne can be very cold during winter. In January, Lucerne is generally much colder than Grindelwald. Temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Grindelwald stays around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Grindelwald. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grindelwald receives 119 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Grindelwald. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lucerne 3°C (37°F) 
    Grindelwald 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Lucerne or Grindelwald in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Grindelwald. The spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Lucerne is cooler than Grindelwald in the spring. The temperature in Lucerne is usually 12°C (53°F) in April, and Grindelwald stays around 13°C (55°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Grindelwald during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Grindelwald receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Grindelwald receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Lucerne usually receives less rain than Grindelwald. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lucerne 12°C (53°F) 
    Grindelwald 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Grindelwald and Lucerne

Lucerne Grindelwald
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 5°C (41°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 6°C (44°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 17°C (62°F) 194 mm (7.6 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (69°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)


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Lucerne vs. Grindelwald Travel Comparison

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