Lucerne Boat Cruise and Burgenstock Funicular Partially Guided Tour

The best part of this day is the change of pace: a coach ride from Zurich gives way to a boat crossing on Lake Lucerne, then a funicular climb to Bürgenstock. I like that the lake journey and mountain access are included, and that you get several hours to set your own pace in Lucerne and at the resort.

I also like the practical combination of city time and mountain scenery in one trip, without having to piece together each connection yourself. The trade-off is that this is partly guided, not a day of continuous commentary. You’ll need to keep an eye on the clock, and fog can spoil the views from Bürgenstock.

At a glance

• Lake crossing: Take a boat from Lucerne to Kehrsiten, with mountain and lakeside views along the way.
• Funicular included: Ride up to Bürgenstock Resort; the Hammetschwand Lift costs extra.
• Lucerne highlights: An orientation drive passes the Chapel Bridge, Town Hall, Jesuit Church, and KKL.
• Six hours to use well: Your free time covers both Lucerne and Bürgenstock, so decide in advance how much time to give each.
• Zurich return: The day begins at Sihlquai Bus Station and is scheduled to return there at 19:00.

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From Zurich to the shores of Lake Lucerne

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The tour starts at 09:00 at Zurich’s Sihlquai Bus Station, near the main train station. Check in at the Best of Switzerland Tours counter with your mobile or printed voucher, and arrive at least 15 minutes early. The bus journey heads toward Central Switzerland, with a photo stop along the way. It’s a useful introduction to the region, though the coach portion is mainly a way to reach Lucerne rather than an in-depth excursion in its own right.

A guide accompanies the group between Zurich and Lucerne, and again on the return trip. The drive includes explanations about sights along the route, but once you arrive, you’re largely on your own. That arrangement suits people who like a little context and help with the overall plan, then prefer to choose their own cafés, walks, and photo stops.

The tour’s advertised duration is nine hours, while its posted departure and return times run from 09:00 to 19:00. Allow for the full scheduled day, and remember that traffic or weather may affect timing. One past departure had a long wait in cold conditions, so dress for the day’s weather and don’t plan a tight connection immediately after the listed return time.

A quick orientation to Lucerne’s old streets

Before your free time, you get an orientation drive past several of Lucerne’s best-known sights: Chapel Bridge, Town Hall, the Jesuit Church, and the Culture and Convention Centre, known as KKL. This is a quick overview, not a substitute for walking around. It helps you recognize the landmarks and get your bearings, especially if this is your first visit.

Lucerne is compact enough to explore on foot, and the Old Town’s medieval streets are the main reason to leave room for wandering. You can stroll between historic buildings, pause by the river, and see Chapel Bridge at street level rather than only from the coach. The Lion Monument is another possible stop, though it has been partly under renovation in the past, so check its current condition if it is high on your list.

The free time is generous for a day trip, but it has to cover both Lucerne and Bürgenstock. One past schedule placed arrival in Lucerne around 11:00 and the return departure around 17:00, leaving about six hours overall. The precise split is for you to manage. If you want a long Old Town visit, a relaxed meal, and time at the resort, you’ll need to choose what matters most rather than trying to do everything.

The boat ride to Kehrsiten

The Lake Lucerne boat ride is more than a transfer. It gives you a quieter, slower view of the water and surrounding mountains, and it breaks up the coach travel with time outside the bus. The crossing to Kehrsiten takes about 30 minutes, according to the tour timing described by a past participant. The included boat ticket saves you from arranging that leg separately.

Pay attention to the boat and funicular schedule. The connections are intended to work together, but you still need to follow the written instructions and keep track of departure times. The boat brings you to Kehrsiten, where you connect with the funicular up to Bürgenstock. You return to Lucerne by boat later, then meet your guide for the coach ride to Zurich.

This is one of the tour’s strongest practical points: the lake crossing and mountain railway are bundled into the day, so you don’t have to figure out each ticket and connection from scratch. But the included transport doesn’t mean every activity on the mountain is covered. The Hammetschwand Lift has a separate fee, and its use also takes extra time.

Riding up to Bürgenstock Resort

The funicular climbs from the lakeside to Bürgenstock Resort, a luxury resort with broad views over Lake Lucerne when the weather cooperates. At the top, you can visit the Bürgenstock Hotel Museum, stop for a drink at the Lakeview Lounge, browse for Swiss goods, or set out on trails. Those options make the mountain visit flexible: you can keep it easy with a scenic pause, or spend more time walking.

Expect resort prices if you choose to eat or drink there. A meal or café stop can be worthwhile for the setting, but it is not included in the tour price. You might prefer to eat in Lucerne, where you have more choice, then use the Bürgenstock portion for the views and a walk. Either way, leave enough time to get back to the funicular and boat.

The Hammetschwand Lift is a separate extra, not part of the included funicular ride. Walking to and from the lift can take around an hour and a half, and the lift itself adds another activity to fit into a limited mountain visit. The funicular runs at intervals, so check the actual schedule when you arrive and work backward from your return boat. On the mountain, shelter can be limited, so sun protection is sensible on a bright day.

Weather matters here more than in the city. Fog can hide the lake and mountain views, making the resort visit feel less rewarding even though the transport still runs. Keep your plans flexible: if visibility is poor, you may want to spend more of your free time in Lucerne rather than rush through the mountain hoping the clouds lift.

What partly guided means in practice

This tour is best understood as guided transport with independent sightseeing. Your guide accompanies the bus journey from Zurich to Lucerne and from Lucerne back to Zurich. The orientation drive gives you a first look at key landmarks, and a downloadable Best of Lucerne audio guide offers another way to learn about the city on your own.

For your stay in Lucerne and visit to Bürgenstock, you receive tickets and a written itinerary rather than a guide walking alongside you throughout. That gives you freedom, but it puts the responsibility for timekeeping on you. Keep the return meeting point and boat schedule handy, and don’t assume the guide will be with you at each stop.

There can also be different itinerary variants operating together. If any instruction seems unclear, ask the guide to confirm which plan applies to your group before setting off. That small check is especially useful when the day includes timed boat and funicular connections.

Does the price make sense?

The displayed starting fares vary: the tour information gives a price from $167.39, while the English and Spanish package options are shown from $145.59. Treat those as starting figures rather than a guaranteed final price, and check the fare for your chosen date and language before booking.

The value depends on what you want included. The coach transport from Zurich, guide on the bus legs, Lake Lucerne boat ride, and Bürgenstock funicular make this a convenient package. If you plan to visit both Lucerne and Bürgenstock in one day, having the main transfers arranged can save time and simplify the connections.

If your only aim is to see Lucerne, taking the train from Zurich may be cheaper and gives you more control over the day. The tour earns its price more convincingly when you want the lake crossing and funicular as well as the city, and value having the route organized. Meals, drinks, tips, personal purchases, extra admissions, and the Hammetschwand Lift are not included, so budget for those separately.

Who will get the most from this day

I’d choose this tour if I had limited time in Zurich and wanted a straightforward way to combine Lucerne’s Old Town with a scenic lake-and-mountain outing. It can also work well if you want a little guidance on the journey but prefer to explore independently once you arrive. Families can bring children aged 0 to 5 free of charge, but you must include them in the booking.

It is less suited to you if you want a detailed guided walk through Lucerne, a slow visit to the city alone, or a guaranteed clear view from Bürgenstock. The schedule asks you to balance two destinations, and extra activities like the Hammetschwand Lift can make the day feel rushed if you try to fit in too much.

Sunday is worth considering. Some shops in Lucerne and at Bürgenstock are closed, which may matter if shopping is part of your plan. The natural scenery and walks remain the main draw, but don’t count on every store being open.

Should you book the Lucerne and Bürgenstock tour?

Book it if you want the boat ride and funicular bundled with Zurich transport, and you’re happy to spend much of the day exploring on your own. The mix of Lucerne, Lake Lucerne, and Bürgenstock makes a full day feel varied, and the included connections are the tour’s clearest advantage.

Skip it if Lucerne is your only priority and you’d rather set your own timetable by train. If you book, keep your plans modest, check the boat and funicular times, and leave a little margin for weather and traffic. That way, you can enjoy both the Old Town and the mountain without turning the day into a race.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Sihlquai Bus Station, Limmatstrasse 2, 8005 Zurich. Check in at the Best of Switzerland Tours counter and arrive at least 15 minutes before the 09:00 departure.

What time does the tour return to Zurich?

The scheduled return is 19:00 at Sihlquai Bus Station. Traffic and weather can change the schedule.

Is the tour guided throughout the day?

No. A guide accompanies the coach journey between Zurich and Lucerne in both directions. Your time in Lucerne and visit to Bürgenstock are mostly independent, with tickets and a written itinerary provided.

Are the boat ride and Bürgenstock funicular included?

Yes. The Lake Lucerne boat ride and Bürgenstock funicular are included.

Is the Hammetschwand Lift included?

No. The Hammetschwand Lift has a separate fee, and additional time is needed to visit it.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included. Other personal expenses, tips, and additional admissions are also extra.

Can children aged 0 to 5 join?

Yes. Children aged 0 to 5 can join free, but you must make a reservation for them when booking.

Are shops open on Sundays?

Some shops in Lucerne and at Bürgenstock are closed on Sundays.