Lucerne Weather in January

January weather

Lucerne feels cold, damp and often grey in January. Days reach about 3°C, while nights can dip below freezing. Rain falls on 14 days, and the sun shows for only a little over two hours a day on average.

That weather can make long lakeside strolls or exposed mountain hikes feel grim. Save them for a clear spell. The old town's covered arcades are handy between sights, and the Swiss Museum of Transport gives you a warm, indoor day. Lake Lucerne cruises run on a winter timetable, so check the service before heading to the pier.

What's on

New Year's Day is a public holiday, and some shops and services may close. The Lucerne Light Festival, known as Lilu, usually brings illuminated artworks to the city in January. It's a good reason to explore the old town after dark, though the cold and damp can make a long evening outside uncomfortable.

If you hate crowds, January is a quieter time to see Chapel Bridge and the waterfront than the summer months. Hotel prices are often lower than in peak summer, but rates can vary around New Year and festival dates.

Make the most of it

Travelling with kids? The Swiss Museum of Transport has plenty to explore indoors when the weather turns wet.

For a practical local tip, use the covered arcades along the old town's Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz when rain sets in. You can keep sightseeing without crossing town in the open. If the clouds lift, take the train or boat toward Mount Rigi, but check winter connections before setting off. Its trails may be icy, so stick to an easy route if conditions look poor.