Zürich

Zürich is Switzerland's largest city and lies about 50 km north of Luzern, making it a straightforward city day trip. IC and IR trains to Zürich Hauptbahnhof take about 45 minutes each way and leave several times an hour. A one-way ticket costs CHF 29-33, with Supersaver fares from about CHF 15 on selected trains, and FlixBus offers a cheaper alternative at CHF 10-18 with a few departures a day. Much of the city is within walking distance of the main station on Bahnhofplatz. The principal sights include Bahnhofstrasse, the shopping boulevard that runs to Lake Zürich, the lake promenade, the Lindenhof viewpoint above the river Limmat, the Niederdorf old town lanes, the Kunsthaus art museum and the Swiss National Museum beside the station. A practical day takes the 09:00 train, walks Bahnhofstrasse to the lake, crosses to the Lindenhof and Niederdorf, has lunch at the Zeughauskeller, visits the Swiss National Museum and returns by about 18:00. The best season is May to September, when the lake promenade and outdoor cafes are at their best, though museums make the city a viable year-round trip. Lunch typically costs CHF 25-45, and total costs for train and lunch are about CHF 60-70 plus meals. Prices in Zürich are high even by Swiss standards, so a picnic by the lake is a common budget option. The Zurich Card includes public transport and museum discounts, and is worth comparing with a day pass for visitors who plan several museum visits.