Travel budget and cost of living in Lucerne (Switzerland) how much does a trip cost?

Lucerne travel budget

Lucerne: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Lucerne

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Lucerne for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Lucerne compared to United States in 2026

On average, the cost of living in Lucerne in 2026 is 78% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Lucerne in 2026 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Lucerne by expense type

Restaurant budget in Lucerne

Lunch

$ 40/person
($ 24 to $ 104)

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95% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 79/person
($ 66 to $ 323)

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104% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

McDonald's meal

$ 21/person
($ 16 to $ 22)

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63% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 9 for 500ml
($ 7.7 to $ 13)

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52% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9

Imported beer

$ 3 for 330ml
($ 1.5 to $ 6.4)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 6.6/cup
($ 5.8 to $ 7.7)

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26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 5.8/can
($ 5.1 to $ 7.7)

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122% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 5.1/bottle
($ 3.9 to $ 7.1)

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146% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Lucerne

1-star hotel

$ 195/night
($ 121 to $ 609)

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14% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 171

2-star hotel

$ 223/night
($ 117 to $ 603)

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33% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

3-star hotel

$ 248/night
($ 111 to $ 690)

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1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 247

4-star hotel

$ 369/night
($ 153 to $ 944)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 353

5-star hotel

$ 681/night
($ 317 to $ 1482)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 591

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 215/month
($ 126 to $ 601)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178

Room with kitchen

$ 377/month
($ 129 to $ 1069)

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41% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 270

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 415/month
($ 140 to $ 1308)

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85% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226

Cottage or guest house

$ 287/month
($ 181 to $ 899)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 260

Family room

$ 465/month
($ 183 to $ 1532)

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112% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Supermarket food budget in Lucerne

Milk

$ 2.4/litre
($ 1.9 to $ 2.4)

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123% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 7.8/500g
($ 3.1 to $ 12)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.2

Rice

$ 4.6/kg
($ 3.2 to $ 6.4)

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2% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 8.1/12 eggs
($ 4.5 to $ 11)

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87% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Chicken

$ 33/kg
($ 21 to $ 46)

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161% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 3.7/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 5.5)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 6.6/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 12)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 2.1/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 2.6)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 1.4
($ 0.8 to $ 2.1)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Public and private transport budget in Lucerne

Bus ticket

$ 5.2/ticket
($ 4.4 to $ 9.5)

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113% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 5.1/km
($ 5.1 to $ 5.1)

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198% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 2.3/litre
($ 2.3 to $ 2.3)

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155% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 8.5
($ 7.7 to $ 9)

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145% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Car hire

$ 87/24hrs
($ 66 to $ 131)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 83

Leisure activity budget in Lucerne

Cinema

$ 24/ticket
($ 22 to $ 29)

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56% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 57/hr
($ 40 to $ 70)

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144% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Lucerne

Cigarettes

$ 12/pack
($ 12 to $ 13)

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13% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.3

Levi's jeans

$ 149
($ 130 to $ 194)

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178% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 94
($ 53 to $ 130)

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119% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

London → Zurich

$ 164
(fair price: $ 138)

Montreal → Zurich

$ 1039
(fair price: $ 911)

Manchester → Zurich

$ 230
(fair price: $ 184)

New York City → Zurich

$ 903
(fair price: $ 705)

Dublin → Zurich

$ 230
(fair price: $ 179)

Melbourne → Zurich

$ 1547
(fair price: $ 1229)