How to Find Cheap Hotels in Lucerne, Switzerland. Lucerne is the gateway to the many holiday resorts in the Swiss Alps. The city's central location, its position on beautiful Lake Lucerne, and the fact that Lucerne is surrounded by Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi accounts for the city's nickname--"Switzerland within Switzerland." Tourist traffic is heavy in this gorgeous city, but cheap accommodations are not too difficult to find.
Visit Old Town Lucerne and get lost in the maze of streets and bridges, promenades and plazas. Historical towers abound in this architecture-lover's dream, and luckily, so do tourist-class hotels.
Walk on the Chapel Bridge--the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. Chapel Bridge has stood since the 14th century.
Step into some of Lucerne's little surprises: high-quality skateboard-oriented shops such as Doodah and Paranoia.
Ride the world's steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad up Mount Pilatus. The view is astounding.
To book accommodations, contact The Swiss National Tourist Office at (877) 794-8037 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). You can stay at a one-star hotel or hostel. These accommodations, which are often clean, charming and well-located, frequently offer the best way to stay in the heart of Lucerne for cheap.
Look for cheap accommodations during the months of June and September, especially at resorts. The month of May features the greatest savings but the sparsest selection; however, Mount Pilatus and Rigi are at their most beautiful during this time of the year.
Seek accommodations farther afield from Lucerne, along the Swiss Federal Railway. If you're willing to ride a train every day to and from the city, you will save money without sacrificing very much time. Sometimes the more remote locations feature the most charming accommodations.
Reserve your accommodations through an online booking site or by contacting the hotel directly.
