Private car transfer from Milan to Lucerne

While driving with Daytrip's door-to-door professional car service, you can visit some of the region's most beautiful attractions and landmarks. You can tour the Alfa Romeo Museum, with its six floors and scale models, or visit Como City, found on the southern shores of Lake Como, and snap a few pictures of the classic architecture.

If cars and architecture aren't to your liking, there's the Sasso San Gottardo museum, which used to be a secret Swiss military base that you can tour, or you can walk the Devil's Bridge for stupendous views.

Once you've seen all you need to along the way and reach Lucerne, expect to be welcomed by a pristine lake known for its stunning beauty, soaring majestic mountains, flavorful food, colorful traditions, and historical treasures. Centrally located, this lakeside location is the perfect starting point for a Switzerland vacation.

Lucerne's history goes back centuries, with the Romans and Stone Age settlements leaving their traces in the area. However, the first mention of this city in historical texts appeared in 840. Beginning as a fishing village, Lucerne grew into a vital regional market town, supplying the hinterland for centuries.

Thanks to trade, Lucerne became a major commercial center around the 13th century and remained so until the 17th century. In 1798, it lost its independence to Napoleon, who transformed it into the Helvetic Republic, but this didn't last. Shortly after Switzerland became a modern nation-state, modernity reached Lucerne shores in 1859 with the railway expansion into the region, and ever since, the town has been a tourism haven.

Over the years, Lucerne has grown into a beautifully picturesque, quaint, and charming city that is simultaneously cozy and adventurous. When visiting this small Swiss city, be prepared to meander through antique cobblestone streets that spill into gorgeous squares adorned with hand-painted building facades and serenely trickling fountains. You'll see jutting alpine peaks no matter where you wander and come across breathtaking medieval bridges that crisscross the city's spectacular glassy greenish blue-hued lake.

So, take your time as you stroll from one place to the next. Pop into local shops for souvenir shopping, book a thrilling boat tour of the lake, enjoy a chocolate-tasting session at the chocolatiers, or bust out your skis on the mountain slopes. With so much to see and do, you'll be captivated by Lucerne's sublime surroundings.

Keep an eye on your belongings when traveling from the airport

If you're flying from Milan in Italy to Zurich in Switzerland and plan to travel by train or taxi from the airport the rest of the way to Lucerne, you need to keep an eye on your belongings at the airport. Although Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world, there are still thieves who prey on travelers at the airport.

So, to save yourself from becoming a prime target, keep your luggage in sight at all times, or why not drive from Milan to Lucerne directly with Daytrip? Driving with Daytrip is safe, and you won't need to worry about thieves or pickpockets at airports and train stations.

Book accommodation well in advance

Since the distance between Milan and Lucerne isn't that far, you likely won't need to book accommodation unless you want to stay over in places like Bellinzona, Cosmo City, or Wassen along the way.

If you want to stay in any of these cities or plan to stay a day or two in Lucerne, you must book in advance. Since Switzerland is such a popular destination, accommodation at hotels and backpackers is booked well in advance—especially during peak season. So book your stay as soon as you know you'll travel to Lucerne.

Be prepared to spend

Switzerland is pricey. That is the reality. So, if you are planning a trip from Milan to Lucerne, be prepared to spend. You might get away with being frugal on certain things – like your transport if you book with Daytrip – but everything from the food and accommodation to attractions is expensive. So keep this in mind and ensure you budget enough.

From Milan to Lucerne by flight

Those who want to fly from Milan to Lucerne must know that no direct flight is offered. If you want to fly, you must take a train from Milan station to Milan airport, then fly to Zurich.

From Zurich, you must take a train or a taxi to Lucerne. The entire trip, with its changes, should take just under four hours, but it is incredibly pricey, with one-way tickets starting at $127 (€117) and going as high as $387 (€358). The cost is often not worth it considering there are cheaper and far easier ways to travel—like with the bus or Daytrip's private car service.

From Milan to Lucerne by bus

The two most popular bus lines offering trips from Milan to Lucerne are Flixbus and RegioJet. The former offers trips four times a day, while the latter only offers trips twice weekly. Bus tickets cost between $23 and $44 (€21-€41), depending on the time you choose to travel.

For example, if you travel early in the morning with Flixbus and take a direct trip, you will pay more than if you travel mid-morning. It's also worth noting that Flixbus offers night buses, so that's worth considering if you want to explore Lucerne on a Daytrip.

However, the bus can be crowded and not as comfortable as other transportation options. You also won't get to see the great views as you take your journey from Milant if you take a night bus.

From Milan to Lucerne by train

Those wanting to take the train from Milano Centrale must book with Swiss Railways. This train line offers a few trips between Milan and Lucerne daily, but none are direct trains. You will encounter one to two changes, which can make the trip frustrating and inconvenient.

It's also worth noting that train tickets can be a little pricey, considering you won't get to stop and sightsee on your train journey. On average, a ticket can cost between $80 and $150 (€74-€139) one way. Order online instead of through the ticket office for the best price, and learn the local names (Milano and Luzern).

Train times also vary greatly, so a trip could take anywhere between four hours, 40 minutes, and ten hours. However, you'll see spectacular views from the window as the journey takes you through the Alps.

From Milan to Lucerne by private car service

If you want to save time and enjoy a scenic trip between Milan and Lucerne, you should consider traveling with Daytrip. Not only is Daytrip's private door-to-door service affordable, with a trip starting at $76 (€82), but it's also safe, reliable, comfortable, and insightful.

Your private, professional, English-speaking driver can share local tips about many of the places along the route, which could help you while you travel. In addition, you won't have to worry about navigating the roads or the border crossing, as your driver will take care of that for you, much like your luggage.

You'll also get to choose when you travel so that your travel times best suit your needs. The trip will take about three hours, making it the fastest way to travel.

Sammlung Rosengart

Art enthusiasts will love visiting the Sammlung Rosengart Museum. This museum holds the private art collection of the Swiss art dealer, Siegfried Rosengard – and what a beautiful collection it is! Since the pair were friends with Picasso, it's unsurprising that the museum holds more than 40 examples of Picasso's imaginative and playful mind.

In fact, an entire floor is dedicated to Picasso's art. However, you won't only find Picasso's works at this museum but also pieces by classic modernists Monet, Cezanne, Miro, Matisse, and Chagall, alongside sketches by Swiss-born artist Paul Klee.

Inseli Park

There is something intrinsically different about being outdoors and breathing in deeply while visiting Lucerne, with its mountain ranges and crystalline lake. If you want to pause your busy wanderings for a breather, why not consider a visit to Inseli Park?

Inseli Park wraps around the lake and is near the esteemed KKL cultural center. Although you can bring along your own picnic, there are two small cafe bars serving light bites, soft drinks, cocktails, and beers that you can buy to go. So, when visiting, be sure to pull up a chair or sit by the lake on the grass while you take in the exquisite views and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Lucerne's Cold War bunker

If you're in the mood to do something different in Lucerne, head to Sonnenberg Hill, where you'll find Lucerne's Cold War bunker. This bunker was built in 1976 as a fallout shelter to protect a third of the city's population should the need arise.

Fortunately, it never did, but this bunker can be toured today. When visiting, you can check out the command center where operations would be conducted and learn more about how people would have eaten, slept, and used the toilet in a post-apocalyptic Lucerne.