Lungern City
Alpine village by Lake Lungern, scenic Obwalden setting
On Lake Lungern’s shore with a backdrop of alpine ridges, Lungern invites swimmers, paddleboarders and hikers; mountain inns, cable cars and lakeside terraces make for straightforward access to Swiss hiking and seasonal markets.
Lungern at a Glance#
Costs: Expensive - $140-230 per day - typical Swiss mountain prices; accommodations and restaurants are pricey.
Safety: Very safe - very safe; low crime and family-friendly environment.
Best Time: May-September - late spring to early autumn is perfect for lakeside hiking and boating.
Why Visit Lungern?#
Tucked beside a deep-blue mountain lake and the Brünig Pass, Lungern is a picture of alpine life where mountain sports and tranquil vistas converge. Lungerersee’s clear water and lakeside promenade set the scene for boating, hiking and summer swimming, while winter brings pistes and cross-country trails. Traditional Swiss chalet architecture and hearty alpine fare-think cheese fondue and rösti-are on offer in village inns. Outdoor-first travelers appreciate the easy access to central Switzerland’s mountain routes.
Best Things to Do in Lungern#
Lungern Bucket List#
Lungerersee (Lake Lungern) - Relax at Lungerersee’s shore, swim in clear water and enjoy mountain reflections.
Brünig Pass / Brienzer Rothorn - Ride the Brünig pass road to reach Brienzer Rothorn railway and alpine panoramas.
Lungern village centre - Wander Lungern’s village centre, visit the lakeside chapel and traditional wooden houses.
Lungererbach riverside paths - Follow quieter riverside paths along the Lungererbach for peaceful forest and stream scenery.
Sarnersee nearby - Short walk to nearby Sarnersee for calmer swimming spots and picnic areas.
Mountain dairy hut visits - Visit a mountain dairy hut to sample fresh alpine cheese and watch cheesemaking.
Interlaken - Drive to Interlaken for adventure sports, lakes Thun and Brienz and mountain access.
Lucerne - Visit Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge, Old Town and lakeside promenades for city charm.
Best Time to Visit Lungern#
Visit Lungern from late spring to early autumn (June-September) for mild mountain weather, hiking and lake activities. Winters are snowy and ideal for alpine sports and cozy stays.
December - February
-8°C to 0°C (18°F to 32°F)
Cold with regular snow-great for classic Alpine scenery, winter sports and cozy mountain inns.
March - May
-2°C to 10°C (28°F to 50°F)
Slow thaw; early spring brings muddy trails then fresh alpine blooms and clearer hiking conditions later in season.
June - August
8°C to 22°C (46°F to 72°F)
Mild, comfortable mountain summers perfect for hiking, lake swims and long daylight for exploring high-altitude trails.
Lungern's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1398 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 3° | -2° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 5° | -1° | 98 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 8° | 2° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | 3° - 12° | 6° | 106 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.4 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 17° | 12° | 123 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 10° - 20° | 15° | 159 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 158 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 158 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.9 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 8° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.8 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 7° | 2° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 4° | -1° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 1.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
How to Get to Lungern#
Lungern lies on the Brünig line in Obwalden and is well served by the Zentralbahn rail link between Lucerne and Interlaken. Most visitors arrive via Lucerne (connected from Zurich) and continue by regional train directly to Lungern.
Zurich Airport (ZRH): The main international airport for central Switzerland; from Zurich Airport take a direct train to Lucerne (about 1 hour, fare typically CHF 13-30) and then a regional Zentralbahn train from Lucerne to Lungern (about 35-45 minutes).
Bern Airport / Zurich (alternatives): Bern has limited scheduled flights; arriving via Zurich or Geneva then connecting by train to Lucerne is the usual route. From Lucerne, the Brünig line (operated by Zentralbahn) serves Lungern directly - total transfer from Zurich ~1.5-2 hours depending on connections.
Train: Lungern is on the Zentralbahn Brünig line between Lucerne and Interlaken; trains run regularly and the trip from Lucerne is about 35-45 minutes. The Lucerne main station is the principal interchange for intercity travellers.
Bus: Local PostAuto buses link Lungern with neighbouring villages and provide additional local connections; schedules complement the train service for shorter local hops and mountain access (fares are zone/time based).
How to Get Around Lungern#
The most convenient way to reach Lungern is by Zentralbahn from Lucerne on the Brünig line. Inside the valley, PostAuto buses and walking cover most short trips; rent a car only if you plan to explore remote alpine roads.
- Zentralbahn (Brünig line) (CHF 5-20 (regional segment)) - The Brünig line (Zentralbahn) runs directly to Lungern from Lucerne and Interlaken - it’s scenic and frequent. Trains are the most reliable and comfortable way to reach Lungern; check Zentralbahn or SBB for exact timetables and connections.
- PostAuto bus (CHF 2.50-8) - PostAuto buses provide local links from Lungern to neighbouring villages and trailheads. They complement the rail schedule and are useful for last-mile access to hikes and rural spots; buy tickets on board or via the SBB app.
- Car / Rental (CHF 40-120/day (rental)) - Driving gives flexibility to explore the Obwalden area and reach alpine roads and viewpoints. Roads are generally well maintained but narrow in places; winter conditions may require snow tyres. Parking in Lungern is limited in summer weekends.
- Taxi (CHF 30-80) - Taxis are available but limited; use them for late arrivals or luggage-heavy transfers from Lucerne. They are significantly costlier than trains or PostAuto for routine transfers.
- Walking - Lungern is compact with easy walking routes along the lake and into nearby trails. For hiking in higher terrain bring appropriate footwear and local trail maps.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Lungern’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Lungern#
Shopping in Lungern is limited to small local shops, bakeries and convenience stores serving residents and visitors. There aren’t department stores or big malls in town, so bring any specialised items with you or visit larger towns nearby. Souvenir and regional food stalls appear in peak season around tourist sites.
Nightlife in Lungern#
Nightlife in Lungern is quiet and centered on guesthouses, hotel bars and a few local restaurants. There are no clubs or late-night music venues; evenings are relaxed and family-friendly. If you’re seeking more active nightlife, larger neighbouring towns offer more choices.
