Major city · Switzerland
Flüelen
Half a day is enough: Rudenz Castle, the lakeshore, then a train or boat onward. Sleep in Altdorf or Lucerne, not here.
Flüelen is a small lakeside town in Uri, central Switzerland, where the Lake Lucerne boats meet the Gotthard railway. Rudenz Castle and the shoreline fill half a day; there is nowhere to sleep in town, so most travellers pass through on the way to Lucerne, Altdorf or the Gotthard.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, thin boat timetable)
- Airport
- ZRH
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is outside the EU customs area: allowances on meat, alcohol and tobacco are strict and checked at borders.
- Switzerland ↗Motorways need a vignette (sticker or e-vignette) before you drive on them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Flüelen117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Flüelen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).Switzerland-wide
- SIM or eSIMSwisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.Switzerland-wide
- Tap waterTap and fountain water is excellent.Switzerland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.Switzerland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Switzerland-wide
- SafetyFlüelen is a quiet, safe lakeside town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2 (≈ US$2–3); restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire and ambulance · 1414 Rega air rescue (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturday in small towns and all day Sunday, except stations and airports.Switzerland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportZRH Zurich Airport (Train to Flüelen with a change at Zurich HB, about 1 h 30 min).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ticketCHF 3–5 (≈ US$4–7)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed in Altdorf, a night, per personCHF 35 (≈ US$45)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 30 (≈ US$40) · Mid CHF 55 (≈ US$70) · High CHF 80 (≈ US$100)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ZRH Zurich Airport (Train to Flüelen with a change at Zurich HB, about 1 h 30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Nov (11 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Flüelen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 15 minutes. Flüelen station sits on the Gotthard line (trains to Lucerne, Altdorf, Bellinzona) and the boat pier is a short walk from it. Buses link Flüelen with Altdorf.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 15 min
Train or bus from Flüelen station, about 5 km (3.1 mi)Train or bus from Flüelen station, about 3.1 mi (5 km)
Where the beds are; Uri Museum and the Tell monument.
Door to door: Boat 2 h 45 min; train about 45 min
Lake Lucerne boat from the Flüelen pier, or train with a change
Take the boat one way for the lake, the train back.
Door to door: About 1 h
Boat across the lake, or train towards Schwyz
Lakeside village with the same boat line.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Train south through the Gotthard base tunnel, change at Göschenen or Erstfeld
Mountain village; better as a night than a return trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Altdorf
About 5 km (3.1 mi) south; the nearest real choice of beds. Bus or train from Flüelen station.About 3.1 mi (5 km) south; the nearest real choice of beds. Bus or train from Flüelen station.
Lucerne
About 45 min by train or 2 h 45 min by boat; use Flüelen as a day stop instead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CHF 30–45 (≈ US$40–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- CHF 45–70 (≈ US$60–90) excl. bed
- High
- CHF 70 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed in Altdorf1 × 1 night × CHF 35 | CHF 35 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CHF 30 | CHF 30 |
| Lake Lucerne ferry, Flüelen–Lucerne one way1 × CHF 25 · check | CHF 25 |
| eSIM data for a week1 × CHF 30 | CHF 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 12 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 132 per person per day, bed included | CHF 132≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in CHF; transport and accommodation excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | CHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Pastry | CHF 3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Bottle of water (0.5 L) | CHF 1.5–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Local bus ticket | CHF 3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat timetables are seasonal and thin outside summer: check the sailing list before you build a day around one.
- Few places to eat in town; buy food in Altdorf or eat on the boat.
- The station is a stop, not a terminus: some fast trains pass without stopping.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire and ambulance
- 118
- Rega air rescue
- 1414
Pocket card
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FlüelenFlüelen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire and ambulance118
- Rega air rescue1414
Embassy
US consular services are in Zurich; check the embassy page for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Flüelen → Lucerne, boat: about CHF 25 (≈ US$35) one way, 2 h 45 min (check)
- Flüelen → Lucerne, train: about CHF 15–20 (≈ US$19–25), 45 min (check)
- Flüelen → Altdorf, train or bus: about CHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8), 10–15 min
Say or show
- Grüezi — Hello (grue-zee)
- Danke — Thank you (dahn-keh)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is this? (vee feel kost-et das?)
- Wo ist der Bahnhof? — Where is the train station? (voh ist der bahn-hof?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Flüelen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, thin boat timetable) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Altdorf so the boat and castle stop is not rushed.
- Pair Flüelen with a full Lake Lucerne sailing day rather than a single crossing.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs for Rudenz Castle and the pier, plus boat departure times.
Sources
Ask about Flüelen
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