Major city · Switzerland
Brunnen
Spend a half day in Brunnen for lake views, a short hike or paragliding, then continue to Lucerne or Zurich; optional overnight if camping.
Brunnen is a small lakeside town in Central Switzerland with easy train links from Lucerne and Zug. Its main attractions are the lake promenade, nearby cable‑car to Urmiberg for paragliding, the Victorinox museum and short hikes. The town is walkable, so a few hours suffice; stay only if you want camping or a quiet night by the lake.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid December–February (cold, limited activities)
- Airport
- ZRH
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Brunnen112 ▾
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 Brunnen, 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
- SafetycheckBrunnen is safe; typical Swiss caution applies – watch train tracks, keep valuables secure, and check cable‑car operation in winter.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2 (≈ US$2–3); restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 144 ambulance · 118 fire (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 (≈50 km (31 mi) by train, main international gateway).ZRH Zurich Airport (≈31 mi (50 km) by train, main international gateway).
- Getting aroundThe town is compact; walk everywhere.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeFr 4–6
- Budget bedCampsite pitch, a night, per personCHF 20 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBed & Breakfast Boehringer, a night, per personCHF 55 (≈ US$70)
- High-end bedBed & Breakfast Boehringer, a night, per personCHF 70 (≈ US$90)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 30 (≈ US$40) · Mid CHF 70 (≈ US$90) · High CHF 120 (≈ US$150)
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 (≈50 km (31 mi) by train, main international gateway)ZRH Zurich Airport (≈31 mi (50 km) by train, main international gateway)
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
not flagged
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–Sep. 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 Jun (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Brunnen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 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 town is compact; walk everywhere. Train station is central; cable‑car to Urmiberg reachable by a short bus ride.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lucerne
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
S-Bahn S2/S3 from Brunnen, about 30 min
Lake city with Rigi and Pilatus nearby.
Zug
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
S-Bahn S2/S3, about 20 min
Historic town on the lake.
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.
Seehotel Waldstaetterhof
Lake‑front, 0.8 km (0.5 mi) from station, single Fr 210, double Fr 260.Lake‑front, 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from station, single Fr 210, double Fr 260.
Bed & Breakfast Boehringer
Fr 45 per person, includes linen.
Hopfreben campsite
Open Apr–Sep, western side of Muota river.
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
- Fr 30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- Fr 70–120 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Campsite pitch1 × 1 night × CHF 20 | CHF 20 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CHF 30 | CHF 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 5 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 55 per person per day, bed included | CHF 55≈ US$70 |
Check availability; open Apr–Sep
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | Fr 4–6 |
| Lake ferry (short ride) | Fr 5–8 |
| Paragliding tandem | Fr 170 |
| Hölloch cave ticket (adult) | Fr 15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cable‑car to Urmiberg closed on Mondays; check schedule.
- Paragliding flights run at set times; book in advance.
- Hölloch cave tours require warm clothing; temperature constant 6 °C (43 °F).Hölloch cave tours require warm clothing; temperature constant 43 °F (6 °C).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
- Rega (air rescue)
- 1414
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BrunnenBrunnen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
- Rega1414
Embassy
US consulate in Zurich; other embassies in Bern or Geneva.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Brunnen → Lucerne S-Bahn: ≈ Fr 8, 30 min (check schedule)
- Cable‑car to Urmiberg: Fr 12 round‑trip (check)
Say or show
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me / Sorry (entshuldigung)
- Danke — Thank you (danke)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (vee feel kostet das)
- Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the toilet? (vo ist dee toilet-uh)
- Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kann ish mit kar-te be-tsa-len)
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 Brunnen. 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–September · avoid December–February (cold, limited activities) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Seehotel Waldstaetterhof for lake views.
- Combine with a cable‑car ticket to Urmiberg for paragliding or hiking.
Sources
Ask about Brunnen
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