Major city · Switzerland
Stans
Spend a half‑day in Stans to ride the Stanserhorn cable car and stroll the old town, then continue to Lucerne or Engelberg.
Stans, capital of Nidwalden, sits on the Lucerne‑Engelberg rail line. Its main draw is the Stanserhorn funicular‑cable‑car combo (Fr 37 one‑way) and nearby glass works. With a train link to Lucerne (15 min) and Engelberg (30 min), it works as a quick stop rather than a base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cable car limited hours)
- 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
Emergency numbers for Stans117 ▾
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 Stans, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch mountain weather forecasts for Stanserhorn and keep valuables secure on trains.
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 · 144 ambulance (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.
- Getting aroundTrains run hourly from Lucerne (15 min) and Engelberg (30 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at caféFr 4–6
- Museum or sight ticketFürigen Fortress entryFr 7
- Budget bedHotel Engel single room, a night, per personCHF 100 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 70 (≈ US$90) · Mid CHF 100 (≈ US$130) · High CHF 150 (≈ US$190)
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
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
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°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
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°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 Jan (9 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Stans: 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)
9 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°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
Trains run hourly from Lucerne (15 min) and Engelberg (30 min). Walk to the Stanserhorn funicular (≈5 min). Buses connect Stans to Stansstad boat pier.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Stanserhorn
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Funicular from Stans (5 min walk) then cable car
Single/return Fr 37/74; open Apr–Nov
Glasi Hergiswil
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Bus or walk 2 km (1.2 mi) from Stans stationBus or walk 1.2 mi (2 km) from Stans station
Exhibition Fr 7, glass maze Fr 5
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.
Hotel Engel
Central Stans, Fr 100–160 single/double
Hotel Winkelried (Stansstad)
Lake‑front, Fr 190–250 single/double
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 70–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- Fr 100–150 excl. bed
- High
- Fr 150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Engel single room2 × 3 nights × CHF 130 | CHF 780 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CHF 100 | CHF 600 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 230 per person per day, bed included | CHF 1,380≈ US$1,800 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at café | Fr 4–6 |
| Pizza at Der Italiener im Tell | Fr 17–20 |
| Stanserhorn cable car return | Fr 74 |
| Glasi Hergiswil exhibition | Fr 7 |
| Fürigen Fortress entry | Fr 7 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cable‑car runs Apr–Nov, half‑hourly; check schedule in winter.
- Fürigen Fortress open Apr–Oct only; verify opening days.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Ambulance
- 144
- Rega Air Rescue
- 1414
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
StansStans
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Bitte zu dieser AdresseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Ambulance144
- Rega Air Rescue1414
Embassy
Swiss Federal Office for Migration handles visas; US consulate in Zurich (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lucerne → Stans IR train: about Fr 12 one‑way, 15 min (check)
- Stanserhorn funicular + cable car: Fr 37 single, Fr 74 return (check)
Say or show
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me / Sorry (Entschuldigung)
- Danke — Thank you (Danke)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (Wie viel kostet das?)
- Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the toilet? (Wo ist die Toilette?)
- Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? — Can I pay by card? (Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?)
- Hilfe! — Help! (Hilfe!)
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 Stans. 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–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cable car limited hours) · 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
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a half‑day ticket for Stanserhorn cable car (check schedule).
- Combine with a Lucerne‑Engelberg rail pass for easy transfers.
Sources
- officialStans official website
- officialStanserhorn official site
- officialGlasi Hergiswil
- secondaryWikivoyage: Stans, revision 4107572 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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