Tips on Avoiding Lucerne Tourist Traps

Lucerne Tourist Traps

Lucerne is the most heavily populated town in central Switzerland and a regular destination for visitors. However, tourists should be aware of some tips to help avoid falling into local tourist traps.

Dining Out

Switzerland is known as one of the more expensive countries to visit in Europe, and visitors are advised to choose their dinners wisely. However, responsible planning can help you avoid paying too much. While a three-course meal with wine will cost you more than 40 Swiss francs per person, you can have sandwiches that will cost you no more than eight francs. Also, remember that in Switzerland, most restaurant bills include service. Unless service is exceptional, there is no need to add any further server tip. However, visitors should be aware that the credit card bills leave open the ability to tip. If you’re not paying attention, you may end up paying far more for the meal than you realized.

Shopping

Be careful of where you decide to go shopping in Lucerne. Some tour guides and companies are paid to guide you to certain stores. This occurs with some of the local watch sellers, who will mark up prices by quite a bit.

Mark-ups also happen at stores around the Lion monument. Souvenir hunters will want to move further down the road, where prices can drop as much as 40 percent. Lucerne isn’t the best place to go clothes hunting, since the selection isn’t incredible and yet the prices can be quite high.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about avoiding Lucerne tourist traps.