Early winter · Weather & things to do
Lucerne in December
Lucerne cools off: highs slip to 42°F (5°C), from 50°F in November, with lows of 30°F (-1°C) and about 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 42°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 3.9 in (100 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 76%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 19 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 42°F (5°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 30°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Some rain is likely, about 3.9 in (100 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 76%.
Only about 8 h 19 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 30°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 19 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 54/100 in November to 40/100.
- Our Swiss Lakes by Rail route recommends May – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 42°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Lucerne in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Swiss Museum of Transport
Large museum of trains, planes and boats on the lakeshore.
Why now Our curated notes list it for "rainy day", which suits a wetter month.
KKL Luzern
Jean Nouvel's concert hall with a huge overhanging roof over the lake.
Rathaus Brauerei
Brewpub under arcades on the river, with house beers and Swiss food.
Wirtshaus Galliker
Old-school inn serving Lucerne's Chügelipastete and Swiss classics.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 42°F.
Old Swiss House
Restaurant near the Lion Monument known for tableside Wiener schnitzel.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Zurich in December~25 mi · highs 39°F, 4.0 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Andermatt in December~33 mi · highs 26°F, 3.5 in rain or snow · 9°C (16°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Interlaken in December~33 mi · highs 42°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Zermatt in December~76 mi · highs 30°F, 2.7 in rain or snow · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~938 m to Lucerne's ~439 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Lucerne in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Lucerne?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September. Expect highs of 42°F (5°C) and 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain. Our Swiss Lakes by Rail route recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Lucerne in December?
Average highs are 42°F (5°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Lucerne in December?
Some: about 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.6 in (1362 mm).
What should I pack for Lucerne in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Lucerne in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.