Late spring · Weather & things to do
Lucerne in May
Lucerne warms up: highs climb to 66°F (19°C), from 59°F in April, with lows of 50°F (10°C) and about 5.9 in (150 mm) of rain.
It scores 73/100 for comfort, 3rd of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 66°F (19°C)
- Avg low
- 50°F (10°C)
- Rain
- 5.9 in (150 mm)
- Humidity
- 78%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 51 min
- Comfort score
- 73/100 · Good
What May feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 66°F (19°C), good for long walks.
Lows average 50°F (10°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.9 in (150 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (September).
- Comfort holds steady from April (72 → 73/100).
- May sits inside the May – Oct window our Swiss Lakes by Rail route recommends.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 50°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.9 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Lucerne in May
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
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.
Old Swiss House
Restaurant near the Lion Monument known for tableside Wiener schnitzel.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.9 in of rain.
Lake Lucerne Navigation Company
Historic paddle-steamer and motor boats across Lake Lucerne.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best May–Sep.
Wirtshaus Galliker
Old-school inn serving Lucerne's Chügelipastete and Swiss classics.
Why now Easy to slot in when May's rain moves in.
Lion Monument
Dying lion carved into rock to honor Swiss Guards killed in 1792.
Nearby in May
- Zurich in May~25 mi · highs 66°F, 5.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Andermatt in May~33 mi · highs 50°F, 6.4 in rain · 9°C (16°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Interlaken in May~33 mi · highs 65°F, 6.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Zermatt in May~76 mi · highs 54°F, 4.3 in rain · 7°C (12°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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Lucerne?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 73/100 against a best of 82 in September. Expect highs of 66°F (19°C) and 5.9 in (150 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Oct window our Swiss Lakes by Rail route recommends.
How hot is Lucerne in May?
Average highs are 66°F (19°C) and average lows 50°F (10°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Lucerne in May?
Yes: about 5.9 in (150 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.6 in (1362 mm).
What should I pack for Lucerne in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 50°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.9 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in May
- Swiss Lakes by Rail May – Oct
Planning Lucerne in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.