Lucerne business hours are similar to those in other cities in Switzerland, with banks, post offices and shops generally opening from 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, while department stores have reduced hours on weekends and offer late night shopping on Thursdays. 

Banks: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 18:30, Monday to Saturday, most closed on Sundays
Museums: 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday

Switzerland is one of the safest countries you could visit in terms of theft and violence against tourists. Further to this, Lucerne happens to be one of the safest of all large Swiss cities; the streets are well lit and well-policed at night and the roads are wide and with little traffic congestion.

However, like other world cities, Lucerne does have a problem with petty thieves such as pickpockets and scam artists. Always keep valuables out of sight and don't believe street salesmen who may be up to no good. Do not keep your valuables in a visible money bag, as these are easily removed by razor blade and can make you look like a naive tourist.

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz

Switzerland is free from endemic contagious diseases and is among the healthiest countries in the world. Healthcare and cleanliness are top priorities for the locals. Those people who have visited countries that are known to have a high incidence rate of contagious diseases within the last two weeks must ensure they have been immunised before arriving in Switzerland. You will need to keep a record of your vaccination dates, should this apply to you. 

Visitors travelling with prescribed medicines should have a letter from their doctor to accompany their drugs. It would also be a good idea to check the generic name of the medication you are on, as opposed to the brand name, in case you need to buy extras while visiting Lucerne. 

If you become ill while visiting Lucerne, there are plenty of high quality hospitals and clinics in the city. In addition, pharmacies are on hand in all tourist areas of the city and can be contacted in an emergency. 

Lucerne Cantonal Hospital
Tel: +41 41 205 1111

Ambulance: 144

Although Lucerne is located close to the centre of Switzerland, the main tongue here is German. French, Italian and English are also widely spoken in Lucerne, so you should have no problems in getting directions and ordering food. However, it is always a good idea to try and speak a modicum of German while performing greetings and civilities should you be visiting friends in Lucerne or trying to mix with locals.

The Swiss have not adopted the Euro and they still use the Swiss Franc, although Euros can be used to pay hotel and restaurant bills in more established places. The Swiss Franc is denoted by either a CHF or SFr and is divided into 100 centimes. Notes come in denominations of SFr/CHF 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10, while coins include 5, 2 and 1 Francs and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Foreign exchange booths can be found in banks all over Lucerne as well as at various tourist hotspots in the Old Town and at the train station. You can exchange Euros and travellers cheques at bureaux de change booths, which usually remain open until after the banks have closed. Lucerne also has automatic money exchange machines.

Cash machines are scattered throughout the city at various banks as well as in many department stores and shopping malls. Most machines accept foreign credit cards. Many hotels and restaurants also accept credit cards, although travellers cheques are still the best way to carry your money.

Visitors are allowed to bring in a limited amount of duty-free items into Switzerland including two litres of alcohol (15 per cent proof maximum, or one litre above 15 per cent proof) and 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. Visitors from outside the European Union may bring in double the amount of spirits, cigarettes, cigars and tobacco.

Everyday personal items, such as clothing, photographic equipment and musical instruments, may also be brought into the country without attracting duty, while those bringing in personal medication should declare it at customs.

The standard form of greeting in Switzerland and Lucerne is the handshake. All of Switzerland has a no smoking policy in enclosed public places including in restaurants, bars and on public transport, although some restaurants and bars have separate smoking rooms. 

One of the most important points to remember for visitors before travelling to Switzerland is to pay special attention to their attire. The Swiss are a rather formal bunch and they take extra care with the way they look when out and about, and may actually take offence to someone who is clearly dishevelled; however, casual clothing for sightseeing is fine.

Dining in Lucerne is a big deal and many Lucerne natives will spend the whole evening at a restaurant, where entertainment is also often provided. All but the most casual of restaurants will expect patrons to wear smart, clean clothing and more established restaurants may require customers to don jackets and ties for men and dresses for ladies. Waiters and waitresses like to be treated with respect and waving to get their attention is considered impolite.

Citizens of the European Union, North America, Australia and New Zealand may enter Switzerland for up to 90 days. Those from the Euro Zone, apart from the United Kingdom and Ireland, can enter with just their national identity cards; British and Irish visitors can enter on display of their passport. If you are from another part of the world and are unsure as to whether you need a visa or not, you are advised to contact a Swiss Embassy or consulate in your country prior to travel. People who hold Schengen visas do not get automatic entry into Switzerland, as the Swiss have not signed this treaty.

Lucerne Tourism provides tourist information on the city and the canton of Lucerne with coverage on attractions and things to do. You can find the tourist information office on Zentralstrasse 5, CH-6002, Lucerne, or if you prefer, you can call them on: +41 41 227 1717. You can also fax them at: +41 41 227 1720, or emailed at: luzern@luzern.org.

In addition, the Help Desk Central Switzerland can also be contacted by calling: +41 41 227 17 44, or emailed at: info@centralswitzerland.ch.