Where to stay in Lucerne, Switzerland
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Trying to work out where to stay in Lucerne during your Switzerland trip?
The best thing about Lucerne is that it’s fantastically walkable and most must-sees are clustered around the old town or easily reached by public transport, but the not-so-good news is that prices here can be wiiiiild and it’s not unheard of for a tiny attic room with a sloped ceiling and no air con to cost upwards of 300CHF a night 🫠
There are plenty of options right across the accommodation spectrum though, whether you want to be amongst the action in the Altstadt, stay close to the station for easy access to day trip transport, escape into the mountains or treat yourself to a fancy lakefront room. You just need to decide how far your budget can stretch and what compromises you’re willing to make (if any).
Here are 10 places to stay in Lucerne to suit whatever your trip needs, from budget backpackers to ultra-luxe to those of us who sit in between, plus recommendations for solo travellers, families and more.
Quick overview of where to stay in Lucerne
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Recommended hotel |
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Best mid-range hotel |
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Best hotel with kitchenette facilities |
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Best budget hotel |
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Best 4-star hotel |
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Best for solo travellers on a budget |
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Best classic hostel |
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Best for families & groups |
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Best luxury hotel |
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Best bucket list stay in the mountains |
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Best bucket list stay on the lake |
💰 A quick note about the ‘From’ prices I’ve mentioned: It’s really tricky to compare accommodation prices like-for-like when each hotel displays them differently and dynamic pricing means what you pay is very dependent on demand for that specific room type. To keep things as simple as possible, I’ve used booking.com’s monthly calendar view to find the cheapest typical nightly rate for two people in a double room in the shoulder months (Apr/May and Oct) and peak season (Jul/Aug), unless stated otherwise.
These are just to give you a rough idea of the cost compared to each other, but you might pay more or less in those months depending on how early or late you book, if there are any events on in the city or whether you can get a deal going direct.
Where I’ve stayed in Lucerne
I’ve been to Lucerne a bunch of times but only a few have been overnight stays, though those three were all drastically different types of trips.
The first was during my first year of full-time solo travel where I was on a very tight budget and hadn’t yet outgrown hostel dorms or learnt the value of proximity to the train station, I stayed at Backpackers Luzern and it was exactly what I needed at that stage of my travel life (and it still gets my recommendation for best hostel in Lucerne).
Next was a city break with my mum, we parked up at the Lubo smart-hotel for a couple of nights which gave us a brilliantly central Altstadt location with a kitchenette for keeping food costs down.
And my most recent trip to Lucerne was last October, I was solo and visiting on a weekend after doing the Gotthard Panorama Express, but I left my booking to the last minute and prices were painful 🫣
I ended up at Capsule Hotel Lucerne Old Town for a pod-style stay and it was ideal, a great option for solo travellers who want to balance budget with privacy, or a pretty safe bet if you’re planning things too late in the game and private hotel room prices make you wince.
The best areas to stay in Lucerne
Lucerne is compact enough that you’re never too far from the highlights or public transport to get to them, so the best area for you comes down to whether you want to save money, save time or save your suitcase wheels.
The old town (Altstadt) is the city’s medieval centre, where you’ll find historic guild houses with frescoed facades, riverside restaurants, a wide selection of retailers from global brands to boutique artisans, and a dense concentration of must-see landmarks.
It’s (understandably) busy with tourists pretty much all day every day and heritage buildings can lack space, air con or elevators, but you’ll be right amongst the action, won’t have to walk far for meals, and can take advantage of early morning walks and photo spots before the tour groups roll in.
Most of the Altstadt sits on the north side of the Reuss, an easy walk from the station across one of the bridges, with a few blocks on the south side of the river between Spreuerbrücke and Reussbrücke which are noticeably quieter.
Directly across the river from the main old town area and stretching further south is the Neustadt (new town), more urban than touristy and more practical than postcard-ready, with modern hotels and apartments that tend to offer amenities over atmosphere.
This is where you’ll find the main station, the piers for lake cruises, local-focused eateries and a burgeoning creative scene, and you’re only a 5-15 minute walk from the Altstadt for sightseeing.
The lakefront promenade that runs east of the old town is home to the stately 5* hotels that dominate the cityscape if you’re looking at it from a boat, as well as some more affordable options (in relative terms) for cosy and comfortable stays if you want to wake up to the water.
It’s about a 10-20 minute walk from the station along a flat footpath, or there are quick and frequent buses if it’s raining (or if it’s not, no judgement 😂).
And then above the lake you’ve got the Bürgenstock ridge and its ultra-luxe hilltop spa resorts, reachable by a 30-minute-ish private shuttle from the main station or a combo of train + bus + shuttle, or boat + funicular + walk/shuttle depending on which hotel you choose.
Hotel des Alpes (best mid-range hotel)
📍 Location: On the river in the Altstadt right in front of the Chapel Bridge, 5 min walk from the station
⭐ Rating & reviews: 3-star, rated 8.8/10 from 1,800+ reviews on booking.com
💰 Price: From 204CHF (shoulder) / 320CHF (peak) for a double room, including an 18CHF daily food credit per adult for the hotel restaurant
Hotel des Alpes has been welcoming guests into their 16th century riverfront building since the 1870s 🤯 and it’s undoubtedly one of the best-value stays in the city.
The interiors aren’t as fancy as the aesthetically-pleasing exterior but the rooms are simple and comfortable, were renovated in 2024, and use their limited floor area efficiently.
I love that you can see the exact room size and aspect you’ll get upfront, so you know exactly what you’re paying for and can spend a bit more for extra space or a guaranteed view.
Bookings usually come with an 18CHF food credit per adult per day for the on-site restaurant and you can choose when to spend it, which is handy in a city as expensive as this! If you’ve got breakfast plans elsewhere or you want to get out first thing to head into the mountains, you can use your credit on dinner instead rather than letting an included meal go to waste.
There’s no air conditioning (not possible in a building this old unfortunately) and reviews mention some street noise with the windows open on warm nights, so travellers who run hot or summer-time holidayers might want to reconsider, but if you’re visiting in the milder months this combo of affordability/location/positive reviews is unbeatable.
Book this one if:
- You’re willing to compromise on space to get an iconic Chapel Bridge view from your window or balcony
- You like the idea of not being tied to a 7am-10am buffet breakfast
- Staying in the Altstadt is a non-negotiable for you but so is getting decent value for money
The Lubo (best hotel with kitchenette facilities)
📍 Location: In the middle of the old town, 10 min walk from the station
⭐ Rating & reviews: 3-star, rated 8.2/10 from 1,900+ reviews on booking.com
💰 Price: From 179CHF (shoulder) / 377CHF (peak) for a double room with a kitchenette (they have cheaper rooms without kitchenettes)
As someone who often spends her entire Switzerland daily food budget on a fondue dinner, a hotel with a fridge and something to cook with is a gamechanger for my nutritional intake 🍳 Throw in air con, a guest laundry and check-in/check-out without having to speak to a human and honestly it’s like this place was designed for a full-time solo traveller on the verge of burnout haha.
The Lubo is a fully-automated boutique hotel in Lucerne’s historic centre and it’s my go-to place to stay when my budget allows.
I stayed in a design double room with a kitchenette which had a big comfy bed, a table/bench big enough for my laptop and portable monitor as well as dining, and a fridge, kettle and hob for cooking. They’ve got quite a few room types which offer different features and bed setups though, including triple and quads with bunk beds for families or groups of friends, so check carefully before you book.
The whole check-in/out process is on your phone and your phone gives you access to your room plus the community room where you can find free tea and coffee, washing machines and a vending machine, and there’s a luggage room to leave your bags after checking out if you’re not leaving the city until later.
The hotel also operates the café downstairs, Rokka, and guests get a discount (10% from memory), I highly recommend the apple cinnamon porridge for a winter warmer breakfast.
The only thing to note is that it can be tricky if you’ve got heavy bags, a baby stroller or accessibility requirements.
It’s in the pedestrianised zone of the old town so you’ve gotta drag your suitcases along the cobblestones, then the main entrance with the check-in kiosks doesn’t have a lift, so after checking in you’ve gotta go back outside around the corner of the building to find the very compact elevator. Doable for sure, but a bit of a mission if you just want something stress-free from the station to your room.
But if that doesn’t faze you, from my (extensive) research the Lubo is the only self-catering Altstadt option in this price bracket with decent reviews, you can either pay loads more for an apartment twice the size or look beyond the old town and probably still end up paying a similar amount for a less charming location.
Book this one if:
- You want to cook some nights without booking a whole apartment you don’t even need
- Lucerne is a mid-trip stop and you’ll have half a suitcase of washing to do
- You’re happy to navigate the whole hotel process on your phone
Hotel Münzgasse (best budget hotel)
📍 Location: In the south bank part of the Altstadt, 8 min walk from the station
⭐ Rating & reviews: 2-star, rated 8.2/10 from 900+ reviews on booking.com
💰 Price: From 145CHF (shoulder) / 196CHF (peak) for a twin room
Old town hotel rooms for less than 75CHF per person per night are exceedingly rare, but Hotel Münzgasse is a no-frills self-service stay that’ll give you a decent sleep in a convenient location without absolutely destroying your bank account.
It keeps prices down by having no front desk so you check in at the kiosk in the lobby to get your keycard, and they don’t have a restaurant so no breakfast on-site, though rooms do have a mini fridge and kettle so you could survive off two-minute noodles and supermarket smoothies.
Like many of these heritage buildings there’s no air con, fans are provided but a fair few reviews mention the upper floors being super stuffy with low ceilings and that the fan doesn’t cut it.
It’s probably not somewhere you’ll be able to recall in detail when you tell your great-grandkids about your Switzerland trip, but if you’re outside all day and just need a clean, central room, this does the job.
Book this one if:
- You’re past the point of shared facilities but still have a tight budget to stick to
- You don’t mind a digital check-in and no human contact throughout your stay
- You’d rather spend your travel money on adventures than on where you rest your head
Cascada Boutique Hotel (best 4-star hotel)
📍 Location: In the Neustadt on the south side of the river, 5 min walk from the station
⭐ Rating & reviews: 4-star, rated 8.8/10 from 1000+ reviews on booking.com
💰 Price: From 244CHF (shoulder) / 327CHF (peak) for a double room
Cascada Boutique Hotel sits in the middle ground money-wise between the old town’s heritage hotels and the lakefront five-stars, with waterfall-themed pastel interiors and decent air con (a rarity).
The extras are where it wins you over though, the non-alcoholic drinks in the minibar are complimentary and you can borrow umbrellas and bikes from reception.
They’ve got double rooms or family rooms that come in small, medium or large size (would you like fries with that?) as well as single rooms for solo travellers, and even the compact ones have a proper desk.
Book this one if:
- A comfortable, cool night’s sleep outranks old town charm
- You need a dedicated workspace but don’t want to stay at a boring soulless business hotel
- You want somewhere you can reach from the station without having to ever lift your suitcase off the ground
Capsule Hotel Lucerne Old Town (best for solo travellers on a budget)
📍 Location: North of the old town near the Lion Monument, 13 min walk from the station or 5 min bus + 1 min walk
⭐ Rating & reviews: Rated 8.8/10 from 3,500+ reviews on booking.com, and 9.6/10 from 270+ reviews on Hostelworld
💰 Price: Capsules from 56CHF (shoulder) / 78CHF (peak) per person
If you’re travelling solo and craving your own space but the thought of paying 100CHF+ for a shoebox single room makes you want to cry, Capsule Hotel Old Town might just save your trip like it did my last one.
This is one of two Capsule Hotel locations in Lucerne, it’s on the busy main street of Zürichstrasse just around the corner from the Altstadt and less than a 15 minute walk from the station or an easy bus to the bus stop across the road.
P.S. The second location is south of the river near Spreuerbrücke and its ratings aren’t as good, but is an option if this one’s fully booked.
The setup takes inspiration from Japan’s famous capsule hotels with both mixed and female-only rooms full of two levels of pods, each with lockable doors, dimmable lights, USB ports and ventilation for air flow, though temperatures are controlled centrally.
There’s a common area that’s ideal for working, lots of table space with plug sockets, and there’s a fridge and microwave for guests to use (and a supermarket right next door so you can keep your food spend to a minimum).
It’s definitely targeted at solo travellers looking for affordable privacy and comfort rather than a social backpacker hostel situation, I stayed three nights and didn’t have a single conversation with another traveller 😂 which suited me perfectly but could be a dealbreaker for some!
I have just one (very) niche caveat here, and that’s that the pod lights flicker at a frequency that most people won’t even notice but that my ADHD brain could not handle at alllll 🙃 I checked into my initial pod and noticed it immediately, felt a headache coming on within minutes so went to the front desk to ask to move, they switched me to a different one and I had the same issue.
I talked to reception and they explained that only a small number of their guests mention it and that it’s a sensory processing thing rather than a problem with the lights (which sounded like a convenient excuse but I looked it up and it’s legit haha), and all the capsules would be like that, so I could either get a refund or use a portable lamp they found for me from their back office.
I took the lamp and it was totally fine, thank goodness because there was nothing else available that weekend for less than three times the price of the capsule, but if you’re sensorily-sensitive or prone to migraines from this kind of thing then be aware this is how their lighting works.
Book this one if:
- You’re solo and don’t need much more than somewhere to sleep without prying eyes
- You’re booking a last minute trip and full hotel rooms or apartment prices have skyrocketed well beyond your budget
- You need somewhere for laptop sessions between sightseeing
Backpackers Luzern (best classic hostel)
📍 Location: Right on the lake near Ufschötti park, 15 min walk from the station or a 6 min bus + 5 min walk
⭐ Rating & reviews: Rated 8.9/10 from 2,300+ reviews on booking.com, and 9.7/10 from 2,600+ reviews on Hostelworld
💰 Price: From 47CHF (shoulder) / 57CHF (peak) for a bed in a four-bed dorm with shared bathroom
Backpackers Luzern is your best bet if you want a traditional budget travel vibe, with dorms of two, three or four beds plus private rooms, all with shared bathrooms.
Location-wise it’s in a low-key residential area right by the water with beautiful swimming and picnic spots nearby, a 15 minute scenic walk to the station and 20 minutes to the old town.
Check-in only opens at 5pm but if you arrive earlier you can drop your bags in the lockers so you’re not wasting time waiting around.
There are two fully-equipped kitchens for self-catering but they have strict hours for the stove, they turn it on at 8.30am (quite late if you like a cooked breakfast before mountain adventures) and it gets switched off at 9.30pm, with the microwaves and kettle available 24/7.
The common areas are more conducive to board games and socialising than working remotely, and the private rooms allow kids of any age so families can take advantage of the affordable prices too.
Book this one if:
- You don’t mind a longer walk to town if it saves you money on your bed and your food
- You can handle a dorm as long as it’s only a handful of people in the room
- You want a private room and access to a proper kitchen without paying apartment prices
Lucerne Lake View Apartments (best for families & groups)
📍 Location: Beside the Hofkirche, 10 min walk from the station
⭐ Rating & reviews: Rated 9.6/10 from 180+ reviews on booking.com
👨👩👧👦 Capacity: Two and three-bedroom apartments sleeping up to 8 people
💰 Price: Obviously it depends on the apartment you choose and number of guests, but to give you a ballpark figure, nightly rates for a family of four start from around 630CHF in shoulder season or from 1200CHF in summer
Lucerne Lake View Apartments is my top pick in the city for families and groups, they have four spacious apartments with two or three bedrooms in a residential building just steps away from the lakefront promenade.
Each one has all the home comforts you might need, like a full kitchen, air conditioning, two bathrooms and a washing machine, and it’s all self-service with the hosts just a WhatsApp message away if you need them.
The name is a little misleading, only the Lake View and Split Level apartments actually face the water while the City View and Terrace options look towards the city, though all four apartments have their own private rooftop terrace with panoramic views.
The Hofkirche is right next door and its bells ring on the hour right through the night 🫠 so bring earplugs for light sleepers. Guests don’t seem to be too bothered though, an overall score of 9.6/10 from 180+ reviews for an apartment that charges hundreds of francs per night means it’s clearly meeting or exceeding people’s expectations!
Book this one if:
- You’ve got 4-8 people in your group and want everyone under one roof
- A home away from home appeals more than a hotel room
- You’re staying a while and want to unpack your suitcases and fill the fridge
Mandarin Oriental Palace (best luxury hotel)
📍 Location: On the lake promenade past the casino, 15 min walk from the station
⭐ Rating & reviews: 5-star, rated 9.6/10 from 300+ reviews on booking.com
💰 Price: From 575CHF (shoulder) / 911CHF (peak) for a double room (no view)
This 120-year-old palace was an upmarket hotel from 1906 until 2019, then after three years of extensive renovations it reopened as the Mandarin Oriental Palace, immediately taking the crown for the most polished luxury stay in the city.
Between the divinely-designed rooms and an impressive range of eateries, from an all-day brasserie to an omakase counter to al fresco by the water to fine dining, you genuinely might struggle to leave the hotel’s boundaries and see anything of Lucerne itself!
The wellness area is modest with no pool, but anyone checking in here is clearly happy to spend on the good stuff, so consider grabbing a day pass for Hotel Villa Honegg (mentioned below) for an indulgent day trip.
Book this one if:
- Money is no object and you want the most exceptional hospitality experience within walking distance of all the landmarks
- You’re celebrating something special (and give them the details in your booking, they’ll almost certainly throw in a few surprises)
Hotel Villa Honegg (best bucket list stay in the mountains)
📍 Location: On the Bürgenstock ridge above the lake, southeast of the city, 30 min taxi from the station or you can train + bus to Ennetbürgen (25-35 min) and the hotel does a free pickup from that bus stop
⭐ Rating & reviews: 5-star, rated 9.3/10 from 370+ reviews on booking.com
💰 Price: From 840CHF (shoulder) / 1060CHF (peak) for a double room with breakfast, spa access and parking
Villa Honegg’s main claim to fame is their mountain-view infinity pool, one of the most famous swimming pools in all of Europe 🤯 and it’s heated year-round so you can even take a steamy dip when snow is falling!
The hotel itself is a 1906 villa with only 25 rooms so it’s very boutique, with a dreamy day spa, two saunas, a gym, wellness terrace, cigar lounge and various onsite dining options whether you want a sweet treat in the afternoon sun or a gourmet multi-course dinner.
If you’re travelling Switzerland without a car you’ll need to take a train from Lucerne to Stans (15-20 mins) and then a 9 min bus to Ennetbürgen Dorf, where the hotel free shuttle can pick you up. Orrrr if you want the full VIP experience with the ultimate views on the way in, book a helicopter to drop you at the meadow next door!
This one is definitely an escape from reality rather than a convenient base for getting out and about, so if you’re wanting to do some sightseeing and mountain excursions as well as the infinity pool thing, I’d recommend splitting your time between somewhere central down in the city and then a night or two here as the cherry on top.
Book this one if:
- This infinity pool has been on your vision board for years
- You’re looking for the kind of peace and quiet you can only get from a boutique hotel in the middle of the mountains 914m above sea level
- You’re planning a milestone trip for yourself, your family, your partner or your friends and want to stay somewhere unforgettable
💡 If Villa Honegg is booked out (which can happen months ahead), the Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa and Waldhotel by Bürgenstock are both 5-star resorts on the same ridge and can be accessed by boat + funicular from Lucerne, they’re much less intimate but they still have brilliant reviews.
If all the ridge hotels are full, or just out of your budget, Hotel Villa Honegg does sell day passes for their spa facility (including the infinity pool) 2-3 weeks in advance, starting at 109CHF for four hours.
Park Hotel Vitznau (best bucket list stay on the lake)
📍 Location: Right on the lake in Vitznau, 1h boat ride from Lucerne and a short taxi or 12 min walk
⭐ Rating & reviews: 5-star, rated 9.4/10 from 279+ reviews on booking.com
💰 Price: From 1100CHF (shoulder) / 1300CHF (peak) for a double room with breakfast and spa access
For a truly regal experience, Park Hotel Vitznau is one of the grandest waterfront hotels you’ll find in the whole of Switzerland.
It first opened in 1903 and has been providing world-class hospitality ever since (bar a four-year reno in the 2010s), with its own private beach and lake access, an extensive wellness centre with a lakeview infinity pool, six (!!!) wine cellars and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, just to name a few of their standout features.
The rooms are opulent and priced accordingly, but if you’re going all out, this is the way to do it.
Book this one if:
- You want seclusion and exclusivity but still have easy access to fun things like lake cruises or the trip up to Mt Rigi
- You’ve cruised Lake Lucerne before and always wanted to stay at the stately white hotel on the shoreline
- Wellness is your top priority, their facilities are next level
Booking tips for Lucerne
- Overnight guests in city hotels will get the free Lucerne Visitor Card emailed to them by their accommodation before their trip, it covers buses and trains in zone 10 (basically the city of Lucerne + Kriens) from your arrival day to departure. It doesn’t include boats and can’t be used on mountain excursions.
- Lake boats and the mountain excursions of Pilatus, Titlis, Rigi and Stanserhorn are fully covered by the Lucerne Travel Pass though, if you’re spending three or more days in Lucerne it’s absolutely worth considering. I have a free Switzerland travel pass calculator for you to figure out which pass is worth it for your actual trip!
- Air conditioning is rare across the old town’s heritage-protected hotels, so if you’re visiting in July or August, filter for it specifically and check room details for confirmation before you book.
- The old town is cobbled and partly pedestrianised, if you’re a heavy-packer you might find it easier to stay somewhere close to the station, on the Seebrücke side of the Altstadt, or along the lakefront promenade which is smooth and wheel-friendly.
- Book as far ahead as you can, the cheapest rooms sell out first around big events and last-minute summer rates get brutal. Leaving it too late is one of the (many) Switzerland travel mistakes I’ve made on previous trips!
FAQs about where to stay in Lucerne
Where is the best area to stay in Lucerne?
The old town is the best area in Lucerne for most first-time visitors, with the Chapel Bridge, restaurants and cobbled lanes on your doorstep. Choose the station side instead for heavy luggage, or the lakefront promenade for the five-star lake views.
Is it better to stay in Lucerne or Zurich?
Lucerne, if charm and mountain access are the priority. It’s compact, prettier and the natural base for Rigi, Pilatus, Titlis and the lake. Zurich makes sense for flights, shopping and big-city dining, but as a central Switzerland base Lucerne wins comfortably.
Is Lucerne a good base for exploring Switzerland?
Yes, one of the best in the country! Rigi, Pilatus and Titlis are all easy day trips by boat, train or cable car, lake cruises leave from the piers next to the train station, and direct trains reach Zurich in 40 mins and the Jungfrau region in under two hours via the scenic Luzern-Interlaken Express.
How many nights should I spend in Lucerne?
Two to three nights is ideal. That covers a day for the city itself (old town, a lake cruise, the Lion Monument) plus a full day for a mountain trip up Rigi, Pilatus, Stanserhorn or Titlis. Add another night for a second mountain or a weather buffer.
Do you need a car in Lucerne?
Nope, the city is very walkable, the free Visitor Card from your accommodation covers zone 10 buses and trains, and the mountains are reached by boat, train and cable car anyway. Parking in the centre is scarce and expensive, so arriving by train is easier all round.
How much do hotels in Lucerne cost?
Lucerne hotel prices depend on season but start from about 135CHF a night for a basic double room for two people in April, May and October. Mid-range 3 and 4-star rooms with better amenities sit between 160CHF to 300CHF, lakefront five-stars from 400CHF+, and hostel dorm beds from 47CHF. You’ll pay more for summer stays and last minute bookings during busy periods, or might be able to find better deals if demand is low.
What’s the most unique place to stay in Lucerne?
Hotel Villa Honegg, the 25-room villa on the Bürgenstock ridge with a heated infinity pool photographed high above the lake, is the most unique stay near Lucerne.
Next steps: Plan the rest of your trip
Well hopefully that’s your Lucerne bed sorted, or at least shortlisted ✅
Next up is deciding what to do with your days here, and these guides will help you with that:
- My Rigi vs Pilatus vs Titlis vs Stanserhorn comparison helps you decide which mountain best suits your travel style, timeframe and budget
- My Lucerne Travel Pass guide works out whether the regional pass saves money on the boats and summits you’re eyeing up
- Heading to the Jungfrau region next? My where to stay in Grindelwald guide gives you all the recs you need for planning your mountain getaway
- If Lucerne is one stop on a longer route, my 10 day Switzerland itinerary covers how to string the country together
- Or browse all my Switzerland travel guides for detailed pass reviews and other itineraries
I hope your Lucerne trip is everything you dreamed of, if you stay at any of these hotels I’d love to hear about your experience afterwards, so bookmark this post and come back to leave a comment!
MY GO-TO TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Flights ✈️ I use Skyscanner to find the best flights for my trip and then I’ll always book direct with the airline to protect myself from having to deal with dodgy third parties if anything goes wrong.
Trains 🚂 If I’m travelling through Europe, I try to travel by train wherever possible! For an extended trip (2+ weeks) I’ll calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it, or I’ll book point-to-point tickets through RailEurope or the local train operator.
Accommodation 🛎️ I book almost all of my accommodation through booking.com, they have a user-friendly website + app and many of their options are free cancellation, easily cancelled with a simple click of a button.
Activities 🗽I use GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator to look for activities in the places I visit, or I just Google ‘things to do in [city]’! P.S. If you book anything on Klook you can use the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK to get 10% off
Travel cards 💳 I’m a Wise gal through and through, they’ve been my chosen travel card for more than five years now. You can easily top up your card from your bank account or through Apple Pay, convert your money to local currency, and spend money with minimal fees and the best exchange rates around.
Travel insurance 🩺 I use Cover-More NZ travel insurance for my own trips, I have a comprehensive policy and I’ve only had good experiences with them. Cover-More also has an Australian company, but if you’re from elsewhere then two popular insurance options for global travellers are SafetyWing (cheaper policy, lower coverage) and World Nomads (more expensive but significantly better coverage).
Luggage 💼 I travel with Samsonite Cosmolite suitcases, one 75cm check in bag and a 55cm carry on bag, and I absolutely adore them and will never travel with anything else! They are SUPER lightweight (2.8kg and 1.9kg respectively) so I have much more space for my actual stuff.
Camera gear 📸 I use a iPhone 15 Pro Max for phone photos/videos, and my camera kit includes a Lumix S9 (incredible lightweight full-frame camera, a game changer for travel creators!) with a 20-60mm lens, a Lumix G9 with an 8-18mm and 12-60mm lens, a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and a GoPro Hero 10. I do all my writing and editing on my ASUS Zenbook 14, it’s lightweight but powerful enough for photo editing and intense blogging sessions.
