Ultimate guide to Fasnacht: Lucerne Carnival as a solo female traveler 2025

First of all, what the heck is Fasnacht Luzern!? Is Fasnacht Luzern safe for solo female travelers? And why should you experience it? Fasnacht Luzern (or Lucerne/ Luzern Carnival)  is basically Mardi Gras Swiss style and it is six full days of utter mayhem that will make you feel like you’ve tumbled into an alternate universe… one where the Swiss are the biggest party animals on the planet! We’re talking parades, brass bands, costumes, huge outdoor raves in the street that go all night long, and more! It is some seriously Through The Looking Glass-level shit that will make you question everything you thought you knew about Switzerland and Swiss people.

I lived in Switzerland for four years and Fasnacht Luzern was my absolute favorite time of year there! Get ready for my ultimate guide on how to party like a local at Fasnacht Luzern, including where to stay, what to see, my favorite day trips from Luzern, and my top tips for being a solo female traveler at Luzern Carnival!

interactive map of Luzern Carnival

Use this map to find all of my favorite Luzern Carnival hot spots! You can click on the pins to get the latest info like opening and closing times, directions and more!

Fasnacht Luzern Quick facts

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

Language Spoken: Swiss German, but English is widely spoken

Tip: ‘Lucerne’ is the English spelling of the Swiss German city name, Luzern. You can use them interchangeably but I use the German spelling in this article because I lived in Switzerland!

Getting There: Luzern is about an hour from Zürich airport by train, which is the most efficient way to get there. Make sure you download the SBB mobile app to get train times, buy tickets, manage your itinerary, and more.

Swiss Travel Pass Lucerne: Many solo female travelers who visit Switzerland find it worthwhile to invest in a Swiss Pass. These are train passes that you book in advance which allow you unlimited travel on trains in Switzerland for the given period. If you’re visiting Luzern Carnival as a solo female traveler as part of a longer trip to Switzerland the Swiss Travel Pass is a good value.

Tourist Information in Luzern: The tourist information desk in Luzern is located at platform 3 of Luzern Banhoff (main train station). Top tip: Large Swiss train stations have some of the friendliest and most comprehensive tourist desks you could ask for. They are there to help you discover more about their beautiful country. If you’re unsure about any aspect of your solo travel to Luzern whether it’s finding a place to stay, planning a day trip to the mountains, or plotting your forward journey, they are there to help.

faqs about solo female travel to Luzern

Can you travel alone in Switzerland?: Switzerland is an ideal country for solo female travelers. It is clean, safe, breathtakingly beautiful, and easy to get around via public transit. Switzerland has four national languages and in most cities and tourist areas, people are multi-lingual. You will not have a problem finding signs and other travel information in English.

Is a singles trip to Switzerland a good idea?: Yes! Switzerland has many fun outdoor group activities like skiing and hiking that would be an ideal way for singles to meet. Although Switzerland does not have a reputation as a party destination, events such as Fasnacht Luzern in February or Zürich Street Parade in August are ideal ways to meet new people!

Safety: Luzern is generally a very safe city for solo female travelers. Switzerland is ranked as the 10th safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index. Use common sense, watch your valuables in crowded tourist areas and you should be fine.

Is two days enough time to spend in Luzern?: Yes, Luzern is a small city that is ideal for a 2-3 day weekend.

Basic Swiss German Phrases: Score points with locals by using these Swiss German phrases

Grützi (groot-see) Hello/ greetings

Bitte: (bit-ah) please

Danke: (dank-ah) thank you

Merci vielmal: (mer-see veel-mal) Thank you very much (in Swiss German! Fun fact: Swiss German is sprinkled with french words!)

when is fasnacht luzern?

Fasnacht Luzern/ Carnival Luzern is a celebration that kicks off in the lead-up to Lent, the Thursday to Tuesday before ash Wednesday. It begins with a bang at 5 am on ‘Dirty Thursday’ and runs until the following Tuesday. The dates follow the liturgical calendar so they vary from year to year, but Fasnacht Luzern usually takes place around the second week of February. Check here for up-to-the-minute dates.

fasnacht Luzern (lucerne carnival) dates 2024-2030

2024: February 8th-13th

2025: February 27th-March 4th

2026: February 12th-17th

2027: February 4th-8th

2028: February 24th-29th

2029: February 8th-13th

2030: February 28th- March 4th

*source

where is fasnacht luzern?

Revelers hanging out on Rathausquai

Luzern is a tiny, jewel box of a city located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. About one hour from the city of Zurich by train and about an hour from Interlaken (a.k.a the gateway to the Swiss Alps) in addition to being one of the most Instagrammable cities in Europe, Luzern is the perfect place for a solo female traveler to stop on her way to a mountain adventure.

You’ll find celebrations happening all over the city. Luzern is a small, compact medieval European city so it is easy to catch all of the action on foot.

Get ready…because I’m about to share my favorite places to enjoy Fasnacht Luzern…

my favorite Fasnacht Luzern hotspots

Kapelleplatz, Luzern’s old town square is a popular place for Guggemusik (brass bands) to gather and perform. This is the spot where Luzern Carnival kicks off on shmutziger Thursday (dirty Thursday). There’s a legend that a famous Luzern carnival performer is buried under the fountain!

Mühlenplatz and Kirnmarktplatz are also popular spots for colorful Guggemusik bands to perform all day long!

If you’re looking to party and meet people, make sure you stroll along Rathausquai by the river! There are lots of little pop-up bars selling food and drink where you can mix with some colorful characters and try some kaffeschnapps!

Other Carnival Celebrations:

There are Fasnacht celebrations to mark the beginning of Lent in most Catholic Kantons (counties) in German-speaking Switzerland. Basel is also known for their carnival but Fasnacht Luzern is my favorite.

is Fasnacht luzern safe for solo female travellers?

In my experience, yes Fasnacht Luzern is safe for solo female travellers. Fasnacht can be a wild, alcohol-fueled free-for-all-all, but it can also be a colorful, wholesome family-friendly event. You choose how you do it! In all my years of going to Fasnacht Luzern I never saw anyone get out of control drunk. I also never saw anyone get into a fight or get arrested which is more than I can say for an average Saturday night in Boston! When in doubt, stick to daytime celebrations and have a plan for how you’ll get back to your accommodation once you’ve had enough fun!

As always, follow my tricks for safe & fun solo female travel and you’ll have a blast!

why go to fasnacht luzern?

Throw on some colorful garb, grab some confetti, and prepare to have your socks rocked off by some big brass bands, here comes my ultimate guide to Fasnacht Luzern as a solo female traveller!

1. It’s A Non-Stop DIY Party For People of All Ages

Fasnacht Luzern is a completely grassroots, totally DIY, and essentially Swiss party. The people of Luzern spend six months using their own ingenuity to prepare for a kickass party that feels utterly spontaneous. From incredible handmade costumes that take months to create, home-made parade floats that double as pay-what-you-can bars, to pop-up nightclubs that line the streets after dark, Fasnacht is by the people, for the people.

Music everywhere you go! Is it any surprise that Fasnacht is my paradise?

Even the music is homemade. The big brass bands that supply the soundtrack for the day’s festivities, known as Guggenmusik, are all 100% volunteer. You don’t need any musical expertise to join one of these many colorful groups, they’ll even lend you an instrument and teach you to play. Nothing about Fasnacht is corporately sponsored and nobody’s making money off of it. It is completely, 100% done for love. This big love vibe spills over to everyone there, which is part of why I think Fasnacht Luzern is ideal for solo female travelers!

This Guggenmusik band is a flock of friendly owls! Costumes are handmade and each band has a new theme every year!

The best part is EVERYONE’S INVITED! No reservations are required, show up anytime because the party goes around the clock. When I say round the clock I mean round the clock. The festivities begin at 5 AM on “dirty Thursday” and don’t stop until midnight the following Tuesday. You’ll fit right it at Fansacht Luzern as a slo female traveller.

Luzern’s normally charming and staid Medieval facade dissolves into a mind-bending dreamscape, her narrow streets clogged with revelers in all manner of grotesque, freaky, and politically incorrect costumes. Everyone from little kids to the elderly gets in on it. After dark pop-up nightclubs appear in the streets of Old Town and the cobblestones of Luzern become the dance floor for one giant rave! As many locals have put it before, “You can’t avoid Fasnacht Luzern.” Businesses shut down, kids are out of school, and many people even take vacations for it. Why not?

Hitting up a local festival can be a killer way to integrate into a new culture and get over your culture shock. Read about my experience overcoming culture shock in a foreign country.

2. The Locals at Fasnacht Luzern Are Super Friendly

Much has been made of the reserved-ness of the Swiss. Would it kill them to smile at a stranger? Are they genetically incapable of spontaneity? Is there anything remotely resembling a sense of humor behind their buttoned-up, relentlessly punctual facades?

Whelp. I’m here to tell you that put a funny costume on a Swiss person and give ’em a little alcohol and all of the rules and regulations go aus dem Fenster. Fasnacht is the one time of year when the Swiss magically become the gregarious, flirtatious party animals you were always secretly hoping they were. Fasnacht Luzern is the ideal time for a solo female traveller to get closer to Swiss culture.

If you ever wanted to cuddle up to a Swiss cutie, now is the time. Lots of young folks get together to create their own parade floats, usually centered around a wacky theme. All you have to do is go up to one of them, compliment their costume, ask them a couple of questions, and they’ll open up and offer you a ubiquitous Fasnacht drink of tea spiked with Schnapps from their magical floating bar. Easy peasey!

Making friends abroad doesn’t have to be difficult, read all about my experience breaking the ice in a new country.

DIY Parade floats are everywhere you look, and usually, they are generous with their alcohol!

3. The Costumes Will Blow Your Mind

Fasnacht has its roots in pre-Christian winter celebrations meant to scare away the evil winter spirits. These days the more macabre side definitely remains, but you’ll also see every kind of costume imaginable from traditional goblins to goofy pop-culture references.

The Swiss attitude toward playing dress up is go big or go home. That means don’t you dare think you can get away with putting on a silly hat and calling it your costume.

You’ll stick out like a sore thumb without a proper costume at Fasnacht, and put yourself at risk for all sorts of good-natured harassment, including a fistful of confetti in your face!

Most supermarkets and department stores in Switzerland stock a selection of costumes, wigs makeup, and accessories in the run-up to Fansacht. As a solo female traveler to Fasnacht Luzern, you’ll want to feel like part of the party. So if you can’t DIY like a true Swissie, go grab yourself the most colorful garb you can find and get into character. No excuses!

4. Non- Stop Parades 

And who doesn’t love parades? At Fasnacht, there are literally wall-to-wall Guggenmusik bands everywhere you look. They play everything from marching band standards to modern pop-tune covers with a gusto that’s impossible not to get swept away in. Some bands even play purposely off-key to add to the hilarity. Guggenmusik bands manage to create an incredible spectacle without taking themselves too seriously. So use it as an excuse to let go and dance like nobody’s watching!

5. It’s A Uniquely Swiss Experience

As an American solo female traveller one of the things that impresses me most about Fasnacht Luzern is just how chill this epic party truly is. Every year thousands of people get together in a tiny medieval city; they get drunk, they squeeze hundreds of frigging tubas into a very small space, and it all goes off without a hitch, completely peacefully.

In all the years I’ve gone to Fasnacht, I’ve never seen so much as a scuffle between a couple of drunks. When I picture a festival like this happening in America, I feel like there would be police in riot gear on hand ready to boss back the crowds at a moment’s notice.

As far as I’ve experienced, there is no police presence at Fasnacht, not even a cop here and there directing traffic. It’s stunning to see a party like this happen without a hint of aggression every year when you come from a place where people regularly have riots and set things on fire when their sports team wins or loses. (Sorry, Boston! You know I love you!)

This feeling of trust between people is one of the most beautiful things about Swiss culture, and I miss it terribly. Merci vielmal for the wild party, Luzern. I’ll always love you.

top tips for solo female travelers at Luzern carnivAL

dress up, but dress warmly

By now I’ve impressed upon you the importance of wearing a costume! But remember that Luzern Carnival involves a lot of outdoor fun and it can be cold in Luzern in February. Average temps are usually between 29-40 degrees Fahrenheit (-2-5 degrees Celsius). So wear layers and dress warmly. A good pair of walking shoes or boots is also recommended.

how to grab a quick costume for Luzern Carnival

Forgot to bring your minion head with you to Switzerland? No problem! Grab something quick and cute at Coop Supermarket just around the corner from the main train station! Need something even quicker? Pop into the Claire’s right at the train station! They’ll have easy stuff like face paint an hair spray so you can get into the spirit DIY style!

Bring a flask

Bringing a flask with a warm beverage in it will keep you toasty and may even help you make new friends as a solo female traveller to Fasnacht Luzern!

making new friends

If you’re bold, complimenting someone’s costume or asking a question about their parade float is an easy way to start a conversation. If you’re looking specifically to meet other English speakers, pop into Mr. Pickwick’s pub! Pickwick’s is a well-known expat hangout in Luzern and a great place to meet people if you’re traveling solo. You are almost guaranteed to make friends at Pickwick’s any time of year, but especially at carnival time! They even have their own hotel! (more on that later.)

ear protection

Brass bands are loud! If you want to protect your hearing or just avoid sensory overload, ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones are a great idea!

public toilets

Let’s be real, if you’re going to be drinking and partying outdoors at all hours, you’re gonna need a potty. Luzern Main train station has clean, safe toilets that you can enter for a small fee. I have changed and gotten ready for dates in these toilets, that’s how nice they are. In a pinch, pop into a pub. They’re not too picky about who uses their facilities during Luzern Carnival.

So do I have you convinced? Let’s check out some hotels!

WHERE TO STAY FOR FASNACHT LUZERN

Here are some of my top picks for places to stay as a solo female traveler to Fasnacht Luzern!

Hotel Mr. Pickwick

If you’re looking to be at the heart of the action, Hotel Mr. Pickwick’s would be my first choice as a solo female traveler to Luzern! Overlooking the river on Rathausequai, this lively hotel also boasts an incredible view. Located above Mr. Pickwick’s Pub, if you want to meet other English speakers and be at the center of a 24/7 party, it doesn’t get much better than Pickwick’s.

Hotel central luzern

Looking for something a little more serene? This small, sustainable hotel is located in Old Town, a five-minute walk from all the Luzern Carnival action! Ideal for the sol female traveller to Luzern Carnival who wants to be in on the action then go back to her own little oasis!

hotel de la paix

Another city center gem, Hotel de la Paix has elevated, Swiss decor, a cozy, Luzern-style restaurant, and easy access to all Luzern Carnival hot spots!

cascada boutique hotel

This stunning modern hotel is designed around the motif of Swiss waterfalls. What an ideal place to kick back and relax after a long day or night of partying!

Ameron luzern hotel flora

Looking for someplace a bit more modern? Ameron Luzern has super chic decor and an amazing location just steps from the iconic Kapellbrucke bridge and Luzern main train station. You’ll be steps from all the action with a breathtaking view. I’ve had my eye on this place so if you stay here, send me photos so I can drool!

still not sure where to stay?

Booking.com has zillions of choices…many with free cancellation. It can’t hurt to look…

day trips

Need a little break from the madness of Luzern Carnival? Here are some of my favorite day trips from Luzern:

Mt. Pilatus summit with lake cruise

To me, there is not a more distinctly Swiss pleasure than a day spent on a lake or on the mountains. So why not combine both? A cruise on Lake Luzern followed by a cable car up Mt. Pilatus is an iconic do-not-miss when you need a time out from Luzern Carnival.

spa day on mt. rigi

Need to detox? Mt. Rigi is known as the favorite mountain of Swiss folks living in the area. It’s less touristy than Pilatus and just as stunning. A highlight of a visit to Mt. Rigi by boat would be spending an afternoon at Rigi Kaldbad, a spa with an indoor/outdoor pool and breathtaking panoramic views. I’ve done it before and I’d do it again! Why not spoil yourself on your adventure to Luzern as a solo female traveler?

jungfraujoch top of Europe

Jungfraujoch is Europe’s tallest peak and visiting is an absolutely mind-blowing experience. You’ll hop aboard a train that slices through the heart of a mountain, tour an ice cave inside a glacier and gaze out over the alps from 11,362 feet above sea level. This is a once-in-a-lifetime treat I’ve been lucky enough to do twice now and it truly never gets old.

are you ready to rock Luzern carnival?

I want other solo female travelers to experience the joy of the Luzern Carnival just like I did! If you go, let me know how you liked it!

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