Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s best-known destinations. Visitors come for the old town, the lake and the surrounding mountains throughout the year, which makes short-term rental worth considering for owners, whether for a city apartment, a second home or a property that would otherwise stand empty for part of the year.
Airhosted manages short-term rentals in Lucerne and takes care of the main day-to-day rental operations, from creating the listing to guest checkout.
Who stays in Lucerne
Lucerne attracts a broad mix of guests: international tourists exploring the old town and the Chapel Bridge, travellers using the city as a base for excursions to Mount Pilatus, Rigi or Titlis, visitors attending concerts and congresses at the KKL, and business travellers in the region. Because guests come for different reasons, demand isn’t limited to one type of stay. Short city breaks, family holidays and longer stays all play a role.
Seasonality in Lucerne
Demand in Lucerne follows the seasons. Summer, with the lake and mountain excursions, is usually the busiest time of year, while events such as the Lucerne Festival, Fasnacht and the Christmas markets bring additional peaks. Quieter months call for a different pricing approach than high season, which is why Airhosted reviews rates for managed properties on an ongoing basis rather than setting them once a year.
Local rules for short-term rental in Lucerne
In the City of Lucerne, short-term letting of affected residential properties is limited to 90 nights per year when accommodating guests who stay in the city for less than three months. Whether the limit applies depends in particular on the property’s residential use since 2010. Exemptions and registration requirements must be checked for the individual property with the city before letting begins. Other municipalities in the Lucerne region have their own requirements.
Tourist taxes also apply to overnight stays, and rules can change over time. The City of Lucerne publishes its current guidance on short-term rentals at stadtluzern.ch/projekte/wirtschaft-tourismus/53210.
If you rent the property, obtain your landlord’s consent for the intended short-term letting and document it in writing. The tenancy agreement and other applicable restrictions must also be checked.
Which properties suit short-term rental in Lucerne
Typical properties include apartments in or near the old town, homes with lake access or views, and second homes in the surrounding region that owners use only part of the year. Owner stays can be accommodated by reserving dates in advance, subject to existing bookings and the agreed availability arrangements.
What Airhosted takes care of
- Listing and pricing: marketing your property across suitable booking platforms, including Airbnb and Booking.com, with rates reviewed regularly. The selection of channels depends on the property, platform requirements and the agreed marketing approach.
- Guest communication: answering guest questions and coordinating check-in and check-out. Airhosted supports guests throughout their stay, 365 days a year.
- Cleaning: professional cleaning between stays, including fresh bed linen and towels.
- Reporting: a digital host dashboard showing revenue, occupancy and upcoming bookings.
The management agreement defines the services included and the responsibilities retained by the owner.
Frequently asked questions about Airbnb management in Lucerne
Can I rent out my apartment in Lucerne on Airbnb?
That depends on the property. In the City of Lucerne, short-term letting of affected residential properties is limited to 90 nights per year, and exemptions and registration requirements must be checked with the city for the individual property before letting begins. Other municipalities in the Lucerne region have their own requirements. Where short-term letting is possible, Airhosted can take care of the day-to-day rental operations for you.
Do I need to live in Lucerne to work with Airhosted?
No. Airhosted takes care of guest communication, check-in and cleaning, and you can follow your property’s performance through the digital host dashboard from anywhere.
Can I still use my property myself?
Yes. Owner stays can be accommodated by reserving dates in advance, subject to existing bookings and the agreed availability arrangements.
How much can my property in Lucerne earn?
There is no single figure. Earnings depend on location, size, season, pricing and the platforms the property is listed on. If you would like to talk about your property, our team is happy to hear from you.
Own a property in Lucerne? Airhosted takes care of the main day-to-day rental operations, from listings and guest communication to cleaning. Get in touch for a no-obligation conversation about your property: airhosted.ch/en/contact-us.
Disclaimer: This page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice. Rules for short-term rentals vary by canton and municipality and may change. Please check the current requirements with the competent authorities or a qualified advisor.