10 Things to Know Before Visiting Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a small city within the country of the same name. It is located in western Europe, sandwiched between Belgium, Germany, and France. Despite its beautiful landscapes and picture-perfect buildings, Luxembourg is not a hot tourist destination. But don’t let the fact that no one else goes stop you from going. I spent a day in Luxembourg after my trip to Brussels and had a lovely, step-filled afternoon. So, if you’re planning, or just considering a trip to Luxembourg, here is everything you need to know before you go!

If you have any questions, put them in the comments below. And if you need help planning all the details of your trip, reach out and we can get started on a customized itinerary just for you!

What are the must-see attractions in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg is a very pretty city with a lot of amazing attractions — attractive buildings, several museums, and lots of small green spaces to wander through. During my day in Luxembourg I did loads of walking and my feet were incredibly sore by the end of it all. But I saw a lot of the city. So if you can, make sure to walk. And include on your walk the Chemin de la Corniche which runs through the valley. It is mostly paved walkway now but there are still stairs in certain spots.  

I recommend popping in to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame to check out the gorgeous stained glass windows. Entry is free so this stop definitely shouldn’t be missed. And don’t miss a ride on the Panoramic Elevator of the Pfaffenthal. This is a glass paneled elevator which brings you from one layer of the city to the next. It is free as it is just considered to be another essential element of the city’s public transport infrastructure and locals use it regularly to navigate the terrain. 

How do I get from the Luxembourg airport to the city center?

Take the bus for free! Absolutely all of the public transportation in Luxembourg is completely, totally, 100% free. You don’t need to do anything, be anybody, prove anything, the doors open, you hop on, go where you’re going, and hop off again.

There are several buses which run from the airport to the road outside of the train station (which is a little ways from the center of the city). I always use Google Maps to check which route is best but you can also look at the city site here. You’re likely going to want to get on the 29 bus. The ride should take you around 20 minutes. The bus will pick you up right in front of the airport terminal (there is only one) and drop you off in front of the train station in the city. From there you can either switch buses or walk to your final destination.

If you prefer to get a taxi, you can get one outside of the airport. You’ll pay a minimum of €30 — and upwards from that depending on where exactly you are headed. 

What is the best way to get around Luxembourg?

If you are sticking to the city center, you can walk just about everywhere. The roads are quiet and there are a lot of great, smooth pathways. Do know that the city has layers so you may be going up and down a lot. I recommend planning your day to take this into account so you are not doubling back on yourself and causing unnecessary climbs. I did not take this advice and really got my steps in that day!

Failing walking, you can take the bus around the city center and beyond. Again, it is free so just hop on. Of course there are also taxis available but they can get very expensive, so if you are trying to do Luxembourg on a budget, be mindful of that. 

Do I need to learn any basic Luxembourgish phrases, or is English widely spoken?

Luxembourg is an incredibly international city. In fact, there are three official languages in the city — Luxembourgish, French and German. Most natives and long term residents speak a decent level of all three of the languages. Plus, they also speak English, and maybe even other languages in addition to that.

You will have no problem getting by in Luxembourg in English. Especially if your trip is limited to a short time when you are visiting tourist spots, everyone you interact with will very likely have no problem understanding and answering you in English. 

It can be fun though to learn some of the local language, so if you want to try your hand at a few phrases in Luxembourgish, check out this handy video:

What kind of weather should I expect, and what clothes should I pack?

I visited Luxembourg in Feburary on a beautiful sunny winter day. I wore a light tranch jacket from Zara (the one I have is no longer available, but this one is similar), a simple pashmina scarf, and leather gloves. I was comfortable if not a bit warm when I got to doing a lot of walking. 

Of course, you can also encounter some rain in Luxembourg, with December and January being the rainiest months of the year. In which case you’ll want to pack either a good travel umbrella or a rain jacket appropriate for the temperatures.

Come spring the weather is in the 50s and 60s with less, but still a fair amount of rain. The autumn is very much the same. If you visit Luxembourg in summer you can expect days in the 70s, it never gets too super hot there.

Of all of the things I’d recommend for Luxembourg, good walking shoes is at the top of my list. Then, sort out some light layers and rain gear depending on the exact forecast for your days there.

What are the best day trips or excursions from Luxembourg?

I actually did the opposite and I did Luxembourg as a day trip from Brussels. But if you wanted to make Luxembourg your home base and do a few day trips from there you definitely have a lot of options. The train network in this part of Europe is extensive and well connected. I’d recommend looking at:

1. Staying within Luxembourg. Within the country you can check out spots such as Vianden Castle which is about an hour to the north on the train. Or you could go to Echternach Lake which is more to the east and will take around 90 minutes. Luxembourg has a lot of amazing nature so it’s worth getting out of the city to see some of it. 
2. Heading into nearby Belgium. Like I said, I did Luxembourg as a day trip from Brussels, so you could easily just swap that and do Brussels as a day trip from Luxembourg. The train connection takes about three hours, so it is a lot for a day trip but it’s still doable. Alternatively, check out closer cities like Ciney.
3. Going south to France. I love gallivanting through small French cities, and you can reach many of them very quickly from Luxembourg. Head over to Metz, which you can reach in less than two hours, or in even less time you can be in Thionville. 

Where should I stay in Luxembourg?

Within the city of Luxembourg you’ll find plenty of nice hotel options. The city is generally more of a business-oriented destination, so it leans towards the expensive side, but you still have some more budget-friendly options. Depending on what you are looking for, here are a few hotels and guesthouses I recommend checking out in Luxembourg:

1. Ibis Luxembourg Airport — while a little way outside of the city center, the Ibis is your best bet for something more affordable where you can still just jump on the bus and be in the city in a few minutes. 
2. Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal — if your budget can stretch a bit farther, check out the Sofitel. The property is very attractive, as is its location. 
3. La Pipistrelle Hotel — right in the city center, this is more of a luxury-leaning option. The property is a restored historic building which has been updated with very modern, chic design elements. 

Are there any cultural customs or etiquette I should be aware of in Luxembourg?

As I mentioned, Luxembourg is a very multicultural city and country so there are a lot of different customs coming together. But it is also very business-oriented which means many interactions are more formal and professional. As a tourist, you will unlikely to be in any situations where you would need to be aware of specific Luxembourgish customs, but some things to know nonetheless are:

1. Greet new people with a handshake.
2. Be on time for a meeting or an event.
3. Gender equality is important in Luxembourg.
4. Tips are not obligatory — a small token of appreciation (a few euro) for amazing service is ok, but more than that is unnecessary.
5. Use people’s titles or call them by their last names if you are not close with them or they haven’t told you to do otherwise. 

What is the local currency, and can I use credit cards everywhere?

Luxembourg uses the euro. Credit cards are very widely accepted and you should have no trouble paying that way. If you do need cash, there are ATMs readily available throughout the city. 

Is Luxembourg an expensive country to visit, and how can I budget effectively?

Yes, Luxembourg is an expensive country. In fact, it is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. The city of Luxembourg ranks in the top quarter most expensive cities in Europe. This is part of the reason why I chose to keep my visit to just a day trip from Brussels — this way the only thing I really had to pay for was my lunch. 

Some of the things you might end up paying for in Luxembourg include:

1. A night in a hotel: €200 — of course this depends on the level of hotel you choose, but you’re unlikely to get anything in the city center for less than €100, if that. 
2. Quick lunch out: €20 — with no alcohol included, a frills-free lunch at a restaurant will likely run you around €20 per person. At nicer restaurants a meal will be around double that.
3. A beer: €5 — your classic, simple beer, not a craft brew, will run you around €5 out at a pub.

Do you have any questions? Let me know if there is anything else you’d like to know before your trip to Luxembourg in the comments below. And if you need help planing all the details of your trip, reach out and we can get started on a customized itinerary just for you!