Luxembourg travel guide: the capital, the valleys and free transport
Luxembourg is a small country of castles, forested valleys and vineyards, with a fortified capital set on gorges. A short trip can cover the city and a day or two outside it, because everything is close. The one thing to know is that buses, trams and second-class trains are free across the whole country.
The short answer
- First trip
- Spend two or three days in Luxembourg City, then add a day trip to Vianden or the Mullerthal by public transport.
- How long
- Two days covers the capital. Four or five lets you add the castle at Vianden, a forest walk and the Moselle wine villages.
- Best time to go
- May to September for walking and terraces. December for Christmas markets in the capital.
- Getting around
- Trains, trams and buses are free for everyone, with no ticket needed in second class. First class on trains is paid.
- Money
- The euro. Cards are taken widely, though small village places may prefer cash.
- Book ahead
- Hotels on weekdays, when business travel fills them, and the better restaurants at weekends.
Best cities to visit in Luxembourg
Luxembourg City
A fortified old town above deep river valleys, with viewpoints, museums and a busy European quarter. It suits short city breaks, history lovers and anyone who likes a compact, walkable capital.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
Vianden
A small town in the Our valley under a restored hilltop castle. Buses from the capital take about an hour and a half, usually with a change.
The Mullerthal
Sandstone rock walls, ravines and beech forest, known as Luxembourg's Little Switzerland. Buses reach Echternach and nearby villages, and the walking trails start from there.
Echternach
The country's oldest town, with a large abbey and a market square, on the border with Germany. It is a good base for the Mullerthal trails and takes about an hour by bus.
The Moselle wine villages
Remich, Grevenmacher and the villages between them run along the river in the south-east, with cellars open for tastings. Buses run from the capital, and the valley is also good by bike.
Luxembourg itineraries
- Two days: Luxembourg City
Spend the first day in the old town, on the ramparts and in the gorge below, and the second at museums and the newer quarters. Everything is within walking distance, and trams and buses are free if you tire.
- Four days: the capital and Vianden
Spend two nights in the capital, then take a bus to Vianden for the castle and a night or two in the valley. Return by bus on the last day.
- Seven days: city, forest and wine
Three nights in Luxembourg City, two around Echternach for the Mullerthal trails, and two on the Moselle in Remich or Grevenmacher. Free public transport links all three, though rural buses are less frequent, so check the timetable.
Best time to visit Luxembourg
May to September is best for walking, castles and outdoor tables. Days are long and the trails in the Mullerthal are at their best, though weekends can be busy.
December brings Christmas markets in the capital. Winter is otherwise quiet, gray and cold, and some village attractions close for the season. Rain is possible in every month, so pack a light waterproof.
How to get around Luxembourg
- Free public transportSince March 2020, trains, trams and buses are free for everyone nationwide, visitors included. You need no ticket in second class, while first class on trains is paid. Timetables and journey planning are on mobiliteit.lu.
- TrainsCFL runs the national railway, with lines from the capital to Ettelbruck and the north, to the south and to Trier in Germany. International services to France, Belgium and Germany usually have a paid fare.
- Trams and busesThe tram links the city center, the station and the Kirchberg quarter. Buses fill the gaps and reach the villages, but they run less often in the evening and on Sundays.
- Cars and bikesA car helps for the Mullerthal and the smaller villages, though parking in the capital is limited. Cycling routes run along the Moselle and other valleys.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Luxembourg. Each city guide has its own list.
- Hotels in the capital3 to 6 weeks ahead
Business and European Union visits fill rooms on weekdays, and prices rise with demand.
- Better restaurants1 to 2 weeks ahead
Good tables go first, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Rooms in Vianden and the Mullerthal1 to 2 months ahead
Small towns have few beds, and summer weekends are popular with walkers.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments work in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Carry a little cash for village cafes and small cellars.
- TippingService is included in prices. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is a courtesy, not a rule.
- Tourist taxesLuxembourg has no national tourist tax, though some municipalities charge their own. Vianden charges a small amount per person per night, so check your booking.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type F sockets at 230 volts. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Luxembourg
- Hiring a car for the capital
Trams, buses and your feet cover the city, and parking is costly. Hire a car only for the days you head into the countryside.
- Buying public transport tickets
Second-class travel is free, so don't pay a tout or a machine for a ticket you don't need. Check first whether a journey is domestic or crosses the border.
- Trying to see the whole country in a day
It is small, but rural buses are infrequent. Pick one area for a day trip and leave time to walk.
Luxembourg: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Luxembourg?
Two days is enough for the capital. Four or five lets you add Vianden, the Mullerthal and the Moselle valley.
What are the best places to visit in Luxembourg?
Luxembourg City comes first. Beyond it, Vianden castle, the Mullerthal forest trails, Echternach and the Moselle wine villages are the most popular.
Is public transport really free in Luxembourg?
Yes. Buses, trams and second-class trains are free for everyone across the country, visitors included. First class on trains is paid, and international tickets still cost money.
Is Luxembourg expensive for tourists?
It is dearer than much of Europe, particularly hotels and restaurants. Free transport and a simple lunch menu help keep costs down.
What is the best time to visit Luxembourg?
May to September for walking and terraces. December has Christmas markets, and winter is quieter and cheaper.
Which currency does Luxembourg use?
The euro. Cards are accepted in most places, and cash is only needed in small villages.
Can you visit Luxembourg as a day trip?
Yes, from Trier, Metz or Brussels. A day covers the old town and one viewpoint walk, but you would miss the valleys, so a night or two is better.