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Luxembourg

Luxembourgish, German, French

• 230 volts
• A travel plug adapter for type F sockets is required.

Banks

8.30 am–4.30 pm (Mon–Fri)

Shops

2.00 pm–6.30 pm (Mon)
8.30/9.00 am–12.00 noon and 2.00 pm–6.00/6.30 pm (Tue–Sat)

• 1 January: New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An)
• Easter Monday: date varies (Lundi de Pâques)
• 1 May: Labour Day (Fête du Travail)
• 9 May: Europe Day (Journée de l’Europe)
• Ascension Day: date varies, 40 days after Easter (Ascension)
• Whit Monday: date varies (Lundi de Pentecôte)
• 23 June: National Day (Fête Nationale)
• 15 August: Assumption Day (Assomption)
• 1 November: All Saints’ Day (Toussaint)
• 11 November: 1918 Armistice Day (Armistice 1918)
• 25 December: Christmas Day (Noël)
• 26 December: Boxing Day, the second day of Christmas (le deuxième jour de Noël)

• The following documents are required to enter Luxembourg:
• A valid Swiss identity card or a valid Swiss passport.
• A visa is not required.
• Minors: minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents are advised to carry a travel consent form. Further information: travel consent forms for travelling with children.

Last updated: June 2024

Luxembourg has a temperate climate with mild winters and moderately warm summers, influenced by Atlantic air masses. The average annual temperature is approximately 8–9°C. Temperatures of around 0–1°C are common in January, while July temperatures generally range from 17°C to 18°C. Although summer temperatures occasionally rise above 30°C, the lakes rarely become warm enough for swimming.

Rainfall varies by region. The Moselle Valley in the south-east is the driest area, receiving around 750 mm of rain per year, while the south-west is the wettest, with approximately 1,000 mm. The Ardennes in the north are cooler and rainier, and the growing season is shorter than in the south. April is the sunniest month, while winter generally offers fewer hours of sunshine.

The ideal time to visit Luxembourg

• Outdoor activities and city breaks: May to September offers the best weather for outdoor activities and exploring the cities.
• Hiking and nature experiences: late summer and early autumn, particularly September and October, are ideal for hiking, as the landscape is especially colourful.
• Winter sports: although Luxembourg has no major ski resorts, the winter months, particularly from December to February, offer opportunities for winter leisure activities in the higher parts of the Ardennes.

• Mobile phone use in Luxembourg may incur roaming charges. Before travelling, it is advisable to check roaming rates and, where necessary, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.
• Free Wi-Fi is available in cafés, hotels, public places and on public transport. The government also supports the “Citywifi” project, which provides free internet access in major cities.

• Luxembourg Old Town: a UNESCO World Heritage Site with charming lanes and historic buildings.
• Grand Ducal Palace: the Grand Duke of Luxembourg’s official residence in the city, renowned for its beautiful façade and state rooms.
• Bock Casemates: a network of underground tunnels and fortifications, parts of which date back to the 17th century.
• Philharmonie Luxembourg: an impressive modern concert hall offering a wide variety of musical performances.
• Mudam – Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art: a modern and contemporary art centre presenting temporary exhibitions.
• National Museum of History and Art: provides insights into Luxembourg’s history through archaeological finds, works of art and historical documents.
• Vianden Castle: a majestic medieval castle in the town of Vianden, known for its impressive architecture and panoramic views.
• Echternach: a historic town famous for its abbey and annual dancing procession, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
• Mullerthal Trail: also known as “Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland”, this popular hiking area features breathtaking landscapes and striking rock formations.
• Grund district: a picturesque district of Luxembourg City situated along the banks of the Alzette, known for its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful views.

Luxembourg offers a rich selection of traditional dishes and drinks that reflect the country’s cultural diversity and culinary heritage. Below are some of the best-known Luxembourgish specialities:

• Judd mat Gaardebounen: cured and smoked pork neck served with broad beans.
• Bouneschlupp: green bean soup, often enriched with potatoes and bacon.
• Kuddelfleck: fried tripe, traditionally seasoned and served in a hearty sauce.
• F’rell am Rèisleck: trout in Riesling sauce, a classic of Luxembourgish cuisine.
• Gromperekichelcher: crispy potato cakes, frequently sold at markets and festivals.
• Rieslingspaschtéit: a pastry filled with pork and Riesling wine.
• Quetschentaart: plum tart, particularly popular in autumn.
• Luxembourg Riesling: a dry, aromatic white wine known for its freshness and minerality.
• Crémant de Luxembourg: a sparkling wine similar to French Champagne, produced using the traditional method.
• Vieille Prune de Luxembourg: a plum brandy that is very popular in the region.
• Béier: Luxembourgish beer produced by a variety of local breweries.

These traditional dishes and drinks provide an insight into Luxembourg’s rich culinary landscape and reflect the influence of its neighbouring countries as well as local farming and production.

• Greetings: in Luxembourg, it is customary to greet people with a firm handshake. Among friends and acquaintances, kisses on the cheek, usually three, are also common. It is polite to greet each person individually when entering or leaving a group.
• Saying please and thank you: in Luxembourgish, “Wann ech glift” means “please” and “Merci” means “thank you”. These simple words show respect and are always appreciated.
• Clothing: appropriate clothing is important, particularly in business or formal situations. A neat and well-groomed appearance is also valued in restaurants and at social occasions.
• Dining etiquette: be punctual for meals, whether at a restaurant or when invited to a private dinner. Bread is often served as an accompaniment and placed beside the plate rather than on it. It is broken into small pieces instead of being bitten directly.
• Smoking: smoking is prohibited in public buildings, on trains and in restaurants. Pay attention to no-smoking signs and smoke only in designated areas.
• Tipping: tipping is customary in Luxembourg. It is common simply to round the bill up to the next whole euro or leave 5–10% of the total, depending on the quality of the service.

• Tap water is of high quality and safe to drink. It is subject to strict controls and meets all European drinking water standards.
• No compulsory vaccinations are required to enter Luxembourg.
• Ensure that adults and children are up to date with the routine vaccinations recommended in the Swiss vaccination schedule issued by the Federal Office of Public Health.

• Medical care in Luxembourg is of a high standard. Before travelling, Swiss citizens should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their health insurance provider.
• Travellers are advised to carry a travel medical kit containing any regularly required medicines as well as remedies for common travel-related illnesses. Those who require specific medication should bring an adequate supply together with a medical prescription.

• Before and during your trip, follow the latest developments in the media and remain in contact with your tour operator.
• The security situation is considered stable, with a good overall safety standard (security level 1).
• Travellers are advised to take the usual precautions against petty crime, such as pickpocketing and fraud, particularly in tourist areas and on public transport.
• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

Last updated: April 2024

• The Swiss driving licence is accepted for car hire, provided that, depending on the car hire company, it was obtained at least one year previously.
• The minimum age for hiring a car ranges from 21 to 25, depending on the company.
• A CH sticker, high-visibility vest and warning triangle are compulsory.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5‰. For newly qualified drivers: 0.2‰.

• Long-distance trains: Luxembourg has an efficient rail network operated by the Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL). Trains connect Luxembourg City with other major towns in the country and with international destinations in neighbouring countries such as France, Belgium and Germany.
• Regional trains: in addition to long-distance services, numerous regional trains connect smaller towns and communities throughout Luxembourg. They provide a convenient option for travelling between different locations.
• Buses: bus services are an essential part of Luxembourg’s public transport system. With a wide range of routes, buses cover almost every part of the country. The main routes in Luxembourg City and the surrounding areas are operated by the local public transport company.
• Metro: Luxembourg currently has no metro system. Its public transport network relies on buses and trains.
• Tickets: since March 2020, Luxembourg has been the first country in the world to offer free public transport nationwide. This includes standard-class travel on trains, trams and buses.
• Timetables and apps: timetables for all forms of public transport are available online, at stops and in stations. The “Mobiliteit.lu” app provides comprehensive information on timetables, routes and transport services.

Findel Airport, Luxembourg’s only international airport, is located 10 km north-east of the capital. From here, Luxair offers direct flights to Geneva.

00 41 (omit the zero from the Swiss area code)

• General emergency number: 112
• Police: 113

25A, Boulevard Royal
L-2449 Luxembourg
Tel. +352 22 74 741
Email: luxembourg@eda.admin.ch

• Violations of drug legislation are severely punished even when only small quantities are involved, regardless of the type of drug.
• Heavy rainfall may cause flooding and landslides, resulting in considerable damage to infrastructure and temporarily disrupting travel and transport.