Luxembourg: A small country with great experiences
Luxembourg is located in the heart of Europe. Despite its small size, the Grand Duchy impresses with an astonishing variety of attractions that make it a worthwhile destination for vacationers of all ages.
Luxembourg is called Lëtzebuerg in the national language. The Grand Duchy is nestled between Germany, France and Belgium. For many years, the small country was a pawn between the surrounding superpowers, which repeatedly tried to gain control of the country. Since 1867, the country has enjoyed independence and “perpetual neutrality”. The phrase “Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn ” (we want to remain what we are) is still the motto of Luxembourgers today.
The Germans violated the country’s neutrality twice. In the First World War they marched through the country to France and in the Second World War they occupied the country. This period of occupation was the reason why Luxembourg decided to give up its neutrality. Today, the Grand Duchy is one of the biggest advocates of a united Europe, a leading member of the European Union and the seat of the European Court of Justice.
The country is known as the “land of banks”. Low taxes and liberal legislation attract banks from all over the world. The Kirchberg in Luxembourg City is one of the areas with the largest concentration of banks.
The capital, Luxembourg City, is known for its well-preserved old town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, visitors can explore the impressive fortifications that were once considered impregnable. Or how about a stroll through the picturesque alleyways. Museums such as the Mudam or the National Museum of History and Art offer insights into the country’s cultural and artistic diversity.
For nature lovers, Luxembourg offers a wealth of opportunities. The Mullerthal region is also known as “Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland”. Here you will find spectacular rock formations and dense forests for hiking and climbing. The Upper Sûre Nature Park with its large reservoir is ideal for water sports and outdoor recreation. The Ardennes in the north of the country are also a paradise for cyclists and hikers.
Luxembourg’s cuisine, influenced by its neighbors France, Germany and Belgium, offers a delicious variety of traditional dishes. Whether it’s Bouneschlupp (bean soup), Judd mat Gaardebounen (smoked neck with broad beans) or the fine wines from the Moselle region – gourmets will get their money’s worth here. Numerous restaurants, from simple brasseries to gourmet temples, invite you to discover the country’s culinary specialties.
Discover Luxembourg
Travel information
Arrival
By plane
Luxembourg Airport is the only airport in the country.
The state-owned airline Luxair, as well as Lufthansa and Swiss, fly to the airport.
By train
There is currently only one long-distance connection to Luxembourg. The TGV runs directly from Paris to Luxembourg.
If you are traveling from Germany, take the RE 11 from Koblenz, which takes a good 2.20 hours. But be careful! The train is coupled to Trier and only one section runs to Luxembourg. The RB 83 runs as a reinforcement train from Wittlich via Tier to Luxembourg and once a day there is a connection with the IC from Düsseldorf.
From Belgium, you can reach Luxembourg by Intercity (a local train) from Brussels or Liège. The TER train from France runs between Metz and Luxembourg.
By bus
The Luxembourg railroad company also offers bus connections. For example, the Luxembourg-Saarbrücken Express L40 runs several times a day without a stopover. There are other connections on offer, most of which are timed to coincide with rush hour traffic.
There are some German bus routes that cross the border. However, these connections are only important for regional traffic. A French provider runs a shuttle bus to Lorraine TGV station, which is adapted to the departure times of the TGVs.
After Luxembourg introduced the free use of public transport, most long-distance bus connections were discontinued due to inefficiency. There are only a few providers that still offer regular services, such as a night bus route to Amsterdam.
By car
Luxembourg is easily accessible from all directions via various highway connections. The A8 and A64 from Germany, the A31 from France and the E25 from Belgium lead to the country.
By boat
There is only one regular ferry that runs between Wasserbillig and Oberbillig in Rhineland-Palatinate.
By bike
The signposted EuroVelo 5 from Brussels to Saarbrücken passes Luxembourg City.
The PC30 cycle path connects Luxembourg City with Echternach.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for EU citizens to Luxembourg
EU citizens require a valid national identity card or passport to enter Luxembourg. This applies to travel within the Schengen area, to which Luxembourg belongs, and allows border-free entry.
If EU citizens intend to stay or work in Luxembourg for more than 90 days, they must have health insurance and may need to take further administrative steps, such as registering with the local authorities.
Entry requirements for non-EU citizens to Luxembourg
Non-EU citizens wishing to travel to Luxembourg usually need a valid travel document and possibly a visa issued by a consular authority of a Schengen country. This depends on their country of origin and whether it requires a visa.
Non-EU citizens must carry a valid passport. It is recommended that this passport is valid for at least six months after the planned return date. In addition, persons requiring a visa must carry a Schengen visa during their stay in the Schengen area.
All travelers who are not EU citizens must be able to present a return or onward flight ticket to confirm their intention to leave the Schengen area after their stay.
On the way..
Luxembourg has introduced free public transport. All buses and trains in the Grand Duchy can be used in second class without a ticket. A paid ticket is only required for cross-border travel or in first class. This can be purchased from ticket machines at any train station. Taking a bicycle on trains within the country is also free of charge.
By train
The country’s rail network runs in a star shape from Luxembourg City to the surrounding area. Most connections run every hour.
A streetcar runs in Luxembourg City.
By bus
There are around 300 intercity bus routes, 15 routes in the southern region and 25 routes in the greater Luxembourg City area. In addition, some places are served by on-call buses.
If you are waiting at a bus stop, you must wave to the bus from the street or it will pass you by.
By car
Road conditions are generally very good, the highways even excellent. The country’s highway network is mainly located in the areas around Luxembourg City and Esch. There are no highways in the north. Due to the topography, the roads here tend to be narrow, winding and steep.
Speed limits in Luxembourg:
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- For cars and motorcycles: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h outside urban areas, 130 km/h on highways (110 km/h in wet conditions)
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- For cars with trailers and motorhomes: 50 km/h in urban areas, 75 km/h outside urban areas, 90 km/h on freeways
The alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille. Telephoning while driving is only permitted with a hands-free device.
Freeways in Luxembourg can be used free of charge, there is no toll or vignette requirement.
By cab
Cabs are stationed at the airport, in the capital and in the larger towns. In Luxembourg, it is not permitted to flag down a cab from the road.
Parking
Parking in Luxembourg is often quite difficult due to the topography. There are also only a few parking spaces on public roads. A yellow curb means no parking!
In larger cities, parking is usually subject to a charge and is possible for 3 hours with a parking ticket. On Sundays, parking is free of charge throughout the country.
Best time to travel
Spring (March to May)
In spring, temperatures rise gradually and are around 5-10°C in March, while they can rise to 15-20°C in May. Spring can be changeable, with moderate rainfall. The number of rainy days decreases as the months progress, with April often being slightly drier than March and May.
Summer (June to August)
Summer in Luxembourg is moderately warm, with average temperatures of around 17-18°C in July, the warmest month.
The summer months are relatively dry, but there can still be occasional rainfall. Humidity is lower than in winter, which makes the weather more pleasant.
Fall (September to November)
Temperatures gradually cool down in the fall. In September they are still a pleasant 15-20°C, but drop to around 5-10°C by November.
Autumn is known for its more frequent rainfall, especially in October and November, resulting in a wetter season.
Winter (December to February)
Winters in Luxembourg are cold, with average temperatures of 0-1°C in January, the coldest month.
Winter is the wettest season, with frequent rainfall and occasional snowfall, especially in December.
Money
Payment is made in euros. All major credit cards are accepted.
Telephone
Luxembourg offers 3 different mobile networks: POST Telecom, Tango and Orange. Coverage is still patchy in sparsely populated areas of the country.
Anyone wishing to buy a SIM card must present their ID.
Language
By law, the language of the Luxembourgers is Luxembourgish (Lëtzebuergesch). Officially, however, there are three languages: French, German and Luxembourgish. French is the legal language, which is why most road signs and place name signs are written in French.
Lëtzebuergesch is difficult to understand. But if you understand Moselle Franconian, it’s a little easier.
Travel adapter
Sockets for type F plugs (so-called Schuko plugs) are used.