Zürich to Lucerne Switzerland: Transport Guide

With beautiful scenery, Lucerne is an excellent day trip from Zürich, Switzerland. How to travel between two cities?

This article is a detailed transportation guide to travel from Zürich to Lucerne by train and car, including ticket prices, timetable & online booking tips.

Getting from Zürich to Lucerne

The distance between Zürich and Lucerne is 40 km (24 miles), and you can travel between the two places by train and car. Because the distance is very short, there’s no flight to Lucerne.

The journey takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your transportation choice.

TypeTimeCostTickets
Train40 minutes$22Book tickets
Car50 minutesCheck car option
Tour1 day$168Check tours
Travel options from Zürich and Lucerne.

Zürich to Lucerne by train

  • Duration: 40 minutes
  • Cost: $22

Taking a train is the most convenient way to get to Lucerne. 

Traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy incredible views, comfortable seats, fast transport, and free Wifi in some cases —in both second and first class. 

Also, as both train stations are located in the city center, it’s very convenient, and you can avoid potential transfer expenses.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) offers several direct trains from Zürich to Lucerne. The trains depart approximately every half hour throughout the day.

Info
Journey time40 minutes
Price€20 ($22)
Distance40 km (24 miles)
Frequency50 trains per day
First train5:35 am
Last train11:35 pm
Departure stationZürich
Arrival stationLucerne
OperatorsSBB
Train information from Zürich to Lucerne.
ProviderDepartureArrivalTickets
SBB8:10 am8:51 amBook tickets
SBB8:25 am9:25 amBook tickets
SBB8:35 am9:25 amBook tickets
SBB8:59 am9:51 amBook tickets
SBB9:10 am9:51 amBook tickets
SBB9:25 am10:25 amBook tickets
SBB9:35 am10:25 amBook tickets
Train schedule from Zürich to Lucerne. You can check more train departures here

How long is the train from Zürich to Lucerne?

The average travel time by train is about 52 minutes. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can take the fastest train in just 40 minutes.

How much is the train ticket from Zürich to Lucerne?

Train ticket prices from Zürich to Lucerne start from $22 (€22). The train prices change depending on the dates and routes and are usually very high if you book on the same day.

Where are the train departure and arrival stations?

All trains leave Zürich station and arrive at Lucerne Station, conveniently near the port.
From Lucerne train station, you can easily reach famous landmarks on foot. You can also take a boat to Mount Rigi at the port opposite the station.

When is the first and last train depart from Zürich to Lucerne?

The earliest train leaves Zürich around 5:35 am, with departures continuing until 11:35 pm.

How to get cheap tickets to Lucerne?

You can consider traveling outside peak hours for lower-priced tickets if you’re on a budget. Most train operators increase ticket prices from 6 am to 10 pm and 3 pm – 7 pm on weekdays.

train station Lucerne Switzerland.
Lucerne train station

Zürich to Lucerne day tour

From Zürich, you can also join an excellent day tour to explore Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus.

You’ll start your trip with a bus ride to Lucerne and a short city tour. The tour continues with a visit to Mt. Pilatus by cable car and funicular and a cruise back over the Lake of the Four Cantons by boat.

Lake Lucerne Switzerland.
Lucerne

Zürich to Lucerne by car

Duration: 50 minutes

You can also drive or carpool to Lucerne. Blablacar offers car-sharing services, and you can pick rides at low prices for just $4.

Alternatively, you can rent a car during your stay in Switzerland. It’s best to pick it up at Zurich if it’s your main base.

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