Trains from London to Lucerne
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London to Lucerne by train
Shuttling through three countries via high-speed rail, the journey from London to Lucerne is surprisingly easy. In seven and a half hour hours, you’ll leave the comfort of St Pancras behind you, zooming directly to Paris on the Eurostar service. From here you’ll enjoy picturesque unspoilt views of France and Switzerland – great for budding photographers.
Requiring one further change, you’ll get to experience the best of the continent at your own leisure. Without the hassle of driving, or stress of airport transfers, simply sit back and take it all in. Not convinced? Then read on. There’s a wealth of information below, from train times to FAQs, to help you on your way.
London to Lucerne by train
It takes an average of 9h 58m to travel from London to Lucerne by train, over a distance of around 487 miles (784 km). There are normally 15 trains per day traveling from London to Lucerne and tickets for this journey start from $161.85 when you book in advance.
| First train | 07:01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 20:01 | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Lucerne | |
| Journey time | From 7h 29m | |
| Distance | 487 miles (784 km) | |
| Frequency | 15 trains per day | |
| Changes | 2 changes | |
| Price | From $161.85 | |
| Train and bus operators | TGV Lyria, Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, Eurostar, SBB CFF FFS, Flixbus, Regiojet |
Eurostar, TGV Lyria, Deutsche Bahn and SNCF trains from London to Lucerne
Eurostar
TGV Lyria
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF
Eurostar is the exclusive high-speed train service that links London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and the rest of Europe at speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h). All Eurostar trains have modern, comfortable facilities, plenty of room for luggage, and onboard food and beverage car. There are three comfort classes on offer – Standard, Standard Premier (equivalent to Premium Economy, with light refreshments served), and Business Premier (equivalent to First or Business Class, with flexible travel options, priority boarding, lounge access and delicious food and drink included).
TGV Lyria links France to Switzerland and can travel at a maximum speed of 200 mph (320 km/h). Resulting from the collaboration between SNCF and SBB, TGV Lyria has three comfort classes on all trains. Standard (equivalent to the Second Class TGV, with comfortable seats), Standard 1ère (with more legroom and access to the SNCF show Grand Voyageur at the Gare de Lyon in Paris) and Business 1ère (available all week except Saturday, on some lines only).
More information
The Deutsche Bahn Group is owned by the German State and controls the majority of rail traffic in Germany as well as in many border regions of the country. Every year, Deutsche Bahn transports several million passengers and many stations in Germany are served exclusively by DB trains, including the ICE, IC and EC fleet.
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SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
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Eurostar, TGV INOUI, TER and Intercity Express (ICE) classes from London to Lucerne
Compare the different travel classes offered by Eurostar, TGV INOUI, TER and Intercity Express (ICE) when traveling from London to Lucerne.
Eurostar
TGV INOUI
TER
Intercity Express (ICE)
Standard
Eurostar Standard Class offers you great value tickets with no hidden extra costs. From free WiFi and comfortable seats to a wide range of snacks and drinks available at Café Métropole (Eurostar’s onboard bar buffet), there are lots of reasons to travel in Standard Class.
- Free WiFi
- Dining car
- Baggage storage
- Power outlets
- Complimentary in-seat meal
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
- Fast track access
Standard Premier
In addition to all the amenities you’ll find in Standard Class, Eurostar Standard Premier also offers a complimentary meal, which is served right at your seat.
- Free WiFi
- Dining car
- Baggage storage
- Power outlets
- Complimentary in-seat meal
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
- Fast track access
Business Premier
Want to travel in style? Then Business Premier is the travel class for you – it gives you the freedom to travel according to your schedule, to speed through Fast Track ticket gates (passport control and security) and to relax in Eurostar’s exclusive Business Premier Lounges.
- Free WiFi
- Dining car
- Baggage storage
- Power outlets
- Complimentary in-seat meal
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
- Fast track access
Second Class
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power outlets and more.
- Free WiFi
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Dining car
- Power outlets
- Fold-down table
- Baggage storage
- Reading light
- More legroom
- Quiet area
First Class
Prefer to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional extras.
- Free WiFi
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Dining car
- Power outlets
- Fold-down table
- Baggage storage
- Reading light
- More legroom
- Quiet area
Second Class
Most TER trains don't have First or Second Class so the services offered on board are the same for all passengers. Please note that WiFi is not available on TER trains at the moment.
- Baggage storage
- Fold-down table
Second Class
If you're traveling in ICE's Second Class, you'll get to enjoy free WiFi and a bistrò carriage where you can buy snacks and drinks.
- Power outlets
- Fold-down table
- Free WiFi
- Entertainment pass
- Dining car
- Seat reservation
- Lounge access
- In-seat meal service
- Fast track access
- Quiet area
First Class
In addition to all the perks available in Second Class, you'll get more legroom, an in-seat meal service, Fast Track in some stations and free access to DB lounges.
- Power outlets
- Fold-down table
- Free WiFi
- Entertainment pass
- Dining car
- Seat reservation
- Lounge access
- In-seat meal service
- Fast track access
- Quiet area
Onboard services on Eurostar, TGV INOUI, TER and Intercity Express (ICE)
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from London to Lucerne.
Eurostar
TGV INOUI
TER
Intercity Express (ICE)
Although there’s no weight limit for your baggage on Eurostar trains, you should be able to carry and lift your bags safely. Each bag can be up to 85cm (33.4 inches) long and should be clearly labelled.
There's no restriction on liquids either. However, there are some restrictions on alcohol: 4 bottles/cans of beer are allowed per person; no large bottles of spirits are allowed. If you’re traveling with large quantities of alcohol, you’ll need to contact a courier service.
- In Standard Class, you can choose from a wide range of snacks and drinks from the onboard bar buffet Café Métropole – it’s located near the middle of your train and they accept both cash and cards.
- Traveling in Standard Premier? A light meal and drink will be served to your seat.
- Upgrade to Business Premier and you'll get to enjoy a gourmet meal crafted for the time of day, as well as a continuous supply of drinks throughout your journey, ranging from tea, coffee and soft drinks to Champagne.
Eurostar do not offer an entertainment portal on board. However, they do have free WiFi - simply go to your WiFi settings and choose EurostarTrainsWiFi. A form will pop up - just fill it in and click 'Connect' to get online.
- Kids of all ages need their passport to travel with Eurostar
- Kids under 4 can travel for free if they sit on an adult's lap, or they can get their own seat with a child ticket. If you're alone with kids, you can pre-book assistance so that a member of Eurostar staff can help you during your journey
- Kids under 12 must travel with an adult, while those aged 12-15 can travel alone if they have an unaccompanied minor form
- 16 to 17-year-olds can travel alone if they meet all legal requirements.
Unfortunately, at the moment Eurostar is not able to transport your fully assembled bike. You can still bring a folding bike on board provided it's no longer than 85cm (33.4 inches) and is carried in a protective bag which covers the whole bike. This is to protect your bike, other people, and their baggage both at the station, on board and when going through security
Finally, you won’t be able to travel on Eurostar with an e-scooter or hoverboard.
Guide and assistance dogs can travel on Eurostar only if they’re with their owners. You’ll need to book their ticket at least 48 hours in advance via Eurostar's contact form. When traveling with your guide dog, you’ll need to bring:
- Your passport and Eurostar ticket
- Their Eurostar ticket
- Valid rabies vaccination
- Animal health certificate
- A copy of your confirmation email or case reference number.
We recommend that you arrive at the station at least 75 minutes in advance.
- To receive special assistance on Eurostar, fill in this contact form at least 48 hours before your journey so they are able to assist you
- Arrive at least 1 hour in advance, then head to the Eurostar Assist welcome point or speak to a member of staff
- If you have a wheelchair or mobility scooter, you’ll need to book a wheelchair space, which is in Standard Premier and Business Premier - you’ll only pay for a Standard Class ticket. You can also travel with a companion at a discounted rate.
Sports equipment
- You can travel with a golf bag of up to 120 x 35 x 35cm (47.2' x 13.7 x 13.7'')
- You can take tents and other shelters if packed in bags under 85cm (33.4'') long
- You can’t take camping gas or butane cylinders and canisters
- Camping cutlery and tools like pocket or Swiss army knives are allowed if blades are less than 75mm (3'') long. Any folding knife with a blade that locks is prohibited
- You can take baseball bats, pool and snooker cues and darts if kept in a case.
On TGV INOUI services, there's no weight limit for your baggage - you can travel your way! However, remember that your suitcases, overnight bags and backpacks can't be larger than 130 x 90 cm, and you must be able to carry them and store them in the dedicated baggage racks on board by yourself. All baggage must be labelled before being stored.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar car offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in car 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand baggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a leash. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
There are no size limits for the baggage you take on board TER trains, so you can travel your way. However, you must be able to carry any baggage you bring unassisted, and it must fit into the dedicated baggage storage spaces on the train.
TER trains do not have any onboard catering facilities, so don't forget to pick up a snack at the station before you leave!
TER trains do not currently have WiFi available.
All children under 12 years old get 50% off the price of a TER ticket - input the age of your child when searching your journey and the discount will be applied automatically. Children under the age of 4 travel for free if they're sat on your lap throughout the journey.
On TER trains, it's free to take your bicycle on board. You can hang it up or store it in a dedicated bicycle area. There are a fixed number of spaces available on each train - they're first come, first served and can't be reserved.
Animals weighing less than 6kg must travel in an appropriate carrier (no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm), stored at your feet or on your lap. Tickets for small animals cost 7€. Animals weighing more than 6kg must wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead at all times. Tickets for larger animals cost 50% of the price of a second class ticket. Up to 2 animals or 2 carriers allowed per passenger. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on board all SNCF trains.
If you are disabled or have reduced mobility, you can reserve special assistance through 'Accès TER'. Someone can meet you at the station and accompany you to your train or TER bus, helping you to get around more easily.
You can take as much baggage as you like for free without making a reservation.
Baggage items include briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases. You can also take pushchairs, folding bikes, scooters, skis and surfboards.
Baggage should be stored under the seat or in the overhead baggage rack. The standard dimensions of baggage racks are 70 x 50 x 30 cm (27.5 x 19.6 x 11.8 inches). Larger items of baggage such as suitcases can be stored in the large baggage racks by the doors.
When traveling with ICE, you can enjoy an extensive menu in the on-board restaurant, or you can grab a snack from the bistro carriage. If you choose the latter, you can enjoy your food and drink in the bistro or take it back to your seat.
Upgrade to First Class and you will be served complimentary food and drink at your seat.
DB change their menu every three months, but you will always find a wide variety of locally sourced food and drink, including a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
If you’re traveling on an ICE train, you can connect to the free WiFi and catch up on some work or your favorite TV show.
You can also connect to the ICE portal, where you’ll find a wide range of entertainment, such as films, television, audiobooks, games, newspapers and magazines.
On DB’s ICE trains, kids under 5 years old travel for free and don’t need a ticket. Children up to 14 years old travel for free if they are accompanied by a person who is at least 15 years old.
You can also book family areas and children compartments on all ICE trains.
With ICE, you need a bicycle ticket and reservation to take a bicycle onboard. The reservation for your bike is included in the price.
Generally, bike storage spaces are located in second class carriages. Please note that your seat and bike storage space might be located in different carriages.
You can travel with your pet on all ICE trains. You do not need an extra ticket If you have a small dog and they can travel in a transport box. If your dog or pet is bigger than the size of a house cat, you will need an additional ticket, which costs 50% less than a standard ticket. Dogs not traveling in a transport box must be on a lead and wear a muzzle.
Assistance dogs travel free of charge and do not have to wear a muzzle on the train.
DB’s Mobility Service can assist you with boarding, disembarking or changing trains. Also, staff are happy to answer any questions or assist with any queries to make your journey easier.
Cheap train tickets from London to Lucerne
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from London to Lucerne by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
FAQs for London to Lucerne
How long does the train from London to Lucerne take?
The average journey time by train between London and Lucerne is 9 hours and 58 minutes, with around 15 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between London and Lucerne by train?
The fastest journey time by train from London to Lucerne is 7 hours and 29 minutes.
How much does the train from London to Lucerne cost?
Train tickets from London to Lucerne can start from as little as $161.85 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
Is there a direct train from London to Lucerne?
No, there are no direct train services from London to Lucerne. Travelling from London to Lucerne by train will require a minimum of 2 changes.
What time does the first train from London to Lucerne leave?
The first train from London to Lucerne leaves at 07:01. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from London to Lucerne leave?
The last train from London to Lucerne leaves at 20:01. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between London and Lucerne by train?
Trains travelling from London to Lucerne cover a distance of around 487 miles (784 km) during the journey.