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All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
Search. Book. Travel.
Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
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Travel from Zürich to Lucerne by train in under 45 minutes
Zürich is one of the tourist hotspots of Switzerland, and the train between Zürich and Lucerne is one of the most popular in the country thanks to the stunning views as it snakes between mountains and lakes.
But you might have a lot of questions about train travel in Switzerland. How do I book train tickets? What is the official train company in Switzerland? What is Luzern, and is it different from Lucerne? Let’s answer all these questions (and then some), so you can book tickets like a local and take the travel stress out of your European vacation.
The train from Zürich to Lucerne is operated by the Swiss national train company, SBB. The journey time between the two cities averages 45 minutes but can be as little as 41 minutes. And because this is Switzerland, the land of clocks, the trains are almost always on time!
Your train will depart from Zürich HB—the HB is short for Hauptbahnhof, the German word for ‘central train station’—which is just north of the city center. The destination of your train will be listed as Luzern on the departure boards. This is because Luzern is the German word for Lucerne, and Lucerne is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. (In English, we tend to use Lucerne, which is the French name for Luzern.)
As for how to book your train tickets, you’re already in the right place! Go to our Journey Planner at the top of the page, enter the dates you want to travel and let us do the rest. You can pay in US Dollars and view your train tickets directly in our app.
- Today’s train times
- SBB trains from Zürich to Lucerne
- SBB train classes from Zürich to Lucerne
- Onboard services from Zürich to Lucerne
- Traveling from the airport to Zürich HB
- How to get to Zürich HB
- Everything you need to know about Zürich HB
- Arriving at Lucerne (Luzern) station
- What to do in Lucerne
- Popular rail journeys in Europe
- Traveling to the airport by train from Lucerne
Zürich to Lucerne by train
| First train | 12:08 am | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 11:35 pm | |
| Departure station | Zürich | |
| Arrival station | Lucerne | |
| Journey time | From 41m | |
| Distance | 25 miles (40 km) | |
| Frequency | 41 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Train and bus operators |
SBB trains from Zürich to Lucerne
The Swiss rail network is operated by SBB. SBB train ticket prices are based on travel and not on the type of trains. You will find available return tickets (standard price, one way or round trip), Multiple journey tickets (for six individual trips on a pre-determined itinerary) and the City-Ticket (including a one-day transportation pass from the city of departure or arrival).
More information
Cheap train tickets from Zürich 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 Zürich 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.
SBB train classes from Zürich to Lucerne
On trains from Zürich to Lucerne, you’ll have the choice of either Standard or First Class tickets.
Standard Class
SBB trains are fast and punctual, with onboard amenities to make your journey more comfortable. In Standard Class you’ll enjoy the following:
|
Free internet access with SBB FreeSurf App |
✔ |
|
Baggage storage space |
✔ |
|
Power outlets |
✔ |
First Class
First Class tickets give you that extra bit of comfort on your journey. You’ll get everything in Standard Class plus the following:
|
Comfier seats |
✔ |
|
Business Zone |
✔ |
Onboard services from Zürich to Lucerne
Baggage
Pets
Children
Food and drink
Traveling from the airport to Zürich HB
Arriving by plane into Zürich? It’s a simple 15-minute train journey into the city from the airport.
Airport to Central Train Station—made simple
- Inside the airport, follow the signs to the train station.
- Take an S-Bahn train, either S2 or S16.
- Arrive at Zürich HB around 10 minutes later.
Need some more info? Check out our full guide on how to get from Zürich Airport to city center by train.
How to get to Zürich HB
Already in Zürich? The Hauptbahnhof is right in the middle of the city and you can get to it easily on foot or on public transit.
- Walk: Most of central Zürich is within 20 minutes of Zürich HB station if you choose to walk. It’s around 20 minutes from the Quaibrücke overlooking Lake Zürich to the station.
- Tram/trolleybus: There are 5 different tram and/or trolleybus stops within a short distance of Zürich HB, served by 12 different tram/bus lines: 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 31 and 46. Most lines converge on Zürich HB, so it’s super easy to get to the station quickly by tram.
- S-Bahn: The vast majority of S-Bahn trains in the Zürich region pass through Zürich HB, so if you’re staying outside the city proper, you can jump on an S-Bahn train directly to the central train station.
Everything you need to know about Zürich HB
Zürich Hauptbahnhof (or Zürich HB for short) is the central train station in Zürich and is the largest railway station in Switzerland.
While you wait for your train there are loads of options for shopping and food in the station. Under the station, you’ll find ShopVille, a shopping center with over 200 stores and places to eat and drink, so you definitely won’t run out of things to do. You might also notice that because of Swiss employment law, most stores around the city are closed on Sunday, with the notable exception of those in the central station.
You’ll also find the following amenities:
- Restrooms
- ATMs
- Lockers
- Station WiFi
- Information desk
- Chapel
- Currency exchange
- Lost and found office
Arriving at Lucerne (Luzern) station
When you arrive at Lucerne station—or, as you’ll see it on station signage, Luzern—you’ll be only seconds from the waterfront of Lake Lucerne.
While not quite as big as Zürich HB, Lucerne’s train station has around 70 shops and food and drink options, as well as restrooms, lockers, currency exchange, a lost and found office and a tourist information desk. Once you’re ready to head out into the city, there are a number of options for getting around:
Walk: Lucerne is compact and very easy to get around on foot. It’s a 10-minute walk across the Reuss River to the Altstadt (Old Town).
Bus: If you’re staying outside of the city center, there are 20 different bus routes departing from outside Lucerne station. You can catch a bus from one of the stands in the square outside the front entrance of the station.
Ferry: If your final destination is somewhere else on Lake Lucerne, you can catch a ferry from the ferry dock on the waterfront directly in front of the station. Ferries are operated by the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV AG).
Taxi: Although it is likely more expensive than public transport options, taxis are available at the taxi rank directly in front of the station.
What to do in Lucerne
Lucerne traces its history back hundreds of years. You can explore the city’s medieval past or head out of the city for some mountain air.
We’ve already got a fabulous guide to the top things to do in Lucerne which we’d recommend you look at for a low-down on the best ways to spend your time in Lucerne. But we’ll also give you the highlights here:
- Explore the Old Town and marvel at the picture-perfect medieval buildings and cobblestone streets.
- Cross the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), a wooden bridge over the Reuss River that has been around since the 14th Century.
- Climb Mount Pilatus. At 6,983 feet tall, it’ll give you stunning views of Lucerne. Jump on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to get to the top.
Popular rail journeys in Europe
Traveling to the airport by train from Lucerne
Since Lucerne doesn’t have an airport of its own, you’ll need to head back to Zürich to catch a flight.
The way to Zürich Airport is easy! Just retrace your steps (or in this case, your tracks) back to Zürich:
- Head to Lucerne station and jump on a train heading back to Zürich HB.
- Arrive at Zürich HB and swap platforms for an S-Bahn train, either S2 or S16.
- Ride the S-Bahn for 10 minutes to the airport (Flughafen Zürich).
The journey should take a little over an hour, including transfer in Zürich HB. Find out more about trains from Lucerne to Zurich Airport.
FAQs for Zürich to Lucerne
Want to know more about your journey from Zürich to Lucerne? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Zürich to Lucerne take?
The average journey time by train between Zürich and Lucerne is 52 minutes, with around 41 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 Zürich and Lucerne by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Zürich to Lucerne is 41 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Zürich to Lucerne?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Zürich to Lucerne without having to change trains. There are 40 direct trains from Zürich to Lucerne each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Zürich to Lucerne leave?
The first train from Zürich to Lucerne leaves at 00:08. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Zürich to Lucerne leave?
The last train from Zürich to Lucerne leaves at 23:35. 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 Zürich and Lucerne by train?
Trains travelling from Zürich to Lucerne cover a distance of around 25 miles (40 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Lucerne to Zürich.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.