Trains from Lucerne

Lucerne's main station is Luzern Bahnhof, centrally located right next to the lake and within walking distance of the Chapel Bridge and Old Town. It is a major hub for both national and regional rail connections. You'll find luggage storage, shops, and tourist information inside the station building.

Direct trains run frequently from Zurich Airport to Lucerne, with the journey taking roughly one hour. Trains depart from the railway station located beneath the airport terminal. You can purchase tickets at SBB machines in the arrivals hall or use the SBB Mobile app. No reservation is needed for standard seats on most connections.

If you plan to take multiple day trips from Lucerne, to Interlaken, Bern, or Zurich, for example, a Swiss Travel Pass often pays for itself quickly compared to buying individual tickets. It also covers local buses and boats on Lake Lucerne, plus discounts on mountain railways like Pilatus and Rigi. Check current pass options before your trip to compare costs.

Both mountains are accessible by rail from Lucerne. The Rigi can be reached by boat across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, then a cogwheel railway to the summit. For Pilatus, a popular route is the Golden Round Trip: boat to Alpnachstad, cogwheel train up, gondola and cable car down to Kriens, then bus back to Lucerne. These are seasonal, so confirm operating dates before you go.

Yes. The Luzern, Interlaken Express follows one of Switzerland's most scenic rail corridors, passing along the shores of Lake Lucerne, through the Brünig Pass, and past Lake Brienz. The journey takes roughly two hours. Standard SBB tickets are valid, no mandatory reservation or surcharge is required, unlike some other Swiss panoramic trains.

Luzern Bahnhof has luggage lockers in multiple sizes, available around the clock. There is also a staffed luggage counter during daytime hours. If you're heading to a mountain excursion or a lake cruise and don't want to carry bags, the lockers are a practical option. SBB also has a door-to-door luggage shipping service between stations and hotels.

For most Swiss domestic routes, including trains to and from Lucerne, you can buy tickets on the day of travel at station machines or via the SBB Mobile app. Advance booking isn't required. However, SBB occasionally offers discounted Supersaver tickets for specific departures, which do need to be purchased ahead of time and are tied to a fixed train.