Travel to Lucerne
Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland
Whether you arrive by bus, train, car or boat, Lucerne is well connected and easy to reach, and connections to airports and railway stations are quick, too. Find out here how best to reach Lucerne.
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As an overnight guest in a Lucerne city hotel, you can use all buses and trains within the city zone free of charge. Find out more.
Arriving by train
Train
Regular, direct and convenient train connections to all the major Swiss urban centres as well as to key European cities ensure a pleasant journey.
Travel comfortably by public transport to your accommodation in the Lucerne region. For stays of two nights or more, arrival and departure are free of charge!
Arriving by car
Car
Lucerne can also be easily reached by car and has motorway connections to Zurich, Bern and Basel as well as the whole of Central Switzerland and the Bernese Oberland.
Arriving by coach
Coach
In the city of Lucerne, buses of various long-distance bus lines stop at the official bus car park Landenberg/Alpenquai. This is located about 10 minutes' walk from the city centre. For detailed information, please refer directly to the respective bus company.
Getting around in Lucerne
It’s easy to get around Lucerne and the whole Lake Lucerne Region. Find out how best to get from A to B here – by bus, train, boat, car, bicycle or on foot.
- Lake Lucerne Navigation Company SGV
- SNG is your competent partner for boats & yachts, seafaring and chartering
- Charles Bucher: For excursions, family events, weddings, birthday parties, company events
Nextbike - day hire bikes: Nextbike codes for 24-hour hire can be purchased at the Lucerne Tourist Information Centre. You can benefit from a reduced price when purchasing at the Tourist Information centre.
Suitcases, backpacks and other items of luggage can be deposited easily and flexibly at several locations in the city of Lucerne via Bounce's large network.
Travel to Lucerne for free
With two hotel nights, you get free travel to and from the hotel by public transport. Start your trip relaxed and full of anticipation – the journey is already part of the experience.
Day Discoveries
Discover Switzerland in a day with DAY DISCOVERIES:
Experience unforgettable excursions from Lucerne to the country's highlights, which are easily and regularly accessible by public transport – convenient and sustainable.
Zurich
Highlight: Zurich combines vibrant city vibes with a sparkling lake and historic old town – perfect for exploring.
Getting there: Direct IR and IC connections from Lucerne to Zurich main station every 30 minutes.
Travel time: 0:45-50 hours each way
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Bern
Highlight: Bern – the charming capital – combines history and the present: the UNESCO old town, the Federal Palace and the Aare loop invite you to explore and linger.
Getting there: Direct IR trains every hour from Lucerne to Bern.
Travel time: 1 hour each way
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Basel
Highlight: The city of art and architecture on the Rhine – lively, stylish and surprisingly diverse.
Getting there: Direct IR trains from Lucerne to Basel SBB, hourly service.
Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes each way
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Interlaken
Highlight: Interlaken delights visitors with its panoramic views, idyllic parks and pure Swiss joie de vivre – perfect for a day spent between lakes and mountain peaks.
Getting there: Direct connection with the Lucerne-Interlaken Express via the Brünig Pass to Interlaken Ost. Connections every hour.
Travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes each way
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Rhine Falls
Highlight: Europe's largest waterfall – thundering water, viewing platforms and boat trips.
Getting there: Take the IR to Zurich and the S-Bahn to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall or Neuhausen.
Travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes each way.
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Lausanne
Highlight: Olympic capital, old town, lake promenade – Lausanne combines culture with joie de vivre.
Getting there: Direct IR service to Lausanne every hour.
Travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes each way
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Lugano
Highlight: Palm trees, mountains and Italian flair – Lugano is southern Switzerland with style.
Getting there: Take the IR or EC via Arth-Goldau and the Gotthard Base Tunnel directly to Lugano.
Travel time: 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes each way.
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Gruyères
Highlight: Medieval village with castle, cheese and fantasy: home of HR Giger & Cailler.
Getting there: Hourly connection via Bern and Bulle to Gruyères.
Travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes each way
Ticketempfehlung: Swiss Travel Pass or Bahnticket
Kombinierte Tickets und Eintritte mit Ermässigung
St. Gallen
Highlight: Die barocke Stiftsbibliothek, charmante Altstadt und Textilmuseum machen St. Gallen einzigartig.
Anreise: Stündlich direkte Verbindung mit dem Voralpen-Express.
Reisezeit: 2:15 Std. pro Weg
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Chateau Chillon
Highlight: The most visited historical building in Switzerland – right on the shores of Lake Geneva, a fairytale dream made of stone.
Getting there: Take the IR via Lausanne and then the regional train to Veytaux-Chillon.
Travel time: 3 hours 5 minutes each way.
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Zermatt
Highlight: World-famous and car-free: Zermatt with views of the Matterhorn and year-round skiing.
Getting there: Via Bern–Visp, change to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.
Travel time: 3 hours 15 minutes each way
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Grindelwald
Highlight: Alpine village with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – an outdoor paradise for summer and winter.
Getting there: IR or Lucerne–Interlaken Express to Interlaken Ost, then regional train towards Grindelwald.
Travel time: 2:35-2:45 hours each way
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Jungfraujoch
Highlight: Top of Europe – with glacier views, Ice Palace and adventure platform at 3,454 metres above sea level.
Getting there: Via Interlaken Ost and Grindelwald Terminal to the Eiger Express (cable car), change to the cog railway at the Eiger Glacier to the Jungfraujoch.
Travel time: 3 hours 35 minutes each way.
Ticket recommendation: Swiss Travel Pass or train tickets
Combined tickets and discounted admission
Barrier-free tourism
The Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Region offers something for everyone. Sights, excellent restaurants and cultural institutions: We have compiled a list of the many accessible activities here.
Panorama Express
Gotthard Panorama Express
Enjoy history on the Gotthard Panorama Express to make travel into an experience. Combination of boat and train journeys on the route between Central Switzerland and Ticino.
Tell-Pass
The ticket for Central Switzerland
Free travel by train, bus, boat and numerous mountain railroads throughout Central Switzerland. A simple and uncomplicated way to discover Central Switzerland.
Swiss Travel Pass
For international guests
Free travel by train, bus, boat and numerous mountain railroads throughout Central Switzerland. Choose between 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 days of unrestricted travel.
- Pilatus
Take the world's steepest cog railway or the cable car – views of over 70 Alpine peaks. Getting there: From Lucerne, take the boat or train to Alpnachstad or the bus to Kriens. Journey time: 1 hour 10 minutes each way by bus or train, 1 hour 40 minutes ea
- Rigi
The Queen of the Mountains – Europe's first mountain railway – with views over lakes, Lucerne and as far as the Alps. Getting there: Train to Arth-Goldau or train/boat to Vitznau, then cog railway to Rigi. Journey time: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minu
- Titlis
A year-round snow adventure: with a revolving gondola, glacier cave and pure mountain panorama. Getting there: From Lucerne, take the Lucerne–Engelberg Express to Engelberg, then walk or take the bus to the Titlis cable car. Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Stanserhorn
Revolving restaurant, cable car with open upper deck and views of the Alpine peaks – the Stanserhorn delights all the senses. Getting there: Take the Zentralbahn railway to Stans, then continue to the summit by funicular railway and convertible cable car.
- Stoos
A car-free high plateau with a spectacular funicular railway and panoramic hikes. Getting there: Take the train and bus via Arth-Goldau to Schwyz, then the world's steepest funicular railway to Stoos. Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes each way.
- Brienzer Rothorn
The historic steam cog railway climbs steeply, offering views over the turquoise Lake Brienz. Getting there: Take the Zentralbahn railway to Brienz, then change to the Brienzer Rothornbahn railway (seasonal). Journey time: 2 hours 45 minutes each way.
- Kambly, Trubschachen
Biscuit workshop: At the Kambly Experience, you can snack, bake and marvel. Getting there: Directly by RE/S-Bahn to Trubschachen, every half hour. A few minutes' walk to the Experience. Travel time: 45:00-1:00 hours each way.
Toilet guide
Here you will find the public toilets in Lucerne. In addition to the city’s public facilities, there are also “Friendly Toilets”: many restaurants and cafés make their clean and well-equipped toilets available free of charge during opening hours.
Experience Switzerland on the most beautiful route
The Grand Tour of Switzerland connects the country's highlights on a unique route – from vibrant cities to tranquil mountain landscapes. It covers over 1,600 kilometres through four language regions, over five Alpine passes and past 22 lakes. This includes Lucerne and Lake Lucerne in the heart of Switzerland.
Whether as a road trip lasting several days or in stages, the Grand Tour makes the journey itself an experience. Along the way, charming accommodation, culinary surprises and countless photo spots await you for unforgettable memories.