European trains
Trains from Zurich to Lucerne
Lucerne lies where the Reuss leaves its lake, under the peaks of Pilatus and Rigi, and the short run from Zurich is how day visitors and people staying for the week alike arrive. It is a domestic trip through the small lakes and farmland of central Switzerland, and it suits a day out from Zurich, a stay in a lakeside town, or the start of a journey over the Gotthard towards Ticino and Italy. The return from Lucerne to Zurich is searched on its own.
Availability and prices are checked live when you search.
- Straight-line distanceabout 40 kmThe rail route is longer; live times appear when you search
- RouteDomesticWithin Switzerland
- ReturnSearchLucerne to Zurich
- Hotels48
- 5-star5
- 4-star17
- 3-star26
About the Zurich to Lucerne train
The central station at the head of Bahnhofstrasse, Zürich Hauptbahnhof, is where you set off; if you have just landed at Zurich airport, the airport station is on the rail network too. Choose the date and the number of passengers and search; the results list live times and fares, and the return leg is searched separately. The line runs south-west past the town of Zug and its lake, with farmland, orchards and the foothills building towards the Alps, and comes into Lucerne beside the water. Luzern station stands right on the lakefront beside the concert hall and the boat piers; the Chapel Bridge and the old town are across the Reuss, within walking distance. From the station the lake steamers leave for the villages and for the cog railways and cable cars up Rigi and Pilatus, so a hotel near the water keeps everything within reach. The hotels on this page show their distance from ZRH for anyone flying out, and a Switzerland eSIM can be added for the trip.
Where to stay in Lucerne
4 of the 48 hotels in the catalogue for Lucerne. The hotels listed are 50 km from ZRH.
Cascada Boutique Hotel, Lucerne★★★★Hotel· Swiss Quality HotelsBundesplatz 18 · Pool · Spa · Restaurant · Barfrom₹22,200per night, indicative50 km from ZRH
Grand Hotel National, Lucerne★★★★★Hotel· SYNXISHaldenstrasse 4 · Pool · Spa · Fitness centre · Restaurantfrom₹33,546per night, indicative50 km from ZRH
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern, Lucerne★★★★★Hotel· Mandarin Oriental Hotel GroupHaldenstrasse 10 · Spa · Fitness centre · Restaurant · Barfrom₹54,887per night, indicative50 km from ZRH
Art Deco Hotel Montana Switzerland★★★★Hotel· SYNXISAdligenswilerstrasse 22 · Restaurant · Bar · Wi-Fi · Parking50 km from ZRH- Prices are indicative: the lowest rate found for 2 adults, 1 night on 10 Jan 2027, in INR, checked 10 Nov 2026. Live prices for your dates appear when you search.
Plan the rest of your trip
- HotelsHotels in Lucerne
- Mobile dataSwitzerland eSIM plans
- TrainsTrains from Lucerne to Interlaken
- TransfersTransfers from Zurich Airport to Lucerne
- HotelsHotels in Zurich
- TransfersZurich airport transfers
- TrainsTrains from Zurich to Milan
- TrainsTrains from Amsterdam to Berlin
- TrainsTrains from Amsterdam to Brussels
- TrainsTrains from Amsterdam to London
Trains from Zurich to Lucerne: questions
How far is Lucerne from Zurich by train?
Zurich and Lucerne are about 40 km apart in a straight line; the rail route is longer. Live journey times and fares for your date appear when you search trains from Zurich to Lucerne.
Can I book the return from Lucerne to Zurich?
Yes. Search trains from Lucerne to Zurich for the return; each direction has its own times and fares.
Is Zurich to Lucerne an international train journey?
No. Both Zurich and Lucerne are in Switzerland, so this is a domestic rail journey.
Destination, hotel and service details come from AI Concierge travel data; distances are straight-line. Availability and prices are shown live when you search.