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4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Basel to Lucerne
Cheapest price
€30
Average price
€43
Fastest journey
1 h 1 m
Average duration
1 h 1 m
Trains per day
45
Distance
79 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Basel to Lucerne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Basel to Lucerne will cost around €43 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €30.
Of the 45 trains that leave Basel for Lucerne on Wed, Dec 31, 17 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Dec 31 the direct trains cover the 79 km distance in an average of 1 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 1 m .
On Wed, Dec 31 the slowest trains will take 1 h 1 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
IR 27 2465 | 2465IR 27 2463 | 2463IR 27 2469 | 2469IR 27 2467 | 2467IR 27 2473 | 2473IR 26 2323 | 2323IR 26 2327 | 2327IR 26 2319 | 2319IR 26 2315 | 2315IC 21 667 | 667
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Basel to Lucerne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Basel to Lucerne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €9. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 9m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €9, and a train costs an average of €23.
Distance: 79 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€34 Average price | €19 Average price Cheapest |
1h 41m Average total duration 1h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 39m Average total duration Fastest 1h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Basel to Lucerne train times
The table below shows live departures for Basel to Lucerne trains for today, Tuesday, December 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC 3 559 | 559 · IR 75 2570 | 2570 | 5:33 AM Basel SBB | 1h52 | 7:25 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IC 6 959 | 959 · S 29 8924 | 8924 · S 1 21124 | 21124 | 5:58 AM Basel SBB | 1h47 | 7:45 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
| IC 21 663 | 663 | 6:04 AM Basel SBB | 1h01 | 7:05 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| IC 3 761 | 761 · IR 70 2615 | 2615 | 6:07 AM Basel SBB | 1h44 | 7:51 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IR 27 2461 | 2461 | 6:16 AM Basel SBB | 1h14 | 7:30 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| IC 61 611 | 611 · RE 24 4713 | 4713 | 6:30 AM Basel SBB | 1h25 | 7:55 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IR 26 2315 | 2315 | 7:04 AM Basel SBB | 1h01 | 8:05 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| IC 3 763 | 763 · IR 70 2617 | 2617 | 7:07 AM Basel SBB | 1h44 | 8:51 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IR 27 2463 | 2463 | 7:16 AM Basel SBB | 1h14 | 8:30 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| IC 6 613 | 613 · RE 24 4715 | 4715 | 7:30 AM Basel SBB | 1h25 | 8:55 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IC 3 563 | 563 · IR 75 2112 | 2112 | 7:33 AM Basel SBB | 1h52 | 9:25 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IC 6 963 | 963 · S 29 8932 | 8932 · S 1 21132 | 21132 | 7:58 AM Basel SBB | 1h47 | 9:45 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
| IC 21 667 | 667 | 8:04 AM Basel SBB | 1h01 | 9:05 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 273 | 273 · IR 70 2619 | 2619 | 8:07 AM Basel SBB | 1h44 | 9:51 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IR 27 2465 | 2465 | 8:16 AM Basel SBB | 1h14 | 9:30 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| IC 61 615 | 615 · RE 24 4717 | 4717 | 8:30 AM Basel SBB | 1h25 | 9:55 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IR 26 2319 | 2319 | 9:04 AM Basel SBB | 1h01 | 10:05 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 275 | 275 · IR 70 2621 | 2621 | 9:07 AM Basel SBB | 1h44 | 10:51 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IR 27 2467 | 2467 | 9:16 AM Basel SBB | 1h14 | 10:30 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| IC 6 617 | 617 · RE 24 4719 | 4719 | 9:30 AM Basel SBB | 1h25 | 10:55 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| TGV 9203 | 9203 · IR 75 2116 | 2116 | 9:33 AM Basel SBB | 1h52 | 11:25 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| ICE 101 | 101 · S 29 8940 | 8940 · S 1 21140 | 21140 | 9:58 AM Basel SBB | 1h47 | 11:45 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
| IC 21 671 | 671 | 10:04 AM Basel SBB | 1h01 | 11:05 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| IR 27 2469 | 2469 | 10:16 AM Basel SBB | 1h14 | 11:30 AM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| IC 61 619 | 619 · RE 24 4721 | 4721 | 10:30 AM Basel SBB | 1h25 | 11:55 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IC 3 569 | 569 · IR 75 2576 | 2576 | 10:33 AM Basel SBB | 1h52 | 12:25 PM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| IC 61 969 | 969 · S 29 8944 | 8944 · S 1 21144 | 21144 | 10:58 AM Basel SBB | 1h47 | 12:45 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
| IR 26 2323 | 2323 | 11:04 AM Basel SBB | 1h01 | 12:05 PM Lucerne station | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Basel to Lucerne
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Trains from Basel to Lucerne run on average 10 times per day, taking around 1h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €23 but you can travel from only €9 by bus.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 79 km distance in 1h 2m.
Distance 79 km |
Average train duration 1h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price €23 |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 1h 2m |
First train 00:05 |
Last train 23:58 |
Train companies: SBB, Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS), Südostbahn from Basel to Lucerne trainsSBB, Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS), Südostbahn trains will get you between Basel and Lucerne from €9. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
SBB
Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
Südostbahn
Trains from Basel to Lucerne
Travellers planning a Swiss rail trip can take frequent daily direct trains from Basel to Lucerne. Journey times for the route south-east from Basel take just over one hour. Trains operate roughly three times an hour from early morning to late evening. Some additional indirect services to Lucerne from Basel require a brief change at Olten.
Basel to Lucerne train time: daily departures
Daily schedules provide regular direct trains from Basel to Lucerne seven days a week. There are roughly three trains an hour to the central station in Lucerne. Some additional indirect daily services involve a change at Olten. Sunday timetables provide slightly fewer direct connections.
How long is the journey by train from Basel to Lucerne?
The fastest train from Basel completes the 67-mile trip south-east to Lucerne in one hour and two minutes. Other direct connections can take between five and 11 minutes longer to reach Lucerne. Indirect connections take around one hour and 27 minutes, with a wait of about 11 minutes between connections at Olten.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Basel to Lucerne?
Departure station: Basel station is located south-east of the city centre, taking around 20 minutes to reach on foot, with most local tram routes and S-Bahn trains offering links to the station in around 10 minutes. The station concourse has a food supermarket, fast food outlets, coffee bars, cash points and luggage storage lockers.
Arrival station: Lucerne Central Station is located in the centre of the city, close to the lake, and is a short walk from the old quarter. Facilities at the terminus include a shopping mall with luxury fashion stores, a food court, coffee shops, cash points, luggage storage lockers, car rental desks and a taxi stand.
Which train companies travel from Basel to Lucerne?
Swiss Federal Railways, known as SBB, CFF and FFS in German, French, and Italian, provides all the direct and indirect trains from Basel to Lucerne. The SBB trains operating on this route are either InterCity express trains or InterRegional local services, with most trains offering double-decker seating levels.
Swiss Federal Railways: Basel to Lucerne
Swiss Federal Railways schedules for trains from Basel to Lucerne offer travellers a choice of InterRegional and InterCity services. There is a frequent direct service to Lucerne from early morning to late at night, with around three departures an hour throughout the day and evening, and some indirect connections via Olten. Timings for the direct journey range from one hour and two minutes to one hour and 13 minutes.
Basel to Lucerne trains: services on board
The SBB InterCity and InterRegional trains on this route from Basel to Lucerne offer a choice of first or second-class seating. InterCity trains include a cafe-bistro, a family zone and quiet carriage. All SBB trains provide low-floor access for wheelchair users and dedicated wheelchair areas on board. Dogs travel with their owners for half the price of a second-class ticket, while small pets in carriers travel for free. Cyclists can take their bike on the train with a purchase of a bike ticket. Travellers with a large amount of luggage can purchase a door-to-door or station-to-station check-in service.
How to find cheap train tickets from Basel to Lucerne
The frequency of direct trains between Basel and Lucerne ensures that it is usually fairly straightforward to find the best fares for the journey. If timing is important, it is sensible to book well in advance, especially for peak time travel. Tickets for InterRegional services are usually, but not always, the cheaper option for trips to Lucerne.
FAQs: Trains from Basel to Lucerne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Basel to Lucerne by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Lucerne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Basel SBB, which is located around 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Lucerne, located 0.3 miles (525 m) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Basel to Lucerne
WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation DeskLuggage Carts
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible via Centralbahnstrasse.
- Restaurant Da Roberto
- Brasserie Bahnhof Basel
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Victoria
- Hotel Schweizerhof Basel
- GAIA Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 800 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-5 for Swiss domestic trains
- Hall 2: platform 6-10 for international trains
- Hall 3: shopping and services area
- Tram: Line 1, Line 2, Line 8, Line 10, Line 11
- Bus: Several lines available
WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation DeskLuggage Carts- 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Access via Zentralstrasse.
- Restaurant La Cucina
- Restaurant Bellini Locanda Ticinese
- Outside the main entrance.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Monopol Luzern
- Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel
- Hotel Central Luzern
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 420 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-9 for trains to Germany, Italy, and regional destinations
- Hall 2: S-Bahn platforms
- Hall 3: Boat connections
- Bus: Several lines available
- Boat: Lake Lucerne boats
- Train: SBB services to various destinations
ParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelBike ParkingBike RentalParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelBike ParkingBike RentalMost popular train connections from Basel
More options for your journey from Basel to Lucerne
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Most popular trains to and from Lucerne and Basel
Most popular train connections to Lucerne
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