The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Lucerne
Cheapest price
£74
Average price
£102
Fastest journey
5 h 8 m
Average duration
5 h 42 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
443 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Lucerne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Lucerne will cost around £102 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £74.
To travel from Cologne to Lucerne you need to make at least one change.
EC 7 · IR 2327
ICE 27 · ICE 225 · ICE 73 · EC 173
ICE 121 · ICE 277 · IR 2327
ICE 515 · ICE 277 · IR 2327
ICE 915 · ICE 71 · IR 2473
ICE 515 · ICE 277 · IR 2327
ICE 915 · ICE 71 · IR 2473
ICE 121 · ICE 277 · IR 2327
EC 7 · IR 2327
ICE 27 · ICE 225 · ICE 73 · EC 173Travel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for Cologne to Lucerne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Lucerne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £23. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 16m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £23, and a flight costs an average of £55.
Distance: 443 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£78 Average Price | £44 Average Price Cheapest | £185 Average Price |
6h 2m Average total duration 5h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 18m Average total duration 8h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 16m Average total duration Fastest 1h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 1.3 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cologne to Lucerne train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Lucerne trains for today, Monday 1 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 11 · ICE 71 · IR 2473 | On time 07:18 Cologne Hbf | 6h12 | 13:30 Lucerne station | 2 changes | |
EC 7 · IR 2327 | Delayed 07:54 07:53Cologne Hbf | 6h12 | 14:05 Lucerne station | 1 change | |
ICE 915 · ICE 71 · IR 2473 | On time 08:10 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 5h20 | 13:30 Lucerne station | 2 changes | |
ICE 121 · ICE 277 · IR 2327 | On time 08:28 Cologne Hbf | 5h37 | 14:05 Lucerne station | 2 changes | |
ICE 27 · ICE 225 · ICE 73 · EC 173 | On time 08:53 Cologne Hbf | 6h12 | 15:05 Lucerne station | 3 changes | |
ICE 515 · ICE 277 · IR 2327 | On time 08:57 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 5h08 | 14:05 Lucerne station | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Lucerne by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, train and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
02 Dec
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cologne to Lucerne?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne to Lucerne
Trains from Cologne to Lucerne run on average 8 times per day, taking around 5h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £35 but you can travel from only £23 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 443 km distance in 5h 10m.
Distance 443 km |
Average train duration 5h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £35 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 5h 10m |
First train 00:05 |
Last train 23:55 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn from Cologne to Lucerne trainsDeutsche Bahn trains will get you between Cologne and Lucerne from £23. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
FAQs: Cologne to Lucerne train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne 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.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Lucerne
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- I Siciliani-Dolce&Salato
- Burger King
- Café Franck
- Eichendorf
- Kölnotel
- Black Hotels
- Monday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 13:30 - 13:00 16:00
- Sunday: 12:00 16:00 - 15:30 20:00
- Café Bistro Leysieffer
- Mishba
- Ständige Vertretung
- Kamps
- Subway
- Ganesha
- Magnus
- Borsalino
- Hotel Chelsea
- Hotel Mado
- Elite Hotel
- Blacksheep Hostel
- Weiler Kebap
- Başak Grill
- Le'zzet
- Seniorencafé Treffpunkt
- Haus Wester
- Monday: 06:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
- Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Imbiss Athena
- Arena Grill
- Cafe Especial
- Joe Champs
- Pension Helenenwall
- Zur guten Quelle
- Zum Goldenen Hut
- Merlin
- 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
Most popular train connections from Cologne
More options for your journey from Cologne to Lucerne
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