Lucerne to Lugano train with SBB

Thu 03 Sept
+ Add return
SBB
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)
Südostbahn
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
SBB
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)
Südostbahn
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Lucerne to Lugano

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 03 Sept

Cheapest price on 03 Sept

£41

Average ticket price on 03 Sept

£56

Fastest journey on 03 Sept

1 h 40 m

Average journey duration on 03 Sept

1 h 40 m

Trains on 03 Sept

29

Distance

126 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Lucerne to Lugano is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Lucerne to Lugano will cost around £56 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £41.

Fast trains

On Thu 03 Sept, we found 29 trains from Lucerne to Lugano, including 5 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 126 km distance in an average of 1 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 40 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 h 40 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.

  • SBBIR 26 2323 | 2323 · IC 2 873 | 873
    13:181h40
    Lucerne station
    14:58Lugano, Stazione
    £411One-way
    1 change
  • SBBIR 26 2323 | 2323 · IC 2 873 | 873 · B 2 2165 | 2165
    13:181h52
    Lucerne station
    15:10Lugano
    £421One-way
    2 changes
  • SBBIC 21 659 | 659
    6:181h40
    Lucerne station
    7:58Lugano, Stazione
    £421One-way
    0 changes
  • SBBIR 26 2311 | 2311 · IC 2 861 | 861
    7:181h40
    Lucerne station
    8:58Lugano, Stazione
    £441One-way
    1 change
  • SBBIC 21 659 | 659 · B 5 5047 | 5047
    6:181h55
    Lucerne station
    8:13Lugano
    £441One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Lucerne to Lugano

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Lucerne to Lugano among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £12 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 2h 25m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, while a train costs an average of £51.

Distance: 126 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£51

Average Price

£12

Average Price

Cheapest

£67

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 26m

Average total duration

1h 56m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 25m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 55m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 12m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

SBB

Most popular train company

BlaBlaCar

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Lucerne to Lugano is a coach with an average price of £12.

This is compared to other travel options from Lucerne to Lugano:

A coach is £39 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Lucerne to Lugano costing on average £51.

The fastest way to travel from Lucerne to Lugano is by coach with an average journey time of 1h 55m.

Other travel options to Lugano take longer:

Train takes on average 1h 56m.

Ferry takes on average 5h 29m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Lucerne and Lugano including taking a coach and train.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 16m faster (1h 56m by train vs 2h 12m by car) and roughly £16 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£51 vs £67). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.

Direct services run with SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS).

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Lucerne to Lugano train times

The table below shows live departures for Lucerne to Lugano trains for tomorrow, Thursday 3 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
SBBIC 21 659 | 6596:18 Lucerne station
1h40
7:58 Lugano, Stazione0 changesdirect
SBBIC 21 659 | 659 · B 5 5047 | 50476:18 Lucerne station
1h55
8:13 Lugano1 change
SBBIC 21 659 | 659 · B 5 5047 | 5047 · B 4 4041 | 40416:18 Lucerne station
1h58
8:16 Lugano2 changes
SBBS 3 21323 | 21323 · EC 11 | 116:39 Lucerne station
1h49
8:28 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBS 3 21323 | 21323 · EC 11 | 11 · B 5 5061 | 50616:39 Lucerne station
2h04
8:43 Lugano2 changes
SBBS 3 21323 | 21323 · EC 11 | 11 · B 5 5061 | 5061 · B 4 4049 | 40496:39 Lucerne station
2h07
8:46 Lugano3 changes
SBBIR 26 2311 | 2311 · IC 2 861 | 8617:18 Lucerne station
1h40
8:58 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBIR 26 2311 | 2311 · IC 2 861 | 861 · B 3 3095 | 30957:18 Lucerne station
1h52
9:10 Lugano2 changes
SBBEC 13 | 13+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2015 | 20157:39 Lucerne station
1h49
9:28 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBIC 21 663 | 6638:18 Lucerne station
1h40
9:58 Lugano, Stazione0 changesdirect
SBBIC 21 663 | 663 · B 3 3119 | 31198:18 Lucerne station
1h52
10:10 Lugano1 change
SBBEC 31 | 31+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2017 | 20178:39 Lucerne station
1h49
10:28 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBEC 31 | 31 · B 3 3131 | 3131+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2017 | 20178:39 Lucerne station
2h01
10:40 Lugano2 changes
SBBIR 26 2315 | 2315 · IC 2 865 | 8659:18 Lucerne station
1h40
10:58 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBIR 26 2315 | 2315 · IC 2 865 | 865 · B 3 3143 | 31439:18 Lucerne station
1h52
11:10 Lugano2 changes
SBBEC 15 | 15+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2019 | 20199:39 Lucerne station
1h49
11:28 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBEC 15 | 15 · B 3 3155 | 3155+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2019 | 20199:39 Lucerne station
2h01
11:40 Lugano2 changes
SBBIC 21 667 | 66710:18 Lucerne station
1h40
11:58 Lugano, Stazione0 changesdirect
SBBIC 21 667 | 667 · B 3 3167 | 316710:18 Lucerne station
1h52
12:10 Lugano1 change
SBBIC 21 671 | 671 · B 2 2149 | 214912:18 Lucerne station
1h52
14:10 Lugano1 change
SBBIC 21 671 | 67112:18 Lucerne station
1h40
13:58 Lugano, Stazione0 changesdirect
SBBEC 151 | 151+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2025 | 202512:39 Lucerne station
1h49
14:28 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBEC 151 | 151 · B 2 2157 | 2157+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2025 | 202512:39 Lucerne station
2h01
14:40 Lugano2 changes
SBBIR 26 2323 | 2323 · IC 2 873 | 87313:18 Lucerne station
1h40
14:58 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBIR 26 2323 | 2323 · IC 2 873 | 873 · B 2 2165 | 216513:18 Lucerne station
1h52
15:10 Lugano2 changes
SBBEC 21 | 21+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2027 | 202713:39 Lucerne station
1h49
15:28 Lugano, Stazione1 change
SBBEC 21 | 21 · B 2 2173 | 2173+Voralpen ExpressIR VAE 2027 | 202713:39 Lucerne station
2h01
15:40 Lugano2 changes
SBBIC 21 675 | 67514:18 Lucerne station
1h40
15:58 Lugano, Stazione0 changesdirect
SBBIC 21 675 | 675 · B 2 2181 | 218114:18 Lucerne station
1h52
16:10 Lugano1 change

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Lucerne to Lugano by coach or train

Compare coach and train 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.

Thu
03 Sept
Fri
04 Sept
Sat
05 Sept
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23 Sept

Journey information

Overview: Train from Lucerne to Lugano

SwitzerlandSwitzerland
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Icon of train

Trains from Lucerne to Lugano run on average 17 times per day, taking around 1h 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £35 but you can travel from only £10 by coach.

There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:18. The fastest train covers the 126 km distance in 1h 38m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £10
Distance
126 km
Average train duration
1h 56m
Cheapest ticket price
£35
Trains per day
17
Direct trains
4
Fastest train
1h 38m
First train
0:05
Last train
23:18
Cheapest Month
Dec
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
3 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £10

Train companies: SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), Südostbahn from Lucerne to Lugano trainsSBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), Südostbahn trains will get you between Lucerne and Lugano from £10. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

SBB

About
SBB is Switzerland’s national railway company, operating a wide range of train services including InterCity, InterRegio, RegioExpress, Regio, S-Bahn, and international InterCityExpress connections. InterCity trains reach speeds of up to 200 km/h for fast travel between major cities, while Regio trains provide slower, more frequent local services. Ticket options include Standard and First Class, as well as passes and discounts such as the Swiss Travel Pass, Half-Fare Card, and Super Saver tickets. Onboard amenities may feature Wi-Fi, power outlets, and restaurant cars. Popular routes include Zurich–Geneva, Basel–Bern, and Geneva–Lausanne.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average SBB Duration
1h 38m
Cheapest SBB Price
£35
Luggage included
One piece of hand luggage and one larger piece of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated luggage areas at ends of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation possible according to ticket type conditions
Refund
Full refund provided for canceled trains
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Restaurant cars on long-distance trains, bistro service available. First class receives at-seat service
Seat reservation
Seat reservations optional in 2nd class for fee, included in 1st class tickets
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance services available with advance notice
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Large dogs require half-price ticket. Guide dogs travel free
Quiet zone

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) Duration
1h 40m
Cheapest Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) Price
£77
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) frequency
8 a day

Südostbahn

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Südostbahn Duration
1h 40m
Südostbahn frequency
17 a day

Complete guide to Lugano

Things to do in Lugano

Discover the best of Lugano — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lugano trip today.

  • Must visit

MASI Lugano at LAC

Lugano’s flagship art museum presents modern and contemporary exhibitions in a lakeside cultural centre. A top stop for architecture, art and temporary shows.

  • Recommended

Museo delle Culture

A lakeside museum in Villa Ciani with exhibitions on Swiss customs, arts and regional culture. It is a manageable visit near the city centre and park.

  • Recommended

Museo delle Dogane Svizzere

Museum of customs and smuggling history in Cantine di Gandria. It offers a distinctive local story in a scenic lakeside setting reached on foot or by boat.

Swiss franc (CHF, Fr.)

Lugano is pricier than many Swiss and Italian-border cities, with high hotel rates, dining costs and everyday expenses; public transport is efficient but not cheap.

Average meal costs

Budget
CHF 15-25 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
CHF 30-50 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
CHF 90+ per person for upscale restaurants.
Coffee
CHF 3.50-5.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for excellent service in restaurants; round up taxi fares; small change is fine in cafés.

FAQs: Lucerne to Lugano train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Lucerne to Lugano 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 Lugano, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Lucerne to Lugano can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £35, while the average price tends to be around £51.
The train journey from Lucerne to Lugano covers a distance of 126 km and takes approximately 1h 38m. Trains run 17 per day.
The train distance from Lucerne to Lugano is 126 km.
The first train from Lucerne to Lugano leaves at 0:05.
The last train from Lucerne to Lugano departs at 23:18.
Trains from Lucerne to Lugano run approximately 17 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Lucerne to Lugano.
Yes, there is a direct train between Lucerne and Lugano. The service operates 4 times per day, provided by SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS).
To get from Lucerne to Lugano, you can choose from several travel options including coach and train.
There is no night train service from Lucerne to Lugano.
The train station in Lucerne that goes to Lugano is Lucerne station, and it arrives at Lugano, Stazione.
The cheapest way to get from Lucerne to Lugano is by coach, costing approximately £10.
Booking trains from Lucerne to Lugano in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
Yes, the train journey from Lucerne to Lugano is known for its scenic beauty, passing through picturesque landscapes, charming Swiss towns, and offering stunning views of the Alps along the Gotthard Panorama Express route.
Yes, a day trip from Lucerne to Lugano is feasible. The journey takes 1h 38m and covers 126 km. There are 16 trains available per day.
In Lugano, you can enjoy scenic boat tours and lakeside promenades on Lake Lugano, with stunning views. Hike or take a funicular to Monte San Salvatore for breathtaking regional vistas. Explore vibrant local markets for a taste of Swiss culture, or visit the Hermann Hesse Museum in Montagnola. Stroll through Lugano's Old Town to discover charming shops and cafes. For the best sights, Monte Brè offers panoramic views of the Alps, while Parco Ciani provides walking paths and gardens. The LAC hosts cultural events, and Swissminiatur showcases miniature Swiss landmarks. Gandria, a lakeside village, features narrow streets and traditional architecture.
Three to four days in Lugano allows visitors to explore its key attractions, enjoy the picturesque lake, hike surrounding mountains, and experience the local culture and cuisine.
Yes, you can take the train from Lucerne to Lugano.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Lucerne and Lugano

Most Lucerne to Lugano trains use the Luzern Bhf to Lugano, Stazione station pair, with some services arriving at Lugano-Paradiso. Use this guide to compare Lucerne and Lugano train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Lucerne
Arrival train stations in Lugano

Which Lucerne station do trains to Lugano leave from?

Trains from Lucerne to Lugano leave from Luzern Bhf. The station is from Lucerne city centre at Zentralstrasse 1, 6003 Luzern, Switzerland.
Luzern BhfZentralstrasse 1, 6003 Luzern, Switzerland+41 51 220 11 11WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation DeskLuggage Carts
City-centre transport

Getting to Luzern Bhf from Lucerne city centre

TrainRe24, S1, Sn1 · 11m · £4 · every ~7 min
BusEv1 · 17m · £8
72 · 22m · £3 · every ~2 min

Luzern Bhf train station facilities and services

Luzern Bhf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.

Food and drink

Food options include: Restaurant La Cucina, Restaurant Bellini Locanda Ticinese

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free. ATMs are available in the train station.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Luzern Bhf. Information desks are located in the main hall.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Luzern Bhf. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Luzern Bhf: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Luzern Bhf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Luzern Bhf.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Hotel Monopol Luzern, Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel, Hotel Central Luzern.

Luzern, BahnhofZentralstrasse 1, 6003 Luzern, SwitzerlandAccessibility

Luzern, Bahnhof train station facilities and services

Luzern, Bahnhof has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Luzern, Bahnhof.

Luzern BahnhofquaiBahnhofplatz, 6003 Lucerne, Switzerland+41 51 220 11 11WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation DeskLuggage Carts
City-centre transport

Getting to Luzern Bahnhofquai from Lucerne city centre

Bus11, 12, 14, 18, 1, 20, 2 · 2m · £3 · every ~50 min
N12, N1, N21, N2, N4, N6 · 1m · £3

Luzern Bahnhofquai train station facilities and services

Luzern Bahnhofquai has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.

Food and drink

Food options include: Restaurant Schiff, Restaurant Opus

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free. ATMs are available in the train station.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Luzern Bahnhofquai. Information desks are located in the main hall.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Luzern Bahnhofquai. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Luzern Bahnhofquai: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Luzern Bahnhofquai: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Luzern Bahnhofquai.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Hotel des Balances, Hotel Monopol Luzern, Hotel Waldstätterhof.

More options for your journey from Lucerne to Lugano

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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