The cheapest and fastest trains from Basel to Lucerne
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$43
Fastest journey
1 h 2 m
Average duration
1 h 19 m
Trains per day
7
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 travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Basel to Lucerne will cost around $43 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only $32.
Of the 7 trains that leave Basel for Lucerne every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 79 km distance in an average of 1 h 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 2 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 49 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.
IC 21 667 | 667
IR 26 2315 | 2315
IC 6 613 | 613 · RE 24 4715 | 4715
IR 27 2463 | 2463
IC 61 963 | 963 · S 29 8932 | 8932 · S 1 21132 | 21132
IC 21 667 | 667
IR 26 2315 | 2315
IR 27 2463 | 2463
IC 6 613 | 613 · RE 24 4715 | 4715
IC 61 963 | 963 · S 29 8932 | 8932 · S 1 21132 | 21132Travel Information
Compare train and coach 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 coach with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a coach 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 coach costs an average of $11, and a train costs an average of $28.
Distance: 79 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
$42 Average Price | $23 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
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 61 987 | 987 · S 29 8980 | 8980 · S 1 21180 | 21180 | 7:56 pm Basel SBB | 1h49 | 9:45 pm Lucerne station | 2 changes | |
IC 21 691 | 691 | 8:03 pm Basel SBB | 1h02 | 9:05 pm Lucerne station | 0 changesdirect | |
IR 27 2489 | 2489 | 8:16 pm Basel SBB | 1h14 | 9:30 pm Lucerne station | 0 changesdirect | |
IC 6 641 | 641 · RE 24 30741 | 30741 · IR 15 2537 | 2537 | 8:28 pm Basel SBB | 1h33 | 10:01 pm Lucerne station | 2 changes | |
TGV 9223 | 9223 · IR 75 2590 | 2590 | 8:33 pm Basel SBB | 1h52 | 10:25 pm Lucerne station | 1 change | |
IC 61 989 | 989 · IR 26 2343 | 2343 | 8:56 pm Basel SBB | 1h09 | 10:05 pm Lucerne station | 1 change | |
| Wednesday, 5 November | |||||
IC 6 961 | 961 · S 29 8928 | 8928 · S 1 21128 | 21128 | 6:56 am Basel SBB | 1h49 | 8:45 am Lucerne station | 2 changes | |
IR 26 2315 | 2315 | 7:03 am Basel SBB | 1h02 | 8:05 am Lucerne station | 0 changesdirect | |
IR 27 2463 | 2463 | 7:16 am Basel SBB | 1h14 | 8:30 am Lucerne station | 0 changesdirect | |
IC 6 613 | 613 · RE 24 4715 | 4715 | 7:28 am Basel SBB | 1h27 | 8:55 am Lucerne station | 1 change | |
IC 3 563 | 563 · IR 75 2112 | 2112 | 7:33 am Basel SBB | 1h52 | 9:25 am Lucerne station | 1 change | |
IC 61 963 | 963 · S 29 8932 | 8932 · S 1 21132 | 21132 | 7:56 am Basel SBB | 1h49 | 9:45 am Lucerne station | 2 changes | |
IC 21 667 | 667 | 8:03 am Basel SBB | 1h02 | 9:05 am Lucerne station | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Basel to Lucerne by train or coach
05 Nov
06 Nov
07 Nov
08 Nov
09 Nov
10 Nov
11 Nov
12 Nov
13 Nov
14 Nov
15 Nov
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25 Nov
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Basel to Lucerne?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Basel to Lucerne
Distance 79 km |
Average train duration 1h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 |
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 $11. 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
FAQs: Basel to Lucerne train

Passengers board the train most frequently from Basel SBB, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Lucerne, located away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Basel and Lucerne
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access via Schwarzwaldallee.
- Restaurant Les Gareçons
- Restaurant Bahn Kantine
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Alexander
- Hotel Wettstein
- Hotel Balade
- Located in the main hall
- 330 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-4 for trains to Germany
- Hall 2: platforms 5-8 for regional trains within Switzerland
- Tram: Line 2, Line 6
- Bus: Several lines available
- 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
- 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
More options for your journey from Basel to Lucerne
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