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Many tourists visit Interlaken, Switzerland because it is an excellent starting point for exploring the Bernese Oberland region. Because of its convenient location for hiking, adventure, and trips, tourists usually stay here for several days or even longer. This is an excellent choice. Interlaken, which has a good infrastructure for tourists, can be reached easily by train from Lucerne.
Inevitably, logistics are a concern. In particular, train travel in Switzerland has a few specifics for those who plan to use it. How can I get from Lucerne to Interlaken? Do the trains offer scenic views? How much are the tickets?
On this page, you can find all the information you need regarding the train journey from Lucerne to Interlaken.
You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.
Using the Swiss Pass, you can travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, and more. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
Getting tickets from RailEurope is definitely a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. Having been in operation since the 1930s, RailEurope‘s extensive history, user-friendly website and mobile apps, flexible currency payment options, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strategic partnerships with leading rail operators, collectively establish it as a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking European train travel.
You can obtain from RailEurope the following travel passes:
- Swiss Rail Pass – unlimited travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, and more, as well as unlimited public transport in 90 towns and cities for non-Swiss residents
- Eurail Global Pass – unlimited train travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for non-EU residents
- Interrail Global Pass – access to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for citizens and permanent residents of the EU
How to Get From Lucerne to Interlaken
TIP: If you’re going from Lucerne to Interlaken, take the direct train in the morning or afternoon (until the last direct train leaves). Check sbb.ch for train schedules to make sure the trains are running as planned.
The Brünig railway line takes you from Lucerne to Interlaken. This is a railway line that links Lucerne with Interlaken. It runs through Sarnen, Sachseln, Giswil, Kaiserstuhl OW, Lungern, Brünig-Hasliberg, Meiringen, and Brienz.
As the train goes over the Brünig Pass, rack railway sections are used to overcome gradients. The route from the Brünig Pass to Meiringen is the steepest rack-worked section.
Lucerne Train Station to Interlaken Ost
Interlaken is best reached by taking the direct train from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost. There will be stops in Sarnen, Sachseln, Giswil, Kaiserstuhl OW, Lungern, Brünig-Hasliberg, Meiringen, and Brienz before it gets to Interlaken Ost.
Direct trains only run until 6:08 PM. After that, you will have to change to a connecting train either in Meiringen or in Bern.
If there are no longer any direct trains from Lucerne to Interlaken running, you can do the following route:
- From Lucerne, take the Interregio train to Bern or Meiringen.
- In Bern or Meiringen, take the Regional train to Interlaken Ost.
You can go via Bern until 11:00 PM; however, you can also go through Meiringen until 9:00 PM.
Are There Direct Trains From Lucerne to Interlaken?
As of the time of writing (September 2022), there is one direct train per hour from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost. These trains run until 6:08 PM. After that, you will have to change either in Meiringen or Bern.
To get to Interlaken West, you will have to change to a connecting train in Interlaken Ost.
How Long Is the Train Ride From Lucerne to Interlaken?
The following table shows the train ride duration from Lucerne to Interlaken:
| Route | Duration (Fastest Connection) |
|---|---|
| Lucerne – Interlaken Ost | 1 hour 49 minutes |
| Lucerne – Interlaken West | 1 hour 58 minutes |
| Interlaken Ost – Lucerne | 1 hour 51 minutes |
| Interlaken West – Lucerne | 1 hour 56 minutes |
Is the Train Route From Lucerne to Interlaken Scenic?
Yes, the train from Lucerne to Interlaken via Brünig Pass is a scenic train called Golden Pass. It’s also called the Lucerne – Interlaken Express.
On a two-hour train ride, passengers marvel at five crystal-clear mountain lakes that collect water from rivers and waterfalls. Unique photo motifs are formed by the steep mountain faces surrounding the lake.
How Much Will the Train Ticket From Lucerne to Interlaken Cost?
As of the time of writing (September 2022), here are the train ticket prices from Lucerne to Interlaken:
| Route | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Lucerne – Interlaken Ost | 33.00 | 16.50 |
| Lucerne – Interlaken West | 34.00 | 17.00 |
As you can see, if you avail of the Half Fare Travel Card, you can definitely save on your fare for long train journeys. So this is definitely something to consider during your travel to Switzerland. You can do simple calculations and decide from there if it will be worth it for you.
Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?
No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.
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