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Bern to Luzern by train
How to take the rail journey from the Swiss capital to the city on the Luzernsee
There are two options for taking the train from Bern to Luzern/Lucerne.
- The IR (InterRegio) services operated by SBB are faster, but they can also be more expensive, particularly if you buying tickets last minute at the station.
- The RE (Regio-Express) services operated by BLS are slower, but they can be cheaper; and they also take a more scenic route.
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Routes
Option 1: the faster route
Journey Summary
1hr 1min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination Luzern
These trains also call at: Sursee
1 x train per hour
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes - If you book Supersaver tickets, more info is available on the the SBB ticket guide below.
You may need to search through the departures to find them using the ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ buttons; so try and be flexible with your departure and arrival times.
Online bookings open: up to two months ahead of the travel date
Seat reservations:
Seat reservations are not available on these IR services.
Travelling with a rail pass:
Rail pass users can jump on any train, without having to make reservations.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SBB | * | |
| Happy rail | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Good to Know
The trains used on this route are the same single deck trains as used on many express IC services in Switzerland, the only difference being that they don't convey restaurant cars.
This is a journey of two distinct phases
Switzerland doesn't have any high speed lines on which trains travel at more than 250 km/h, but between Bern and Olten the train will race at 200 km/h for around 25mins on a fast railway.
Though as is typical of purpose built higher speed lines, this isn't a scenically interesting part of the journey.
However, the very first part of the journey between Bern station and the higher-speed line is delightful.
When the train leaves the higher speed line behind, on the route it takes to Luzern will pass by the Sempachersee, which will be on the left.
Option 2: the slower, but more scenic route
Journey Summary
1h 27min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination Luzern
1 x train per hour
Tickets
Book early and save: No*
Online bookings open: 2 months ahead of the travel date
*SBB does not offer discounted 'Supersaver Tickets' for this journey, so you won't save if you book online.
Though seat reservations are available for this journey and they cost 5 CHF per person.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SBB | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
BLS typically operates its Lotschberger trains on this route, despite this route not involving a journey through the Lotschberg Tunnel.
For much of the second half of this journey, after Langnau, the railway passes through the Entlebuch Biosphere nature reserve, and on this part of the journey, the best of the views are on the left.
Though until Langnau the pick of the views are on the right
This video, filmed from the front of a train travelling in the opposite direction from Luzern, gives a great idea of how delightful this journey is.
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