- Must visit
Swiss Museum of Transport
Switzerland’s most visited museum, covering rail, road, aviation, space, and communication with large interactive exhibits. A top choice for families and transport enthusiasts.
Cheapest price
$276
Average price
$276
Fastest journey
14 h 21 m
Average duration
14 h 21 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
811 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Budapest to Lucerne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Budapest to Lucerne will cost around $276 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $276.
It's difficult to get from Budapest to Lucerne without transferring at least 2 times.
RJX 62 · ECE 96 · IR 2645
RJX 62 · ECE 96 · IR 2645Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Budapest to Lucerne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $67. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 42m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $67, and a flight costs an average of $26.
Distance: 503 miles (811 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$176 Average price | $98 Average price Cheapest | $204 Average price | $303 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 5m Average total duration 11h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 19h 31m Average total duration 19h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 42m Average total duration Fastest 2h 42m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 10h 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.8 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions | 2.4 - 4.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Budapest to Lucerne:
A bus is $77 (€63) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Budapest to Lucerne costing on average $176 (€144).
A bus is $105 (€86) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Budapest to Lucerne costing on average $204 (€167).
Other travel options to Lucerne take longer:
Train takes on average 11h 35m.
Bus takes on average 19h 1m.
Tickets start at around $176 (€144) compared to roughly $303 (€248) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $127 (€104). The journey takes 11h 35m versus 10h 37m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Budapest to Lucerne trains for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RJX 62 · ECE 96 · IR 2590 | On time 9:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 13h55 | 11:25 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, 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.
Trains from Budapest to Lucerne run on average 3 times per day, taking around 11h 35m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $77 (€63) but you can travel from only $26 (€21) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:21, the last at 23:35. The fastest train covers the 503 miles (811 km) distance in 11h 45m.
Distance 503 miles (811 km) |
Average train duration 11h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price $77 (€63) |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 11h 45m |
First train 12:21 AM |
Last train 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Lucerne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lucerne trip today.
Switzerland’s most visited museum, covering rail, road, aviation, space, and communication with large interactive exhibits. A top choice for families and transport enthusiasts.
Major art museum with works by Picasso, Paul Klee, and Impressionists from the Rosengart family collection. A compact but high-quality museum in the city center.
A geological and cultural museum complex with glacial potholes, mirror maze, and exhibits on Lucerne’s natural history. One of the city’s classic attractions.
The historic core of the city, filled with painted facades, guild houses, fountains, and narrow streets. It is the best area for first-time visitors to explore on foot.
Scenic lakeside walking area with mountain views, elegant hotels, and access to boat piers. A classic place for a relaxed stroll and photography.
Busy square near the lake and Chapel Bridge, often used as a meeting point and gateway between shopping streets, the waterfront, and major sightseeing areas.
A classic Lucerne specialty of puff pastry filled with a creamy ragout, traditionally with veal, mushrooms and sometimes raisins. It is one of the city’s signature festive dishes.
A hearty Swiss Alpine dish of macaroni, potatoes, cream, cheese and onions, often served with applesauce. It is popular across Central Switzerland and common in Lucerne.
Crisp pan-fried grated potatoes, originally a Swiss farmhouse dish and now a national staple. In Lucerne it is often served as a side or topped with cheese, egg or meat.
A long-established traditional Lucerne restaurant known for classic local cuisine, especially Luzerner Chügelipastete, in a warm historic setting.
An elegant riverside restaurant with refined Swiss and seasonal cuisine, known for polished service and views over the Reuss in the old town.
A famous historic restaurant serving upscale Swiss classics in a grand traditional interior, popular for special occasions and classic hospitality.
Lucerne is costly by European standards. Hotels, dining, and transport are pricey, though bakeries, supermarkets, and lunch specials can help cut daily costs.
Service is included. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or adding CHF 5-10 for good restaurant service is appreciated. Round up taxis; small tips for hotel staff are optional.
Official public transport app
Lucerne Railway Station, Lucerne -> Lucerne Old Town, Lucerne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Budapest 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.

Most Budapest to Lucerne trains use the Budapest Keleti to Luzern Bhf station pair, with some services arriving at Luzern, Bahnhof. Use this guide to compare Budapest and Lucerne train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Budapest Keleti is 3 km from Budapest city centre. Public transport options include:
Budapest Keleti has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Rosenstein Restaurant, Huszar Restaurant
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Budapest Keleti. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Budapest Keleti. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Budapest Keleti: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Budapest Keleti: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Budapest Keleti: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Hungaria City Center, Baross City Hotel, Royal Park Boutique Hotel.
Budapest-Kelenföld is 3 km from Budapest city centre. Public transport options include:
Budapest-Kelenföld has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Etele Plaza, KFC Etele Plaza
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Budapest-Kelenföld. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Budapest-Kelenföld. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Griff, Hotel Ventura, Hotel Berlin.
Budapest-Déli is 1 km from Budapest city centre. Public transport options include:
Budapest-Déli has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Déli Terasz Söröző, Ibrahim török büfé, Vagon Etterem, Fornetti, Trio pizza, Turkish Döner KEBAB, Déli Mosoly, Balatonexpressz Étkezőkocsi, Club D One, Lokomotív Falatozó
ATMs are aTM machines are located on the ground floor inside the main hall.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00-10:00, 10:20-14:00, 14:25- 17:35. Information desks are located in the passenger hall of the train station, next to the international ticket offices.
Luggage storage is located in the passenger hall, approaching the entrance near the international checkout to the left.
Available at Budapest-Déli: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Budapest-Déli: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Budapest-Déli: There are some accessible features including ramps and elevators.
Nearby hotels include Mercure Budapest Castle Hill, Christina Residence Budapest, ibis Budapest Castle Hill.
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 options include: Restaurant La Cucina, Restaurant Bellini Locanda Ticinese
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Luzern Bhf. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Luzern Bhf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Luzern Bhf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Luzern Bhf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luzern Bhf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Monopol Luzern, Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel, Hotel Central Luzern.
Luzern, Bahnhof has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luzern, Bahnhof.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need