- Must visit
Swiss Museum of Transport
Swiss Transport Museum with trains, planes, cars, simulators, and media exhibits. Lucerne’s top family-friendly museum.
Cheapest price on Sep 16
€72
Average ticket price on Sep 16
€136
Fastest journey on Sep 16
8 h 43 m
Average journey duration on Sep 16
9 h 28 m
Trains on Sep 16
5
Distance
595 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Dresden to Lucerne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dresden to Lucerne will cost around €136 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €72.
On Wed, Sep 16, we found 5 trains from Dresden to Lucerne, including 5 direct services.
On Wed, Sep 16 the direct trains cover the 595 km distance in an average of 9 h 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 43 m .
On Wed, Sep 16 the slowest trains will take 11 h 30 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dresden to Lucerne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €85 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 38m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.2 - 0.5kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €85, while a flight costs an average of €487.
Distance: 369 miles (595 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€153 Average price | €487 Average price | €85 Average price Cheapest | €185 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 16m Average total duration 8h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 38m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 17h 11m Average total duration 16h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.8 - 3.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.6 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | 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 Dresden to Lucerne:
A bus is €67 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dresden to Lucerne costing on average €153.
A bus is €402 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Dresden to Lucerne costing on average €487.
Other travel options to Lucerne take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 46m.
Bus takes on average 16h 41m.
Tickets start at around €153 compared to roughly €185 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €32. The journey takes 8h 46m versus 8h 6m 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 Dresden to Lucerne trains for today, Tuesday, September 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 2440 · ICE 599 · ICE 109 · IC 687 | On time 11:22 AM Dresden Hbf | 8h43 | 8:05 PM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
ICE 1558 · ICE 375 · IR 2339 | On time 12:11 PM Dresden Hbf | 8h54 | 9:05 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
| Wednesday, September 16 | |||||
![]() | 6:11 AM Dresden | 8h54 | 3:05 PM Lucerne | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:35 AM Dresden | 11h30 | 7:05 PM Lucerne | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:46 AM Dresden | 9h19 | 5:05 PM Lucerne | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Dresden to Lucerne run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 46m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €60 but you can travel from only €42 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:30, the last at 23:54. The fastest train covers the 369 miles (595 km) distance in 7h 51m.
Distance 369 miles (595 km) |
Average train duration 8h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price €60 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 7h 51m |
First train 12:30 AM |
Last train 11:54 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Discover the best of Lucerne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lucerne trip today.
Swiss Transport Museum with trains, planes, cars, simulators, and media exhibits. Lucerne’s top family-friendly museum.
Collection of Pablo Picasso works in a historic building once linked to the artist’s celebrated 1930s Lucerne exhibition.
Jean Nouvel-designed art museum showing modern and contemporary works in a superb lakeside cultural complex.
Preserved old town square lined with frescoed historic buildings, fountains, and guild houses. A classic Lucerne photo stop.
Car-free riverside promenade beside the Reuss with shops and facades. Ideal for strolling between major old town sights.
Elegant lakefront promenade with mountain views, grand hotels, and access to the KKL and boat piers.
Crisp potato rösti from Central Switzerland, often served plain or topped. It is a beloved Swiss staple found in Lucerne homes and taverns.
Rich melted cheese with bread, potatoes, or pickles. A classic Swiss communal meal that reflects alpine dairy traditions popular around Lucerne.
Melted raclette cheese scraped over potatoes and pickles. It is a hearty mountain dish widely enjoyed across Switzerland, including Lucerne.
Elegant fine dining focused on creative French-Swiss cuisine with lake views and a long-standing reputation for special occasions.
Historic riverside restaurant known for Lucerne classics like Chügelipastete in a traditional setting near the old town.
Refined lakeside dining with seasonal Swiss cuisine and polished service in the grand Hotel Schweizerhof.
Lucerne is pricier than most European cities, with high hotel rates, meals, and local transport, especially in peak tourist season.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for great service. Round up taxi fares and leave small change at cafes.
Official public transport app
Luzern Verkehrshaus -> Luzern Bahnhof, Lucerne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dresden 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 Dresden to Lucerne trains use the Dresden Hauptbahnhof to Luzern Bhf station pair. Use this guide to compare Dresden and Lucerne train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Dresden Hauptbahnhof is 1 km from Dresden city centre. Public transport options include:
Dresden Hauptbahnhof has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, asiagourmet, dean&david, Hot Dog King, Starbucks, Subway, BABA Döner, Marché, backWERK, Ditsch, & more
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof.
Ticket office support is available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof. Information desks are located by Platform 9 in the main concourse.
Luggage storage is there are luggage lockers close to by the waiting room and the stairs leading to Platforms 3/4. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Accessible facilities such as toilets and ramps and additional assistance as needed. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Nearby hotels include Hotel Kipping, Pullman Dresden Newa, IntercityHotel Dresden.
Dresden-Neustadt is 1 km from Dresden city centre. Public transport options include:
Dresden-Neustadt has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: ElbUferei, Raskolnikoff, Byblos, Kantine No. 2
Wi-Fi is available at Dresden-Neustadt. ATMs are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Ticket office support is available at Dresden-Neustadt. Information desks are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Luggage storage is available at Dresden-Neustadt. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dresden-Neustadt: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dresden-Neustadt: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Nearby hotels include Bilderberg Bellevue Hotel Dresden, Rothenburger Hof, Mezcalero, Villa Romantika.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need