- Must visit
Swiss Museum of Transport
Switzerland’s most visited museum, with extensive exhibits on rail, road, aviation, navigation and communication, plus immersive simulators and family-friendly displays.
Cheapest price
$69
Average price
$133
Fastest journey
4 h 3 m
Average duration
4 h 12 m
Trains per day
25
Distance
342 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne will cost around $133 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $69.
It's difficult to get from Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne without transferring at least once.
IC 60408 · IC 611 · RE 4713
IC 60408 · IR 2315
ICE 71 · IC 623 · RE 4725
ICE 101 · IC 671
ICE 511 · ICE 275 · IR 2319
ECE 151 · IC 671
ICE 513 · ICE 277 · IR 2323
ICE 103 · IC 675
ICE 105 · EC 173
ICE 515 · ICE 279 · IR 2327Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $30. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 8m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $30, and a flight costs an average of $154.
Distance: 212 miles (342 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$106 Average price | $46 Average price Cheapest | $335 Average price | $151 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 38m Average total duration Fastest 4h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 39m Average total duration 7h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 14m Average total duration 8h 14m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne:
A bus is $60 (€48) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne costing on average $106 (€86).
A bus is $289 (€233) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne costing on average $335 (€270).
Other travel options to Lucerne take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 9m.
Flight takes on average 8h 14m.
The journey is about 33m faster (4h 8m by train vs 4h 41m by car) and roughly $44 (€36) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($106 (€86) vs $151 (€121)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne trains for today, Thursday, May 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 60403 · EC 61 · RE 4711 | Delayed 1:09 AM 2:45 AMFrankfurt (Main) Hbf | 5h10 | 7:55 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
IC 60403 · IC 663 | Delayed 1:09 AM 2:45 AMFrankfurt (Main) Hbf | 5h20 | 8:05 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ICE 699 · IC 60403 · IC 663 | Delayed 12:52 AM 2:46 AMFrankfurt Airport long-distance station | 5h19 | 8:05 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 699 · IC 60403 · EC 61 · RE 4711 | Delayed 12:52 AM 2:46 AMFrankfurt Airport long-distance station | 5h09 | 7:55 AM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
IC 60408 · IC 611 · RE 4713 | Delayed 1:44 AM 3:41 AMFrankfurt South station | 5h14 | 8:55 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
IC 60408 · IR 2315 | Delayed 1:44 AM 3:41 AMFrankfurt South station | 5h24 | 9:05 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, May 29 | |||||
ICE 699 · IC 60403 · EC 61 · RE 4711 | 2:46 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 5h09 | 7:55 AM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
ICE 699 · IC 60403 · IC 663 | 2:46 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 5h19 | 8:05 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
S9 · ICE 273 · IC 667 | 5:15 AM Frankfurt am Main Flughafen | 4h50 | 10:05 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 275 · IR 2319 | On time 6:50 AM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h15 | 11:05 AM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ICE 511 · ICE 275 · IR 2319 | On time 6:51 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h14 | 11:05 AM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 101 · IC 671 | On time 7:51 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h14 | 12:05 PM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ECE 151 · IC 671 | On time 8:02 AM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h03 | 12:05 PM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ICE 277 · IR 2323 | On time 8:50 AM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h15 | 1:05 PM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ICE 513 · ICE 277 · IR 2323 | On time 8:51 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h14 | 1:05 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 593 · ICE 103 · IC 675 | On time 9:50 AM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h15 | 2:05 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 103 · IC 675 | On time 9:51 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h14 | 2:05 PM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ICE 71 · IC 623 · RE 4725 | On time 10:20 AM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h35 | 2:55 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 915 · ICE 71 · IC 623 · RE 4725 | On time 10:22 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h33 | 2:55 PM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
ICE 279 · IR 2327 | On time 10:50 AM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h15 | 3:05 PM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ICE 515 · ICE 279 · IR 2327 | On time 10:51 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h14 | 3:05 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 595 · ICE 105 · EC 173 | On time 11:50 AM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h15 | 4:05 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 105 · EC 173 | On time 11:51 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h14 | 4:05 PM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ECE 5 · IC 627 · RE 4729 | On time 12:20 PM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h35 | 4:55 PM Lucerne station | 2 transfers | |
ICE 225 · ECE 5 · IC 627 · RE 4729 | On time 12:21 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h34 | 4:55 PM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
ICE 371 · IR 2331 | On time 12:50 PM Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | 4h15 | 5:05 PM Lucerne station | 1 transfer | |
ICE 517 · ICE 371 · IR 2331 | On time 12:51 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 4h14 | 5:05 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 Frankfurt am Main to Lucerne run on average 14 times per day, taking around 4h 8m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $47 (€38) but you can travel from only $30 (€24) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:54. The fastest train covers the 212 miles (342 km) distance in 4h 3m.
Distance 212 miles (342 km) |
Average train duration 4h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price $47 (€38) |
Trains per day 14 |
Fastest train 4h 3m |
First train 12:05 AM |
Last train 11:54 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 42 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, with extensive exhibits on rail, road, aviation, navigation and communication, plus immersive simulators and family-friendly displays.
Major art museum in central Lucerne featuring important works by Picasso, Klee and Impressionist masters from the renowned Rosengart collection.
A compact museum and geological site with glacier potholes, natural history displays and the famous mirror maze, offering insight into Lucerne’s Ice Age past.
The historic heart of the city, filled with painted facades, fountains, guildhalls and lively lanes that are ideal for wandering on foot.
Scenic waterfront walking area with mountain views, elegant hotels, boat activity and classic postcard perspectives of Lucerne.
Historic square in the old town surrounded by decorated buildings, central to Lucerne’s medieval atmosphere and a popular photo stop.
Lucerne’s signature specialty: a puff-pastry shell filled with veal, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce, often garnished with raisins. It is one of the city’s best-known traditional dishes.
A hearty Swiss Alpine pasta and potato bake with cheese, cream, and onions, often served with apple sauce. Popular across Central Switzerland as comforting mountain food.
Crisp fried grated potatoes, originally a Swiss farmhouse dish and now a classic side or main. In Lucerne it commonly appears with cheese, egg, or regional meat toppings.
Historic traditional inn known for classic Lucerne and Swiss dishes, especially Luzerner Chügelipastete, in an old-school local atmosphere.
Well-known stylish restaurant on the Reuss with refined Swiss and international cooking, plus excellent river and old town views.
Established upscale Lucerne restaurant famous for classic Swiss hospitality and tableside Wienerschnitzel in an elegant historic setting.
Lucerne is costly by European standards. Hotels, dining, and transport are pricey, though supermarkets help budget travelers.
Service is included. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% for excellent service is appreciated. Round up taxi fares slightly.
Official public transport app
Luzern Railway Station, Lucerne -> Lucerne City Center
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Frankfurt am Main 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.

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