The cheapest and fastest trains from Lucerne to Budapest
Cheapest price
$149
Average price
$157
Fastest journey
11 h 27 m
Average duration
11 h 38 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
811 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Lucerne to Budapest is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Lucerne to Budapest will cost around $157 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $149.
Of the 3 trains that leave Lucerne for Budapest on Tue, Dec 09, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Dec 09 the direct trains cover the 811 km distance in an average of 11 h 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 11 h 27 m .
On Tue, Dec 09 the slowest trains will take 11 h 44 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.






Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Lucerne to Budapest
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Lucerne to Budapest among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €60. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 25m. 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 €60, and a flight costs an average of €93.
Distance: 503 miles (811 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€127 Average price | €83 Average price Cheapest | €190 Average price |
12h 19m Average total duration 11h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 20h 8m Average total duration 19h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 25m Average total duration Fastest 2h 25m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.8 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions | 2.4 - 4.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Lucerne to Budapest train times
The table below shows live departures for Lucerne to Budapest trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:35 AM Lucerne | 11h44 | 6:19 PM Budapest | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:35 AM Lucerne | 11h27 | 8:02 PM Budapest | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:35 AM Lucerne | 11h44 | 10:19 PM Budapest | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Lucerne to Budapest by bus, train, or flight
Compare bus, train, 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.
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Why should you book Lucerne to Budapest trains with Omio?
Deutsche Bahn (EC,ICE,IC) as well as ÖBB and Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) offer trains services from Lucerne to Budapest. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Lucerne to Budapest.
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn (EC,ICE,IC)?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn (EC,ICE,IC), but also compare tickets for the likes of ÖBB and Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) to find the best option for your trip from Lucerne to Budapest.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn (EC,ICE,IC) with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Lucerne to Budapest.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While Deutsche Bahn (EC,ICE,IC) tickets can be bought on Deutsche Bahn (EC,ICE,IC)'s website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of ÖBB and Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) to help you choose the right option for your journey from Lucerne to Budapest.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Lucerne to Budapest.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Lucerne to Budapest
Trains from Lucerne to Budapest run on average 3 times per day, taking around 11h 49m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $71 (€57) if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:32, the last at 23:42. The fastest train covers the 503 miles (811 km) distance in 11h 27m.
Distance 503 miles (811 km) |
Average train duration 11h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $71 (€57) |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 11h 27m |
First train 00:32 |
Last train 23:42 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) from Lucerne to Budapest trainsDeutsche Bahn, ÖBB, Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) trains will get you between Lucerne and Budapest from $71 (€57). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
ÖBB
Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
FAQs: Trains from Lucerne to Budapest
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Lucerne to Budapest 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 Budapest, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Lucerne to Budapest
- 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Access via Zentralstrasse.
- Restaurant La Cucina
- Restaurant Bellini Locanda Ticinese
- Outside the main entrance.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Monopol Luzern
- Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel
- Hotel Central Luzern
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 420 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-9 for trains to Germany, Italy, and regional destinations
- Hall 2: S-Bahn platforms
- Hall 3: Boat connections
- Bus: Several lines available
- Boat: Lake Lucerne boats
- Train: SBB services to various destinations
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7, accessible from Kerepesi út.
- Rosenstein Restaurant
- Huszar Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Hungaria City Center
- Baross City Hotel
- Royal Park Boutique Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for international and intercity trains
- Hall 2: platforms 7-13 for regional trains
- Hall 3: platforms 14-18 for suburban trains
- Metro: Line M2, Line M4
- Bus: Several lines available
- Tram: Line 24
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, with access from Etele tér.
- Restaurant Etele Plaza
- KFC Etele Plaza
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Griff
- Hotel Ventura
- Hotel Berlin
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-8 for international and domestic long-distance trains
- Hall 2: regional and suburban train platforms
- Hall 3: Metro and tram connections
- Metro: Line M4
- Tram: Line 1, Line 19, Line 49
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Departures can be made outside of opening hours. Access via Nyugati tér.
- Két Szerecsen
- Menza Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Parlament
- Radisson Blu Béke Hotel
- Hilton Budapest City
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-4 for international trains
- Hall 2: domestic and regional train platforms
- Hall 3: metro and tram connections
- Metro: Line M3
- Tram: Line 4, Line 6
- Bus: Several lines available
Most popular train connections from Lucerne
More options for your journey from Lucerne to Budapest
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