The cheapest and fastest trains from Lucerne to Essen
Cheapest price
$95
Average price
$136
Fastest journey
6 h 4 m
Average duration
6 h 55 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
499 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Lucerne to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Lucerne to Essen will cost around $136 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $95.
Of the 2 trains that leave Lucerne for Essen on Tue, Dec 23, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Dec 23 the direct trains cover the 499 km distance in an average of 6 h 55 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 4 m .
On Tue, Dec 23 the slowest trains will take 7 h 46 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 train, bus, and flight for Lucerne to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Lucerne to Essen 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 flight which can get you there in 2h 30m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €30, and a flight costs an average of €151.
Distance: 310 miles (499 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€116 Average price | €237 Average price | €51 Average price Cheapest |
7h 4m Average total duration 6h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 30m Average total duration Fastest 2h 30m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 30m Average total duration 7h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Lucerne to Essen train times
The table below shows live departures for Lucerne to Essen trains for today, Monday, December 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:54 AM Lucerne | 6h05 | 1:59 PM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, December 23 | |||||
![]() | 4:54 AM Lucerne | 6h04 | 10:58 AM Essen | 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 Essen by train, bus, or flight
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.
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Why should you book Lucerne to Essen trains with Omio?
Deutsche Bahn (ICE) as well as Südostbahn offer trains services from Lucerne to Essen. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Lucerne to Essen.
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn (ICE)?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn (ICE), but also compare tickets for the likes of Südostbahn to find the best option for your trip from Lucerne to Essen.
- 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 (ICE) with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Lucerne to Essen.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While Deutsche Bahn (ICE) tickets can be bought on Deutsche Bahn (ICE)'s website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of Südostbahn to help you choose the right option for your journey from Lucerne to Essen.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Lucerne to Essen.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Lucerne to Essen
Trains from Lucerne to Essen run on average 13 times per day, taking around 6h 34m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $87 (€70) but you can travel from only $37 (€30) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:36, the last at 23:03. The fastest train covers the 310 miles (499 km) distance in 5h 55m.
Distance 310 miles (499 km) |
Average train duration 6h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $87 (€70) |
Trains per day 13 |
Fastest train 5h 55m |
First train 00:36 |
Last train 23:03 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Südostbahn from Lucerne to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn, Südostbahn trains will get you between Lucerne and Essen from $37 (€30). 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.
Südostbahn
FAQs: Trains from Lucerne to Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Lucerne to Essen 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 Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Lucerne to Essen
- 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
- Monday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Kiepenkerl
- Cafe Extrablatt
- Tacos
- Ambassador
- Gästearpartment Dahl
- WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus
- Motel One
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Haus Wilmes
- Mana Mana
- Karawane
- Webers
- Burger King
- Werner
- Bückmannsmühle
- Muckel-Eis
Most popular train connections from Lucerne
More options for your journey from Lucerne to Essen
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