- 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 23
$79
Average ticket price on Sep 23
$120
Fastest journey on Sep 23
8 h 50 m
Average journey duration on Sep 23
8 h 50 m
Trains on Sep 23
20
Distance
608 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Rotterdam to Lucerne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Rotterdam to Lucerne will cost around $120 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $79.
It's difficult to get from Rotterdam to Lucerne without transferring at least 4 times.
ICD 1866 · IC 3670 · RE 6475 · IC 60403
IC 1163 · IC 3561 · 20093 · ICE 205
IC 1155 · IC 3553 · 20089 · 10633
RE 4014 · IC 519 · ICE 121 · ICE 279
IC 2817 · ICE 121 · ICE 279 · IR 2327
IC 2027 · ICE 225 · ECE 5 · IC 627
IC 1127 · IC 3525 · 20075 · 10619
IC 2051 · ICE 127 · ICE 1013 · ICE 75
IC 1151 · IC 3549 · 20087 · 10631
IC 1131 · IC 3529 · 20077 · 10621Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Rotterdam to Lucerne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $110 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 59m. 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 $110, while a flight costs an average of $430.
Distance: 377 miles (608 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$190 Average price | $430 Average price | $110 Average price Cheapest | $252 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 50m Average total duration 8h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 59m Average total duration Fastest 2h 59m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 13h 40m Average total duration 13h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - 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 Rotterdam to Lucerne:
A bus is $80 (€65) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Rotterdam to Lucerne costing on average $190 (€156).
A bus is $320 (€262) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Rotterdam to Lucerne costing on average $430 (€353).
Other travel options to Lucerne take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 20m.
Bus takes on average 13h 10m.
Tickets start at around $190 (€156) compared to roughly $252 (€206) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $62 (€51). The journey takes 8h 20m versus 7h 55m 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 Rotterdam to Lucerne trains for today, Tuesday, September 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICD 1866 · IC 3670 · RE 6475 · IC 60403 | 8:23 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 11h32 | 7:55 AM Lucerne station | 5 transfers | |
RE 4074 · IC 3079+ 20043+ 26844 | 8:54 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 13h11 | 10:05 AM Lucerne station | 6 transfers | |
IC 1179 · IC 2979 · 18981 · S19 | 9:15 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 13h50 | 11:05 AM Lucerne station | 6 transfers | |
IC 1181 · IC 2981 · 32589 · 18981 | 9:45 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 13h20 | 11:05 AM Lucerne station | 9 transfers | |
IC 1181 · IC 2981 · 32589 · 18981 | 9:45 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 13h20 | 11:05 AM Lucerne station | 7 transfers | |
IC 3585 · 20065 · ICE 101 · IC 671 | 9:56 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 14h09 | 12:05 PM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
IC 1187 · IC 3585 · 20065 · ICE 101 | 11:15 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 12h50 | 12:05 PM Lucerne station | 4 transfers | |
| Wednesday, September 23 | |||||
IC 2817 · ICE 121 · ICE 279 · IR 2327 | 5:50 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 9h15 | 3:05 PM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
IC 2817 · ICE 121 · ICE 915 · ICE 71 | 5:50 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 9h05 | 2:55 PM Lucerne station | 5 transfers | |
RE 4014 · IC 519 · ICE 121 · ICE 279 | 5:54 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 9h11 | 3:05 PM Lucerne station | 4 transfers | |
RE 4014 · IC 519 · ICE 121 · ICE 915 | 5:54 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 9h01 | 2:55 PM Lucerne station | 6 transfers | |
IC 1119 · IC 3517 · 20071 · 10615 | 6:15 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 8h50 | 3:05 PM Lucerne station | 6 transfers | |
IC 1123 · IC 3521 · 20073 · 10617 | 7:15 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 8h50 | 4:05 PM Lucerne station | 5 transfers | |
IC 2027 · ICE 225 · ICE 371 · IR 2331 | 8:05 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 9h00 | 5:05 PM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
IC 2027 · ICE 225 · ECE 5 · IC 627 | 8:05 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 8h50 | 4:55 PM Lucerne station | 4 transfers | |
IC 1127 · IC 3525 · 20075 · 10619 | 8:15 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 8h50 | 5:05 PM Lucerne station | 6 transfers | |
IC 1131 · IC 3529 · 20077 · 10621 | 9:15 AM Rotterdam Centraal | 8h50 | 6:05 PM Lucerne station | 5 transfers | |
IC 2051 · ICE 127 · ICE 1013 · ICE 75 | 2:05 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 8h50 | 10:55 PM Lucerne station | 5 transfers | |
IC 2051 · ICE 127 · ICE 377 · IC 989 | 2:05 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 9h00 | 11:05 PM Lucerne station | 4 transfers | |
IC 2051 · ICE 127 · ICE 377 · RE 4743 | 2:05 PM Rotterdam Centraal | 9h50 | 11:55 PM Lucerne station | 3 transfers | |
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 Rotterdam to Lucerne run on average 3 times per day, taking around 8h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $73 (€60) but you can travel from only $24 (€20) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:47, the last at 23:54. The fastest train covers the 377 miles (608 km) distance in 7h 40m.
Distance 377 miles (608 km) |
Average train duration 8h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $73 (€60) |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 7h 40m |
First train 12:47 AM |
Last train 11:54 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
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.
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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam to Lucerne trains use the Rotterdam Centraal to Luzern Bhf station pair. Use this guide to compare Rotterdam and Lucerne train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Rotterdam Centraal has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Smullers, Albert Heijn to go, Starbucks, La Place, Julia's, Ekmekci, LEON, The Doner Company, StationsHuiskamer, De Broodzaak, & more
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are aTM machines are located outside the north side entrance and south side entrance.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 00:00 - 24:00. Information desks are located inside the central hall.
Luggage storage is luggage lockers are located at the north side of the station, next to the escalator to Platform 15. A small safe costs €6.00 and a large safe costs €9.00 for 24 hours.
Available at Rotterdam Centraal: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Rotterdam Centraal: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Rotterdam Centraal: Escalators, elevators, wheelchair access, personalized mobility assistance.
Nearby hotels include Rotterdam Marriott Hotel, Layin’ Rotterdam Central, Hostel Ani & Haakien.
Rotterdam Zuid is 2 km from Rotterdam city centre. Public transport options include:
Rotterdam Zuid has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant De Hef, Restaurant Fenix Food Factory
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Rotterdam Zuid. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Rotterdam Zuid. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Rotterdam Zuid: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Rotterdam Zuid: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Rotterdam Zuid.
Nearby hotels include Bastion Hotel Rotterdam Zuid, Art Hotel Rotterdam, Hotel New York.
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