- Must visit
Swiss Museum of Transport
Switzerland’s most visited museum, covering rail, road, aviation, space, and communication with large interactive exhibits. A top choice for families and transport enthusiasts.
Cheapest price
$142
Average price
$159
Fastest journey
8 h 50 m
Average duration
8 h 55 m
Trains per day
2
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 $159 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $142.
Of the 2 trains that leave Rotterdam for Lucerne on Sun, Jun 21, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct trains cover the 608 km distance in an average of 8 h 55 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 50 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest trains will take 9 h 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 Rotterdam to Lucerne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 30m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $49, and a train costs an average of $82.
Distance: 377 miles (608 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$193 Average price | $90 Average price Cheapest | $115 Average price | $249 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 2m Average total duration 8h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 15h 9m Average total duration 14h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 30m Average total duration Fastest 3h 30m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions | - 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 Rotterdam to Lucerne:
A bus is $25 (€21) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Rotterdam to Lucerne costing on average $115 (€94).
A bus is $104 (€85) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Rotterdam to Lucerne costing on average $193 (€158).
Other travel options to Lucerne take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 32m.
Bus takes on average 14h 39m.
Tickets start at around $193 (€158) compared to roughly $249 (€204) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $56 (€46). The journey takes 8h 32m 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, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:15 AM Rotterdam | 8h50 | 4:05 PM Lucerne | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:15 AM Rotterdam | 8h50 | 5:05 PM Lucerne | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:05 AM Rotterdam | 9h00 | 8:05 PM Lucerne | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Rotterdam to Lucerne run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $82 (€67) but you can travel from only $23 (€19) 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 8h 28m.
Distance 377 miles (608 km) |
Average train duration 8h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price $82 (€67) |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 8h 28m |
First train 12:47 AM |
Last train 11:54 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
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.
Switzerland’s most visited museum, covering rail, road, aviation, space, and communication with large interactive exhibits. A top choice for families and transport enthusiasts.
Major art museum with works by Picasso, Paul Klee, and Impressionists from the Rosengart family collection. A compact but high-quality museum in the city center.
A geological and cultural museum complex with glacial potholes, mirror maze, and exhibits on Lucerne’s natural history. One of the city’s classic attractions.
The historic core of the city, filled with painted facades, guild houses, fountains, and narrow streets. It is the best area for first-time visitors to explore on foot.
Scenic lakeside walking area with mountain views, elegant hotels, and access to boat piers. A classic place for a relaxed stroll and photography.
Busy square near the lake and Chapel Bridge, often used as a meeting point and gateway between shopping streets, the waterfront, and major sightseeing areas.
A classic Lucerne specialty of puff pastry filled with a creamy ragout, traditionally with veal, mushrooms and sometimes raisins. It is one of the city’s signature festive dishes.
A hearty Swiss Alpine dish of macaroni, potatoes, cream, cheese and onions, often served with applesauce. It is popular across Central Switzerland and common in Lucerne.
Crisp pan-fried grated potatoes, originally a Swiss farmhouse dish and now a national staple. In Lucerne it is often served as a side or topped with cheese, egg or meat.
A long-established traditional Lucerne restaurant known for classic local cuisine, especially Luzerner Chügelipastete, in a warm historic setting.
An elegant riverside restaurant with refined Swiss and seasonal cuisine, known for polished service and views over the Reuss in the old town.
A famous historic restaurant serving upscale Swiss classics in a grand traditional interior, popular for special occasions and classic hospitality.
Lucerne is costly by European standards. Hotels, dining, and transport are pricey, though bakeries, supermarkets, and lunch specials can help cut daily costs.
Service is included. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or adding CHF 5-10 for good restaurant service is appreciated. Round up taxis; small tips for hotel staff are optional.
Official public transport app
Lucerne Railway Station, Lucerne -> Lucerne Old Town, 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.

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