What the Lucerne to Interlaken train actually is
This is the Luzern–Interlaken Express, and it's the odd one out among Switzerland's scenic trains. The GoldenPass panoramic carriages, the big windows, the climb over the Brünig Pass, all of it is priced as an ordinary regional journey, because that's exactly what it is. Locals commute on it. You just happen to be sitting in the same seat looking at Lake Brienz.
The trip runs from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost in 1h 50mins over 98km. There's no supplement, no premium fare, no compulsory booking. If you've got a pass in your pocket, you walk on.
How much the Lucerne to Interlaken train costs
A full second-class ticket is about CHF 40 one way. That's the whole price, panoramic windows included.
- Swiss Travel Pass, fully covered
- Berner Oberland Pass, fully covered
- Lucerne Travel Pass, fully covered
- Eurail, fully covered
- Half Fare Card, 50% off, so around CHF 20
- Children under 6, free
- Children 6 to 15, free travelling with a parent
If you're still working out whether a pass earns its keep across your whole trip, this is one of the legs that tilts the maths, a scenic route you'd otherwise pay a premium for elsewhere. Our is a Swiss Travel Pass worth it page runs the numbers.
Do you need a seat reservation on the Luzern–Interlaken Express?
No. The reservation is optional, which makes this train unusual among the scenic routes. It costs CHF 16 in summer and CHF 12 the rest of the year, and you can book it at any staffed station or directly through Zentralbahn.
| Reserving | Just turning up | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | CHF 16 summer / CHF 12 otherwise | Nothing |
| Best for | Summer, groups, luggage | Shoulder season, solo, flexible plans |
| Risk | You're locked to one departure | Standing or a poor seat on a busy day |
| Seat side | You can ask for the right-hand side | Luck of the draw, board early |
In summer, CHF 16 buys you a seat on the right for the Lake Brienz stretch. The rest of the year it's CHF 12, and if you'd rather board early and pick your own seat, skip it and keep the money.
Which side of the train for the best views
Sit on the right leaving Lucerne. That puts you on the lake side for the descent to Lake Brienz, which is the postcard stretch, turquoise water, steep green sides, the whole thing. Going the other direction, Interlaken to Lucerne, you want the left.
The Brünig Pass in the middle is a rack section, so the train grinds up and over slowly. That's not a delay, it's the design.
Finding the platform at Lucerne station
This catches people out. The Luzern–Interlaken Express runs on narrow gauge, and the narrow gauge platforms are about four minutes on foot from the mainline ones.
- Arrive at Lucerne on the mainline platforms.
- Walk to the end of platform 3.
- Turn left and go past the glass partition.
- You'll come out at the narrow gauge platforms, that's where your train is.
Give yourself longer than four minutes if you're wheeling luggage or you've never done it before.
Getting to Pilatus: why the express won't work
The Luzern–Interlaken Express skips Alpnachstad. If you're heading for the Pilatus cogwheel railway, you need a stopping train from Lucerne instead, they run frequently and it's a short hop. Don't board the express and hope; it won't stop.
Where this leg fits in a Swiss itinerary
Interlaken Ost is the gateway to the Berner Oberland, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, the Jungfrau region all fan out from there. Coming the other way, Lucerne connects north and east, and the Zurich to Lucerne leg is 41 to 50 minutes if you're arriving from the airport.
Chained together with Geneva to Zermatt, this route forms part of the classic west-to-east arc across the country. The full set of legs is on our Swiss rail routes hub.
Quick reference
- Route: Lucerne → Interlaken Ost
- Time: 1h 50mins
- Distance: 98km, over the Brünig Pass
- Full fare: about CHF 40 second class
- With a pass: free
- Reservation: optional, CHF 16 summer / CHF 12 otherwise
- Best seats: right-hand side leaving Lucerne