So your Swiss itinerary includes both Lucerne and Interlaken and you wanna squeeze a panoramic train ride into your trip? Then you are definitely going to want to hop on board the Luzern-Interlaken Express!
This scenic train ride links those 2 Swiss destinations while passing 5 different lakes, a few noteworthy villages, and of course endless waterfalls and mountains! It’s even part of the Grand Swiss Train Tour!
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Lucerne, Switzerland
Today we’re starting in Lucerne and want to take you along on the journey. We will show you where to board, give you a train tour, and help you decide if it’s worth hopping off the train at a few villages or lakes along the way. As always, we’ll help you understand current prices and passes and seat reservations too.
By the way, if you need ideas for things to do in Lucerne, check out our Lucerne playlist on YouTube or our 1-Day City Guide to Lucerne on our website.
Welcome to the Luzern-Interlaken Express
If we haven’t met, we’re Jana and Brett, Aplins in the Alps, and we help you travel Switzerland with confidence! We live near Interlaken so we’ve actually taken this exact scenic train ride *counts on fingers* at least a dozen times! Which means we’re pretty familiar with all the things you need to know.
Luzern-Interlaken Express Tip #1
And our very first tip is to arrive at the station early! This train often sits at the platform for at least 10 minutes before departure. And since it can be busy, it’s best to arrive early so you can snag a good seat on the correct side of the train.
- The Luzern-Interlaken Express runs between Luzern Bahnhof and Interlaken Ost in both directions and without any train changes.
- In 2024, it departs hourly from Interlaken Ost from 7:04am to 8:04pm, and hourly from Luzern Bahnhof from 6:06am to 7:06pm. (Check the SBB Mobile App for updated time tables!)
- And the entire journey takes just under 2 hours
- It usually departs Luzern Bahnhof from platform 12, 13, or 14, so just double check the SBB app or platform signs before you board.
Seat Tour of the Luzern-Interlaken Express
Alright, let’s start with a little seat tour! The First Class carriages, which are usually on both ends of the train, have a 2-1 seat configuration, while the Second Class carriages have a 2-2 layout.
Each seating area has a small table, drink holders, Swiss outlets, and a trash can. All wagons have panoramic windows so you can truly soak in the views — although there is air conditioning, these wide windows also mean it can get a little warm during the summer!
Speaking of views, just a few minutes after you depart Lucerne you’ll pass Lake Lucerne and Lake Alpnach on your left.
Luzern-Interlaken Express Tip #2
But don’t be tricked, you actually want to pick a seat on the right side of the train for the best views.
And if you’re boarding in Interlaken Ost, you also want to pick a seat on the right side for the best views! I know this sounds counterintuitive, but the train actually switches the direction of travel in Meiringen, which is why the right side is always the best side, no matter which station you depart from.
Optional Stop #1 | Sarnen, Switzerland
In addition to sharing our train experience with you, we’re going to show you 5 potential stops along the Luzern-Interlaken Express route. Now, more than likely you are not going to stop at all 5 of these. So we’ll give you an idea of what to do at each place and why it might be worth hopping off the train.
Luzern-Interlaken Express Tip #3
Also, if you buy a standard Point-to-Point ticket, it’s free to hop on and off as many times as you want, as long as you make a continuous journey and don’t backtrack. It’s helpful to note that the train only stops for a minute or two at each station, so you can’t just pop out to explore for 5 minutes, or you’ll be very surprised to see the train has left you behind!
18 minutes after you depart from Lucerne, the train stops in Sarnen. This is a charming small town that’s perfect to wander if you enjoy classic Swiss architecture and small shops.
- Of course there are plenty of restaurants and a fantastic Brett-approved coffee shop too (Kaffeerösterei 13/15).
- You can walk up the hill to the Landerberg Castle for expansive views over the city.
- Go for a swim or boat ride on the lake.
- Or — our favorite activity here — rent city bikes with the NextBike app and just explore.
Note: the Sarnen station does have luggage lockers (for a small fee).
Luggage Storage and Bathrooms on the Luzern-Interlaken Express
Most of you will probably be traveling this route with luggage. There are luggage racks near the doors, but you can also store your bags in the overhead bins or between the seats. As always, if the train is full, which this route can be at certain times of the day, please do not occupy a seat or the aisles with your bags.
Luzern-Interlaken Express Tip #4
And all of the stops that we’re mentioning, except for one, also have luggage lockers that you can rent in the station for a small fee.
There are multiple bathrooms on the train as well, and they’re all pretty similar and pretty comparable to other train bathrooms in Switzerland. If you’re traveling as a family, be sure to find the large handicap bathroom that also has a baby changing station.
You might also see this Oli and Livia Children’s Magazine on the trains, or you can ask the staff for it. Unfortunately it’s all in German, but your kids might still enjoy the coloring pages and activities!
Optional Stop #2 | Lungern, Switzerland
45 minutes after you depart from Lucerne, you’ll arrive at one of Jana’s all-time favorite lakes: Lungern. If you like beautiful lakes or serene walks, then this is the place for you.
Unfortunately, this is the one stop that doesn’t have luggage lockers. But if you’re not traveling with luggage, then we think it’s worth hopping off the train at Kaiserstuhl and walking the 6km, 1.5 hour easy path counter-clockwise along the lake until you reach the Lungern train station, where you can hop back on the Luzern-Interlaken Express later.
In addition to the most stunning little lake nestled in the mountains, you can also:
- Go swimming, play mini golf, or let your kids run around the playground at Seepark Lungern.
- Walk up to Dundelbach waterfall.
- Scope out a pretty incredible church in town.
- Pop into a tasty bakery.
- Or visit a microbrewery that crafts beers with water straight from the lake.
Note: the Lungern station does not have luggage lockers available.
Luzern-Interlaken Express Bistro (Restaurant)
Smack dab in the middle of the train is the Luzern-Interlaken Express Bistro. Depending on the season and your direction of travel, the Bistro is open as early as 7:00am and as late as 7:00pm.
- Lucerne to Interlaken Ost: 8:00am to 3:00pm (mid-October to mid-May) and 7:00am to 5:00pm (mid-May to mid-October)
- Interlaken Ost to Lucerne: 10:00am to 5:00pm (mid-October to mid-May) and 9:00am to 7:00pm (mid-May to mid-October)
We saved our eating for this section of the journey since we have 30 minutes until our next stop. We’ve actually had the breakfast option before with a croissant, bread, butter, jam, and a hot drink. The menu also includes meat and cheese platters, sandwiches, soups, sausage, pasta, desserts, snacks, and even a kids menu. Not to mention soda, juice, beer, wine, coffee, and tea. Basically, it’s a mini restaurant on the train!
Today we ordered a sandwich, couscous salad, nut torte, and apfelschorle — but since we have our luggage with us, we ate our food in our seats instead of the dining car.
Luzern-Interlaken Express Tip #5
While we eat, we’re steadily climbing on cogs up to the highest point of our journey at 1001 meters (3284 feet): the Brünig Pass. It’s fun to look out the windows on this part of the ride, but honestly there’s not much at the top so there’s no need to get off the train here.
Optional Stop #3 | Meiringen
1 hour and 15 minutes after leaving Luzern you’ll pull into Meiringen! This is where the train comes into the station, the conductor switches to the opposite end of the train, and then you depart in the same direction you just came from. But don’t worry, you’ll still be happy to have a seat on the right side of the train!
But if you enjoy gorges, waterfalls, or Sherlock Holmes, you’ll want to hop off and explore Meiringen.
- First, meringue is believed to have been invented here, so you should definitely buy some from a local bakery (Frutal).
- You can also grab a local beer.
- Climb a medieval tower.
- Wander through the Aare Gorge.
- Or snap a pic with Sherlock Holmes.
- In fact, you can even visit Reichenbach Falls where — spoiler alert — Sherlock supposedly plummeted to his death during a duel.
- Or tour the small Sherlock Holmes museum in town.
Note: the Meiringen station does have luggage lockers (for a small fee).
Tickets for the Luzern-Interlaken Express
The number one question travelers ask us is about train passes and tickets. So here are the answers to your questions!
(Note: Some of these links are affiliate links. If our train pass advice is helpful, we’d be grateful for your support!)
A one-way Second Class ticket on the Luzern-Interlaken Express costs 34 CHF full price, or 17 CHF with the Half Fare Card. This route is completely free with the Berner Oberland Pass, the Tell-Pass, the Swiss Travel Pass, SBB Day Pass, and Saver Day Pass.
A one-way First Class ticket on the Luzern-Interlaken Express costs 58 CHF full price, or 29 CHF with the Half Fare Card. If you’re traveling with a Second Class Berner Oberland Pass, Tell-Pass, Swiss Travel Pass, or Day Pass and want to ride in First Class, then you’ll need to pay for a Class Upgrade.
Kids ages 6 to 15.99 pay half price, or ride with you for free if you have the Swiss Family Card. As always, kids under 6 are completely free.
You can easily buy these tickets on the SBB app, online on the Lucerne tourism website, from a ticket machine, or at most train stations in Switzerland.
Luzern-Interlaken Express Tip #6
By the way, here’s a bonus transportation tip. If you’re traveling from Zurich to Interlaken, it’s actually cheaper (and more scenic) to train from Zurich to Lucerne, and then ride the Luzern-Interlaken Express. It does add about an hour to your trip, but at full price, this route is 20 CHF cheaper one-way (or 10 CHF cheaper with the Half Fare Card) than the normal route from Zurich to Interlaken via Bern. And this trick works in both directions too!
Need help with Swiss train tickets and transportation?
We know that the endless details about Swiss train tickets and passes can be confusing, so if you have more questions, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation, which will not only answer your first question, but also answer the next 5 questions that you haven’t even thought to ask yet
Optional Stop #4 | Brienz
An hour and a half after leaving Luzern comes the village of Brienz. Consider stopping here if:
- You’d like to finish your journey to Interlaken by boat.
- Or want to stash your luggage in the lockers while you walk the waterfront promenade.
- Stroll the second most beautiful street in the world.
- Or visit the small but popular Woodcarving Museum.
But that’s not all Brienz has to offer, which is why we’ve filmed an entire video in this beautiful village that you can watch here!
Note: the Brienz station does have luggage lockers (for a small fee).
Seat reservations on the Luzern-Interlaken Express
Seat reservations are not required for the Luzern-Interlaken Express, and in most cases we don’t think you need them — as long as you can arrive in the Lucerne or Interlaken Ost station about 10-15 minutes before the train departs to snag a seat
But if you’ll have a short connection and want to make a seat reservation, you’ll need do it online since this cannot be done on the SBB Mobile App. You can buy your ticket and a seat reservation at the same time online if that’s convenient for you, and we’ve included the link in our blog. Just don’t forget to book a seat on the right side of the train!
- Seat reservations for the entire Luzern-Interlaken Express
- Seat reservations for a ride that starts/ends somewhere other than Lucerne or Interlaken
During peak summer season from mid-May to the end of October, seat reservations cost 16 CHF, and they’re 12 CHF during the rest of the year. And in most cases, they can be made up to 6 months in advance.
Luzern-Interlaken Express Tip #7
If you do show up without a reservation and the train is already really full, just remember that you can always buy a seat upgrade on the spot to ride in First Class — which usually has more space and less people!
Optional Stop #5 | Interlaken Ost
After a lovely 2-hours on the Luzern-Interlaken Express, you reach the final stop at Interlaken Ost. This is our hometown area and there are loads of things to do here, which you can see in our complete Jungfrau Region playlist on YouTube.
But this scenic train route actually continues all the way to Montreux and Lake Geneva on the GoldenPass Express panoramic train, which you can learn about here. And we’ll see you on the trains in Switzerland!
