Lucerne day trip from Zurich
A Lucerne day trip from Zurich works in two ways: you join a coach tour that does the whole day for you, or you take the train and build your own day. Both end up at the same places around Lake Lucerne, with Mount Titlis above Engelberg and Bürgenstock above the lake as the two big excursions.
For the train, the national rail network shows the lines IR 70 and IR 75 between Zurich main station and Lucerne. From Zurich Airport, line IR 75 leaves at minute 15 of the hour, and depending on the hour you change at Zurich main station. A line map is not a timetable, so look up the exact connection for your day. We give no train fares here. Our getting there page covers the way in from Zurich, Basel and Bern in more detail.
Our picks: day trips from Lucerne and Zurich
The Titlis day from Zurich is the long option with a guide, and the Titlis half day starts in Lucerne and takes less time. The Bürgenstock day from Zurich adds a boat ride and a funicular.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Titlis day trip from Zurich by coach with a guide
- Professional multilingual guide
- Cable cars to the Titlis summit
- Ice Flyer chairlift (weather permitting)
Ice Flyer, Cliff Walk and glacier cave depend on the weather, and snow is not guaranteed. Which summit cable car runs depends on operation, so a revolving gondola is not promised.
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Titlis half-day tour by coach from Lucerne
- Multilingual guide
- Cable cars to the Titlis summit
- Cliff Walk and Glacier Park
Ice Flyer, Cliff Walk, glacier cave and Glacier Park depend on the weather, and snow is not guaranteed. Which summit cable car runs depends on operation, so a revolving gondola is not promised.
Check availability →
Zurich to Lucerne with boat and Bürgenstock funicular
- Return boat ride to Kehrsiten
- Bürgenstock funicular
- Audioguide for Lucerne highlights
The bus ride from Zurich is partly guided; the stretch from Lucerne to Bürgenstock is self-guided.
Check availability →Day trips from Zurich and Lucerne
A full-day Titlis tour from Zurich, a Lucerne and Bürgenstock coach tour and a half-day Titlis tour from Lucerne, with live prices and availability.
Busausflug from Zurich: coach tours
Two coach tours leave from the Sihlquai bus station in Zurich. The full-day Titlis tour takes about 10 hours. It includes a guide, the coach, the cable cars to the summit with either the Rotair or the Titlis Connect cable car, the Ice Flyer chairlift, the Cliff Walk and the glacier cave. The last three depend on the weather, and food and drinks are not included.
The second coach tour combines Lucerne with Bürgenstock. It is partly guided and includes the coach, a return boat ride from Lucerne to Kehrsiten, the Bürgenstock funicular and an audio guide for the city. The part between Lucerne and Bürgenstock is without a guide. The Hammetschwand lift is not included. For the area itself, see our mountains page.
Mount Titlis and Engelberg
Engelberg is the starting point for Titlis. In the regular case you ride a cable car from Engelberg and then the Rotair, which together take about 30 minutes. That is the general description, not a promise for your date. From 17 August to 11 December 2026 the Rotair is closed and Titlis Connect runs in its place, so do not count on a revolving gondola.
Fares read in November 2026 are 73 CHF one way and 102 CHF return for adults from 16 years, as a retrieved price and not a year-round tariff. Half Fare, GA and Swiss Travel Pass cardholders and children from 6 to 15 pay 50 percent, and children under 6 ride free. The Cliff Walk and the glacier cave are part of the return ticket. The Ice Flyer costs 12 CHF extra for adults and 6 CHF for children.
Opening hours are 8.30 to 17, the last ascent leaves at 15.30 and the last descent at 17. The funicular from Engelberg to Gerschnialp is closed from 2 to 13 November 2026. Snow is not guaranteed. Lift operation, fares and conditions belong to the operator and change.
Glacier cave on Titlis
The glacier cave is one of the sights on the mountain. It is included in the return ticket without a separate fee, as is the Cliff Walk. Both depend on the weather. The half-day Titlis tour from Lucerne lasts about 5.5 hours, includes a guide, the coach, the cable cars (Rotair or Titlis Connect), the Ice Flyer, Cliff Walk, glacier cave and glacier park, weather permitting, and starts at the coach park at the Alpenquai.
The glacier park is open in summer only, and you reach it by the Ice Flyer. Do not plan a free walk on the glacier from these offers.
Jungfrau region and Bernese Oberland
The Jungfrau region is a longer trip from Lucerne and has its own guides. Our sister site covers the mountain station: Jungfraujoch guide. For the wider Alps there is the Swiss Alps guide.
Mount Pilatus is the other mountain near Lucerne. See the Mount Pilatus guide for tickets and routes. In November 2026 the Kriens side is in overhaul until 27 November, so check that guide for the current status.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do Lucerne as a day trip from Zurich?
Yes, by coach tour or by train on the lines IR 70 and IR 75. Look up the exact connection for your date, as a line map is not a timetable.
Is the Rotair part of the Titlis tours?
Not in this period. From 17 August to 11 December 2026 the Rotair is closed and Titlis Connect runs instead. The tours list either one.
Is the Ice Flyer included in the Titlis return ticket?
No. The Ice Flyer is an extra: 12 CHF for adults and 6 CHF for children. The Cliff Walk and the glacier cave are part of the return ticket.
Will there be snow on Titlis?
Snow depends on the weather, and so does what is open on the day.
Where does the Bürgenstock day trip start?
The coach tour leaves from the Sihlquai bus station in Zurich. For the boat from Lucerne, see our cruise page.
Is this the official site of Titlis or Lucerne?
No. This is an independent guide, not part of a mountain railway, Luzern Tourismus or a tour provider.