Lucerne airport: arriving via Zurich and Basel
Most visitors who look for a Lucerne airport plan the journey via Zurich Airport (ZRH) or via Basel. Lucerne tourism gives rough travel times from the airports: a little more than 1 hour from Zurich Airport and about 1 hour 30 minutes from the Basel airport. Both are guide values, not fixed connection times, so leave some margin.
Once you are in the city, the lake ships leave from the landing stages next to the station. If you want to continue straight to the water, our page on the Lake Lucerne cruise shows the options, and the page on Lucerne old town helps for a first walk.
A day trip from Zurich by coach
This coach trip from Zurich to Lucerne is a day excursion with audioguide, not an airport transfer.
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.
Bus day trip from Zurich
A coach tour from Zurich with an audio guide, partly guided, as an alternative to organising the day yourself.
Taxi and transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH)
A private car for the last stretch to Lucerne.
A private transfer takes you from the arrivals hall of Zurich Airport (ZRH) to your address in Lucerne without a change of train. That is useful with heavy luggage, with children or after a late flight. The train is the alternative and needs no booking. As a guide value, Lucerne tourism names a little more than 1 hour from the airport to Lucerne by public transport.
We do not quote a transfer price here, because prices depend on the vehicle, the time and the number of passengers. Compare the fixed price shown when you book with the cost of the train for your party before you decide.
Book a fixed-price transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Lucerne on Kiwitaxi.
By train from Zurich, Basel and Bern
Line numbers of the long-distance network, not a timetable of the day.
The Swiss Federal Railways network plan valid from 14.12.2025 shows these lines to Lucerne. It tells you which lines exist, not when they leave, so look up the connection for your date.
| From | Line |
|---|---|
| Zurich main station | IR 70 and IR 75 to Lucerne |
| Zurich Airport | IR 75 at minute :15, with a change at Zurich main station depending on the hour |
| Bern | IR 15 to Lucerne |
| Basel SBB | IR 27 via Olten, and IC 21 continuing to Lugano |
From the airport, a change of train is needed in some hours, so check whether your connection needs a change. We do not list rail fares here. The Swiss Travel Pass and the GA travel card are free on regular lake ships, which makes the trip to the water simple once you arrive.
At Lucerne station the forecourt works run until 12.12.2026, and the bus stops have moved. The ship landing stages stay accessible. For the villages across the lake, see Weggis and Vitznau.
Parking in Lucerne
If you arrive by car, the central car parks near the station and the KKL are the practical choice, as they are close to the ship landing stages. We deliberately give no tariffs: the operator's web page and its PDF tariff sheet show different values for the first hours. Look up the tariff of each car park with the operator before you drive.
For entry rules and motorway requirements, ask the relevant authorities before you travel. We do not cover them here.
Lucerne guest card
The guest card is for overnight guests who pay the visitor tax. It is not for sale, it is personal and it is not transferable. Your accommodation sends it shortly before arrival or hands it over at check-in.
It gives free buses and trains in zone 10 in second class. It is not valid on ships, so a lake trip needs its own ticket or a pass. See where to stay for the areas.
Bus from Zurich with an audio guide
One option for a day trip without changing trains.
The coach tour leaves from Zurich Sihlquai, is partly guided and comes with an audio guide. A panorama ride is included only if you choose that option. The tour suits a day where you want the route arranged for you. For other ways to build a day, see Lucerne tours.
Getting to Lucerne: frequently asked questions
Is there a Lucerne airport?
Plan your journey via Zurich Airport (ZRH) or via Basel. From Zurich Airport Lucerne tourism gives a guide value of a little more than 1 hour.
Which train goes from Zurich Airport to Lucerne?
The IR 75 leaves at minute :15, and depending on the hour you change at Zurich main station. Check the connection for your date.
Does the guest card cover ships?
No. It covers buses and trains in zone 10 in second class for overnight guests. Ships need their own ticket or a pass.
How much does parking cost?
Look up the tariff of each car park with the operator before you drive, because the operator's own sources show different values.
Is this the website of Lucerne tourism?
No. This site is an independent guide. Operation and prices are set by the operators and can change.