Have you ever found yourself in Basel, wandering amidst medieval architecture and cutting-edge art, and thought, ‘Hey, what’s the quickest way to swap these cobblestone streets for Lucerne’s picture-perfect lakeside views?’
Look no further, wanderluster! We’re swapping Basel’s edgy urban vibes for Lucerne’s serene landscapes faster than you can say ‘Swiss precision.’ All aboard the Basel to Lucerne Train.
Photo by Piotr Guzik on Unsplash
How Far is Lucerne from Basel?
So, you’re itching to know how far Lucerne is from Basel. Good news! You’re looking at a breezy journey of approximately 100 kilometers, or about 62 miles.
Expect to be enchanted by the Swiss Alps in just about an hour, give or take.
The Basel to Lucerne Train Options:
SBB CFF FFS (Swiss Federal Railways): If Switzerland were a clock, SBB would be its second hand—always on time. It’s the standard choice but with superior Swiss quality.
InterCity (IC) and InterCity Tilting (ICN): These are your high-speed options. They’re faster but cost a bit more, perfect if you want to get there before you can say “Lake Lucerne.”
Regional trains (RegioExpress, S-Bahn): Consider these the scenic routes. They’re slower, but you’ll get to marvel at the Swiss countryside as if you’re in a moving postcard.
Photo by Geertje Caliguire on Unsplash
How much is the train from Basel to Lucerne?
Standard Tickets: A one-way journey can cost between CHF 25 to CHF 50, depending on the type of train and how early you book.
- Low-end price: 25 CHF x 1.10 = $27.50 USD
- High-end price: 50 CHF x 1.10 = $55.00 USD
Bear in mind that these are approximate conversions and actual rates will vary depending on factors like currency fluctuations, booking platforms, and the type of ticket you’re buying (first class, second class, etc.).
Swiss Travel Pass: For the globe-trotters doing the Grand Tour of Europe, this pass lets you hop on and off trains across Switzerland for a set period.
Half Fare Card: Listen up, budget-savvy wanderers! With this card, you can cut the ticket price in half, leaving you more money for fondue or a nifty Swiss army knife.
The Swiss Half Fare Card is a travel pass for tourists visiting Switzerland. It allows the holder to purchase train, bus, boat, and some mountain railway tickets at a 50% discounted price for one month.
The card is ideal for short trips and excursions throughout Switzerland and is especially beneficial for motorists. The Swiss Half Fare Card can be obtained at nearly every Swiss railway station as well as all points-of-sale worldwide.
Purchase the Half Travel Card.
Where to buy Basel to Lucern Train tickets
Rail Europe: You can book train tickets from Basel to Lucerne on Rail Europe’s website. They offer cheap prices and have an easy booking process. Prices for a single ticket between the two cities start from US$11.68.
Omio:
Trainline offers official SBB times and tickets for the Basel SBB to Lucerne route. They have 55 trains per day traveling between the two cities, and the journey takes around 1 hour and 2 minutes. You can choose from direct trains or trains with changes.
SNCF Connect offers cheap train tickets from Basel to Lucerne. They have 55 routes per day, and the average journey time is 1 hour and 16 minutes. You can find available return tickets, multiple journey tickets, and the City-Ticket.
HappyRail offers cheap train tickets from Basel SBB (Main station) to Luzern (Lucerne). They have 56 trains per day traveling between the two cities, and the journey takes around 1 hour and 2 minutes.
Rail.cc offers information on train schedules and ticket prices for the Basel to Lucerne route. You can find the timetable and ticket prices online via their booking links.
All of these websites offer an easy booking process and competitive prices. You can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences the best.
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Best Time of Year to Go to Lucerne from Basel
ucerne shines all year round, like a Swiss watch gleaming under a jeweler’s light.
Summer: Ideal for lake cruises and mountain excursions.
Winter: Lucerne transforms into a winter wonderland, perfect for Christmas markets and snowball fights.
Day Trip or Overnight Stay?
Ah, the age-old question: to stay or not to stay in Lucerne?
Day Trip: Totally doable. You can cover Lucerne’s highlights like a superstar tourist in just a day.
Overnight: However, Lucerne has a certain je ne sais quoi that justifies an overnight stay. Imagine waking up to a lakeside sunrise—utterly magical.
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