Luzern to Zurich by Train

Posted by Debbie (Delray Beach, FL, USA) on 05/09/22 06:39 PM

We've traveled by train before and love it, but not in Switzerland. Taking the train from the Luzern Train Station to the train station closest to Old Town (Schifflaende 30) in Zurich. I have a few questions.

Not sure if it is the Central Train Station that I need in Zurich. Can I book train tickets when I arrive in Luzern a few days in advance of needing them or would the price go way up or does it not matter for such a short trip? Are the ticket takers/sales people helpful and do they speak English? Is a certain train line (owner) better than another? What is the difference in the seats, as I saw the different prices? Where does our big pieces of luggage go? Is there anything else I need to know about the train travel?

Thank you very much.
Debbie in Florida

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

05/09/22 07:35 PM

20016 posts

OK, There is only one train operator on the line, SBB.

I take it you are going to the Hotel Helmhaus. You can get there on the tram from Zurich Hbf, the main train station.
Swiss trains are always the same price and you can take any train the day you have a ticket for. Standard fare is 25 CHF.
If you want to save a few shekels, you can buy a Supersaver ticket, but then you are committed to traveling on a specific train. I see tickets for as low as 11 CHF traveling 2 weeks from now, bought today.
You should have no trouble communicating in English at Luzern main station.
Large luggage goes into bins by the entrance to all the train cars.
If you want to add a day pass for Zurich City (tram to your hotel) you can add 7.80 CHF for the ticket. Otherwise it is 3.90 CHF for a one-way tram fare. Buy it from a ticket machine at the tram stop in front of the station.

I quoted 2nd class tickets, which are perfectly fine. 1st class has slightly wider seats with bigger seat pitch. Generally, you pay about 65% more for 1st class seats. Tickets at www.sbb.ch/en

Posted by LIZinPA 🧳

SE Pennsylvania

05/09/22 07:36 PM

2369 posts

I'm sure others will have personal advice, but in the meantime, check Seat61 for good train info.
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-switzerland.htm

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

05/09/22 08:20 PM

20016 posts

More on getting to the Hotel Helmhaus from Zurich HB.
Take the No 4 Tram, direction Tiefenbrunnen, from Bahnhofquai/HB directly in front of the station. Get off at Helmhaus, which will be the 4th stop.

Posted by Debbie OP

Delray Beach, FL, USA

07/07/22 03:35 PM

157 posts

We are staying at the Astoria Hotel, Pilatusstrasse 29 in Lucerne. Can we use the train station right near the hotel to get to Hotel Helmhaus, Schifflaende 30 (Old Town), Zurich or do we need to use the main train station in Lucerne?

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

07/07/22 05:03 PM

32700 posts

what is next to your hotel is a bus (most bus lines, 18 different ones during the day) stop which will, indeed take you in one stop to the great arch in front of the station.

But the side entrance of the station is only 3 short blocks away. If I were going, I'd walk.

The nearest station is that one, the main train station, Luzern Hb, who does indeed have trains going to Zurich, and continuing onward to the airport station.