Please sign in to post.

Train travel from lucern to salzburg

Does anyone know the best, most scenic, least expensive and fastest train route from Lucerne to Salzburg? I know I can't have all of this but I just thought I would throw it out there & see what you experts can come up with. P.S. We will be traveling during the summer months. Thanks so much

Posted by
19653 posts

The only really practical route is Luzern to Zurich Hbf, then the direct Railjet to Salzburg. The Railjet is plenty scenic, going along the Zurichersee, then the beautiful Walensee, a quick ride through Liechtenstein (blink and you'll miss it) then up to the Arlberg Tunnel, then down the Inn River valley with mountains on both sides, then a shortcut through Bavaria to Salzburg.

Posted by
237 posts

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. This route sounds great! Do you know how long this takes and if there are a decent number of options in terms of train schedules? There will be 6 of us traveling - 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren & me - so I also need to consider the best budgetary options, as well. Again, thanks so much!

Posted by
19653 posts

The Railjet is every 2 hours at 40 past the even hours from 6:40 to 16:40, and takes 5 hours and 23 minutes. Direct trains from Luzern to Zurich Hbf are twice an hour at 10 and 35 past the hour. Takes between 46 and 50 minutes.

To save money, book nonrefundable tickets at www.sbb.ch/en as far in advance as you can. You can take earlier trains from Luzern to Zurich, but you must ride the Railjet train you booked from there.

PS Seat61 video of the Zurich to Innsbruck Railjet. Salzburg is further down the line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV1G58ot71k&feature=emb_logo