Day Trips from Lucerne by Train and Boat

November 5, 2026

Lucerne is a transport hub, and the SBB, Zentralbahn and SGV boat networks put a dozen day trips within about two hours. Journey times below are approximate, so check the timetable for your date. The Swiss Travel Pass covers most of these routes.

Stoos and Fronalpstock

Take a train from Lucerne to Schwyz, then a bus of about 20 minutes to the Stoosbahn valley station. The Stoosbahn funicular climbs at a gradient of up to 110 percent, about 47 degrees, and was the steepest funicular in the world when it opened. It brings you to the car-free village of Stoos, where a chairlift continues to Fronalpstock. The funicular is free with the Swiss Travel Pass, but the bus from Schwyz is not confirmed as included.

Natur- und Tierpark Goldau

Goldau is about 30 minutes from Lucerne by SBB train, at Arth-Goldau. The park shows native Swiss and European wildlife, including bears, wolves, lynx, deer, ibex and chamois, in a landscape of boulders left by the rockslide of 1806. Adults pay about CHF 26 and children 6 to 16 about CHF 13, with hours of 09:00 to 18:00 from April to October and 09:00 to 17:00 from November to March. Follow the park’s signs about feeding and keep your distance from the animals.

Engelberg and Titlis

The Zentralbahn runs from Lucerne to Engelberg in under an hour, and Engelberg is the base for Titlis. Fares, the Rotair closure until 11 December 2026 and the summit safety advice are on the Swiss Railways Titlis page .

Rütli and the lake

A boat from Lucerne to Flüelen takes about 2 hours 40 minutes one way. The Rütli meadow above the lake is linked with the founding legend of Switzerland and the oath of 1291, and it can be reached by boat or on foot along the Swiss Path. Check the SGV timetable for the current Rütli stop and for the winter sailings that begin on 19 October.

Luzern-Interlaken Express

The Zentralbahn panorama line crosses the Brünig Pass to Interlaken Ost in about 1 hour 50 minutes. It is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, and seat reservations are recommended. Interlaken makes a long but workable day from Lucerne.

Hergiswil glassworks

Glasi Hergiswil is a glassworks founded in 1817 in Hergiswil on the lake, a short train or boat ride from Lucerne. Check hours and prices with the glassworks before you go.

Pilatus, Rigi and the Stanserhorn

Each of these mountains is an easy full day, with fares, seasons and pass coverage in the mountain excursions page . Pilatus gondolas are closed from 19 October to 27 November 2026, and the Stanserhorn season runs to 22 November.

Not a day trip

Château de Chillon sits on Lake Geneva near Montreux, about 2.5 hours away by train. Plan it from Montreux or Lausanne rather than from Lucerne.

Packaged day trips can be compared on Viator before you travel.