Bern to Lucerne is a direct cross-country rail link between the Swiss capital and the Lake Lucerne region, with journey time depending on the chosen mainline or regional route.
Choose the faster mainline option for a short visit, or compare the regional route through Langnau when the Emmental scenery is part of the trip. Direct trains can follow different routes.
Times are approximate planning guides for normal service, not a live timetable. Engineering work can change journey times and transfers. Search your date for the actual itinerary and available fares.
Allow roughly 1 to 1½ hours depending on the route and stopping pattern. Direct mainline and regional routes have different journey times. Compare the route through Langnau with faster alternatives, as well as any itineraries requiring a change. Timetables vary by travel date, so search your exact departure before relying on a planning estimate.
Compare offers for the route you intend to take. The mainline and Emmental options have different stopping patterns; confirm permitted routing before choosing a fare or planning a break along the way. Enter your travel date, passenger ages and class to see the current total.
See prices for your travel date →Trains use Bern railway station and Lucerne station in the city center. At Lucerne, the lake piers and many local transport connections are directly outside the station.
Bern–Lucerne has different route and stopping patterns. Do not apply a single one-hour estimate to every direct train: the regional route through Langnau and the Emmental is a different journey from a faster mainline service. Compare the intermediate stops and total duration. If the landscape is part of your plan, choose the itinerary by its route, not just its destination.
Use Luzern or Lucerne as the destination name and check the station-to-meeting-point route for any lake cruise or excursion. For a continuation to Interlaken, compare the complete Bern–Interlaken journey with the longer trip via Lucerne before booking. They serve different travel goals, so the scenic detour should be an intentional choice.
Choose your date above, then compare available classes and fare conditions in the results. Classes and amenities vary by service; panoramic carriages are only available on selected scenic services.
Most Swiss intercity journeys
Travelers who want extra space
Allow roughly 1 to 1½ hours depending on the route and stopping pattern. Exact journey times depend on the selected train and any required connection.
Direct mainline and regional routes have different journey times. Compare the route through Langnau with faster alternatives, as well as any itineraries requiring a change.
Compare offers for the route you intend to take. The mainline and Emmental options have different stopping patterns; confirm permitted routing before choosing a fare or planning a break along the way. The price for your party is shown in the dated search results; no fixed fare is quoted in this guide.
No. Compare intermediate stops and journey time. The regional route through Langnau and the Emmental should not be confused with the fastest mainline option.
Only if visiting Lucerne or taking the Brünig scenic route is part of your plan. Compare with the more direct Bern–Interlaken corridor before choosing the detour.
Reviewed . Operator and destination references support this guide; check the timetable and selected offer for your travel date.
