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Travel leg · Swiss Lakes by Rail

Lucerne to Interlaken

Lucerne and Interlaken sit about 53 km (33 mi) apart in a straight line, with Interlaken to the south-west. It is leg 2 of 2 on our Swiss Lakes by Rail itinerary, a 5-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.

Directions in Google Maps See the full Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Lucerne, where this leg starts
From · Lucerne
Interlaken, where this leg ends
To · Interlaken
Straight-line distance
53 km · 33 mi
Est. road distance
63–74 km
Est. drive time
50 min – 1 h 30 min
Direction
Heading south-west
Curated routes
1 itinerary

Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.

Ways to get there

We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.

By train

Our Swiss Lakes by Rail itinerary is planned around rail, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.

By car

Driving is an estimated 63–74 km (39–46 mi) and 50 min – 1 h 30 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.

Swiss trains, boats and mountain lifts connect almost everything on this route, and timetables are famously reliable. Most travelers move between Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken by rail, then use local trains, lake steamers, buses and cable cars for scenic side trips.

Open Lucerne → Interlaken directions in Google Maps ↗

Worth stopping for

Picks from our curated guides at both ends.

When you arrive in Interlaken

Base here 2–3 days for lake cruises, Lauterbrunnen's waterfalls and one high-mountain day.

Before you leave Lucerne

Spend 2 days: the medieval old town in a morning, a lake boat, and one mountain day on Pilatus.

On this curated route

Where Lucerne → Interlaken sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.

Going the other way? Interlaken to Lucerne is the same 53 km in a straight line, heading north-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗

Weather at each end

The biggest gap comes in April, when Interlaken averages highs 2°C cooler than Lucerne.

Average monthly high temperature and rainfall in Lucerne and Interlaken
MeasureJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Lucerne high5°6°10°15°19°23°25°24°20°16°10°5°
Interlaken high4°5°8°13°18°23°25°25°21°16°10°5°
Lucerne rain9475959815014615215810110093100
Interlaken rain81698910315415114816510610711492

Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Interlaken month guides.

Lucerne to Interlaken: questions travelers ask

How far is Lucerne from Interlaken?

Lucerne is about 53 km (33 mi) from Interlaken in a straight line, with Interlaken to the south-west. By road, we estimate 63–74 km (39–46 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.

How long does it take to drive from Lucerne to Interlaken?

An estimated 50 min – 1 h 30 min, assuming 63–74 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.

Which itineraries include the trip from Lucerne to Interlaken?

Our Swiss Lakes by Rail itinerary includes this leg. Swiss Lakes by Rail runs about 5 days across 3 stops, best in May – Oct.

Getting to Lucerne

Guides for both ends

Interlaken by month

More to explore

Plan Lucerne → Interlaken with your crew

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