How to find a direct train from Zürich airport to Lucerne?
A traveler named Queenie is planning her trip from Zürich Airport to Lucerne and is unsure about whether she needs to change trains at Zürich HB. She noticed some trains labeled as 'Direct' on her app and seeks confirmation that she can avoid changing trains before booking.
- Check the Swiss timetable to confirm if your train to Lucerne is a direct one without changes.
- Trains at peak hours may require a change at Zürich HB, so look out for this.
- If you find a train labeled as direct in the timetable, no changes will be necessary.
- Keep an eye on the fare differences based on train times in the Trainline app; booking the cheapest option might be wise if it's valid for 24 hours.
AI-generated summary-
I have read On a couple of different sites that all trains to Lucerne from the Zürich airport Change at Zürich HB. However, on my Trainline app, some of the trains Indicates “ Direct”. I much prefer not to have to change at Zürich HB so before I book one of the” Direct” Train times I would love to be reassured that I don’t have to change at Zurich HB.
Thank you
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Hello Queenie
I have read On a couple of different sites that all trains to Lucerne from the Zürich airport Change at Zürich HB.
The ‘couple of different websites’ are wrong. Last year (2024) track work on one of the three routes between the Hauptbahnhof and the Airport meant that (temporarily) a change of trains at the Hauptbahnhof was always necessary.
The situation in 2025 is as follows.
The vast majority of trains from Luzern to Zurich Hauptbahnhof continue on to Konstanz or St Gallen via the Airport.
A FEW trains (mostly at ‘rush hours’) do terminate at the Hauptbahnhof, so if you catch one of those trains you will need to change.
If you consult an electronic timetable such as that on http://www.sbb.ch and it tells you that a train is running through to the Airport, then no change will be necessary.
Kind regards
Roger
Hi Queenie,
By using the Swiss timetable you can view which train would be a direct one to Lucerne, with no changes. If you look at the attached screenshot as an example. Trains departing at 6:15 and 7:38 are direct and involve no changes. The rest involve changes, this is indicated by the open circle you see on the black line. The 6:15 and 7:38, is one continuous black line, indicating no changes and it’s direct.
More tips and information on the Swiss timetable in the link below:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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Thanks for your reassurances
I was about to book my point to point ticket on Trainline app. I noticed there is different pricing for different times on this app. I am wondering if these times have to be adhered to as I can’t be absolutely be sure when I would be able to board due to flight arrivals, etc.
One would have to think just buy the cheapest fare if the ticket is valid for 24 hours.
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