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Zentralbahn

Zentralbahn runs the Luzern-Interlaken Express and the line to Engelberg, with hourly panorama trains and optional seat reservations from CHF 12.

Country
Switzerland
Official website
Official website
Train tickets
1

Luzern to Interlaken, and Luzern to Engelberg

Zentralbahn operates two headline leisure routes: the Luzern-Interlaken Express and the Luzern-Engelberg Express. The Interlaken route runs hourly in both directions, taking about 1 hour 50 minutes. It calls at Sarnen, climbs to Brünig-Hasliberg at 1,001 metres, the highest point on the line, then drops past Brienz on its namesake lake before reaching Interlaken. The waterfalls near Brünig are worth the window seat. It also forms part of the wider GoldenPass Line to Montreux and the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.

Reserving a seat, or not

No special ticket is needed for the Luzern-Interlaken Express. A normal point-to-point ticket for the section you are travelling covers it, and the route is fully included in the Swiss Travel Pass and GA Travelcard. A seat reservation is optional, mainly worth it if you want a guaranteed window seat on a busy day. Fees change with the season: CHF 12 from 2 November 2025 to 1 May 2026, CHF 16 from 2 May to 1 November 2026, then back to CHF 12 from 2 November 2026. Reserve through the Luzern.com shop, and ask for a seat on the right-hand side in your direction of travel, whichever way you are going, for the better views.

Tickets and passes

Zentralbahn sells through the shared Swiss system: the SBB website and app, ticket machines, or its own Travel Centres in Brienz, Engelberg, Hergiswil, Meiringen, Sarnen and Stans. Regular travelcards work here too, including the GA Travelcard for nationwide unlimited travel and the Half Fare Travelcard for half-price fares. Locally, Zentralbahn also sits inside the Passepartout fare network covering Lucerne, Obwalden and Nidwalden, and the Libero network in the Bernese Oberland, both usually cheaper than point-to-point tickets for frequent trips. Supersaver tickets can cut a single fare by up to half if booked early. Groups of ten or more get a 30 percent discount when registered at least two working days ahead.

On board and at the station

The Luzern-Interlaken Express has low-floor access and a wheelchair space in coach 3, plus toilets and air conditioning throughout. A bistro serves breakfast and seasonal menus along the way, so there is no need to bring your own. Bikes travel with you or as checked luggage, though space can run short on popular routes in good weather, so check ahead if you are travelling with one in summer.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a seat reservation on the Luzern-Interlaken Express?

No. A normal ticket is enough. A seat reservation is optional and costs CHF 12 to CHF 16 depending on the season, mainly worth it for a guaranteed window seat on a busy day.

How long does the Luzern-Interlaken Express take?

The journey takes about 1 hour 50 minutes, with hourly departures in both directions between Luzern and Interlaken Ost.

Is the Luzern-Interlaken Express covered by the Swiss Travel Pass?

Yes. The route is fully included in the Swiss Travel Pass and the GA Travelcard, so no separate ticket is needed beyond an optional seat reservation.

Can I take my bike on Zentralbahn trains?

Yes, bikes can travel with you or be checked in as luggage, though space can be limited on popular routes in good weather, so check ahead in summer.

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