Luzern Interlaken Express: Is It Worth It & Which Side Should You Sit On?

The Luzern Interlaken Express is one of the most scenic train routes in Switzerland.

It connects Lucerne with Interlaken Ost and links two very different parts of a Switzerland trip: Central Switzerland, with Lucerne, Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi, and the Bernese Oberland, with Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and the Jungfrau Region.

It is not a high-speed train. It is not the fastest way to cross Switzerland. That is not really the point.

The appeal of the Luzern Interlaken Express is the route itself: lakes, villages, mountains, the Brünig Pass, and a gradual shift from Lucerne’s lake-and-city feeling toward the alpine scenery around Interlaken.

I have not taken the Luzern Interlaken Express myself yet. I have only passed through Lucerne briefly at the station, and I have spent much more time around Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region. So this guide is not written as a personal review of the train.

Instead, it is a practical planning guide for travelers who want to know how the Luzern Interlaken Express works, whether it is worth taking, which side to sit on, how long it takes, whether you need a reservation, and how it fits into a no-car Switzerland itinerary.

Quick answer: is the Luzern Interlaken Express worth it?

Yes, the Luzern Interlaken Express is worth it if you are already traveling between Lucerne and Interlaken and want the journey itself to be part of the trip.

It is best for travelers who want:

• a scenic train between Lucerne and Interlaken;
• a no-car route into the Bernese Oberland;
• lake and mountain views;
• a slower but more memorable travel day;
• an easy connection between Lucerne and the Jungfrau Region.

It is less worth it if you are only trying to get somewhere as fast as possible.

If your Switzerland itinerary includes both Lucerne and Interlaken, I would not skip this route. It is one of the easiest ways to turn a travel transfer into part of the experience.

Luzern Interlaken Express at a glance

Question	Answer
Route	Lucerne to Interlaken Ost
Main operator	Zentralbahn
Train type	Panorama Express / InterRegio route
Car needed?	No
Main stations	Luzern, Brienz, Interlaken Ost
Best for	Scenic transfer between Lucerne and Interlaken
Direction	Works both ways
Reservation needed?	Usually not required, but check before travel
Best side to sit	Depends on direction and section
Good for first-time visitors?	Yes

The route runs on the Brünig line between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost, operated by Zentralbahn. Interlaken Ost is also the station where you connect onward toward Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen and other parts of the Jungfrau Region.

What is the Luzern Interlaken Express?

The Luzern Interlaken Express is a direct scenic train route between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost.

It forms the eastern part of the broader GoldenPass route across Switzerland, linking Lucerne with Interlaken and then onward toward Zweisimmen and Montreux if you continue west. The wider GoldenPass Line connects Lucerne and Montreux through several railway companies and route sections.

The Lucerne to Interlaken section is especially useful because it connects two major travel bases:

Base	Best for
Lucerne	Old town, Lake Lucerne, Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi
Interlaken	Jungfrau Region, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren

That is why this route matters. It is not just a train for train enthusiasts. It is a genuinely useful route if you are planning a Switzerland itinerary without a car.

How long does the Luzern Interlaken Express take?

The Luzern Interlaken Express takes about two hours between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost, depending on the exact connection and timetable.

You should always check the SBB app or website before travel, because Swiss timetables can change by date, engineering works or season.

But as a planning rule, this is not a short hop. It is a proper scenic transfer.

That is also why I would avoid treating it as wasted travel time. If you choose this route, sit by the window, keep your camera nearby, and let the train ride become part of the day.

Which direction is better: Lucerne to Interlaken or Interlaken to Lucerne?

Both directions work.

If you travel from Lucerne to Interlaken, the route gradually builds toward the Bernese Oberland. This can feel like a nice way to enter the Interlaken/Jungfrau part of your trip.

If you travel from Interlaken to Lucerne, the route works well as a scenic exit from the mountains toward Central Switzerland.

Direction	Why choose it
Lucerne → Interlaken	Best if you are moving into the Jungfrau Region
Interlaken → Lucerne	Best if you are leaving Interlaken and continuing to Lucerne or Zurich

For most people, the better direction is simply the one that fits your itinerary.

I would not rearrange a whole trip just to take the train in one direction.

Which side should you sit on the Luzern Interlaken Express?

This is one of the most common questions, and the honest answer is: the best side changes during the route.

The train passes lakes, valleys and mountain sections on different sides, so there is no single side that is perfect for the whole journey.

That said, as a simple rule:

Direction	Simple seat advice
Lucerne → Interlaken	Sit on the right side for some of the best lake views, especially toward Lake Brienz near the Interlaken side
Interlaken → Lucerne	Sit on the left side for those same views in reverse

This is not something I would stress over too much. If the train is not full, you may be able to look across or move slightly. The route has views on both sides.

But if you are choosing a seat and want the simplest answer:

Lucerne to Interlaken: sit on the right.
Interlaken to Lucerne: sit on the left.

Do you need a seat reservation?

For most normal travelers, you usually do not need a seat reservation for the Luzern Interlaken Express.

It is a regular public transport route, not only a luxury tourist train.

However, I would still check current booking rules before travel, especially if:

• you travel in peak summer;
• you travel with luggage;
• you travel as a family or group;
• you want a specific panoramic seat;
• you are connecting to the GoldenPass Express beyond Interlaken;
• you travel on a very busy holiday period.

The safest approach is simple: check the route in SBB or the operator’s booking system before you go.

Do you need to change trains?

Between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost, the Luzern Interlaken Express is normally direct.

That is one of the reasons it is so useful.

If you are going beyond Interlaken Ost, you may need to change there. For example:

Destination	Change at
Lauterbrunnen	Interlaken Ost
Grindelwald	Interlaken Ost
Wengen	Interlaken Ost + Lauterbrunnen
Mürren	Interlaken Ost + Lauterbrunnen/Stechelberg route
Jungfraujoch	Interlaken Ost + Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen route

If you are staying in Interlaken itself, make sure you know whether you need Interlaken Ost or Interlaken West. The Luzern Interlaken Express uses Interlaken Ost, which is the more important station for onward trains into the Jungfrau Region.

Luzern Interlaken Express route highlights

The route is scenic because it crosses different landscapes in one journey.

You get:

• Lucerne at the start or end;
• lake scenery;
• Central Switzerland villages;
• the Brünig Pass area;
• mountain and valley views;
• Lake Brienz near Interlaken;
• arrival into Interlaken Ost.

One of the reasons this train works so well in an itinerary is that the scenery changes gradually. It does not feel like one single viewpoint. It feels like a transition.

You start in one Swiss landscape and arrive in another.

Is the Luzern Interlaken Express part of the GoldenPass Line?

Yes, the Luzern Interlaken Express is part of the wider GoldenPass Line route.

The broader GoldenPass route links Lucerne with Montreux through Interlaken, Zweisimmen and other sections. The modern GoldenPass Express runs between Montreux and Interlaken Ost, while the Lucerne to Interlaken section is operated by Zentralbahn.

This can be confusing because people use the names loosely.

A simple way to understand it:

Name	What it usually means
Luzern Interlaken Express	Train between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost
GoldenPass Express	Train between Montreux and Interlaken Ost
GoldenPass Line	Broader scenic route from Lucerne to Montreux

So if you are only going from Lucerne to Interlaken, you want the Luzern Interlaken Express.

If you are going from Montreux to Interlaken, that is the GoldenPass Express.

If you are describing the whole scenic route across Switzerland, people may call it the GoldenPass Line.

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

The Luzern Interlaken Express is a regular public transport train route, so it is generally treated differently from special mountain lifts or cable cars.

But do not rely on assumptions for pricing. Check your exact connection in SBB with your pass or discount card selected.

This is especially important if you are combining the train with:

• GoldenPass Express reservations;
• mountain railways;
• boat trips;
• Lucerne excursions;
• Jungfrau Region transport.

For most travelers, the easiest way is to enter the full journey in SBB and check the fare with your Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or other ticket setup.

How much does the Luzern Interlaken Express cost?

The ticket price depends on:

• direction;
• travel date;
• class;
• Supersaver availability;
• Swiss Travel Pass;
• Half Fare Card;
• whether you continue beyond Interlaken or Lucerne.

Because prices change, I would not put an old fare into your planning. Use the SBB app or website and search:

Luzern → Interlaken Ost

or:

Interlaken Ost → Luzern

That will show the current price, travel time and any transfer details.

Is it better than the faster route via Bern?

The Luzern Interlaken Express is usually the better choice if you want the scenic route.

A route via Bern may sometimes make sense depending on your starting point, destination and timetable, but the Lucerne–Interlaken route via the Brünig line is the one you take for the scenery.

Priority	Better route
Scenic train experience	Luzern Interlaken Express
Direct Lucerne–Interlaken transfer	Luzern Interlaken Express
Practical route from Zurich/Bern areas	Check SBB
Pure speed from some cities	Depends on starting point

If you are already in Lucerne and going to Interlaken, I would choose the Luzern Interlaken Express.

Can you do the Luzern Interlaken Express as a day trip?

Yes, but I would usually treat it as a transfer rather than a there-and-back day trip.

You can ride Lucerne to Interlaken and return the same day, but that means spending around four hours on the train, plus time in both places. That can work if you love scenic trains, but most travelers will get more value by using it to move between overnight bases.

Better uses:

• Lucerne to Interlaken transfer day;
• Interlaken to Lucerne transfer day;
• part of a longer GoldenPass route;
• scenic travel day between Central Switzerland and the Bernese Oberland.

Less ideal:

• riding both ways just to say you did it;
• squeezing it into an already packed Lucerne day;
• doing it when visibility is poor and you do not care about trains.

Should you stop along the way?

For most travelers with luggage, I would not overcomplicate the route.

The simplest plan is to enjoy the full ride between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost.

But if you are traveling slowly and want to break up the journey, possible areas along the route include:

• Brienz;
• Meiringen;
• lake viewpoints;
• smaller villages along the Brünig route.

That said, if your main goal is getting from Lucerne to Interlaken, I would keep it simple. Switzerland is already full of beautiful stops. Trying to stop everywhere can make the day feel fragmented.

What to do when you arrive in Interlaken Ost

Interlaken Ost is the key arrival station if you are heading into the Jungfrau Region.

From Interlaken Ost, you can continue toward:

• Lauterbrunnen;
• Grindelwald;
• Wengen;
• Mürren;
• Jungfraujoch;
• Lake Brienz;
• boats and regional trains.

If you are new to Interlaken, it is useful to understand the difference between Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West. Interlaken Ost is generally the more important station for mountain day trips and onward travel into the Jungfrau Region.

What to do when you arrive in Lucerne

If you are traveling the other way, from Interlaken to Lucerne, you arrive right in the city.

Lucerne is a strong base for:

• Mount Pilatus;
• Mount Rigi;
• Lake Lucerne;
• old town walks;
• Chapel Bridge;
• onward trains to Zurich.

If you are staying in Lucerne, the Luzern Interlaken Express pairs naturally with mountain day trips like Pilatus or Rigi.

Is the Luzern Interlaken Express worth it with luggage?

Yes, the Luzern Interlaken Express can work well with luggage because it is a direct route between two major travel bases.

That said, you should still travel sensibly.

If you have large suitcases:

• arrive early;
• avoid tight transfers;
• keep valuables close;
• do not plan multiple unnecessary stops;
• check platform information in the SBB app.

This is another reason I think the route works best as a transfer day rather than a complicated stop-everywhere day.

Common mistakes to avoid

The first mistake is confusing the Luzern Interlaken Express with the GoldenPass Express.

They are connected in the broader GoldenPass route, but they are not the same train. The Luzern Interlaken Express runs between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost. The GoldenPass Express runs between Interlaken Ost and Montreux.

The second mistake is assuming you need a reservation.

For this route, most travelers can usually use normal public transport tickets. But you should still check before travel, especially in peak periods or if you want a specific seat.

The third mistake is choosing the wrong Interlaken station.

If you are continuing to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen or Mürren, Interlaken Ost is the station you want.

The fourth mistake is treating the train as wasted time.

This is a scenic route. If you are taking it, slow down and enjoy the transfer.

The fifth mistake is overplanning stops with luggage.

The route has possible stops, but if you are moving between bases, it is often better to keep the journey simple.

Final thoughts

The Luzern Interlaken Express is one of the most useful scenic train routes in Switzerland.

It is practical, because it connects Lucerne and Interlaken directly.

It is scenic, because it moves through lakes, villages, mountain sections and the Brünig Pass area.

And it is strategically useful for an itinerary, because it links two of the best no-car travel bases in Switzerland: Lucerne and Interlaken.

If you are already traveling between the two, I would choose this train over a route that only gets you there faster.

The best way to use it is not as a box to tick. Use it as a slow transfer day between two different parts of Switzerland.