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How to travel from Imola to Lucerne by train
Want to find out more about taking the train from Imola to Lucerne? Look no further.
There are around 10 trains per day running between Imola and Lucerne, which usually take 7 hours 18 minutes to complete the 248 miles (399 km) journey. It can take as little as 5 hours 41 minutes on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. Although there aren't any direct services on this line, it's still easy to travel to Lucerne from Imola, you'll just need to make 2 changes along the way. Hop on a train operated by either Frecciarossa or Trenitalia to reach your destination in no time. These train companies are the main operators of services on this route and run modern comfortable trains to make your journey as relaxing as possible.
You can save money on train tickets from Imola to Lucerne if you book in advance. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.
Want to book your train tickets now? Just start a search with us today. If you want to find out more about the journey, read on for timetables (including first and last train times), FAQs and tips on how to book cheap train tickets.
Frecciarossa and Trenitalia trains from Imola to Lucerne
Frecciarossa
Trenitalia
Frecciarossa trains are Trenitalia's flagship high-speed trains, capable of reaching speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h). The "red arrow" trains are distinguished by their comfort, their ultra-modern design and their reduced impact on the environment. All Frecciarossa trains are equipped with a food carriage, free WiFi connection and 4 levels of service – Standard, Premium (with drinks and welcome snacks served on arrival, as well as a morning newspaper), Business (with drinks and snacks, morning newspaper and larger seats) and Executive (with Fast Track, access to FrecciaClub lounges in selected stations, and gourmet meals served to your seat). You can now also travel with Frecciarossa between Milan and Paris via Turin, Modane and Chambéry. The new Frecciarossa trains have 4 levels of service – Standard, Business, Executive and Meeting Room – and two types of carriage: Silence Area, for those who want to travel in total tranquillity, and Allegro Area, for those who want to chat with their fellow passengers.
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
More information
Frecciarossa, Regional trains and Trenitalia Eurocity classes from Imola to Lucerne
Compare the different travel classes offered by Frecciarossa, Regional trains and Trenitalia Eurocity when travelling from Imola to Lucerne.
Frecciarossa
Regional trains
Trenitalia Eurocity
Standard
With Frecciarossa Standard, you’ll enjoy high-quality services including eco-leather reclining seats, folding tables and free WiFi, but at a cheaper price.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- Catering at your seat
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
- Free magazines/newspapers
Premium
Providing all the perks of First Class for the price of Second Class, Frecciarossa Premium offers more legroom and luggage space, as well as a welcome service offering a complimentary sweet or salty snack and drink. You can also order your meal via the EasyBistrò paid service available on board.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- Catering at your seat
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
- Free magazines/newspapers
Business
If you’re travelling for work, Frecciarossa Business is the ideal option for you – it offers more legroom, glass dividers for more privacy, EasyBistrò meal service and a private 4-seat compartment called Salottino. A free foodbox containing a fresh product, a snack and a drink is also served to your seat.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- Catering at your seat
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
- Free magazines/newspapers
Executive
Frecciarossa Executive can accommodate up to 10 single armchairs and offers plenty of legroom, wider reclining leather seats, free entry to FRECCIALounge at the main train stations, an exclusive open bar and Michelin-starred menu by the renowned Italian TV chef Carlo Cracco.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- Catering at your seat
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
- Free magazines/newspapers
Second Class
Enjoy your journey with Trenitalia's regional trains. A First Class service may be available on some routes.
- Air-conditioning
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
Second Class
From spacious armchairs to at-seat power sockets and reading lights, you’ve got everything you need to enjoy your journey in EuroCity's Second Class.
- Seat reservation
- Power sockets
- Clothes hanger
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- More legroom
First Class
In addition to all the services available in Second Class, you’ll get to enjoy extra-wide and comfier seats, more legroom, and an at-seat catering service in EuroCity’s First Class:
- Seat reservation
- Power sockets
- Clothes hanger
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- More legroom
Onboard services on Frecciarossa, Regional trains and Trenitalia Eurocity
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Imola to Lucerne.
Frecciarossa
Regional trains
Trenitalia Eurocity
- You can take your bags on board Frecciarossa trains free of charge.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits. You’ll need to make sure that your luggage is compatible with the space available on board.
- You can go to the FrecciaBistrò café-bar counter located in the middle part of the train to get snacks, main courses, and drinks.
- You can also order your favourite meal from the comfort of your seat – go to the entertainment portal called Portale FRECCE and use the EasyBistrò service or ask a member of staff.
- If you travel in Premium or Business Class, you’ll get a free snack and drink. If you travel in Executive Class, you’ll get a complimentary meal by the renowned TV chef Carlo Cracco.
- You’ll find free WiFi on all Frecciarossa trains. Connect to their entertainment portal called Portale FRECCE and choose from a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news, eBooks, games, music, and podcasts.
- You can also use Portale FRECCE to get the latest updates on your journey, as well as book other services that will help you reach your destination.
- Children under 4 can travel for free if a seat is not assigned to them. If they do have a seat, they can get 50% off Base tickets (Frecciarossa’s standard fare).
- Children aged 4-14 also get 50% off.
- Bimbi Gratis offer: You can also get free travel for children under 15 plus 40% off Base tickets for adults, if you’re travelling in a family group of 2 to 5 people (including at least one adult and one child).
- You can travel with your bike for free on all Frecciarossa trains provided it’s not larger than 80 x 110 x 45cm.
- Your bike must be disassembled or folded and stored in a bag in one of the dedicated luggage racks.
- Small pets can travel on all Frecciarossa trains free of charge if they’re placed in a carrier or cage of max dimensions of 70 x 30 x 50cm.
- Bigger dogs are allowed on all trains if they have a half-price Standard ticket, they’re kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle. You can’t travel with bigger dogs in Executive and Premium Class, in quiet carriages and in restaurant carriages.
- Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost.
If you need to request special assistance, you can call: the toll-free number 800 90 60 60, which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232 which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply).
Air-conditioning is available on board. You can also charge your devices thanks to the power sockets you can find at your seat.
- You can take your bags on board Trenitalia's regional trains free of charge.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits. You’ll need to make sure that your luggage is compatible with the space available on board.
At the moment, a restaurant service is not available on Trenitalia's regional trains. However, you can take your own food on board so pick up some snacks at the station before you set off.
Trenitalia's regional trains do not offer an entertainment portal on board. However, you can make use of your internet data, as well as charge your devices thanks to the power sockets that are available at your seat.
- Children under 4 can travel for free if they’re accompanied by an adult and a seat is not assigned to them.
- Children aged 4-11 can get 50% off. Older children will need to have a full-price ticket.
- You can take your bike, hoverboard, monowheel or e-scooter free of charge if it can be folded and doesn’t exceed these dimensions: 120 x 80 x 45cm.
- If your bike can’t be folded, you’ll need to buy a bike ticket or another Second Class ticket.
- Small pets can travel on Trenitalia's regional trains free of charge if they’re placed in a carrier or cage with max dimensions of 70 x 30 x 50cm.
- Bigger dogs are allowed on all trains if they have a ticket, they’re kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle.
- Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost.
If you need to request special assistance, you can call the toll-free number 800 90 60 60 which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232 which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply).
Air-conditioning is available on Trenitalia's regional trains.
- You can take your bags on board Trenitalia's Eurocity trains free of charge.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits – you can even travel with musical instruments and sports equipment. You’ll just need to make sure that your luggage is compatible with the space available on board.
- You’ll find a Bar-Bistrò on Eurocity trains that are travelling between Italy, Switzerland and Germany.
- A minibar trolley service is also available – you can choose from a wide range of snacks and drinks.
Free WiFi is available on Eurocity Giruno trains.
Children under 4 can travel for free if they're accompanied by an adult and don't occupy a seat.
Not all Eurocity trains allow you to take your bike on board – you’ll need to check in advance if you can travel with your bike. If that’s the case, you’ll need to buy a ticket and book your bike space before departure at the ticket office.
Guide and assistance dogs can travel for free and don't need a ticket.
All of Trenitalia’s Eurocity trains offer dedicated spaces to passengers with disabilities.
A quiet area (or Area Silenzio) is available on all Eurocity Giruno trains.
Cheap train tickets from Imola to Lucerne
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Imola to Lucerne by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Imola to Lucerne? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Imola to Lucerne take?
The average journey time by train between Imola and Lucerne is 7 hours and 18 minutes, with around 10 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Imola and Lucerne by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Imola to Lucerne is 5 hours and 41 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Imola to Lucerne?
No, there are no direct train services from Imola to Lucerne. Travelling from Imola to Lucerne by train will require a minimum of 2 changes.
What time does the first train from Imola to Lucerne leave?
The first train from Imola to Lucerne leaves at 08:00. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Imola to Lucerne leave?
The last train from Imola to Lucerne leaves at 23:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Imola and Lucerne by train?
Trains travelling from Imola to Lucerne cover a distance of around 248 miles (399 km) during the journey.