Basel to Lucerne: Road Trip Guide & Distance

48.8 miles 78.5 km · straight line
60.8 miles actual route 97.9 km · driving distance
1h 14min estimated drive time
CHF 12 - CHF 14 estimated fuel cost
~36min flight time · usually no direct flights
136° SE bearing direction

How far is Basel from Lucerne?

The distance from Basel to Lucerne is 48.8 miles (78.5 km) as the crow flies. Lucerne is located SE of Basel. By car, the driving distance is approximately 60.8 miles, taking about 1h 14min. A direct flight would take roughly 36min. Both are located in Switzerland.

This is a quick and easy drive, perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can easily make the round trip in a single day. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Basel and Lucerne. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Basel to Lucerne

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 1h 14min CHF 12 - CHF 14 Flexible stops
Bus ~1h 29min $5–$9* Budget

Quick Facts

Basel
47.56°N, 7.59°E
Europe/Zurich
260m elevation
Lucerne
47.05°N, 8.31°E
Europe/Zurich
436m elevation
Explore more routes from Lucerne

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 16 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 4 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 510.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM