Compare Short Haul (<500 km)

Train vs Flight: Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof

Q: Is train or flight faster from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof?

Train is faster door-to-door from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof. The train takes 1h 24m door-to-door (including 54m journey + 30 min station check-in), while flying takes 2h 34m (including 4m flight + 2.5 hours at the airport).

Q: How much CO2 does the Lucerne-Olten Bahnhof train vs flight produce?

For the Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof route (45 km straight-line), the train produces approximately 1.8 kg of CO2 per passenger, while the flight produces approximately 11.5 kg. Taking the train saves 9.7 kg of CO2 — a 84% reduction. These are average estimates based on European averages (train: 41g CO2/km, flight: 255g CO2/km incl. radiative forcing).

Q: What is the door-to-door travel time for train vs flight Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof?

Door-to-door travel time from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof: Train takes 1h 24m total (54m journey + 30 min station check-in). Flight takes 2h 34m total (4m flight + 2.5 hours airport overhead for check-in, security, boarding, and taxi).

Q: Is the Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof train worth it vs flying?

For this short-haul route from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof, train is the clear winner. Airport check-in, security, and boarding add over 2.5 hours to your journey. The train departs from the city centre and arrives directly in the heart of Olten Bahnhof, saving 10 kg of CO2 compared to flying.

Q: How far is Lucerne from Olten Bahnhof?

The straight-line distance from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof is 45 km (45 km). The actual rail distance will be longer due to track routing.

🇨🇭 Lucerne → 🇨🇭 Olten Bahnhof · 45 km

Verdict

Train wins door-to-door on this short route — airport overhead makes flying impractical.

For this short-haul route from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof, train is the clear winner. Airport check-in, security, and boarding add over 2.5 hours to your journey. The train departs from the city centre and arrives directly in the heart of Olten Bahnhof, saving 10 kg of CO2 compared to flying.

Comparison

	Train ✓	Flight
Journey time	54m	4m
Door-to-door incl. check-in / airport	1h 24m +30 min at station	2h 34m +2h 30min at airport
CO2 emissions avg. estimate per passenger	1.8 kg	11.5 kg
Est. ticket price rough estimate only	~€4	~€5
City centre arrival	Central station	Airport (outside city)

* Price and CO2 figures are rough average estimates. Actual values vary by booking class, date, operator, and energy mix. Journey times are based on existing route data or standard speed assumptions.

CO2 Savings

Save 9.7 kg CO2 — 84% less than flying

Train: 1.8 kg CO2 · Flight: 11.5 kg CO2 (41g/km train vs 255g/km flight, European averages incl. radiative forcing)

Train

1.8 kg

Flight

11.5 kg

Door-to-Door Breakdown

Train

Faster door-to-door

Check-in at station 30 min

Journey time 54m

Total door-to-door 1h 24m

Flight

Airport overhead 2h 30 min

Flight time 4m

Total door-to-door 2h 34m

Train tickets for this route

Lucerne → Olten Bahnhof · full route details

View route details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is train or flight faster from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof?

Train is faster door-to-door from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof. The train takes 1h 24m door-to-door (including 54m journey + 30 min station check-in), while flying takes 2h 34m (4m flight + 2h 30min airport overhead).

How much CO2 does the Lucerne–Olten Bahnhof train vs flight produce?

For the Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof route (45 km straight-line), the train produces approximately 1.8 kg of CO2 per passenger, while the flight produces approximately 11.5 kg. Taking the train saves 9.7 kg of CO2 — a 84% reduction. These are average estimates based on European averages (train: 41g CO2/km, flight: 255g CO2/km including radiative forcing).

What is the door-to-door travel time for train vs flight Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof?

Door-to-door travel time from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof:

Train: 1h 24m total (54m journey + 30 min station check-in)
Flight: 2h 34m total (4m flight + 2h 30min airport overhead for check-in, security, boarding, and taxi)

Is the Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof train worth it vs flying?

How far is Lucerne from Olten Bahnhof?

The straight-line distance from Lucerne to Olten Bahnhof is 45 km. The actual rail distance will be longer (typically ~1.3× the straight-line distance) due to track routing.