Verkehrshaus der Schweiz
Switzerland's largest transport museum on Lucerne lakefront with vehicle halls, planetarium, cinema and Hans Erni Museum.
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About the museum
First ideas for a Swiss transport museum go back to 1897 when the 50-year existence of Swiss railways was celebrated. From the original objects of the 1914 National Exhibition arose initially the Railway Museum in Zurich (1918). Today's house was opened after two years of construction on 1 July 1959 on the shore of Lake Lucerne and supported by federal government, canton and City of Lucerne.
The site grew over decades with Planetarium (1969), Air and Space Hall (1972), Hans Erni Museum (1979), Rail Hall (1982) and Shipping, Cable Cars and Tourism Hall (1985). Later came entrance hall, Road Transport Hall and multipurpose House of Energy building. Today the museum includes approximately 20,000 square meters of exhibition space and open grounds with aircraft, ships and a submarine.
The collection numbers several thousand three-dimensional objects, including locomotives, aircraft, space technology, steamships and cable car cabins. Since June 2025 the Rail Hall shows the interactive exhibition 'Railway Experience Switzerland' with the newly designed Gotthard Railway model. The house is open 365 days per year and is considered Switzerland's most visited museum.
Highlights
- Air & Space Hall with Swissair aircraft CV-990 'Coronado' and DC-3
- Railway Experience Switzerland with large Gotthard Railway model
- Swiss cable car exhibition and steamship Rigi
- Mésoscaphe, Switzerland's largest submarine
- Planetarium, cinema and Swiss Chocolate Adventure
- Open grounds with aircraft, garden railway and play vehicles
Permanent exhibitions
- Bahnerlebnis Schweiz – Eight theme islands show how railways shape Switzerland's economy, environment and society; highlights are the 31.5-meter-long Gotthard Railway model and historic locomotives.
- Luft- & Raumfahrt – Historic aircraft, helicopters and drones in aviation hall and rockets, astronaut technology and Martian landscape with rover models in space exhibition.
- Schifffahrt, Seilbahnen und Tourismus – Historic ships and models, unique throughout Switzerland cable car exhibition and tourism flipper.
- Founded
- 1959
- Operated by
- Verein Verkehrshaus der Schweiz
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,015,868 (2024)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 37 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 27Students and trainees under 26 (with ID) |
| Children & teens | CHF 16free up to age 5 · Children under 16; toddlers under 6 free museum admission (in day ticket CHF 12). |
| Seniors | –No senior discount shown. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · 10% discount with valid IV card (on-site only); assistance persons of people with disabilities receive free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 27Students and trainees under 26 with ID. |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 33.30 per personGroups from 10 people, price per person for museum; school classes (from 5 students) have special rates. |
| Day ticket (museum, Hans Erni Museum, Swiss Chocolate Adventure, daily films and shows) – adults | CHF 62Students/trainees CHF 46, children under 16 CHF 29, toddlers under 6 CHF 12 |
| Museum 2-day ticket – adults | CHF 50Students/trainees CHF 38, children CHF 22, toddlers free |
| Cinema, planetarium or Swiss Chocolate Adventure individually (day program) – adults | CHF 18Students/trainees CHF 14, children CHF 10 |
| Hans Erni Museum separately – adults | CHF 18Students/trainees CHF 14; included in museum ticket |
| Garden railway (per ride) | CHF 2Weather dependent |
Online tickets go directly through turnstile. Discounts per museum (not combinable): Raiffeisen MemberPlus and Coop Hello Family Club (online), SBB RailAway combo, KulturLegi, Swiss Museums Pass, Lucerne Museums Pass, Swiss Travel Pass, TCS (each on-site only). Association members free museum admission. Group day ticket CHF 55.80 per person.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Museum, planetarium, cinema and Swiss Chocolate Adventure wheelchair-accessible; two rental wheelchairs at cashier (phone reservation possible), four disabled parking spaces in front of main entrance, accessible toilets. Participation in OK:GO initiative with accessibility information. Assistance and service dogs permitted.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Interactive museum, according to house also suitable for younger children; planetarium, cinema and Swiss Chocolate Adventure recommended from 6 years. In open grounds scooters, play buses and garden railway. Birthday party with 1.5-hour tour for children 6 to 10 years (up to 10 children, flat rate CHF 350).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Verkehrshaus
From Lucerne station with S3 or Voralpenexpress to 'Lucerne Transport House' (approx. 8 minutes) or bus 6, 8 or 24 to 'Transport House' (approx. 10 minutes); by ship to own dock 'Transport House-Lido' (approx. 10 minutes).
By car
Parking available
Parking spaces along Lidostrasse and opposite Lido beach pool; in front of house eight short-term spaces (2 hours), four disabled spaces and three electric fast-charge stations (max. 90 minutes).
- Accessible parking
On foot approx. 30 minutes from station along lake promenade. House postal address is Haldenstrasse 44, visitor entrance at Lidostrasse 5. SBB RailAway combo with admission or day ticket discount.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Self-service restaurant Mercato, brasserie, café bar and Mishio bistro (accessible without admission ticket); lockers (CHF 2 deposit) at entrance and planetarium; Transport House Shop, Lindt Shop and play store; picnic areas in outdoor area; free WiFi throughout site.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Rented are museum halls, conference center, planetarium, cinema and catering areas; approximately 900 events per year.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming permitted in all visitor areas (except cinema and planetarium); drones only with permission. |
| Good to know | Thematic tours for groups must be booked in advance (60 or 90 minutes, such as aviation, rail transport, energy). Descriptions in German, French, English and Italian. 'SIM World' with flight simulators currently not accessible due to renovation work; VR simulations from 12 years. Pets not permitted. |
