Explore the Swiss Transport Museum

Swiss Transport Museum, Lucerne

From the depths of submarine transport to the orbits of outer space exploration, we found it all at the Swiss Transport Museum.in Lucerne.

Over 3000 exhibits are displayed in the 20,000 metre square site, which provides static displays, simulations and multimedia shows. There are also transport themed rides and activities to amuse the youngest visitor.

The musuem is said to be  the world’s most comprehensive transport museum and it is easy to see why.

Here we explored the history and development of transport.  From horse drawn carriages, through the development of steam engines and the latest automotive engineering.

From Submarines to Spaceships

We spent hours exploring trains, planes and automobiles, including a massive life-size “matchbox car” display, where you could choose your car, which would be winched onto a rotating platform for you to get a better close-up view.

Out in the central courtyard, children whizzed around on miniature vehicles, or sailed the lake on boats – all included in the family entry fee.

The museum is divided into numerous halls and outdoor displays. The aviation hall provided endless exhibits on the developments of modern air travel.

For the technically minded, volunteers were on hand to provide informative demonstrations on matters mechanical. The museum relies heavily on the passion of their volunteers, who dedicate countless hours to the restoration of exhibits.

Separate halls and display areas are dedicated to aviation displays, submarine technology, rail, automotive and even the development of the ski-lift was fully covered.

Vintage diving suit at Lucerne transport museum

The railway hall houses everything from original steam engines, freight trains, luxury sleeper carriages and modern rail technology.  Walk through the carriages and imagine what it would have been like to travel on one of these trains.

The lifesized “matchbox car” display enables you to choose a car which will be winched onto a rotating platform for you to view and listen to an audio on the history of the vehicle.

Learn the history of modern automotive technology. The history of racing cars, to modern auto technology.

Lindt Chocolate Museum

Located in the same building was the Lindt chocolate museum, where you could learn everything about the production of Swiss Chocolate from the cultivation of the cocoa beans, to the manufacture of the final product.

My sister and I of course supported this excellent initiative by participating enthusiastically in the chocolate tasting. Much the same as the wine tasting we had enjoyed in the Burgundy and Chablis regions.

Choose your chocolate and then stock up for the trip home.  So much chocolate, so little time

The Swiss Museum of Transport is open from 10-6 daily during the summer months and from 10-5 daily in winter. Discounts are available with your Lucerne Museum Card and Swiss Travel Pass.

The complex also provides a large cafeteria area catering everything from a coffee and cake to a full lunch. You can relax in the courtyard with a coffee while the children enjoy the myriad of transport themed rides and entertainment available.

Read also: Cite D’Automobile
Two days in Lucerne
Switzerland: What did it cost?