Mt Pilatus from Lucerne Including Boat Trip, Gondola, Cogwheel

4.5278 reviewsLuzern4 hr – 6 hr
Mt Pilatus from Lucerne Including Boat Trip, Gondola, Cogwheel
  • Free cancellationFor a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • Duration4 hr – 6 hr
  • Instant confirmationMobile ticket
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CHF 119.80per person
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Overview

Visit Lake Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus on a half-day tour by boat, steepest cogwheel railway in the world, aerail cableway "Dragon Ride" and panorama gondola. Enjoy a mountain experience at 2132 meters above sea level Incredible view from Mount Pilatus over the Lake Lucerne and Swiss Alps Scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne World's steepest cogwheel railway between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm See the mountains and valleys from the panorama gondola and aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" between Kriens and Pilatus Kulm This is not a guided tour and there is no meeting point. Please check the timetable carefully, escpecially for the boat connections (2 - 5 boat depatrues per day). The Round Trip can be taken in both directions

What's included

  • Panorama gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg (or vice versa)
  • Aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa)
  • Public bus between Lucerne main station and Kriens (or vice versa)
  • Lake cruise (2nd class) between Alpnachstad and Lucerne (or vice versa) on Lake Lucerne
  • Steepest cogwheel railway in the world between Pilatus Kulm and Alpnachstad (or vice versa)
  • Food and drinks
  • Tour guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Additional activities (rope park, Dragon Glider, toboggan run, etc.)
  • Other personal expenses
  • Seat reservation for the cogwheel train

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Pilatus Luzern

    Admission included

    Take bus no. 1 (direction Kriens/Obernau) from Lucerne’s train station. After an 11-min. bus ride to the station "Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus" and a short walk, you reach the valley station in Kriens. The Panorama Gondolas take you to the middle station Fräkmüntegg in 30 min. where you can try the rope park or the Dragon Glider (own expenses). Change to the aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" to the top (5 min.). From Pilatus Kulm, enjoy the panoramic views over Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps and either stay inside the panoramic gallery, relax on the terrace, climb one of the peaks or enjoy a local specialty in our restaurants (own expenses). The world's steepest cogwheel railway brings you back down to Alpnachstad in 35 min. Next to the valley station you board the boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. After 1-1.5 hours you arrive in Lucerne, near the train station. The trip can also be done in the opposite direction, starting by boat from Lucerne. In any case check the timetable before your visit.

  2. 2

    Stop 2

    Admission included

    If you opt for the departure from Kriens valley station, take the Panorama Gondolas and the aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" to the top.

  3. 3

    Stop 3

    Admission included

    If you opt for departure from Alpnach, take the cogwheel to the summit.

Meeting point and pickup

Meeting point

Pilatus Luzern

Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens

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End point

Ends back at the meeting point.

Good to know

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Check the timetable carefully, especially for the boat cruise (2-5 departures per day)
  • This is an unguided individual tour
  • Operates in almost all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Cableways are not in operation in case of storm
  • Starting direction 1: Take the cruise ship at the railway station in Lucerne (Quai 2 in front of the train station)
  • Starting direction 2: Take bus number 1 at the railway station in Lucerne to Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus
  • Round trip can be taken in both directions
  • Prior reservation mandatory for wheelchairs
  • Strollers must be folded during transport
  • To avoid long waiting times for the cogwheel train between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa), we highly recommend to make a reservation under www.pilatus.ch/reservation
  • Don't miss the last transportation down to the valley (17:30 cable car/18:04 cogwheel)
  • • Please check the timetable before your visit, especially for the boat cruise (2-5 departures per day): https://www.pilatus.ch/en/inform/timetable • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel • This is a self-guided tour, there is no guide waiting for you. • Start your trip at the Lucerne train station. Show the voucher on bus no. 1 from Lucerne to the station "Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus". In Kriens you can directly pass the turnstile. If you wish to take the trip in the other direction, get on boat to Alpnachstad (pier number 2) and show the voucher on the boat. At the valley station in Alpnachstad you can directly pass the turnstile. To avoid long waiting times in Alpnachstad we recommend to make a reservation for the cogwheel railway: www.pilatus.ch/reservation • Don't miss the last transportation down from Mt. Pilatus: https://www.pilatus.ch/en/inform/timetable • Information for the bus: Inklusive Passepartout Zone 10 (2.Klasse)(L)(V)(12)

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveller reviews

4.5

278 reviews

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  • LaEuna_S · Oct 2026

    Confusing

    The tour was confusing. We had to ask for help to find the bus and gondola pickup spot. Everything worked fine after that, until we were to come down on the cable car. We were strongly encouraged to reserve our place in line, so we reserved it not knowing that we were paying again for the cable car. $120 extra. The details need to be made clear before purchasing this tour!

    Review via Viator

  • Ken_Z · Oct 2026

    Best

    Best adventure in Switzerland, very well run, I would get reservations for cogwheel train, took us 5 hours.

    Review via Viator

  • Chetan_C · Oct 2026

    My.Pilatus trip

    Amazing experience on the Golden trip Sit in the front on the boat trip to get a good view Option of trekking also part of the trip

    Review via Viator

  • Gina_j · Oct 2026

    This is a self guided...

    This is a self guided tour, we did not realize this until arriving for the tour at the scheduled Mt Pilatus starting point.

    Review via Viator

  • Nick_B · Sep 2026

    Superb experience, suitable for all ages

    Superb experience, allow about 5 hours or longer if you want to undertake one of the mountain-top hikes. We chose to start with the lake trip and end on the cablecar. In late September the weather was extremely warm and unbroken sun so take suncream. If ferry timetables allow, build in a 60-90 minute gap at Alpnachstad. There are lovely cafés and llake views, but more importantly the queues to board the cogwheel can be cumbersome. On the day we travelled they were almost sold out so at short notice they held back all travellers who had not opted for the 5CHF seat reservation

    Review via Viator

  • Janie_C · Sep 2026

    Great views

    You need to get a time ticket when you arrive. You will need to scan your qcode multiple times, keep it handy.

    Review via Viator

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