Switzerland · Mountain Exploration

Mt. Pilatus Golden Roundtrip Small Group Day Trip from Luzern

7 Hours Round trip from Lucerne Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Scenic boat cruise across Lake Lucerne
  • 02 Ride the steep cogwheel train to Pilatus Kulm
  • 03 Enjoy free time at the summit of Mt. Pilatus
  • 04 Visit the dragon gallery, viewpoint, and scenic terraces
  • 05 Descend by gondola and aerial cableway via Fräkmüntegg
  • 06 Small-group experience with an English speaking Swiss tourguide

Experience one of Central Switzerland’s classic mountain journeys on this small-group Golden Roundtrip from Lucerne. Begin with a scenic boat cruise across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then board the famous cogwheel train for a spectacular climb through alpine landscapes to Pilatus Kulm.

At the top, take time to enjoy the panoramic terraces, viewpoint, dragon gallery, and multimedia presentation before descending by gondola and aerial cableway via Fräkmüntegg and Krienseregg. With mountain scenery, lake views, and a mix of transport experiences all in one day, this is a memorable way to discover Mt. Pilatus.

Begin with a scenic boat cruise across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then board the famous cogwheel train for a spectacular climb through alpine landscapes to Pilatus Kulm.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Lucerne, Pilatus
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Lake Lucerne

You start your tour with the one hour lake boat transfer from Luzern to Alpnachstad. After leaving the bay of Luzern, the boat glides along the shore of Hergiswil and Stansstad to the bay of Alpnach. On the entire boat tour you have the surrounding mountains in sight. 

Alpnachstad

Alpnachstad is the connection point between the lake boat and the steepest cogwheel train in the world. 

Within 35 minutes the cogwheel train climbs along the ridge and passing alpine meadows to Pilatus Kulm. 

Mt. Pilatus

Arrive at the mountain station Pilatus Kulm of the Pilatusbahn, where a viewing terrace, a panorama gallery and two mountain hotels are located on the scenic local mountain. 

Visit several attractions at Mt. Pilatus like the dragon gallery, the viewpoint, the scenic terraces and the multimedia presentation. 

Fräkmüntegg

The largest rope park in Central Switzerland, tree tents, the toboggan run, hiking trails and fantastic barbecue areas invite you to relax. 

Krienseregg

The Krienseregg is perfect for families. In the versatile local recreation area you will find marked, varied circular hikes and large picnic areas

Kriens to Luzern

In terms of population, Kriens is the third largest municipality and the second largest city in the Swiss canton of Lucerne. It lies at the foot of Mount Pilatus and borders Lucerne to the east. 

At Kriens you leave the aerial cableway and after a 10 minutes walk to the bus stop, you board the local bus to Luzern. 

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Lucerne 2 cities · 7 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • typical 'golden round trip' by boat, cogwheel train, gondola
  • all necessary tickets (no aditional costs)
  • seat reservation for guaranteed departure on cogwheel train
  • English speaking Swiss tourguide

What's Not Included

  • Food or drinks (lunch break at one of various restaurants)
  • Gratuities

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • ANIMALS OR PETS ALLOWED
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Lucerne, CH
Tour start
Lucerne, CH
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 hours finish where they began, in Lucerne.

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