golden circle tour lucerne

Golden round trip

A trip by boat, cogwheel railway and aerial cableway

The Golden round trip takes you to the most spectacular spots on the Pilatus and to the summit by boat, cogwheel railway, aerial cableway and Panorama Gondolas. Experience the variety of Lucerne's local mountain from May to October. Please check the timetable and the open facilities before you travel.

virtual tour

Lucerne–Alpnachstad (by boat)–Pilatus

The starting point for the «Golden round trip» in the heart of Switzerland is in Lucerne . You will enjoy a boat trip on Lake Lucerne and a view of the surrounding mountains. The amazement continues. In Alpnachstad you will board the steepest cogwheel railway in the world to reach the summit of 2,132 opportunities. At 2,132 meters above sea level you will be received with the inimitable Pilatus warmth. Let us spoil you at one of our restaurants. The gastronomy team is glad to fulfill your wishes. The breathtaking panorama and view of the Alpine massif and its mountain range do their part to make your stay unforgettable.

Pilatus–Kriens–Lucerne

You will glide down to Kriens on the aerial cableway «Dragon Ride» and on the Panorama gondolas. From the valley station it is a five-minute walk to the stop for Bus no. 1 and a convenient ride to Lucerne.

The «Golden round trip» can easily be done in the opposite direction. Kriens or Alpnachstad are also possible as starting points.

Situation Map Lucerne

2,132 opportunities above sea level

Indulge and dream, for extraordinary moments, sunrise hike, berggottesdienst.

Home » Activities » Mountain Viewpoint

Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip: boat cruise + mountain excursion

• Lake Lucerne Region
• Last Updated: 21 Nov 2022
• By Tanya, Founder of Swiss Family Fun

If you buy something through a link here, we may earn a commission. See our disclosure policy . Note that p rices and opening times may change without notice.

The “Golden Round Trip” is a full day excursion from Lucerne, visiting the nearby Mt Pilatus. The outing includes a boat ride on Lake Lucerne, steep cogwheel mountain train to the top of Pilatus. At the top, you can enjoy the views from the observation deck, eat at one of the restaurants, and optionally hike. Then ride a cable car down the other side of the mountain, with more amusements like the alpine slide and ropes adventure course.

This outing is a great way to experience the best of the Lucerne area, enjoying a variety of classic Swiss experiences. Below is all the information you need to plan your day on the Pilatus Golden Round Trip.

Overview of Golden Round Trip

Sample timetable, boat schedule, cogwheel train schedule, cable car schedule, bus schedule, seat reservation for cogwheel train, where to purchase tickets, where to stay, direction of travel, boat ride from lucerne, cogwheel train at alpnachstad, what to do at pilatus kulm, where to eat at pilatus kulm, hike up to viewpoints, cliff walk hike, cable car down to frakmüntwegg, frakmüntegg toboggan run, gondola down to kriens, bus to lucerne, video of pilatus day trip, how long is the golden round trip, can i do the golden round trip in a half-day, can i bring a stroller, is pilatus wheelchair accessible, what if i miss the boat in alpnachstad, can i start my day with the alpnachstad cogwheel train instead.

Here is an overview the Golden Round Trip.

1. The outing starts in Lucerne, where you catch the boat, which follows the red line to the base on the Pilatus mountain.

2. At Alpnachstad, you get off the boat and get on the cogwheel train, which follows the blue line up to the top of Mt Pilatus.

3. At the top, you can enjoy the view from the observation deck and restaurants. You can optionally hike to other viewpoints.

4. When you are done at the top, you ride the cable car down the green line to Frakmüntegg, where you’ll find the alpine slide and ropes course.

5. Then ride the gondola (also on the green line) down to Kriens.

6. Then the bus on the purple line to Lucerne.

Buy tickets now

Planning Your Day

You will need a minimum of 5 hours for this outing. On our last visit, we caught the 9:38 boat and arrived on Mt Pilatus at 11:30. We spent 2.5 hrs on the top and did the alpine slide on the way down. We arrived back in Lucerne at 16:00.

Here are sample times for each leg of the trip.

• Boat ride – The boat ride takes 1hr15. You should arrive at least 20 mins before your boat departure time so you can secure a good seat on the boat.
• Cogwheel train – The cogwheel train ride takes 32 mins. But expect to wait in line for 10-30 mins before boarding the train.
• Mt Pilatus – I suggest planning for at least 1 hour at top. Add 1 hour if you plan to eat at the restaurant. Add 2 hours if you plan to hike to Tomlishorn.
• Cable car – The full journey from Pilatus Kulm to Kriens (cable car + gondola) is 36 mins. On busy days (especially in the late afternoon), you may need to add time waiting in line, 15-30 mins.
• Alpine slide – add at least 30 mins if you plan to ride the slide, more if it’s busy. This includes walking to the slide, waiting in line, the ride and walking back to the gondola.
• Bus – The actual bus ride is about 15 mins. But add waiting time in case you don’t arrive in Kriens exactly when the bus departs.

Operating times

The Golden Round Trip is possible from late May through mid October when the boat and cogwheel train are running. In 2023, this round trip is scheduled to be open from 18 May – 30 Oct 2023. Outside of this time, you can still visit Mt Pilatus by riding the Kriens-Pilatus cable car. See my Mt Pilatus post for more information.

To make things simple, you just need to choose your Lucerne boat departure time and everything else will fall into place. I’ve noted the 2022 schedule below, but check the current schedule here .

• 9:38 – Daily from 26 May – 11 Sept 2022; Sat/Sun from 12 Sept – 16 Oct 2022
• 10:38 – Daily from 26 May – 16 Oct 2022
• 12:38 – Daily from 9 July   – 21 August; Sat/Sun and public holidays 26 May – 8 July and 22 August – 16 Oct 2022
• 13:38 – Daily from 26 May – 16 Oct 2022
• 14:38 – Daily from 26 May – 16 Oct 2022

The boat schedule is coordinated with the cogwheel train, so you don’t need to necessarily worry about the cogwheel train schedule. They run multiple trains up the mountain to accommodate everyone who gets off the boat.

If you are starting your day with the Alpnachstad train, you can check the official schedule here .

The Pilatus cable car runs every 15 mins. At Frakmüntenegg, you transfer to a gondola with many small cars that runs continuously. 

The full journey between Pilatus Kulm and Kriens is about 36 mins, assuming no waiting in line. On busy days, there can be a long line for both the cable car and gondola, especially near closing time. 

Bus 15 picks up at the Kriens. Pilatus Bahnen stop, directly in front of the Kriens Pilatus gondola station. Before 15;00, it runs hourly on the xx:22. After 15:00, it runs about every 30 mins. See current schedule for bus 15 .

Ride Bus 15 four stops to Kriens, Hofmatt-Bellpark . Get off the bus and transfer to Bus 1, direction Ebikon, Fildern , which will take you to the Lucerne main train station. This full journey is about 17 mins.

If you miss this bus, you can walk about 10 mins to the Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus bus stop, where the bus runs more frequently. Catch Bus 1, direction Ebikon, Fildern . This bus runs about every 8 mins and takes about 12 mins to reach the Lucerne main train station (Luzern, Bahnhof).

Ticket prices

In 2024, a Pilatus Golden Round Trip ticket costs

• Adult – CHF 113.80
• Child (6-15) – CHF 56.90 (free with SBB Junior Card or Family Card)
• Child under 6 – free

You can get a discount with the following travel passes and railcards.

• Adult with rail passes – CHF 39 (e.g. Swiss Travel Pass , Swiss Travel Pass Flex , Interrail, Eurail Pass)
• Adult with SBB Half Fare or GA – CHF 56.90

Note: No discount for SBB Day Pass, Saver Day Pass, Gemeinde Day Passes or other discount day passes

If you are arriving by public transport, you can get a discount through the SBB Railaway offers .

You can purchase a 1st class ticket for the boat ride, which allows you to sit on the upper deck. There is no 1st class for the other parts of the journey.

Free with Lucerne Region Tell-Pass . 

You can optionally reserve seats on the cogwheel train in Alpnachstad on the Pilatus website . This should alleviate the long waiting times, which can happen on weekends and high summer season. Typically you need to reserve a couple days before your scheduled trip. 

You book for a specific day and time. It costs CHF 5 per person per ride. If you are doing the Golden Round Trip and are arriving by boat, you should coordinate this time with the boat arrival.

It’s easiest to purchase tickets online , which gives you a voucher with a QR code. You can use this ticket directly from your phone or optionally print out the voucher. You can ride the boat and bus just with this QR code. When you get to the Pilatus cogwheel train, you need to present this voucher at the ticket booth and get a bar code ticket for both the cogwheel train and cable car.

You can also purchase tickets in person at the Lucerne boat dock (see on map) or Pilatus ticket offices.

You cannot make reservations unless you are a group of 9 or more.

I would suggest staying in Lucerne, where you can enjoy the charms of the city after your adventure and have access to many restaurants. Our friends suggest Hotel des Balances , which is right on the river near the famous tower bridge. We’ve also enjoyed Hotel Anker , which has a cool, funky vibe and a great breakfast. For a budget stay, you might consider Ibis Budget Hotel near the Lucerne train station.

How to get there

This excursion is located in Lucerne in central Switzerland. See location on Google Maps .

I suggest starting with the boat ride in Lucerne. The Golden Round Trip leaves from Pier 2, directly in front of the Lucerne main train station, as shown on the map below. See on Google maps .

By public transport: Take a train to Luzern, Bahnhof , the main train station in Lucerne. Walk out the main entrance to Pier 2 across the street.

By car: I suggest parking at the Luzern train station, which is near the boat dock ( Bahnhofpl. 1, 6002 Luzern ). There are multiple parking lots at the train station. Parking 3 is slightly cheaper. After parking, you walk through the train station and outside directly to the piers.

When you drive in, you’ll see P1 and P2 to your left and P3 to your right, a bit farther away. They all start at CHF 4 for the first hour, but P1 & P2 are slightly more expensive at CHF 2.50 for each additional hour, while P3 is CHF 2 for each additional hour. See all Luzern parking options   and download a PDF with a price comparison between all garages.

Alternatively, you could park at the Kriens cable car and take the bus into Lucerne at the start of your day. This would allow you to coordinate your arrival with the infrequent bus schedule. This would take a little more planning but this is what I would do next time.

I prefer to travel clockwise, starting with the boat ride and ending with the cable car ride because:

• there are only a few boat rides per day so I find it easier to schedule my day starting with the boat
• since the Alpnachstad boat departure times are few and far between, it can be tricky to time your cogwheel descent to catch the boat on time.  If you have to wait an hour or more, you can lounge at the lakeside café and get ice cream.
• with the cable car last, we can stop at the alpine slide at the end of our day

Some prefer to travel counter clockwise, starting with the cable car and ending with the boat because:

• you can get to Mt Pilatus earlier in the day and avoid some crowds at the top – first ride up 8:30
• you avoid a long wait for the cogwheel train at Alpnachstad on busy days
• you end the day with a relaxing boat ride, instead of a busy city bus to Lucerne.

But don’t stress. Just travel whichever direction makes sense for your group.

Photo story of the Golden Round Trip

From the train station, walk through the arch and directly to the water. The Golden Round trip leaves from Pier 2.

We were able to board the boat about 15 mins before departure. It helps to be one of the first ones to board so you can get a good seat. You don’t show your tickets when you get on the boat. The staff will come around the boat later and ask for your ticket. You can buy a ticket directly on board if necessary.

All sides of the boat are nice but the right side of the boat faces Mt Pilatus as shown in the picture here.

You can freely wander the boat during the ride to get different views. 

Upstairs requires a first class ticket.

From the boat, it’s a short walk to Pilatus-Bahn station where you get on the cogwheel train.

As you approach the station, these is a little ticket stand (the blue umbrella in the pic below) where you need to show your voucher and receive a bar code ticket for both the cogwheel train and cable car down the other side of the mountain. On non-busy days, they may not have this temp ticket stand. Instead go to the ticket office on the left side of this picture.

The line for the cogwheel train can be very long on busy summer days. We were there on a Friday in early June and there were at least a couple hundred people in line.

The boat arrival is coordinated with the cogwheel train departure schedule. The first train filled up quickly and there were still lots of people in line. So I was worried that we would have to wait a long time for the next train. But three more train cars came to collect everyone. It seems that the trains are continually running up and down the mountain on busy days.

Like at other tourist destinations in Switzerland, the Pilatus Bahn staff want you to sit where they tell you sit. So when walking up the stairs, don’t just sit in the first cabin so you can get a window seat or you might get scolded. They want you to fill up the seats in order so every seat gets filled. But if possible, it’s best to sit on the far side, away from the stairs, which has a better view when you get above the tree line.

I stood up a few times to see the steep tracks ahead of us. It’s an exciting ride.

The journey takes about 32 mins to reach Pilatus Kulm. The steepest grade is near the top.

The train drops you at the observation desk shown below. The cogwheel train and cable car stations are both here.

At this complex, you’ll find restaurants, gift shops and many viewpoints. Many people just spend their time wandering the observation deck and taking pictures. Below I give suggestions on other ways to spend your time here. But for more detail, see my Mt Pilatus post .

The large building is a hotel and restaurant with outdoor seating. There is another self-serve restaurant near the cable car station with indoor and sometimes outdoor seating in good weather. Inside, there is also a café with sandwiches. Sometimes they have a kiosk selling sausages on the observation deck. This pic is taken from the Esel peak just above the cogwheel train station. 

If you can manage stairs, I suggest you hike up to one of the taller peaks flanking the observation deck. In the pic below, we are standing at the Oberhaupt peak and looking across the the Esel peak. Both hikes are a little steep with switchbacks but should only take you about 10 mins each way.

Here are the stairs leading up the Esel viewpoint with Lake Lucerne in the distance.

Here is the viewing area from the Esel peak.

I also recommend the Tomlishorn Flower Trail (aka Blumenweg), which skirts along the cliffs shown here. To start the trail, follow the path past the hotel/restaurant that leads along the cliffs.

You can just walk along the path for a few minutes and turn back when you are tired. With my 74 year dad, we walked for about 20 mins down the trail and turned back. He loved the views and was very glad to have done it.

There is a fence along the cliffs, but if you are afraid of heights or with small children that might slip under the fence, perhaps skip this one.

The full trail is about 3 km there and back (plan about 1 hour+) to reach the Tomlishorn viewpoint ( see hiking map here ). About the last 15 mins of the trail is steeper, with stairs and uneven terrain with lots of rocks. If you aren’t a hiker, you probably want to turn back when you reach the stairs.

When you are done at the top, go inside the complex to the cable car station, which descends on the left side of this picture, opposite of the cogwheel train. It leaves about every 15 mins.

The cable car drops you at the Frakmüntegg middle station, where you can transfer to a gondola that takes you the rest of the way down to Kriens.

Or you can stop for awhile at Frakmüntegg to participate in various amusements like the alpine slide (info below), dragon glider and ropes course .

You can see the Frakmüntegg alpine slide in this picture, the squiggly line on the left. It’s 1350m long, the longest in Switzerland. It’s open 10:00 – 17:30 (last ticket sold at 17:00) in good weather. It’s not open in winter.

From the Frakmüntegg cable car station, it’s about a 5-10 min walk uphill to reach the top of the alpine slide (path on the left in the pic below). My 74 yr old dad found the trail a bit steep for his bad knees but he managed.

Here’s the entrance to the alpine slide. There is a small cafe here and picnic tables.

You can purchase your tickets here at a machine. Children under 8 must ride with an adult over age 16. In 2022, it costs CHF 9/adult, CHF 7/children aged 8-16, and CHF 5/children aged 6-7, children under 5 ride free with an adult. See current prices .

You cannot take any bags with you on the slide, so store them in the free lockers. You also cannot use a camera or phone on the slide, a CHF 100 fine if you do. However, you can use your phone on the ride back up, which would be a nice opportunity for pictures.

At Frakmüntegg, scan your bar code ticket to get on the gondola to Kriens. The small gondola cars run continuously, so there usually isn’t a long wait except at the end of a busy day.

In Kriens, exit the gondola station and wait at the bus stop directly outside the station, shown here. Bus 15 leaves here at 13:22, 14:22, 15:07, 15:37, 16:07, 16:37, 17:07, 17:37. See current schedule for bus 15 .

Ride Bus 15 four stops to Kriens, Hofmatt-Bellpark . Get off the bus, cross the street and walk a few meters to the bus stop, which is shown below. Catch Bus 1, direction Ebikon, Fildern , which will take you to the Lucerne main train station. This full journey is about 17 mins. 

A short video of our day on the Golden Round Trip in June 2022.

As I described in the sample schedule above, I would plan for about 5 hours for the Golden Round Trip. That gives you enough time to enjoy various attractions and gives a buffer for possible waiting times.

If you are on a tight schedule, I suggest starting with the cable car ride and taking the first ride up at 8:30. The cable car ride takes about 40 mins. This gets you to Pilatus by about 9:10. Spend 1 hour at the top. Catch the 10:10 cogwheel train to Alpnachstad, which gets you to the 10:57 boat to Lucerne. You will arrive in Lucerne at 12:17.

If that is too long, don’t do the full Golden Round Trip. Instead just ride the cable car up and back, which is much quicker.

You can bring a stroller on the boat and bus. But you will need to fold it on the cogwheel train, cable car and gondola. You can use the stroller around the Pilatus observation deck, which has elevators to avoid the stairs. But you cannot take it on any of the trails.

The gondola and cable are accessible for manual and electronic wheelchairs, but electronic wheelchairs must register in advance. The cogwheel train is also wheelchair accessible but both kinds must register in advance. Max dimensions and additional information is available in the Pilatus accessibility policy here .

At Pilatus Kulm, the toilets and elevators are wheelchair accessible, providing access to the panorama terrace and restaurants.

If you are doing this trip counter clockwise, you will ride the cogwheel train down to Alpnachstad, where you can catch the boat back to Alpnachstad. However, if there is a long wait, you might not get on the cogwheel train at the right time to catch the boat. In this case, you can instead take a train back to Lucerne. The train station is adjacent to the boat dock.

Yes. Just drive or take a train directly to Alpnachstad and start your day with the cogwheel train. The timing is a little tricky on the second half of your day to get back to Lucerne in time for the last boat. So check the schedule carefully.

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17 Responses

Hi, can you do this trip in December? We are planning on being in Lucerne mid December 2024. Thank you

You can visit Pilatus in winter. But the boat ride and cogwheel train do not run in winter. You would need to access the viewpoint via the cable car. Also the hikes at the top like Tomlihorn will not be open.

Thanks alot for the detailed post. I have a small question regarding the counter clockwise trip and also wanted to ride in Alpine slide. Can you please suggest would we get good views planning this way ?

Hi Sindhu, if you are starting with the cable car from Kriens to Pilatus, then you should stop at the Frakmuntegg station before you get to the top of Pilatus. That’s where you’ll find the alpine slide. Then you can get on the cable car up to Pilatus. Hope that helps.

Tanya, Your detailed post on Mt Pilatus has been extremely helpful. I will have the Tell Pass when visiting Mt Pilatus in early September 2023 and would like to know the best strategy of reserving seats, if that is even a possibility while using a Tell Pass. Thank you! Laura

Hi Laura, You can book just the “Boarding Pass” for your desired date and time on the Stanserhorn website. You probably can do this just a couple days before your desired journey. https://shop.e-guma.ch/cabrio-stanserhorn/en/tickets

Hi Tanya, love your blog and Youtube video. Very helpful. We have a Swiss Travel Pass for four and want to reserve a seat for the cogwheel train to Pilatus Kulm. I read there is a 50% discount for Swiss Travel Pass but I couldn’t see any options in the Pilatus website when ordering online the Golden Round Trip tickets.

The website says, “Reductions (GA, Half-Fare travelcard, SwissTravelPass) must be showed at the turnstile, please have the IDs ready. Travel with a discounted ticket but without valid discount (GA, Half-Fare, Swiss Travel Pass) is considered as dodgy driving and is sanctioned accordingly. ”

https://shop.e-guma.ch/pilatus-bahnen/en/tickets/golden-round-trip-lucerne-alpnachstad-pilatus-kriens-lucerne-3503187

Hi Mike, to get the discount you need to get your tickets on site and show the STS. It’s not a big deal since tickets do not sell out. Just go a bit earlier to the ferry dock ticket office (or the day before) and get your tickets. With the STS, the boat ride is free and you get a discount on the mountain train and cable cars. Have fun!

How do I book for kids online with family Swiss card if there is no option for that discount. Kids ride free and if true, how to reserve a ticket for them? I wanted to book first class golden trip ticket. Or do we not book at all and just show the family Swiss pass at the gate? Thank you! Your info helpful!

Hi. If you have a 1st class Swiss Travel Pass, that includes 1st class on the boat but not the cogwheel train or cable car (no first class on either of those). So go a little early to the Lucerne ferry dock ticket booth. Show your Swiss Travel Pass there and they will sell you the tickets you need for the parts of the Golden Round Trip not included with the Swiss Travel Pass, including the free tickets for the kids. Often with kids, they don’t need a ticket but just go along with the parent. On the boat, you just get on the boat and the ticket taker will look at your Swiss Travel Pass at some point during the journey, including the associated family cards. Hope this answers your question.

Thank you for this detailed itinerary!! The problem I’m having is finding the proper link to purchase the Golden Ticket that is not a guided tour and includes the boat ride from Lucerne and all cogwheel, gondolas etc. Can you kindly provide the correct link? Thanks! Rhonda

You can book the self-guided tour directly on the Pilatus website, but since the tour is not available until May, that option is not on their website right now. If you want to book ahead, you can book with Get Your guide at the following link, which allows you to refund your ticket 24 hours in advance. I hope this helps. https://www.getyourguide.com/lucerne-l867/golden-round-trip-from-lucerne-to-mount-pilatus-t94602/?partner_id=GAOQYDD&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=%22other%22

Hi, thank you for this very detailed post on the Mt. Pilatus Golden Round Trip, it’s very much appreciated. Loved how you outlined the different kinds of passes available.

I’m planning my trip to Switzerland but I am confused as to what pass I should get. I was thinking to get the Swiss Travel Pass, but I can’t find any information online as to how to book tickets online using the Swiss Travel Pass. For example, when I try to book the Golden Round Trip on this https://shop.luzern.com/en/product/pilatus-golden-roundtrip-from-lucerne website, the options are “Half-Fare Card”, “Guestcard”, and “Guestcard and Half-Fare Card”. If I have the Swiss Travel Pass, can I select “Half-Fare Card”, or is that strictly applicable to the Swiss Half-Fare Card?

Hope you can clarify!

That is a good question! I would verify the validity of the Swiss Travel Pass on this route using the validity map. If you get 50% with this pass, then I would select the Half-fare Card option. But I’m not 100% sure since I haven’t personally traveled with the Swiss Travel Pass. You might contact the Lucerne tourism office to inquire.

Sorry Tanya – I meant to say Pilatus trip not Rigi!

Hi Tanya & family,

We used to regularly holiday in Switzerland as a family. Our base was always Brunnen and we did this Rigi trip many years ago. It was such a treat to see it again recorded in your photographs. It IS a wonderful day trip. Thank you for bringing the memories back. I’m now trying to think of the best way of preserving it as a slideshow to play on our tv screen. Happy days. Thanks again, Brian, Barbara & family

Hi Brian, Glad I could help you relive some good memories from your Swiss trips. Yay!

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Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip from Lucerne: 2024 Info, Best Direction & Itinerary

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 29, 2024

Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip is the most popular excursion from Lucerne in Switzerland. And rightly so – it’s such a great way to experience the stunning Alpine scenery by boat, cogwheel train, on foot, and via a series of cable cars.

But what to expect and what to know before you book your tickets and how to best plan your Mt Pilatus day trip so that you can make the most of your time and enjoy the best that this Golden Tour has to offer?

In this guide, we share our experience , common mistakes , and useful tips to help you plan your Mt Pilatus Golden Round trip from Lucerne . Find out!

Good to know: Lucerne Golden Round Trip is the most complete and the most scenic option for those planning a day trip to Mt Pilatus, but it’s not the only way to visit Mount Pilatus. If you are interested to learn more about all the other options, please see our guide to the best ways to visit Mt Pilatus from Lucerne .

Below, you can find all the details, info, and map for the Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip – take a look!

• Practical info & map
• All the transport options + pictures
• Which direction is best?
• Mt Pilatus day trip itinerary
• Tips for visiting by car

Practical Info & Map of Pilatus Golden Round Trip

Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip is a ‘loop’ excursion to Mt Pilatus from Lucerne using a series of different means of transport: a bus, a gondola, an aerial cable car, a cogwheel train, and a scenic boat.

Below, you can see the map that will give you a good overview of this trip. You can do it in any direction, but there are important things to consider when deciding which way to do it – more about it further below.

Here is some important information for the Golden Round Trip:

• SEASON: Golden Round Trip can usually be done from around mid-May to mid-October. You can still visit Mt Pilatus outside of the summer season, but for the entire Golden Round Trip, you need all the transport to run and the boat and the cogwheel train aren’t available in winter. This year, the cogwheel train will run from May 6 until 17 November 2024. The boat that you need for this trip is scheduled to run from May 6 until October 21, 2024.
• DURATION: Golden Round Trip takes at least 4 hours . However, if you want to take it easier, explore the best viewpoints or have lunch at a restaurant at the top of Mt Pilatus, do some hiking, or try one of the fun activities at Fräkmüntegg, you’ll need more time. We recommend planning at least 5-6 hours for this excursion.
• TICKETS: You can easily do the Golden Round Trip from Lucerne on your own . It’s best to get this combi ticket that includes all the instructions and all the transport options (available in season). Booking it all separately is not only more expensive, but it will also add unnecessary stress and hassle. This ticket allows you to do the trip in any direction. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass , you get a big discount on your tickets; in that case, it’s best to get them at the valley stations or some other sales points in Lucerne.
• TOURS: If you rather go with a local guide , you can do the Golden Trip with this popular and highly-rated tour from Lucerne . It’s just a bit more expensive than the self-guided ticket, but you have an experienced guide. Going with a tour is a bit less flexible than going on your own, of course, but you’ll make the best use of your time and be sure not to miss any connections. There’s also a private tour from Lucerne (about 3x the price, though). And, if you are coming from Zurich , the best way to visit is with this tour .

Good to know: While you can only do the Mt Pilatus Golden Rund Trip in the summer season as indicated above, you can visit Mt Pilatus the whole year by taking a gondola from Kriens . There are typically a few weeks per year when the gondola closes for maintenance, usually at the end of October – the beginning of November. During that time, you can visit Mt Pilatus by taking the cogwheel train from Alpnachstad .

Here’s what you see on the map above:

• YELLOW – bus  between Lucerne and Kriens.
• GREEN – cable car  (gondola + Dragon Ride) between Kriens and Mt Pilatus.
• RED –  cogwheel train  between Mt Pilatus and Alpnachstad.
• BLUE – boat  trip between Alpnachstad and Lucerne.
• The black line shows the  regular train  between Alpnachstad and Lucerne. It’s not part of the Golden Trip since you are taking a scenic boat ride instead. If you prefer to take the train, opt for a Silver Trip ticket (all the rest stays the same).

Below, you can find more info for each leg of the journey.

Pilatus Golden Round Trip: Transport & What to Expect

As you can see, doing the Golden Round Trip from Lucerne to Mt Pilatus and back involves quite a few different transportation options.

We start with the bus from Lucerne and end with a boat ride back to the city, but you can also do this trip in the other direction. Further below, you can read more about the best direction and why we recommend doing it that way.

Here is an overview – and pictures – of all the transport you have to take as part of the Pilatus Golden Round Trip from Lucerne , so that you have a better idea of what to expect:

BUS from Lucerne to Kriens

The first leg of your Golden Round Trip journey is a bus ride from Lucerne to Kriens .

From Lucerne city center, take RBus nr. 1 to Kriens . It’s a (trolley) bus in the direction of Obernau Dorf, and you have to get off at “ Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus ” bus stop.

There are buses every few minutes, so you don’t have to plan much in advance. The bus ride between Lucerne Railway Station and Kriens takes less than 15 minutes.

In Kriens, you’ll have to walk to the cable car valley station. It’s a short walk of 5-10 minutes and there are plenty of signs pointing to where you have to walk.

GONDOLA from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg

The  cable car ride from Kriens to Mt Pilatus is split in two.

The first part is a 4-person gondola ride from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg that takes about 18-20 minutes . The views are really nice and you can see the city and the lake in the distance.

Since you have to disembark in Fräkmüntegg anyway, you can explore this area a bit more before going up to the top of Mt Pilatus. There’s a rope park here, a zip-line glider, a mountain toboggan, and more fun activities that could easily take half a day (you can find an overview of all activities here ). However, you won’t have time for all of that if you are doing the Golden Day Trip. If you are short on time, you could try the Dragon Glider or the Toboggan.

We did the toboggan run and it was really nice, but you need at least 30-45 minutes extra time to your itinerary if you plan on doing it. The ride itself isn’t long, but it’s a bit of a walk from the cable car station.

DRAGON RIDE to Mt Pilatus from Fräkmüntegg

Next, is the so-called Dragon Ride – an aerial cable car from Fräkmüntegg to Pilatus Kulm .

It’s a big gondola that takes lots of passengers at once, and the ride takes 3.5 minutes.

If there are no clouds, it’s a very scenic ride, so try to stand close to the windows. The best views are, of course, in the direction of Lucerne and the lake (the left side or the back of the gondola when going up, or the right side or the front of the gondola when going down).

PILATUS KULM

Pilatus Kulm is the name of the Mt Pilatus peak destination. Here, you’ll find a hotel with a restaurant , several viewpoints, and some hiking trails.

Time permitting, try to at least visit the main viewpoints : Oberhaupt and Esel. The family-friendly Dragon Trail is also nice to do.

You can also take a 40-min hike on the Flower Trail to Tomlishorn . On a clear day, the views are amazing. It’s not a difficult hike, but be sure to stay on the path and hold on to your kids! This is also one of the best places to see wild ibex.

COGWHEEL TRAIN from Pilatus to Alpnachstad

After you have explored Mt Pilatus and are ready for the journey back, take a train to Alpnachstad. The ride down takes 40 minutes.

Mt Pilatus railway is the steepest cogwheel train in the world (48%) and a ride on this train is an experience in itself!

Important! Be sure to keep an eye on the train and boat schedule, to be sure that you have enough time to get down by train and don’t miss the last boat!

BOAT from Alpnachstad to Lucerne

The final ‘leg’ of the Golden Round Trip journey is the boat ride from Alpnachstad to Lucerne .

Depending on which boat you take (where it stops along the way), the boat ride to Lucerne takes between 1 hour and 1 hour 20 minutes. It’s a scenic ride and you can also get some drinks or food on board. A ride on the boat is a great way to end your Mt Pilatus sightseeing trip.

Good to know: If you want to, you can upgrade your tickets to the 1st class , and sit on the upper deck. You can just do this on the boat itself, so no need to decide in advance. The main advantage is that it’s usually much quieter on top and they also serve drinks at the table. So it’s a bit more luxurious. But as far as the views go, it doesn’t matter that much whether you sit on the lower or on the upper deck. We found the upgrade more than worth it.

Best Direction for the Golden Round Trip & Our Experience

As you can see on the map above, the Golden Round Trip is a circular trip that starts and ends in Lucerne. It’s possible to do it in either direction and the views are equally nice, no matter which way you go .

However, you have to keep an eye on the schedule of the boat, the cogwheel train, and the gondolas, to be sure that you can do the entire trip and get back to Lucerne in time and without having to rush.

Our experience: We have read so many reviews online trying to decide which way to go and opted to do the Golden round trip clockwise, so starting with the boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad first.

We took the earliest boat in the morning (9.38 AM). However, by the time we reached Alpnachstad, it was so busy at the cogwheel train that we had to wait for the next one. We finally reached Pilatus Kulm past noon. It was ok timing-wise, but it felt like we spent half a day just to get there and just had to start sightseeing. It was also really busy at the top, the restaurants and the viewing platforms were crowded as well.

The reason why we opted to go this way was because we read that many people missed the last boat to Lucerne if they did the trip the other way around. We also thought that this would give us more time to enjoy the activities at Fräkmüntegg (adventure park, summer toboggan) – this was indeed correct. But we did this trip with kids, so it was important for us. But not many day tourists seem to be even interested in these activities…

However, having done the Golden trip this way, I would definitely opt to do it in the other direction next time . Here’s why.

Our recommendation: Do the Lucerne Golden Round Trip anti-clockwise! So start with a bus ride to Kriens , followed by a gondola ride/ aerial cableway to Mt Pilatus.

If you start early in the morning (in summer, cable cars start running at 8.30 AM), it will be quiet everywhere you go. Even if you start at 9 AM or a bit later, you’ll still be at the top of Pilatus long before the biggest crowds start to arrive.

This will not only let you make the most of your time at the top, but it will also ensure that you have a more relaxing day afterwards. When you are ready to go down, take a cogwheel train from Pilatus to Alpnachstad and then a boat from there to the city. Taking the train in this direction is usually also less stressful and there are fewer passengers. But sometimes it’s also possible to reserve a specific time slot.

It’s also nice to be able to end your excursion with a scenic boat ride on Lake Lucerne. You can relax and rest while enjoying the views from the boat, and you’ll still be fit enough to explore the city afterwards if you choose to.

Below, you can see our recommended Mt Pilatus day trip itinerary.

Important: Get a ticket that includes all the transportation (these tickets are typically bookable in the season when the trips actually run, so may not be available if you are too early).

Also, keep an eye on the boat schedule to be sure you don’t miss the last boat from Alpnachstad to Lucerne. In high season, there is usually one boat per hour. At the moment of the last update, there are boats scheduled at 1.08 PM, 2.07 PM, 3.17 PM, 4.27 PM, and also at 5.38 PM.

Mt Pilatus Day Trip from Lucerne – Golden Round Trip Itinerary

Below, you can see an overview of what your day trip could look like. Please note that the hours are based on the current departure times, so be sure to check the official website for the up-to-date timetable . You’ll also be able to find the schedule in the travel brochures that you can pick up when you get your tickets.

Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip Itinerary:

• Get your tickets in advance (sometimes only bookable in season). This ticket is also your bus ticket and a voucher for the actual scannable tickets for the gondola, train, and boat, that you’ll pick up on the spot.
• 8.15 AM Take an RBus #1 from Lucerne Railway Station in the direction of Obernau Dorf. Disembark in Kriens – Pilatus Zentrum bus stop. The bus ride takes about 12-15 minutes.
• 8.30 AM Walk from the bus stop to the Mt Pilatus gondola station. The walk takes 5-10 minutes and there are signs indicating where to go.
• 9.00 AM Pick up your tickets at the valley ticket desk and take a gondola to Fräkmüntegg .
• 9.30 AM Take the Dragon Ride (an aerial cableway) to Pilatus Kulm.
• 9.35 – 11.20 AM Explore the viewing platforms at Mt Pilatus , take a hike to Tomlishorn, or have brunch/lunch at the restaurant.
• 11.39 AM Take a cogwheel railway to Alpnachstad. The ride on the train takes 40 minutes. The boat to Lucerne stops just across the street from the train station (less than 5 minutes walk), and the schedules are aligned so that the boat leaves 10 minutes after the train arrives.
• 12.22 PM Take a scenic boat ride from Alpnachstad to Lucerne.
• 1.28 PM Arrive in Lucerne . This leaves you plenty of time to explore the city in the afternoon. If you start later and/or take the next boat at 1.08 PM, you’ll be back in Lucerne a bit before 2 PM. In the peak season, there is also a boat at 2.07 PM, arriving in Lucerne around 3.27 PM.

!!! This is just an example of how to plan your time if you do the Golden Round Trip from Lucerne. Make sure to double-check the train/boat schedule on the day itself. You can easily adjust the trip and the timing depending on your interests and the gondola/train/boat schedule. Kriens gondola starts running at 8.30 AM in the summer season.

If you have more time, you could also first stop at Fräkmüntegg before going to the top of Mt Pilatus. There are some nice activities here – mountain toboggan is really fun!

You could also do some more hiking. There’s plenty of choice, but most trails here are quite steep and require at least 2-3 hours. You can also spend more time hiking at the top of Pilatus itself. There are some relatively easy trails with great views. Or simply start your day a bit later (but keep in mind that it will be much busier later in the day).

Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip by Car

If you are driving to Mt Pilatus by car , you can easily do the Golden Pilatus trip as well. After all, it’s a loop, so you can always come back to the place where you left your car. (Just to be clear – you cannot drive up the mountain itself, but there are plenty of car parks where you can leave your car for visiting Mt Pilatus).

Parking. You could leave your car in Lucerne, in Kriens, or in Alpnachstad. Parking in Kriens or in Alpnachstad is much cheaper than in Lucerne city center, so these are the two best options.

However, because of the cable car, train, and boat schedule, I highly recommend that you leave your car in Kriens , from where you can take a cable car to Mt Pilatus. You then take a train down to Alpnachstad and a boat from the to Lucerne.

Afterwards, you can easily spend some time in Lucerne and then take a bus to Kriens at any time it suits you. Buses run continuously, also in the evenings, so you won’t have to rush.

So, this is our guide to visiting Mt Pilatus with the most popular excursion – the Golden Round Trip from Lucerne. I hope that it gives you a better idea of how it works and helps you plan a more relaxed and memorable day.

TIP: If you have some extra time in Lucerne, you may also want to visit Mt Titlis nearby . With over 3,020 meters (10,000 ft), Mt Titlis offers a very different experience than Mt Pilatus 2,132 m (7,000 ft).

Titlis is one of the highest easily accessible mountain peaks in central Switzerland, it’s open year-round, and it’s very close to Lucerne as well. Check it out!

LEARN MORE: How to Visit Mt Titlis, Switzerland

Travel guides for the Lucerne area:

• Best Things to Do in Lucerne (+map & tips)
• Best Day Trips from Lucerne (+ info on how to visit each place)
• Lucerne to Mt Pilatus  (all the transport options and tickets explained)
• Four Lakes Hike in Engelberg  (same area as Mt Titlis)
• Trübsee (Engelberg, at Mt Titlis)
• Stoos Ridge Hike  (a beautiful hike + a very unique funicular; +- 1 hr drive from Lucerne)

Some of our favorite places in Switzerland:

• Zermatt & Best Hikes in Zermatt
• Gornergrat (Zermatt)
• Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
• Grindelwald-First
• Schynige Platte
• Trümmelbach Falls
• Skiing in Wengen  &  Skiing in Engelberg

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Some of our favorite hikes in Switzerland:

• Matterhorn Glacier Trail (Zermatt)
• Best Hikes at Schynige Platte  (near Interlaken)
• Oeschinensee Hike  (close to Interlaken)
• Bachalpsee Lake  (Grindelwald)
• Gornergrat Hike to Riffelsee & Rotenboden (Zermatt)
• Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge (the longest suspension bridge in the Alps, near Zermatt)

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Saturday 24th of February 2024

Thanks for the article, it is so helpful. I really appreciate your effort! Going later this year. A question, the toboggins sound great but I am fairly unfit and will get breathless at altitude. How hard is it to get from the toboggin to the next part if going in the direction you suggested?

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Hi, the summer toboggan at Fräkmüntegg is a bit of an uphill walk from the gondola and the ride ends not too far from the gondola station. So there is some walking involved to get to the start of it and also back to the gondola from where it ends. It's not really strenuous, but it is uphill. You can also just decide on the spot when you see the area. It's not something you have to book anyway, so you can just look around and see how you feel at that moment. Have a great trip!

Thursday 11th of January 2024

Thanks for all the info, however when clicking on the 'this combi ticket' link it takes me to a page of tours - none of which are the self guided round trip described here. Can you update the link or point me in the right direction?...or am I to early to book this for June? Thanks

Hi Peter, I just updated this article recently and checked all the links. They are correct, but - as mentioned in the article - they take the bookings offline in the low season. So indeed, if you try to book now for the summer, it may not show up yet. I think that last year bookings were possible from around mid-March, but I can't tell you when exactly they come online this year. I would say try again in April or so. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Brian Longman

Wednesday 20th of September 2023

This is a really well written article and has lots of good points. I would add the following: the boat from Luzern to Alpenstat is a disaster. Don’t waste money on the first class ticket as it gives you zero benefits. They will herd you on a glorified pontoon boat with 200 others and it’s first come first served where you sit. 2. plan to take the trip first thing in the morning as the author explains. If you you think you can take a later boat and enjoy your time, forget it. You will be way too cramped for time and waste way too much time in lines. 3. if you want to go later, I suggest skipping the boat/cogwheel train all together- it wastes way too much time for too little. The Gondola is 10xs better both in views and time. 4. the toboggan was a lot of fun. But it’s a somewhat difficult climb up for people with limited mobility. It was only 9 CHF for tickets and was worth it. 5. if you plan ahead and follow the author’s itinerary, you could add time in the middle and not feel rushed.

Thursday 21st of September 2023

Thanks for sharing your experience, Brian. It might be very helpful to others who are contemplating on taking the boat first or not. As we mentioned in the article, we really think it's best to start with the cable car. Happy travels!

Monday 14th of August 2023

Hello! Thank you for the insightful page! It is hard for me to find a golden tour that goes backwards and starts at Alpnachstad so we can hike up to Mt. Pilatus and come down via the cogwheel. Do you recommend booking separately? We would love to do the lake cruise too though.

@Jurga, got it, thank you so much. We are using your guide to Bern too and love how you format your website with the descriptions and photos. Have a great day! :)

Hi Rita, what you are looking for has nothing to do with the so-called 'Golden Round Trip'. If you hike up, you'll simply need to get a ticket for a cogwheel train (you should be able to buy one at the top or get one online in advance). You can pay for the boat when you get on board. HOWEVER, the hike from Alpnachstad to Mt Pilatus is very steep and takes at least 5-6 hours (according to the signs we saw in Alpnachstad, it's 5h10, but that's Swiss indications which usually means pure hiking time at a steady pace and without any stops). So depending on when you start, how fast you hike, and how much time you spend at the top, you might be too late for the last boat. So check the schedules and keep this in mind.

Sunday 9th of July 2023

Hi, if the boat ride is not available after Oct 23rd, does it mean that the golden round trip is not available?

Monday 10th of July 2023

Hi Vanessa, yes, the Golden Round Trip is only available in the high season when all the transport options - the boat, the cogwheel train, and the gondola are running. The best way to visit in the low season is by taking a gondola from Kriens and back the same way. Hope this helps.

A Complete Guide to the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus Lucerne Switzerland

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: August 5, 2022

Everything you need to know about the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus including tips, ticket options and what to expect during one of Switzerland’s most scenic mountain excursions.

When you visit Switzerland you are genuinely spoilt for choice with beautiful towns and villages , scenic train journeys , mountains to climb and amazing views to admire!

One of my favourite excursions from Lucerne in Switzerland is the golden round trip to Mount Pilatus.  This is one of the best day trips from Lucerne and involves trains, boats, gondolas and more – a truly wonderful way to see and appreciate the Swiss countryside and a real Swiss bucket list experience!

If this is a trip you are considering taking you will find everything you need to know about it in this post. This includes the various options you can choose to take this trip independently or with a tour.

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• Explore the Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, Bernina Express, and other panoramic train routes

Why visit Mt Pilatus?

Summary of the itinerary included on the golden round trip to mount pilatus, 1. take the boat from lucerne to alpnachstad, 2. take the cog railway, 3. arrive at the top of mount pilatus, 4. take the aerial cableway to mount pilatus, 5. take the gondola, 6. take the bus back to lucerne, 7. arrive back in lucerne, other things to do in the lucerne area, enjoy your trip to switzerland.

Mount Pilatus on the shores of Lake Lucerne is steeped in legends and folklore with stories of dragons and hidden caves. Legend has that there is a dragon’s lair and once giants roamed the mountain side. Or maybe they still do? Keep a lookout for these mystical creatures on your visit!

The summit of Mount Pilatus at 2132 metres high gives a stunning panoramic view of Lucerne and its beautiful lake but also of the Bernese Alps, Jungfrau and Titlis and on to the French Alps. On a clear day, a total of 73 Alpine Peaks can be viewed from Mt Pilatus!

I have made the trip twice – once on a lovely clear day and the second when a cloud stubbornly refused to move from the top. Trying to get a day when the weather is clear can be quite difficult and even though the forecast was clear for the second trip that cloud was not moving. I would recommend going on a clear day if you can – the views are spectacular and it is worth it. 

THE GOLDEN ROUND TRIP TO MOUNT PILATUS

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus on the golden round trip option involves a day travelling on lots of different transportation. If this interests you then this is the Mount Pilatus trip for you!

From Lucerne you take a boat, a cog railway, a cable car, a gondola, a bus then return to Lucerne by train.

It is however not cheap (it is Switzerland after all) but more of that below!

If you take the ‘ GOLDEN ROUND TRIP TO MOUNT PILATUS’ option this involves 5 different forms of transportation

• A boat across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad.
• Mt Pilatus cogwheel train from Alpnachstad to the summit of Pilatus
• Aerial cableway – a trip on the Mt Pilatus cable car
• Panoramic gondola to Kriens
• Bus to Lucerne

The  boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad takes about an hour. Enjoy sailing across the lake and admire the million dollar houses on its shores!

After arriving in Alpnachstad transfer to the cog railway which will takes 40 minutes to climb the 7000 feet to the summit of Mount Pilatus. The views are spectacular so have your camera handy. The steepness of the climb will take your breath away at times (if you don’t like heights do not look down!)

After spending some time at the top you then descend for 3 1/2 minutes via an aerial cableway (the so-called Dragon ride though to be perfectly honest I didn’t see one) and then finally a 30 minute descent in a panorama gondola (more great views) to Kriens before catching a bus back to Lucerne – a great day out! (If you want you can do this trip the other way around and start in Kriens)

What are the other ticket options? Well you could take the ‘ Silver Round Trip ‘ which is basically all the above but instead of a boat to Alpnachstad you catch a train from Lucerne!

Learn More – My complete guide to the best Mt Pilatus tours

A step by step guide to the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus

Below you will find pictures and details of each step of your journey on the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus so you know what to expect when you take the trip.

Once you arrive in Lucerne train station walk out of the station and across the road to the piers to catch the boat. You are heading for Alpnachstad to catch the cog railway so you need Pier 2.

The boat trip is wonderful in itself – what can be better than sailing across a beautiful lake with the sun shining and the beauty of Switzerland all around. The boat ride lasts about an hour.

The cog railway is the steepest in the world with in parts a gradient of 48%!! It was opened in 1889 (amazingly engineer Eduard Locher came up with the idea of constructing two horizontally revolving cogwheels to enable the railway to climb the mountain).

There is one stop on the way up at Amsigen as this is the train passing point. Look out for the farmer’s house with the enormous cow bells!

If you are considering a holiday in Switzerland then these 20 photographs will certainly inspire you to get it booked asap!

The views of Lake Lucerne are spectacular. I was lucky also to get a great shot of the car passing us on its way down the mountain. I think this gives an excellent idea of just how steep it is!

Once at the top there are lots of viewing areas, walks to take a couple of restaurants, toilets and a gift shop. There are also 2 hotels at the top of Mount Pilatus.

If you wish you could book a stay and enjoy a night or two. Although I haven’t stayed on Mount Pilatus I can imagine how wonderful it would be.

The Hotel Pilatus Klum  or the  Hotel Bellevue offer guests fabulous views!

There are a number of walks that you can take at the top of the mountain which range from easy to medium and take between 10 mins and 35 mins.

The cableway takes you from the top of Mt Pilatus to the gondola station at Frakmuntegg. There are lots of activities available there such as the Pilatus rope park and a toboggan run.

The panoramic gondolas take you from Frakmuntegg to Kriens (where you catch the bus) The gondolas take about 30 minutes to descend.

Once in Kriens it is about a 5 minute walk to the bus stop. There are signs and if you use the map you will soon find the bus stop for Bus No.1

Learn more – A complete guide to Lucerne including itinerary options

Don’t forget to have a look around Lucerne! It is one of my favourite cites to visit when I am in Switzerland and I generally get there once a year for a stroll around!

Highlights for me are the Kappelbrucke (Chapel Bridge) constructed in 1333 and the Lion Monument a rock relief carved out of the rock face in 1820/1 by Lukas Ahorn.

There are many beautiful places to visit in Switzerland – amazing cities, mountains and beautiful lakes – read all about these in a guide to the best places to visit in Switzerland.

FAQs – What you need to know if you are planning to take the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus

• As described we took the Golden Round Trip to Pilatus which included the boat, cog railway, cableway, gondola and bus.
• There is also the Silver Round Trip option which involves a 20 minute train/bus ride from Luzern to Alpnachstad along the lake (so no boat trip) before you catch the cog railway. If you have the time I would the golden round trip as the boat trip is truly beautiful!
• Click here to book the Silver Round Trip Option
• If you are wondering which tour is best for you check out my Ultimate Guide to the best tours to Mt Pilatus
• For more Swiss travel inspiration you may enjoy my round-up of the most scenic train trips to take in Switzerland and the most beautiful towns and villages to include in your Swiss travel itinerary.

From Lucerne: Titlis Full-Day Tour – Eternal Snow & Glacier

Discover a fascinating glacier world and a beautiful landscape of eternal ice and snow on Titlis Mountain. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps and visit an ice cave.

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Lucerne: 2-Hour Gourmet Lunch Cruise on Lake Lucerne

Enjoy a First Class lunchtime cruise on Lake Lucerne. Admire the Alpine landscapes as the staff serves you a delicious 3-course meal made from fresh regionally sourced products.

CLICK FOR PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Classic Rigi Round Trip from Lucerne

Enjoy a unique combination of boat, rack railway and cable car travel in Rigi. This varied tour in the heart of central Switzerland is suitable for both a half or full-day tour.

Read more about visiting Switzerland

• Best cities to visit in Switzerland
• Beautiful towns you can’t miss in Switzerland
• Things to do in Lucerne
• Books to read about Switzerland
• Guide to Swiss food and drink
• Swiss bucket list
• 8 Scenic Swiss train journeys
• Check out – “5o unique things to do in Switzerland”

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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.

Unfortunately, this offer is not bookable at the moment.

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Discover the Rigi and the Pilatus in one day on this guided tour! Hiking, mountain railroads, boat trip and relaxing - it's all here!

Mt. Pilatus self-guided Golden Round Trip from Lucerne incl. boat cruise

About this ticket likely to sell out.

Validity: All day

Use your phone or print out the voucher

No booking fees

Lucerne train station, Zentralstrasse 1, 6003 Lucerne or Lucerne harbor, pier 2 (next to Lucerne train station)

Discount: GA Travelcard, Swiss Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass

Free cancellation

Public bus between Kriens and Lucerne

Panorama gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg

Aerail cableway "Dragon Ride" between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm

Steepest cogwheel railway in the world between Pilatus Kulm and Alpnachstad

Lake cruise between Alpnachstad and Lucerne on Lake Lucerne (1st / 2nd class)

Seat reservation for the cogwheel train

Hotel pick up and drop off

Meals and snacks in restaurants

Additional activities (rope park, toboggan run)

Other personal expenses

• 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

Golden Round Trip Pilatus

Combine Lucerne’s landmark mountain with a cruise on Lake Lucerne. Both of the experiences are an absolute must during your visit to the Lake Lucerne Region.

The Golden Round starts in Lucerne. Take bus number 1 (direction Kriens/Obernau) right in front of the train station of Lucerne. After an eleven-minute bus ride to the station "Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus" and a short walk, you will reach the valley station of the panorama gondola in Kriens. Enjoy 15 minutes travel to the middle station Krienseregg. There you can sit and relax on the terrace of Restaurant Krienseregg (own expenses) and enjoy your time while children are playing on the Pilu Land playground.

After another 15 minutes travel by panorama gondola, you will reach the middle station Fräkmüntegg. At Fräkmüntegg you can test your agility by climbing in the rope park (own expenses) or try one of the local specialties in the self-service restaurant (own expenses).

At Fräkmüntegg you will also change into the aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" and after an exhilarating 5-minute ride you will reach the top of Pilatus Kulm. Thanks to its spacious interior, cockpit-like design and large windows the Dragon Ride gives you the impression of being in a helicopter.

From the top you can enjoy the panoramic views over the Lake of Lucerne and the Swiss Alps on the summit and decide if you want to stay inside the panoramic gallery, relax on the terrace, climb one of the peaks (5-10 minutes) or enjoy a local specialty in the restaurant of Hotel Bellevue or Hotel Pilatus Kulm (own expenses). Many hiking possibilities invite you to discover the Dragon Mountain above Lucerne.

The world's steepest cogwheel railway (built in 1889) will bring you from Pilatus Kulm through fascinating rock faces, sparkling mountain streams and lush meadows carpeted with Alpine flowers down to Alpnachstad. In Alpnachstad you just pass under the street, and you will be at the cruise landing stage in Alpnachstad. After a breathtaking one-hour boat trip on Lake Lucerne, you will arrive in Lucerne, near the station and your unforgettable half-day-trip will finish.

The Golden Round Trip can also be done in the opposite direction, starting by boat from Lucerne. In any case please check the timetable before your visit, especially for the boat ride.

Practical information:

• Wheelchair accessible (prior reservation mandatory)
• Duration 2.5 - 6 hours, check timetable for start times (especially for the boat cruise)

Know before you go

• Check the timetable carefully, escpecially for the boat connections (2 - 5 boat departures per day)
• 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
• The Round Trip can be taken in both directions
• Operates in almost all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Infants participate for free (age 0 - 5.99 years)
• Choose the 1st class ticket for a better cruise experience: First class ticket holders are seated on the spacious top level of the boat with a great view over the lake.
• 2nd class ticket holders are seated on a lower level on the cruise boat
• Please note that this is a self-guided tour, there is no guide waiting for you.
• Start your trip at the Lucerne train station. The voucher is valid on the bus no. 1, for the cable car and aerial ableway, the cogwheel railway and on the boat.
• If you wish to take the trip in the other direction, get on the boat to Alpnachstad (pier number 2) and show the voucher on the boat.

Meeting Points

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Golden Roundtrip Pilatus

The landmark of Central Switzerland, and Lucerne's 'own' peak: Mount Pilatus. The Golden Tour by steamer, red rack-and-pinion railway and back via cable railways is the classic round trip.

One excursion with five means of transport! Sail from Lucerne to Alpnachstad on the 'Unterwalden' steamship or on a motor vessel. Then comes the world's steepest rack-and-pinion railway up to Pilatus Kulm (2073 m a.s.l.). The 'Locher system' toothed rack and the special track switch at the mountain station are unique. Enjoy the view of the lake, the mountains, and the city of Lucerne. Take a walk through the rock gallery, or hike to the Tomlishorn where you can savor a delicious snack in the restaurant. A spectacular ride by aerial cable car «Dragon Ride» and panorama gondola down to Kriens concludes this tour. Return to Lucerne by bus.

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Reduced combined offer: public transport and leisure time (also for existing tickets) for Golden Roundtrip Pilatus

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Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip – A Stunning Day Trip From Lucerne

The Swiss city of Lucerne sits in a stunning location on the shores of Lake Lucerne and right below the Alps. As a result, Lucerne is blessed with a whole range of stunning day trips which will be absolutely hard to forget.

And the most popular of those is a day trip up the local mountain – Mount Pilatus, which is hard to miss as it towers above Lucerne.

The best way to see Mount Pilatus is via the renowned Golden Route Round Trip which has so much going for it.

What Is The Pilatus Golden Round Trip?

The Pilatus Golden Route is a round trip from Lucerne train station that shows you the best of Mount Pilatus and the surroundings. You take a boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then a steep cog railway up to the top of Pilatus (Pilatus Kulm).

The return journey is down the opposite side of the mountain via 2 different cable cars to Kriens. From there you take a local bus back to the Lucerne train station. Exactly where you started.

All in all it is at least half a day to do the whole trip including all the transport, waiting time and at least an hour on the top. 

Image courtesy of Pilatus.ch

Buying Tickets for The Pilatus Golden Round Trip

It is best if you buy a ticket at the local SBB train station (in Lucerne or elsewhere) for the date you wish to travel, because that gives you a discount on the journey as a whole.

The ticket office gives you 2 main types of tickets to cover the round trip:

• A ticket for the boat and return bus trip
• A ticket for the trip up and down Pilatus (this has to be exchanged at the Pilatus ticket office upon arrival in Alpnachstad – more on that later)

Swiss Pass ticket holders get a 50% discount on the Mount Pilatus rail and cable car.

Pilatus Golden Round Transport Details

Now I want to break down the exact details of the Golden Route, especially because it is fresh in my mind. I just took it this morning (mid-July 2019).

There are four main parts to the trip, which I will break down in detail below, with additional tips from my trip today.

Note: Although we did the trip in one direction, there is nothing stopping you from doing it in the reverse direction. In some cases it might be better (eg. in summer) when it is very busy, because most people do it the way we did.

Lucerne To Alpnachstad By Boat

The first part of the round trip is via public boat from Lucerne Bahnhofquai opposite the main station. It is right in town about 5 minutes walk from the old town, next to the traffic bridge crossing the Aare river.

When and Where Does The Boat Leave From?

The boat to Alpnach leaves approximately every hour at around 40 minutes past the hour, and takes approximately one hour and five minutes .

Note: Please check the timetable to day before to be sure – either at the train station office or at the actual boat pier.

If you have a normal (open ticket) you can catch any boat you like. There are no seat reservations as this is a public boat.

The boat leaves from Pier 2 , which is the second one along from the main road. It is clearly labeled with “Golden Round Trip” in many languages. You can’t miss it (below is a picture and map).

Pier 2 Lucerne Bahnhofqua i- Boat to Alpnachstad

Alternative: Lucerne To Alpnachstad By Train

If you are pressed for time or have spent enough time on boats on Lake Lucerne already (if not, I recommend going by boat) then the train is only 20 minutes, instead of the 1 hour you need for the boat.

In that case, you catch the S5, direction Giswil, from platform 14 inside the main train station.

Note: Be sure you plan this ahead, because the boat tickets are not interchangeable with train tickets if you change your mind after purchase. If you do, you will need to pay for the train tickets separately (ie. pay again) in this case. 

Arrival At Alpnachstad – Tips and Tricks

If there are a lot of people on your boat (which there will be in summer) then I recommend being at the right hand exit at least 10 minutes before arrival in Alpnachstad (around 35 past if the timetable does not change). This will ensure you get to the Pilatus train ahead of most people and get up the mountain faster.

Arrival at Alpnachstad Pilatus ticket office & exchange

Once you leave the boat, you walk along the pier, under the train line and up the stairs. There you will be greeted by two options:

• Straight ahead is a ticket exchange desk (probably only in peak times / summer) where you can get your Pilatus scannable ticket in exchange for the one you bought. You need this at all times until you exit the last gondola in Kriens!
• If you don’t have a ticket/voucher, you need to buy at ticket on the right at the ticket office.

Mt Pilatus Train & Gondola Ticket

You will then get your Pilatus ticket and if it is busy a time to get on the train. Most of the direct connections will be filled by tour groups (damn them!) so we had to wait 45 minutes for our train. So, leave yourself plenty of time for the whole trip.

Have a coffee while waiting for Pilatus Cog Wheel Train

There is a lovely coffee shop (Chalet Cafe Pilatus) with outdoor seating, and fast service, right opposite the train where you can wait. You have a guaranteed spot on the next train at a given time if you got such a piece of paper at the exchange. If not, I would line up for the next train. You should be informed either way when you get your Pilatus ticket.

Alpnachstad To Pilatus Kulm By Cog Railway

The cog-wheel train up Mount Pilatus is something of a feat of engineering and used to be the steepest such train in Switzerland. They still have it plastered all over the place, but it was until a recent train was installed at Fronalpstock .

Having said that, it is probably still the longest steep railway of its kind, and very impressive to ride that takes around 30 minutes. It slowly grinds its way up the mountain, winding through meadows, forests, tunnels and then finally emerges for the last ascent to the peak – Pilatus Kulm . 

Cogwheel train up Mount Pilatus

The best seats are generally on the right hand side (looking up) but towards the last part of the trip the left hand ones are also quite impressive. There are plenty of windows and you can stand up and get a look both upwards and downwards too, so you should get a view either way.

Once you arrive, you leave the train and walk up the stairs alongside it to the Pilatus Kulm building which houses a whole range of facilities, including the Cableway back down (so you have to return here later).

Top of Mt Pilatus Kulm

Pilatus Kulm Restaurant

Pilatus Kulm To Kriens By Aerial Cableway & Gondola

Once you are ready to head back to Lucerne, walk back inside the same building you arrived in and to the left. You are now going to take the Pilatus Dragon Aerial Cableway, which is a large gondola that has quite a big capacity. They run quite regularly, so you don’t need to stress as much about getting on as you did with the train. But, it can still sometimes get busy.

My tips for this part of the journey are to get on in the first 5-10 people and grab one of the front, or back seats. They are quite luxurious for such a Cableway and I must say I have not seen anything like it elsewhere (yet). They seat about 3-4 people each and give you a commanding view of the ride down.

Pilatus Aerial Cableway

This part of the trip is about 5 minutes. You have to change to the smaller 4 person gondolas at the next station (or you can explore the fun activities at this stop ( Fräkmüntegg ).

The four person gondolas are one behind the other, so there is little wait here. You just get on (and don’t get off) until the bottom – Kriens. There is an in-between stop where you can get off for a walk or explore, but if you intend on heading back to Lucerne, then stay on all the way (even when it looks like the end station).

Pilatus Gondola to Kriens

The rest of the journey on this gondola takes about 30 minutes (15 minutes to Krieseregg, and then 15 more to Kriens) and is a nice relaxing journey down to the final station at Kriens.

Kriens To Lucerne By Bus

The final stop brings you to a small suburb of Lucerne with little to no facilities. Sure, there is a ticket office and toilet here, but not a whole lot more. Although, I did spot a small cafe next door, run separately to the Pilatus gondolas. 

Now you need to walk about 5-10 minutes down to the main road to catch the Bus Number 1 – MaiHof (there are a few exceptions, just ask the driver if they go to Lucerne Bahnhof). The stop is on the same side of the road you arrive at when you walk down. See the map below.

There are signs all the way to the bus stop from the Kriens Gondola, so just look out for the blue signs to Luzern and Bus Nr.1 (see image below). Likewise if you come from the bus, the same signs point in the other direction to Pilatus.

Signs to the Bus in Kriens from Pilatus

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About the author roger timbrook.

Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!

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Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip

• 8.60 / 10 49 reviews | 598 travellers The excursion was incredible, highly recommended 10 Miren
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service starts
• X (Twitter)

Experience the famous Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus : ride the steepest cogwheel train in the world, fly over the peaks on a panoramic cable car and enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Unmissable!

Description

After meeting in the heart of Lucerne at 12:30 pm, you'll set off through the beautiful Swiss countryside in the direction of Kriens , where you'll begin your "golden round trip" on the iconic panoramic gondolas to Fräkmüntegg . Throughout the half-hour cable car ride, you'll enjoy unparalleled views over the stunning forests of Krienseregg and the surrounding valleys and mountains.

Arriving in Fräkmüntegg, you'll then embark on the Dragon Ride , an aerial cableway which will have you feeling like you're flying over the Swiss Alps . An unforgettable experience!

Once you've reached the peak of Mount Pilatus , you'll have the opportunity to explore the Dragon's Trail and discover the mysterious legend that gave it this name, or to walk up to the mountain's summit. Visit the observation terrace for captivating views of the magnificent mountains and lakes surrounding you and treat yourself to mouth-watering Alpine cuisine in one of the restaurants at your leisure.

Having made the most of your time at Mount Pilatus, you'll begin your descent to Alpnachstad on board the world's steepest cogwheel train . You'll then continue your adventure with an hour-long boat cruise on the Lake of the Four Cantons , enjoying the views of the Swiss Alpine landscapes from a new perspective. Your tour will come to an end back in Lucerne at 6 pm.

Itinerary Changes

The itinerary will be modified between the following dates in 2024:

• Dragon Ride cable car : Throughout the year, except between October 21st and November 8th, 2024 as it will be closed for maintenance . During this time, the ascent and descent will be done via the cogwheel train.
• Cogwheel train : Between the 9th and the 15th of November 2024 , the ascent to Pilatus Mountain will be done on gondolas and the descent by the cogwheel train.
• Boat trip : When the boat is not available, between October 21st and November 15th, 2024 , a meal ticket (20 Fr ( US$ 22.30) per adult and 10 Fr ( US$ 11.20) per child) will be provided.

More Information

5 hours 30 minutes.

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

English–speaking guide

Transport by bus

Panoramic gondolas

Dragon Ride cable car

Cogwheel train

Not included

Meals and drinks (except for meal tickets on the indicated dates)

When to book?

You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Accessible only for folding chairs. An accompanying person is required. This must be indicated in the reservation.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• Printed material is avoided.
• No single-use plastics are used.
• The activity helps the dissemination of local cultural heritage.
• No printing of documentation required.
• Promotes local employment.
• Has a gender equality policy.
• Has a carbon footprint offset policy.

Best Of Switzerland Show more

Corporate name: Best of Switzerland Tours AG

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Can we bring suitcases on the bus?

A - You can carry luggage and store it in the luggage compartment inside the bus during the trip. You must indicate this in your reservation.

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities .

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point.

Frankenstrasse.

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The Ultimate Guide to the Mount Pilatus Golden Tour

• Post author: Rachel Means
• Post last modified: 2023-10-25

An exciting way to spend a day in Switzerland: grab a Mount Pilatus Golden Tour ticket and explore the Swiss mountains! You can’t go to Switzerland without going to the mountains.

These aren’t just any mountains, either. These are the Alps!

We were only in Switzerland for 2.5 days but you better believe one entire day was reserved for a mountain adventure. Don’t miss this unique experience!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and associate of other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Why Visit Mount Pilatus?

Located near Lucerne, Mt Pilatus is a great introduction to the Swiss Alps.

We were staying in Zurich, but that area is not quite the impressive mountains we wanted for our first Swiss Alps adventure.

A short 45 minute train ride makes Lucerne a perfect day trip from Zurich .

Lucerne has plenty of mountains in the area: Pilatus, Stanserhorn, Bürgenstock, Rigi to name a few.

Rigi and Stanserhorn mountain access are both included free in the Swiss Travel Pass , whereas Pilatus access is a 50% discount.

We chose Mt Pilatus because:

• It’s the tallest of the four mountains.
• It’s quickly accessible from the train station where we’d be arriving in Lucerne.
• Because I’d read about the Golden Tour and fell in love with the idea!

What is the Mount Pilatus Golden Tour?

There are two mechanical modes of transportation to get to the top of Mt Pilatus: gondolas (aerial cable cars) and cogwheel train. The world’s steepest cogwheel train , to be exact.

Both offer spectacular views all the way up the mountain.

The Golden Tour is the most scenic way to see Mt Pilatus and includes trip by boat, cogwheel train, and gondolas.

Gondolas depart from Kriens, a town about a 15 minute bus ride from Lucerne’s main train station.

The Pilatus cogwheel train departs from Alpnachstad, a small town across the lake from Lucerne. To get to Alpnachstad from Lucerne, either take a regular train around the lake or take a ferry across the lake.

You pick which direction you want to travel. Start on the ferry, hop on the cogwheel train up the mountain, ride the gondolas down, and bus back to Lucerne.

Or, do it in reverse: bus out to Kriens, fly up the mountain on gondolas, descend via the cogwheel train, and sail back to Lucerne via ferry.

Not a fan of boats? Try the Silver Tour instead. Experience the gondolas and cogwheel train, but skip the ferry and take a regular train between Lucerne and Alpnachstad.

This is also a slightly faster option. The train ride is only 20 minutes, but the ferry ride is 50-90 minutes depending on weather.

What’s the Best Route for the Mount Pilatus Golden Tour?

There is no wrong way to do this. Both routes offer great views!

If you’re arriving in Lucerne from another area, check timetables to see which direction makes most sense for you.

Buses run more frequently than the ferry does, but maybe you want the extra 45 minutes when you first arrive in Lucerne to get some pictures. But be mindful of your time!  

Our train from Zurich arrived in Lucerne with perfect timing for us to catch the ferry to Alpnachstad, so we hopped on and got our Lucerne photos when we arrived back in town later that afternoon.

If you want to maximize your time at the summit, the cogwheel train stays open later than the gondolas in the summer.

Caution: Check the Weather Before You Go

The thing about mountains and weather is they’re unpredictable.

I’m a planner and have an itinerary for all my vacations (it’s not as bad as it sounds), but the key is to have a flexible itinerary with a backup plan.

Check the weather for Pilatus Kulm, and not just Lucerne. The weather and temperatures on the valley floor are different from the mountain peak.

You can even check live web-cam views. Clouds are common in the mountains in the mornings, but often dissipate by mid-morning or midday.

Riding through a cloud in a gondola is cool, but there’s not much to see after a while. Not to mention no views at the top, which is probably at least 75% the reason why you wanted to visit the summit in the first place.

If the forecast is cloudy all day, I recommend you reserve the Mount Pilatus Golden Tour adventure for another day. Swap days on your itinerary if you can.

If it’s your last day in town and you want to do it, then go for it.

Sometimes the summit is above the clouds and you have gorgeous sunny views of the tops of the clouds and mountains, even though you can’t see the valley below.

On our trip to Mt Pilatus, it was very cloudy when we arrived at the top around noon. But, as promised by the weather forecast, the clouds had moved out by the time we finished lunch, and we had a gorgeously clear afternoon of hiking and photography.

What to Expect on the Golden Tour

Sail across lake lucerne.

Enjoy a lovely ferry ride across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. Exit the Lucerne train station and the lake is directly in front of you, past all the buses.

Purchase your Mt Pilatus Golden Tour ticket at the kiosks right by the lake and hop on a ferry to start your adventure.

The ferries have indoor and outdoor seating. Always recommend sitting outside when the weather is nice!

While gliding across the lake, look for the gondolas and cogwheel train in the distance. You appreciate the steep slope of the cogwheel train better from this perspective!

Transfer at Alpnachstad

The ferry will dock in Alpnachstad, and everyone will head for the train station. Seriously, it’s a straight shot through the pedestrian tunnel under the roadway to the plaza across the street. Follow the crowd. You’re all going to Mt Pilatus.

Don’t skip the Ticket Exchange kiosk in the middle of the plaza! You have to show your Golden Tour ticket at the kiosk to receive a timed entry card before you can catch the train.

Not realizing what this was, we went straight to the queue for the train and were turned back to the kiosk. Chagrined, we were now nearly at the back of the line.

While I wished we could have caught the train when we first arrived at the plaza, we waited less than a half hour for the next train to arrive.

There’s a lovely café and some unique buildings for photo ops while you wait. Slow down and enjoy the little things!

Ride the World’s Steepest Cogwheel Train to Pilatus Kulm

Time for a scenic trip up the mountain! You have some say in which section of the train car you ride in and which side of the car you sit on, assuming you’re not the last one through for your group.

Every car and seat has amazing views , so don’t be the jerk that holds up the train leaving because you refuse to take a middle seat.

Sit at the top by the conductor if you want to beat the crowds once you get to the station at the top.

Sit at the bottom if you want a wide open view down the mountain throughout your ride.

The side closest to the stairs gets great views of Lake Lucerne. The opposite side gets great views of Mt Pilatus and the mountains. Both sides have plenty of Swiss cows!

At the Top!

Enjoy the views while you eat lunch..

Both the Hotel Pilatus Kulm (yellow brick to the left) and Hotel Bellevue (cylindrical gray to the right) have restaurants.

There is also a quick eats spot inside and a take-away grill outside during the summer months. Something for all pocketbooks.

You could also pack your lunch and eat wherever you like the view best. Just be sure to keep ahold of your trash so the wind doesn’t blow it off the mountain.

Listen to the cows.

Swiss cows roam freely about the mountain, and if you hike up or down Mt Pilatus from Alpnachstad, you can walk right up to them.

You can also hear the cow bells echoing up the mountain from the observation plaza at the top!

Do some souvenir shopping.

Pro Tip : Do your shopping right before you leave so you don’t have to hike around with your souvenirs.

Take a hike.

To the right, past the gondola station and Hotel Bellevue, is a short path to Esel. It is a short hike, but it is like climbing a staircase.

Let yourself adjust to the thinner air! Enjoy the beautiful views while you catch your breath.

To the left by the Hotel Pilatus Kulm is the Dragon’s Walk , a short loop that passes through the mountain and gives views of the other side before circling back.

Also to the left, but past the hotel, is the Flower Trail to the Tomlishorn. Wildflowers are labeled all along this path as it winds along and sometimes through the mountain.

The edge has a rail and much of the path is paved, but it does end with a very rough, rocky, and steep section right before the Tomlishorn summit.

Stunning views of snow-capped mountains (even in the summer!) and lakes on all sides are your reward, as well as bragging rights for actually reaching the 7000 ft elevation!

Once you’ve had your fill of alpine activities, head back to the panorama gallery building and get in line for the return gondola.

If you’re on a tight schedule, leave yourself some buffer time for waiting in line. Gondolas operate frequently but have limited capacity. At least the line is inside and temperature controlled.

Descent via Panoramic Gondola

Feel like a dragon flying from Pilatus Kulm to Fräkmüntegg. The Dragon Ride panoramic gondola is larger than average with floor to ceiling windows for optimal views.

It is standing room only, and everyone will have their cameras out. Even if you get packed into the middle, you’ll still get good views and most people are willing to temporarily switch spots so you can take some pictures.

At Fräkmüntegg, you’ll disembark the panoramic gondola and queue up for the normal 4-person gondolas.

If you have some time, Fräkmüntegg has a luge track in the summer as well as a restaurant and other activities. We sadly did not have time for the luge, but we’ve heard great things!

The 4-person gondolas showcase wonderful alpine scenery, as if you haven’t had enough of that so far today, while whisking you down the mountain in 30 minutes or less.

Be prepared to divide your group for this part of the journey if you have more than 4 people. You’ll regroup at the bottom.

From the Kriens Pilatusbahn, exit the gondola and walk 10 minutes downhill to the Kriens bus stop.

A 15 minute bus ride puts you back at the Lucerne train station, where you can easily start a Lucerne adventure or catch a train back to your point of origin.

So there you have it: the ultimate guide to the Mount Pilatus Golden Tour!

Visiting Mt Pilatus will take up just one day of your vacation. There is so much else to see in Switzerland!

Or maybe you’re on a multi-country European adventure? Here’s some inspiration for your next trip:

• How to Day Trip to Liechtenstein from Zurich
• What to Do in One Day in Lucerne, Switzerland
• The Cheapest & Fastest Travel from Munich to Zurich
• Epic Central Europe Trip: 4 Countries in 12 Days

Happy Travels!

About the Author : Rachel Means

With six-figure student loan debt and only 10 PTO days per year, Rachel started traveling the world. A decade later, she’s paid off her loans, changed careers, and been to 38 US states and 17 countries. She’s an expert at planning and budgeting for travel and loves to help others do it, too! Read her full story here.

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This post has 4 comments.

I have yet to travel to Switzerland but hope to make it some day. This area looks beautiful. I would love to take a tour and spend some time on the lake!

This is such a beautiful area. I would love to take this adventure and see Mt. Pilatus from so many perspectives. Adding this one to my Europe list for sure

Oh this looks like a dream tour and your article is an awesome guide to many perspectives of Mt. Pilatus. Your pro tips are especially helpful, especially the one about waiting till the end to get your souvenirs so you don’t have to haul them!

I love the mountains and this looks like a dream. Adding it to my Switzerland bucket list!

Comments are closed.

Golden Roundtrip

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Destination

In the world’s steepest cog railway to mt. pilatus.

Lucerne is the perfect starting point for one of Switzerland’s most spectacular excursions: the Mount Pilatus Golden Circle Tour. 

First, hop onto a vintage paddle steamer, which lazily plows the turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne. Then, in Alpnachstad, on the lake’s southern shore, start the breathtaking ascent up the majestic Mount Pilatus aboard the world’s steepest cogwheel train. After reaching the top, we invite you to explore the great Swiss scenery during a short hike to the peak, or enjoy the grandiose panoramic views from the comfort of the amazing summit restaurant.

Come back down ‘to earth’ with a panoramic gondola ride, hovering over pristine Alpine meadows, back to Lucerne, where you will once again feel solid ground under your feet.

More destinations in Lucerne

Bürgenstock resort, golden circle tour, inspiration, request a call back, call back requested.

We have received your request for a call. We shall reach out to you within 12h max.

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