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Mount Pilatus

Mount Pilatus

Kriens, Switzerland

Book Mount Pilatus

  • Grand Total 0

How to use your voucher

Carry a print out of the voucher and exchange it at the valley station for Mt Pilatus in Kriens/Alpnachstad to get the actual tickets.

  • Unforgettable views of 73 Alpine peaks and serene lakes
  • Enjoy the spectacular Dragon ride
  • Experience the Steepest Cogwheel train ride
  • Have fun in PILU Land - a paradise for children
  • Pilatus rope park at Fräkmüntegg
  • Take a ride on the Longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland on the Fräkmüntegg
  • Enjoy winter fun activities in winter.

Not Suitable for

  • Pregnant women
  • People with serious health conditions or breathing issues
  • Children under 2 years not allowed for adventure activities

How to reach

  • Golden Round trip for Swiss Travel Pass holders (Mid May-October):
  • Take a boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad
  • Board the steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus
  • While returning, take the panorama gondolas and aerial cableway dragon ride from Pilatus to Kriens
  • Take a bus from Kriens to Lucerne.
  • Silver round trip for Full Fare tickets (Mid May-October):
  • Take a train from Lucerne to Alpnachstad (additional cost)
  • Take a bus from Kriens to Lucerne (additional cost)
  • Only via Cablecar: Kriens to Pilatus and Pilatus back to Kriens.

Know before you

  • Reservation recommended for Cogwheel train for adults and children
  • Must carry a print of the voucher and exchange it at the valley station of Pilatus in Kriens/Alpnachstad
  • Toboggun run is operational only during summers
  • This is an independent,self-guided tour
  • In case of bad weather conditions such as rain, fog or snow, the view from cable cars and cogwheel will be limited and no refund will be provided for partially used vouchers

Cancellation

15% cancellaton for fully unused voucher.

Mention an indicative date of travel when buying the ticket.

For Swiss Travel Pass holder Fare: Voucher can be exchanged and used on any one day duing the validity of the Swiss travel pass or before the validity date mentioned on the voucher whichever is earlier.

For Full Fare: Voucher can be exchanged and used on any one day before the validity date mentioned on the voucher.

Restaurants

  • Restaurant Pilatus-Kulm
  • Restaurant Bellevue
  • Panoramagrill
  • Restaurant Fräkmüntegg
  • Restaurant Krienseregg

Address to valley station

1. Kriens, Pilatus Bahnen: Gehristrasse, 6010 Kriens, Switzerland

2. Pilatus Railway: Brünigstrasse 2, 6053 Alpnach, Switzerland

About Mount Pilatus

Located in central Switzerland and steeped in legends is Lucerne's own mountain - Pilatus.

At 2073 metres above sea level and views over 73 Alpine peaks on a clear day, this is one of the most scenic spots in Switzerland.

There are a few legends surrounding the mountain. One of them says that it is named after the famous ruler Pontius Pilate who is believed to be buried there. Another says that in the Middle Ages, dragons with healing powers lived among the cliffs.

But whether you believe the legends or not, you will definitely agree that a visit to Mount Pilatus will be one of the highlights of your travel to Switzerland. Among the many exciting things that you will experience is the steepest cogwheel train in the world!

Pilatus with Swiss Travel Pass

A Swiss Travel Pass holder can purchase tickets at nearly half the rate. And to top it off, children up under 16 years whose parents hold a Swiss Travel Pass travel Free!

The discounted rates are valid on all the types of Swiss Travel Pass, i.e. 1st or 2nd class for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days continuous or flexi pass.

How to get to Pilatus

Pilatus is located very close to Lucerne can be easily accessed by train, boat or bus. The journey is as exciting as the peak itself.

The most famous route is the Golden Round Trip, which can be done from May to October and allows you to experience an amazingly diverse journey

Bus: From Lucerne to Kriens

Aerial Gondola : From Kriens to Pilatus

Cogwheel train (the steepest in the world): From Pilatus to Alpnachstaad

Boat: From Alpnachstaad to Lucerne

Toboggan Run

One of the most sought after activities is the toboggan run in Frakmuntegg. Get your adrenaline pumping as you zip through steep curves on this 1350 meter run which makes it the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland. Children below 2 years are not allowed.

Opening hours

From mid of April until mid of October, the toboggan run is open daily from 10:00 until 17:30 subject to weather conditions.

Cost per child 6 to 16 years for single ride - CHF 6

Cost per person above 16 years single ride - CHF 8

Starting Point: Frakmuntegg mountain station

An amazing fun park on the Krienseregg. A perfect place for your kids to play and romp around. The park offers a dragon castle, a dragon forest and even a dragon moor where kids can discover the flora and fauna of the region. There are lots of shady places for cozy family picnics as well

Dragon World

A newly opened attraction at Pilatus. Great for kids. Welcome to an interactive dragon filled experience through games and special effects.

Dragon Glider

Sit, relax, glide and enjoy the Dragon Glider from Frakmuntegg to the Drachenalp. Go over trees and forests while enjoying the calm and serene views. This is the first Glider in Switzerland that allows you to also have a fun turn. Don't be afraid, with a speed of just 12 kilometres per hour and an amazing team of people that will personally check that you are perfectly secured, all you have to do is enjoy!

Adult Cost: CHF 10

Child Cost: CHF 6

Tandem Paragliding

If you would like to include paragliding in your Switzerland itinerary, it is possible in Pilatus. Check the information board at the valley station in Kriens

  • Switzerland

pilatus with swiss travel pass

  • 1 Zurich City Tour
  • 2 Lindt Home of chocolate
  • 3 Swiss Transport Museum
  • 4 Mt. pilatus
  • 5 Mt. titlis
  • 7 Harder kulm
  • 8 Grindelwald First
  • 9 Matterhorn glacier paradise
  • 10 Glacier 3000
  • 11 Aletsch Arena
  • 12 Diavolezza
  • 13 Swiss Miniatur
  • 14 Charlie Chaplin's World
  • 15 Schilthorn
  • 16 Sunnegga

Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins

Luzern Interlaken Express

Duration: 1hr 50 mins

Duration: 5hr 30 mins

The slowest express train in the world

Duration: 7 hrs 30 mins

Bernina Express (train):4 h - 4 h 30 min

Bernina Express (Bus): 3 h

Things to do

Steepest cogwheel.

The world’s steepest cog railway starts its climb at Alpnachstad and tackles a maximum gradient of 48 percent, thereby passing forests, meadows and rock faces.

Dragon Ride

With the new aerial cableway Dragon Ride, guests are practically flying up to Pilatus. It takes the cableway a mere 3.5 minutes to reach Pilatus (2073 m a.s.l.) from the intermediate station Fräkmüntegg (1416 m a.s.l.). Thanks to spacious seating, a cockpit-like structure and large windows, the cableway offers a unique view of Lucerne and its lake.

Panorama Gondolas

In only 30 minutes the Panorama Gondolas will have you front and center of the Pilatus adventure. Climb aboard and enjoy the marvelous view. From Kriens, glide in the gondolas over Krienseregg to the Fräkmüntegg station.

A paradise for children. Romping, playing, balancing, climbing – great for cutting loose. Time to relax? You can do that too: tables, benches in the shade of mighty trees – a place for the entire family. And the extensive grilling area is priceless anyway. All kids love Cervelat sausage fresh off the grill. Chatting, resting, romping, hanging out – that’s PILU Land.

Frakmuntegg experience

Thrills, speed, agility, fantastic outdoor evenings – Fräkmüntegg is full of adventure and fun. The largest rope park in central Switzerland, Tree Tents, the toboggan run, hiking trails and beautiful grilling spots all entice you to linger.

Pilatus Rope Park

Adrenalin, action, and fun on the Frakmuntegg. Leap into thin air, bring plenty of nerve and have a ton of fun at the Pilatus Rope Park. CHF 30 per adult, CHF 22 per child (8-15 years)

Snow & Fun park (winter)

Loads of winter sports fun is offered on Pilatus. The various downhill slopes of natural snow make for thrilling sled rides. Young and old snow lovers alike can really build up a head of steam. CHF 25 per adult, CHF 20 per child, CHF 14 per child below 6 years

Summer Toboggan run

Zoom through steep curves, dragon dens and over jumps. At 1,350 meters the Fräkigaudi on the Fräkmüntegg is the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland. The spectacular run begins near the Fräkmüntegg mountain station.

SWISStours Logo

Photo Gallery

Image6

  • Note Rates valid till Dec 31, 2024
  • Operational days Panorama Gondola and aerial cableway will remain closed for maintenance from 29 Apr 2024 to 30 Apr 2024 & 21 Oct 2024 to 08 Nov 2024
  • Important Fullfare excludes the train from Lucerne to Alpnachstad or vice versa.
  • Cogwheel Train Operates from 6 May to 17 Nov 2024. Reservation recommended for Cogwheel train for adults and children. For Swiss passholder : CHF 5 per person one way. Reservation to be made & paid via www.pilatus.ch For Fullfares : Free reservation. Request to be sent to [email protected] or call : +41 41 329 11 11
  • Cruise The Lucerne–Alpnachstad–Luzern ship service will be discontinued from October 21, 2024.
  • Cancellation A cancellation penalty of 15% will apply on totally unutilised voucher, unless stamped and signed by the mountain authority personnel in circumstances of excursions being closed due to bad weather.
  • Must Read Please ensure that you choose the correct date / rate to ensure that your voucher is accepted for travel. Any mismatch in chosen rate / date can result in your voucher being rejected.

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus: How to Visit Independently

Published by sarah vaughan on november 22, 2023 november 22, 2023.

An imposing peak that towers over the city, taking a day trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus is a can’t-miss adventure in Switzerland!

The day trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus includes several different forms of transportation, including boat, cogwheel train, gondola, cable car, and bus. But fear not, reaching the peak is relatively easy thanks to top-notch Swiss transportation!

With a peak almost 7,000 feet above sea-level, Mount Pilatus is one of the tallest mountains in the area and the summit provides unmatched views of the Swiss Alps high above the clouds. Visiting this stunning peak is one of the best things to do in Lucerne.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make your trip to Mount Pilatus go smoothly.

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus Map

Variations to the route, step 1 | boat from lucerne to alpnachstad, step 2 | train from alpnachstad to pilatus, what to do on mount pilatus, step 3 | gondola from pilatus to fräkmüntegg, step 4 | cable car from fräkmüntegg to kriens, step 5 | bus from kriens to lucerne, how much does it cost to get to mount pilatus, other tips for a great trip to mount pilatus, other switzerland resources.

view from Tomlishorn Peak on Mount Pilatus

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus | Overview

  • Trip time | 4 – 6 hours
  • Total cost | $40 – $115 (depending on whether you have a Swiss Pass)
  • Hiking Distance | roughly 3 miles (around the peak)
  • Why you’ll love it | A fun adventure from Lucerne, involving several unique methods of transportation to a summit with stunning 360-degree mountain views.
  • Types of transportation | boat, train, gondola, cable car, bus
  • Book your tickets | Purchase all tickets needed for Mount Pilatus here .

The map below displays the route and types of transportation you will use to reach Mount Pilatus from Lucerne:

  • Step 1 | Boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad ( travel time: 90 minutes )
  • Step 2 | Cogwheel train from Alpnachstad to Pilatus (travel time: 40 minutes )
  • Step 3 | Gondola from Pilatus to Fräkmüntegg (t ravel time: 10 minutes )
  • Step 4 | Cable car from Fräkmüntegg to Kriens (travel time: 20 minutes )
  • Step 5 | Bus from Kriens back to Lucerne (t ravel time: 20 minutes )

  • To view more details about each location, click on the marker on the map.
  • To save this map for future use, click the star next to the title. From your phone, open the Google Maps app and click the “saved” tab, followed by the “Maps” icon. From your Gmail account, navigate to Maps –> “Saved” –> “My Maps” –> “Maps” tab.
  • To email this map to yourself, click the three dots in the upper right corner.

In this article, we cover the route to Mount Pilatus that takes you up via cogwheel train from Alpnachstad and down by cable car to Kriens. We think this is the best route because it allows you to avoid long lines for the ferry and cogwheel train if you start early, gives you the option to stop in Frakmuntegg on the way back (time allowing), and allows you to see both sides of Mount Pilatus.

However, there are a few different variations of the trip you could take:

  • Reverse the order | Start in Kriens, end in Alpnachstad
  • Hike up from Kriens | 13 kilometer hike one-way. To get back, take the cable car back to Kriens OR train down to Alpnachstad.
  • Hike up from Alpnachstad | 8 kilometer hike one-way. To get back, take the train back to Alpnachstad OR cable car down to Kriens
  • Hike up from Alpnachstad and down to Kriens (or vice versa) | 21 kilometers total

Hiking trail at the top of Mount Pilatus

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus | Trip Details

In the following section, we’ll break down all the details on how to get from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus .

view of Mount Pilatus behind the clouds from the boat ride on Lake Lucerne

  • Ticket Cost | 28 CHF, free with Swiss Pass
  • Departure Times | Once per hour at 38 minutes past the hour (first departure at 7:38 AM )

The first step of your journey is a beautiful boat ride on Lake Lucerne from Lucerne to the small lake-side village of Alpnachstad. You will board the boat at the Luzern Banhofquai (ferry terminal), located across from the train station on the bank of Lake Lucerne.

The boat departs once an hour at 38 minutes past the hour (they really mean this!), starting at 7:38 AM. We recommend beginning your day early to avoid the crowds and to make sure you have plenty of time for tobogganing in the afternoon.

The boat ride takes a total of about an hour and a half, but it won’t feel nearly that long as you sit on the deck of the boat, sipping a morning coffee and soaking up the sunshine and mountain views.

Pro tip | You can purchase tickets for the cogwheel train to Pilatus on the boat to skip the lines at Alpnachstad

The steep cogwheel train headed up to Mount Pilatus

  • Ticket Cost | 72 CHF roundtrip, 36 CHF with Swiss Pass (Includes return trip to Alpnachstad or Kriens)
  • Departure Times | Operates from mid-May to mid-November Ascent: every 30-45 minutes from 8:10 AM – 5:10 PM Descent: every 30-45 minutes from 8:45 AM – 5:45 PM

For the second leg of the journey, take the cogwheel train from Alpnachstad to Pilatus. A cogwheel train is simply a train that is built at an angle and equipped with specialized gear for handling steep inclines. The cogwheel to Pilatus is the steepest in the world, reaching a maximum angle of 48 degrees!

Once you arrive in Alpnachstad, the train station is just a quick walk up the hill – you can’t miss it. We hopped right on a train with no lines after taking the first boat out of Lucerne in the morning.

The train ride takes a total of about 40minutes but goes by in a flash.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

On a clear day, you can see mile after mile of snow-covered peaks from the top of Mount Pilatus. There are a few short hikes and things to do once you arrive. We recommend taking a quick hike to both Tomlishorn (2 miles) and Oberhaupt Peak (1 mile).

Hiking to Tomlishorn on Pilatus

Trail leads along the edge of a cliff with snow-capped mountains in the distance at Mount Pilatus

Tomlishorn is the highest peak on Mount Pilatus. You can get there by taking an easy two-mile round-trip hike. The trail begins on the opposite end of the platform from the train station and leads along a ridge, through a natural tunnel, and ends with a quick ascent up to the peak.

Oberhaupt Peak

pilatus with swiss travel pass

With just a 20-minute walk, you can also visit Oberhaupt peak , another jaw-dropping viewpoint. As we walked up, the clouds started to roll in. Nonetheless, the sight of the cliffs dropping off into an abyss of clouds was eerily beautiful.

The trail to Oberhaupt peak starts behind the hotel on the side of Pilatus closer to the train station.

Pilatus Kulm Hotel & Restaurant

The Hotel Pilatus-Kulm is located at the top of Mount Pilatus. Staying there will definitely cost you, but I can only imagine how incredible it would be to wake up on Pilatus for the sunrise views.

There is also a restaurant at the top, but the food is pricey. We recommend packing a lunch for a picnic with a view from Tomilshorn instead.

Mount Pilatus Gondola

  • Ticket Cost | included with purchase of cogwheel train ticket

Once you’ve explored the peak and seen every possible view, take the gondola down to Fräkmüntegg . On a cloudy day, this gondola ride can be somewhat terrifying if you are afraid of heights. It’s difficult to tell if you are even still moving as you inch your way through a blur of white.

Luckily, the entire ride takes only about 10 minutes.

Tobogganing in Fräkmüntegg

Toboggan course on the way down from Mount Pilatus

  • Ticket Cost | 9 CHF per person, 7 CHF for children < 16 years old

We recommend stopping in Fräkmüntegg to ride the toboggan at Fräkigaudi . A toboggan (aka. alpine slide, as we call it in parts of the United States) is a small cart with a brake you pull on to slow down that follows a narrow track down the mountain.

You’ll zip down the mountain whizzing around curves and speeding through tunnels, all while passing by Swiss cows happily grazing with a perfect view of Lake Lucerne below you. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing a toboggan ride before, this will make you feel like a kid again!

Note that the last toboggan rides end at 5:00pm, so make sure you leave Pilatus by 3:30pm or so to ensure you have enough time. If you do not plan to go tobogganing, you can hop immediately onto the cable car to continue your journey to Kriens.

views over

Once you are ready to finish your journey, jump in a cable car to Kriens for a 20-minute ride. While the trip may be coming to an end, the views aren’t over quite yet.

As we broke through the clouds, we were surprised by another incredible view of the town of Kriens and Lake Lucerne below.

  • Ticket Cost | 4 CHF (one-way), free with Swiss Pass

Once you arrive in Lucerne, follow signs down the hill to the bus stop. The bus leaves every 20 minutes and the trip back to Lucerne takes about 15 minutes.

Clouds hover below Oberhaupt Peak

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus | FAQs

With a Swiss Travel Pass , transportation for the entire day trip will only cost 36 CHF (about $40) per person! The train to Pilatus, cable car, gondola down to Kriens are 50% off with the Swiss Pass, and the remaining transportation is fully covered.

Without a Swiss Pass, the full round trip will cost 103 CHF (about $115) per person.

The Swiss Pass is not cheap, but if you’re planning to spend about a week in Switzerland, it’s likely worth the money.

If you don’t have a Swiss Pass, you may consider purchasing a Golden Round Trip or Silver Round trip , which includes all your tickets to reach Mount Pilatus from Lucerne.

Book your tickets | You can purchase Mount Pilatus transportation tickets here in advance, or wait until the day of your trip.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

  • Wear layers | It may feel warm in Lucerne, but it gets chilly on the boat and on top of the mountain.
  • Pack a lunch and enjoy it on the top of Tomilshorn to save a little money. The restaurant on top of Pilatus is very expensive.
  • Start early! Pilatus gets crowded so get an early start to beat the crowds and avoid lines
  • If you have more than one day in Lucerne, pick the day with the clearest weather for your trip to Pilatus. It can be cloudy on Pilatus, obstructing the incredible views.

Planning a trip to Switzerland? Check out these great resources for more inspiration!

One Week in Switzerland: the Perfect Itinerary for Adventure Lovers

One Week in Switzerland: the Perfect Itinerary for Adventure Lovers

12 Best Things to Do in Lucerne on a Budget

12 Best Things to Do in Lucerne on a Budget

Five Lakes Hike in Zermatt: Best Matterhorn Views

Five Lakes Hike in Zermatt: Best Matterhorn Views

Paragliding in Interlaken: An Epic Adventure

Paragliding in Interlaken: An Epic Adventure

Harder Kulm Hike: How to Find the Best Interlaken Views

Harder Kulm Hike: How to Find the Best Interlaken Views

Emmental Cheese Route: E-Biking Adventure in Switzerland

Emmental Cheese Route: E-Biking Adventure in Switzerland

Schilthorn, Lauterbrunnen, Murren & Gimmelwald: The Ultimate Day Trip from Interlaken

Schilthorn, Lauterbrunnen, Murren & Gimmelwald: The Ultimate Day Trip from Interlaken

How to Spend 2 Adventurous Days in Interlaken, Switzerland

How to Spend 2 Adventurous Days in Interlaken, Switzerland

Questions or comments about the trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus? Let us know in the comments section below!

pilatus with swiss travel pass

Sarah Vaughan

Hello! I'm Sarah, one half of the couple behind Two Outliers! In 2023, I quit my job as a Data Scientist to travel around the world on an epic 15-month journey in search of the world's greatest hikes and outdoor adventures. Matt and I started Two Outliers in 2021 as a place for visitors to find concise, accurate, and honest information to plan their own adventures. We hope our experiences inspire you to hit the trail! Happy Hiking! Sarah

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Satarupa Barma · September 28, 2022 at 8:54 am

This was an incredibly detailed post and helped me so much in the pursuit of making a birthday come alive! Thank you folks =)

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Two Outliers · December 2, 2022 at 9:24 am

Hi Satarupa, happy we could help. Hope you had an awesome trip!

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Home » Activities » Mountain Viewpoint

Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip: boat cruise + mountain excursion

  • Lake Lucerne Region

pilatus with swiss travel pass

  • Last Updated: 21 Nov 2022
  • By Tanya, 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, how to get there, direction of travel, video of pilatus day trip, 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, 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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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

pilatus with swiss travel pass

Here is an overview the Golden Round Trip.

Map of Mt Pilatus and Lake Lucerne showing the Golden Round Trip route with labels

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

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

boat cruising Lake Lucerne

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 2023, a Pilatus Golden Round Trip ticket costs

  • Adult – CHF 111.60
  • Child (6-15) – CHF 56.20 (free with SBB Junior Card or Family Card)
  • Child under 6 – free
  • Adult with rail passes – CHF 39 (e.g. Swiss Travel Pass , Swiss Travel Pass Flex , Interrail, Eurail Pass)
  • Adult with SBB Half Fare, GA, or Day Ticket – CHF 56.20

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.

With the Lucerne Region Tell-Pass , the entire journey is free. 

Starting in 2023, 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.

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 .

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

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

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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

pilatus with swiss travel pass

Upstairs requires a first class ticket.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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 .

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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. 

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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

pilatus with swiss travel pass

Here is the viewing area from the Esel peak.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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 .

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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 .

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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. 

pilatus with swiss travel pass

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.

Tanya, Swiss Family Fun

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13 Responses

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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Hi! I’m Tanya and our family has been living & hiking in Switzerland since 2005, collecting dozens of fun hikes and activities for all ages and abilities. More about us…

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Mount Pilatus Cogwheel Train and Cable Car

PILATUS-BAHNEN AG - Hotels & Gastronomie Schlossweg 1 6010 Kriens Phone  +41 (0)41 329 12 12 pilatus.ch

Easily accessible by public transport from Lucerne, Mount Pilatus is the ideal adventure mountain for the entire family.

The world’s steepest cog railway starts its climb at Alpnachstad and tackles a maximum gradient of 48 percent, thereby passing forests, meadows and rock faces. On the north side, a gondola cableway and an aerial cableway connect Kriens to Pilatus Kulm. With the new aerial cableway Dragon Ride, guests are practically flying up to Pilatus. It takes the cableway a mere 3.5 minutes to reach Pilatus (2073 m a.s.l.) from the intermediate station Fräkmüntegg (1416 m a.s.l.). Thanks to spacious seating, a cockpit-like structure and large windows, the cableway offers a unique view of Lucerne and its lake.

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Reduced combined offer: public transport and leisure time (also for existing tickets) for Mount Pilatus Cogwheel Train and Cable Car

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PILATUS-BAHNEN AG - Hotels & Gastronomie Schlossweg 1 6010  Kriens Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)41 329 12 12 [email protected] pilatus.ch Show Route

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Tracy's Travels in Time

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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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 cog railway climbs Mt Pilatus

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 boats that cross Lake Lucerne

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.

A house on the edge of Lake Lucerne with Mt Pilatus in the background

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).

Pilatus Bahn in Switzerland

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!

View from the top of Pilatus in Switzerland

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.

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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.

Activites on Pilatus

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

The cable cars down from Mt Pilatus

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

Sign for the bus back to Mt Pilatus the final leg of the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus

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.

LUCERNE AND LION

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.

Views from Mount Pilatus you can see on the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus

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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Unlock the Mystical Beauty of Pilatus with Swiss Travel Pass

Welcome to the enchanting world of Pilatus , a mountain that is much more than just a peak in Central Switzerland. From its legendary tales to modern-day adventures, Pilatus offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure seeker, or simply someone who appreciates breathtaking landscapes, Pilatus Lucerne has something special for you.

Cog railway ascending the steep rocky wall

A Treasure Trove of Natural Splendor

Pilatus , situated near Lucerne, is not just a mountain; it’s a treasure trove of natural splendor and legendary stories. On a clear day, moreover, the mountain offers panoramic vistas of as many as 73 Alpine peaks.

Legends of Pilatus: Tales That Capture the Imagination

Back in 1420, a mysterious dragon rock is said to have descended from the sky. Additionally, some legends suggest that the Roman governor Pontius Pilate was buried in Lake Pilatus. With its impressive height of 2,128 meters, Pilatus has always been a focal point of fascination and folklore.

Your Adventure Starts Here

From Lucerne, you have multiple options to reach this majestic mountain. Firstly, you can take a gondola lift or an aerial cable car for a scenic ride. Alternatively, if you’re coming from Alpnachstad, the world’s steepest rack-railroad offers an exhilarating journey to the top. Public buses also serve the area, making it easily accessible for everyone.

Today's Adventures: More Than Just a Mountain

In today’s world, Pilatus Lucerne continues to be a source of awe and wonder. Easily accessible from Lucerne, you can reach the mountain via a gondola lift or an aerial cable car. Alternatively, you can take the world’s steepest rack-railroad from Alpnachstad. Therefore, a unique roundtrip adventure is entirely possible, and it can even be combined with various sporting activities and hiking expeditions.

Winter Wonders Await

During the winter months, you can soak up the sun at Pilatus-Kulm , which is situated at an elevation of 2,073 meters. Furthermore, the mountain offers two exciting tobogganing runs and even hosts Europe’s highest Christmas market starting in mid-November.

Summer Delights for Everyone

If you’re someone who enjoys both boat rides and mountain vistas, the Golden Roundtrip is an ideal summer journey. Firstly, you travel to Alpnachstad by boat or train. Secondly, you ascend to Pilatus Kulm on the world’s steepest railway. Finally, you descend via cable car and gondolas to Kriens or Lucerne.

Hiking Opportunities and Mountain Excursions

For outdoor enthusiasts, Pilatus is a haven for a variety of mountain excursions , offering a plethora of hiking trails that cater to everyone from casual walkers to seasoned mountaineers. Additionally, the area around Krienseregg not only features a large children’s playground but also well-marked hiking trails for those seeking adventure, and picnic spots complete with tables, benches, and open barbecues for a delightful alpine experience.

Your Gateway to Pilatus Awaits: Swiss Travel Pass / Pilatus Ticket

To truly unlock the magic of Pilatus, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass , which grants you a 50% discount on your Pilatus adventure. Opt for a specialized Pilatus Ticket and embark on a journey filled with breathtaking views and legendary tales. This mountain offers an unforgettable Swiss experience that you won’t want to miss.

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Magic Switzerland

Mt. Pilatus

pilatus with swiss travel pass

Mt. Pilatus is located in Central Switzerland near Lucerne and offers spectacular views of 73 Alpine peaks. Towering over the region with an altitude of 2,128m/6,982ft, the Pilatus begs endless enjoyment all throughout the year. Visitor accessibility is made convenient with frequent gondola and aerial cable car connections leaving directly from Kriens near Lucerne or via the steepest classic cogwheel train from Alpnachstad. The mountain’s alpine region offers plenty year round attractions and activities making it an enjoyable excursion for any visitor.

Summit facilities feature a terrace with stunning panoramas, culinary highlights, a hotel and serve as an ideal starting point for many excursions. During summer months, visitors can explore extensive hiking trails, paragliding opportunities or alpine rope park. Winter experiences are equally thrilling and include bobsledding, snowshoeing and the chance to discover the mountains mythical legends on the dragon trail. Despite countless activities, the Mt. Pilatus summit itself provides memorable outlooks over the Lake Lucerne region and vast range of Alpine peaks.

Excursion to Mt. Pilatus

Free with lake lucerne tell pass.

Holders of the Lake Lucerne Region’s Tell-Pass are granted free access to Mt. Pilatus’ summit using alpine transports like aerial cableways or cogwheel railways. Holders of the Swiss Travel Pass are granted a 50% discount.

Route from Lucerne

Mt. Pilatus can be reached from the underlying Lake Lucerne region using various modes of transport via Alpnachstad or Kriens.  Visitors approaching the summit from Alpnachstad board the world’s steepest cogwheel railway whereas from Lucerne travel with panoramic gondolas and the “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway via Kriens.

Duration of excursion

Visiting Mt. Pilatus is a half-day excursion however can easily be extended with round trip tours and many more exciting excursions to full day. The cogwheel railway departing Alpnachstad brings passengers directly to the summit in 30 minutes. The panoramic gondolas have a similar duration with an additional 5-minute ride aboard the aerial cableway.

Mt. Pilatus’ is accessible year round using the panoramic gondolas and the cableway via Kriens. The cogwheel railway operates beginning mid May through November with 40-minute interval departures.

Preparation

When visiting Mt. Pilatus it’s recommended to dress in layers or pack a windbreaker at any time during the year. Consider checking local weather forecasts for days with clear visibility and always equip a pair of good walking shoes.

Location and Map

Mt. Pilatus is centrally located in the Canton of Lucerne and overlooking various regional lakes. It is just south of Zurich and approximately 115 km/71 miles) east of Bern. From Lucerne it takes approx. 60 minutes to reach the top while from Berne it takes about 2 hours.

Pilatus Switzerland

Central Switzerland Elevation 2,128m/6,982ft

pilatus with swiss travel pass

Nearby Destinations

pilatus with swiss travel pass

Nearby Hotels

4-stars hotels.

Art Deco Hotel Montana

3-stars Hotels

Hotel Waldstätterhof

pilatus with swiss travel pass

View over Lake Lucerne from Pilatus Kulm

How to visit Mount Pilatus

Mount Pilatus in Switzerland looms over Lucerne, and is home to the steepest cogwheel railway you’ll find anywhere on earth.

It is a mountain massif comprising a number of peaks, the highest of these is Tomlishorn, which is situated some 2,132 metres above sea level.

An excursion to Mt. Pilatus is one of the top things to do in Lucerne and you’ll see why in this guide.

Taking the Pilatus train to reach the summit is one of the highlights of any visit, and once you arrive there are plenty of Mount Pilatus activities to get involved in.

This famous Lucerne mountain sets the scene for a Pilatus hike during the warmer months, or snow fun during the Mount Pilatus winter season.

If you’re thinking of visiting Pilatus mountain, this guide can help you plan your day or overnight stay there.

Covered is the basic geography of the area, various ways to get to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne, how and where to buy the tickets you’ll need and options for an overnight trip. 

Also included is how long to spend there, the weather, what to do when you arrive and frequently asked questions about visiting Pilatus in Switzerland. 

Whether you’re interested in hiking Pilatus, are looking for a hotel in Pilatus or simply want to ride the ultra-steep Pilatus railway for the incredible views, read on to plan the Swiss mountain trip of a lifetime.

[ This post may contain compensated links. Please see my  disclosure policy  for more information. ]

What's in this Article

Quick Summary of Mt. Pilatus Ticket Options

Click on the quick links below to buy your Mt. Pilatus tickets

What is Mt. Pilatus?

Mount Pilatus is actually a series of peaks. This mountain massif can be found among the Emmental Alps, and at its highest point is 2,132 metres above sea level. 

Tomlishorn is the tallest peak of the Pilatus massif, Esel reaches 2,118 metres whilst Oberhaupt is 2,106 metres above sea level.

The mountain is a popular place to visit, especially for those staying in Lucerne. Its cogwheel railway is the steepest in the world, making the trip a thrilling ride as well as a very picturesque one.

Once at the top, hiking, winter sports and mountain biking are among the activities available.

View over Pilatus Kulm and Lake Lucerne from the Dragon Trail.

Where is Mt. Pilatus?

So where is Mount Pilatus? This massif in Switzerland can be found within the cantons of Nidwalden, Obwalden and Lucerne, with the largest peaks lining the border between Nidwalden and Obwalden.

The highest peaks should only be accessed on foot by those with experience and specialist Alpine climbing equipment.

Otherwise, visitors can access Mount Pilatus in various ways. The Golden Round Trip is one option involving a series of different forms of transport for a rounded experience.

Whether you opt to take this Golden route or not, at least part of your journey will involve a cogwheel train, gondola or cable car ride. 

How to get to Mt. Pilatus

Map of Mt. Pilatus and its various stations

This section covers your options for getting to Mount Pilatus in Switzerland. You can travel from Lucerne via Kriens or Alpnachstad or just go as high as Fräkmüntegg, and all three of these routes are detailed below. 

Whichever you go for, don’t forget that in this scenic part of Europe, getting there is one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey.  

Getting to Mt. Pilatus from Lucerne by train

Route: Lucerne > Alpnachstad (boat or train) > Pilatus (cogwheel train)

The first way to get to Mt. Pilatus from Lucerne is to take a trip via Alpnachstad. Travelling from Alpnachstad to Pilatus involves taking either a steamer boat trip across Lake Lucerne or a train ride via Zentralbahn’s Brünigbahn line.

Alpnachstad is where the Pilatus bahn (train) departs from. This train line is the world’s steepest and operates between May and November – provided inclement weather conditions don’t put a stop to services which does happen occasionally. 

Getting from Lucerne to Mt. Pilatus via Alpnachstad involves a boat or train journey followed by a trip on the cogwheel railway. The trip can also be done in reverse for the return leg. 

The cogwheel train journey from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm takes 30 minutes.

The world's steepest cogwheel train ascending Mt. Pilatus

Getting to Mt. Pilatus from Lucerne by cable car

Route: Lucerne > Kriens (bus) > Fräkmüntegg (gondola) > Pilatus Kulm (cable car)

Another option for getting from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus is to travel from Kriens to Pilatus as the cable car service to the top of the mountain runs between Pilatus and Kriens.

If you want to get to Mount Pilatus in Switzerland this way, you’ll need to board bus number 1 at Bus Stop A in Lucerne (the bus stop is opposite Lucerne’s main train station). 

It’s then a 10-minute walk from the Kriens bus stop to the cable car station.

Firstly, you take the panorama gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg via Krienseregg (journey time 30 minutes) and you then connect to a second cable car, known as the Dragon Ride onwards to Pilatus Kulm (5 minute journey time.

The cable car is so called due to the mythical Mount Pilatus dragon said to live on the summit. It takes passengers for a scenic trip between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm.

Do note, however, that the cable car does normally close for a short spell in autumn or winter – you can find out more about that here . 

Getting to Mt. Pilatus (Fräkmüntegg) from Lucerne

Route: Lucerne > Kriens (bus) > Fräkmüntegg (cable car)

Should you not wish to go all the way to Pilatus-Kulm, you can go just as far as Fräkmüntegg by taking the panorama gondola from Kriens. The cabins have a generously-sized interior and panoramic viewing windows.

The route is so called due to the mythical Mount Pilatus dragon said to live on the summit. It takes passengers for a scenic trip between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm, and is subject to similar closures during the off-peak season. 

Mt Pilatus cable car

The Mt. Pilatus Golden Round Trip

Route: Lucerne > Kriens (bus) > Pilatus (cable car) > Alpnachstad (cogwheel train) > Lucerne (boat)

One of the most popular ways to get to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne is to take the famous Golden Round Trip. This is a round trip excursion that covers four different means of transport – bus, cable car, cogwheel train and boat.

The first leg is a 15-minute bus trip from Lucerne to Kriens, from where you’ll take two cable cars to Mt Pilatus. For the return trip from Mt. Pilatus to Lucerne, you will descend via the cogwheel railway to Alpnachstad.

From there a boat will transport you back to Lucerne via the lake. 

The Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip can also be done in reverse, travelling first by boat then by cogwheel train, cable car and bus.

> Click here to check prices and buy your tickets

The Mt. Pilatus Silver Round Trip

Route: Lucerne > Kriens (bus) > Pilatus (cable car) > Alpnachstad (cogwheel train) > Lucerne (train)

If you have limited time or are visiting Mt. Pilatus during winter when the cogwheel train is not operating, you can still experience the Mount Pilatus Silver Round Trip. 

In essence, it’s the same as the Golden Round Trip apart from the fact that the boat trip to or from Lucerne is not included.

This leg is taken by train instead, making this a popular option among railway enthusiasts – or those who don’t enjoy travelling across the water.  

The Silver Round Trip can also be followed in either direction.

Signs directing the way to Mt Pilatus cable car in Kriens

Mt. Pilatus Timetable

Alpnachstad cogwheel train.

Taking the Mt. Pilatus train from Alpnachstad is a must if you are visiting Switzerland between late May and late November, when it is in operation.

Services depart twice per hour throughout the day and each trip takes about 30 minutes.

View the timetable here . 

Pilatusbahn cogwheel train

Kriens cable car

The Mt. Pilatus cable car from Kriens runs during all four seasons, but as mentioned above it may be closed for maintenance between October and November or January and February.  Find out more here . 

Services operate continuously from 8.30 or 9am until 4pm or later.

Panorama gondola cabins travelling between Kriens and Frakmuntegg enroute to Mt. Pilatus.

Fräkmüntegg ‘Dragon Ride’

The Pilatus Dragon Ride operates between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm on the same dates as the cable car from Kriens.

You can see the current timetable here . 

The Dragon Ride cable car approaching Pilatus Kulm with Lake Lucerne below.

Mt. Pilatus Tickets  

If you want to purchase Mount Pilatus tickets you can opt to purchase individual tickets for the cogwheel train or cable car plus train, bus or boat tickets for the trip from Lucerne.

Otherwise, buying the Golden Round Trip tickets or Silver Round Trip tickets means the fare for every sector is covered.

Golden Round Trip, cable car & cogwheel train tickets

Pilatus prices for tickets vary according to the route chosen. You can check current fares for the cable car, dragon ride and cogwheel train to Pilatus here , including child and adult prices. 

The Mount Pilatus price you’ll pay also depends on whether or not you hold any kind of transport pass or card.

Standard adult fares are more expensive, because children and holders of a Swiss Half Fare Card get a 50% discount. Anyone holding a Swiss Travel Pass, Interrail or Eurail Pass can also travel more cheaply. 

Regular adult return fares are as follows, so you can compare prices:

  • Mount Pilatus from Alpnachstad or Kriens (round trip) – CHF 78
  • Golden Round Trip – from CHF 113.80
  • Mount Pilatus from Alpnachstad/Kriens with Swiss Travel Pass/Interrail/Eurail (round trip) – CHF 39

If you’re buying a Golden Round Trip pass, we recommend buying it here .

You can also buy Silver Round Trip tickets here . 

Sunset at Mt. Pilatus

Mount Pilatus day trips

Another option for visiting the Pilatus mountain in Switzerland is to take an organised day trip. Just like the self-guided Mt. Pilatus tour tickets mentioned above, guided day trips can be booked in advance online*.

*Tickets are fully refundable up to 24 hours prior to departure, which is reassuring should the weather forecast not be favourable on the day you are scheduled to travel.

Guided Mount Pilatus tour via cruise, cable car & cogwheel train

This guided tour is ideal for those who want to put the planning into someone else’s hands and just sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.

It includes luxury coach travel to  Kriens, the ‘dragon’ ride and a trip on the steepest cogwheel train in the world. You will also take a cruise across the lake to Lucerne. 

Discover this guided day trip to Mount Pilatus here .

Self-guided Pilatus day trip from Alpnachstad or Kriens

Rather than being a guided tour, this trip is the easy way to buy tickets for the cable car, dragon ride and cogwheel train and travel at your own pace.

You can begin this trip from Alpnachstad or Kriens, which you can reach by bus, train or boat from Lucerne as detailed above.

Find out all about this self-guided tour to Mount Pilatus here .

You can explore more options for visiting Mount Pilatus on the following links, including

  • Day trips from Zurich
  • Mount Pilatus silver round trip  

Private day tours to Mt. Pilatus

If you would prefer to let someone else make all the arrangements on your behalf, why not book a private day tour to Mt. Pilatus?

The tour can be arranged to suit your exact time frame and requirements, plus you’ll benefit from pick up and drop off at your hotel and the services of a private driver/guide throughout the day.

Find out more about the advantages of booking a private day tour to Mt. Pilatus here .

View of Lake Lucerne from Pilatus Kulm.

Where to buy Mt. Pilatus Tickets

Use the links below to buy your tickets to Mt. Pilatus

Things to do at Mt. Pilatus

Although the Mount Pilatus weather will clearly have an impact on what you can do when you reach the summit, there are lots of Pilatus activities to take part in at all times of the year. 

If you have your heart set on travelling by cogwheel train, though, don’t forget that it is closed during winter and early spring as detailed above.  

In summer, Pilatus hiking is one of the key activities to get involved in, and the mountain is also home to the Pilatus toboggan run. Adrenaline-inducing experiences and winter sports are also very popular here. 

Read on to find out more about the fun things to do at Mt. Pilatus.

Hikers enjoying the views at Mt. Pilatus

Activities at Krienseregg

Krienseregg is a great destination for families with young children.  Here you’ll find an adventure playground, BBQ areas and a restaurant.

Activities at Fräkmüntegg

The middle station of Fräkmüntegg is home to the Fräkmüntegg Experience where you’ll find a wide range of activities to enjoy.  These include a summer toboggan run, a zip line and a rope park.

There’s also an excellent restaurant with terrace at Fräkmüntegg.

Mt. Pilatus toboggan run

The toboggan run on Pilatus is a favourite activity among visitors. Just a short walk from the cable car station, the Fräkigaudi route is Switzerland’s longest summer toboggan run at 1,350 metres long – and it’s lots of fun!

Featuring steep curves, tunnels and even two jumps, the toboggan run is suitable for all ages.  Children over 8 years old can ride alone, and those under 5 can ride with a parent.

Each toboggan/sled is fitted with a brake so the rider can control their speed as they hurtle down the track.  A pulley system then pulls the rider and toboggan back to the starting point. 

Fräkigaudi toboggan run is open daily from mid-April until 22 October. Rides cost CHF 9 per adult, CHF 7 per child (8-16 years) and CHF 5 per child (6 and 7 years).

The summer toboggan run at Frakmuntegg on Mt. Pilatus.

Mt. Pilatus Rope Park

Age is absolutely no barrier to having some safe climbing-based fun at the Mount Pilatus rope park. As long as you’re aged over eight and are feeling suitably adventurous, you can challenge your agility on ten different routes.

You will visit up to 11 ‘stations’ as you balance, climb and zipline your way through the park – coming across various obstacles along the way. 

For younger adventurers, the new PILU Rope Park allows children from 4 to 8 years old to tackle a rope course featuring seven different stages.  Children are safely secured at all times.

Admission to the Rope Park for three hours costs CHF 28 per adult and CHF 21 per child (8 to 15 years inclusive). Family discounts apply.

The PILU Rope Park costs CHF 12 per child (4 to 7 years inclusive) for one hour.

The Rope Park is open daily from late April until 22 October (subject to weather conditions).

The Rope Park at Frakmuntegg on Mt. Pilatus, Switzerland

Dragon Glider

Fancy flying through the air like a dragon?  Then the Dragon Glider is for you!

Whilst safely secured by a harness and carabiner to a zipline, you’ll zip through the forest seven metres above the ground.

With a maximum speed of 12 kilometres per hour, and integrated brakes, the Dragon Glider is perfectly safe but still offers an adrenaline rush on the 500 metre ride.

Rides on the Dragon Glider cost CHF 10 per adult and CHF 6 per child.  Operating dates are the same as the Rope Park.

Activities at Pilatus Kulm

Mt. Pilatus is steeped in a history of myths and legends relating to dragons and you can learn all about these fascinating stories on the Dragon Way.

The pathway clings to the side of the mountain with ‘peep holes’ in the rock face framing picturesque views of Lake Lucerne and the valley below.

The trail is partly closed in winter.

Dragon World

There are more dragon myths and legends to be discovered in Dragon World, where an interactive tour awaits.

See the fire-breathing dragon fly through the air and learn when the first dragon appeared on Mt. Pilatus.

This virtual experience will entertain young and old alike.

Next door to Dragon World, a short film shares the history of the Pilatus cogwheel railway, the world’s steepest.

Sunset and Sunrise

Nothing can beat the beauty of a Mt. Pilatus sunset or sunrise.

Two of Mt. Pilatus’ peaks – Esel and Oberhaupt – provide the perfect view points to witness the sun setting or rising over Lake Lucerne.  Both peaks can be easily accessed on a well made path – albeit with a steep climb – from the main building and panorama terrace at Pilatus Kulm.

Sunset and sunrise times can be obtained from the hotel reception desk in the main building.  Allow 20 to 30 minutes to reach the viewing points on Esel or Oberhaupt and then wait for the breathtaking vista to appear.

A late night or early morning climb is definitely worth the effort – the views of the sun setting or rising are something you’ll never forget. 

Just before sunset and just after sunrise, keep an eye out for the local ibex who love to climb and graze on the steep sides of the mountain.

Sunrise from Pilatus Kulm overlooking Lake Lucerne.

Mt. Pilatus hiking

Hiking Mt. Pilatus is one of the top things to do in the area during the warmer months of the year. Taking to the trails allows you to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the area and there are around 20 hiking routes to choose from.

Your Mt. Pilatus hike can also be as easy or challenging as you want to make it.

The simplest routes take around 90 minutes to complete, while the most difficult are only for the most experienced hikers with the right equipment and a lot of time to spare. 

Taking a Mount Pilatus hike in winter is more of a challenge, not least because some of the trails are closed for the season.

Mt. Pilatus activities in winter

Sledding & snowshoeing.

Mt. Pilatus offers plenty of opportunities for sledding and snowshoeing during winter.  With its close proximity to Lucerne, this is the perfect destination for those who would like to enjoy some fun in the snow.

Can you stay on Mt. Pilatus?

Not only can you visit Mt. Pilatus for a great day out, it is also possible to stay overnight on the mountain – and we highly recommend it.

Overnight guests have the chance to witness spectacular sunsets and sunrises from the mountain summit, as well as watch the local ibex population feeding on the steep slopes in the evening and early morning.

There are two hotels to choose from at Pilatus Kulm, and during the warmer months those feeling a little adventurous can even spend the night in a Tree Tent at Fräkmüntegg.

Below you’ll find details of the various accommodation options on Mt. Pilatus.

Hotel Bellevue 3*

Double room at Hotel Bellevue Mt. Pilatus

Hotel Bellevue Pilatus is a clean, modern property with 19 comfortable double rooms.

The Hotel Bellevue adjoins the cable car and cogwheel train terminal and offers incredible views. 

This three star hotel on Mount Pilatus has a restaurant serving Swiss cuisine.  Overnight accommodation includes a welcome aperitif, a 4-course dinner in the Queen Victoria restaurant and breakfast is served in the Cheminee Saal or the Queen Victoria restaurant (both of which are located in the Pilatus-Kulm Hotel). 

There is also an outdoor terrace for summer dining and drinking.

> Click here to check prices on Booking.com | > Click here to check prices on the Mt. Pilatus website

Travel to and from Mt. Pilatus is not included in accommodation rates from Booking.com.

Pilatus-Kulm Hotel 4*

The other hotel on Pilatus is the Kulm Hotel. This Mount Pilatus hotel dates from 1890 and underwent a complete renovation in 2010.

With 30 rooms in total, it has 3 junior suites plus 27 superior doubles.

Guests at the Pilatus-Kulm Hotel enjoy a 4-course dinner in the beautiful Belle Epoque Queen Victoria restaurant, whilst breakfast is served in either the Cheminee Saal or Queen Victoria restaurant.

There’s also a bar and a panorama terrace.

We stayed overnight at Pilatus-Kulm Hotel in June 2023 and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Our hotel room was very comfortable, dinner at the Queen Victoria was exceptional and we loved having the opportunity to witness the sunset and sunrise over Lake Lucerne with only a few other guests around.

After watching the sunrise (which was at 5:36am on the day we visited), we enjoyed a coffee on the panorama terrace, soaking up the tranquillity and the views whilst watching ibex graze and play on the mountain slopes.

You can see photos of our dinner at the Queen Victoria restaurant below.

> Click here to check prices on Booking.com | > Click here to check prices on the Mt. Pilatus website  

Travel to and from Mt. Pilatus is additional when booking through Booking.com.

Queen Victoria Room at Mt Pilatus

Tree tents at Frakmuntegg

During the months of June, July and August, adventurous travellers can stay overnight in a Tree Tent.

Suitable for a maximum of 2 adults and 1 child, the tents are spanned between trees low to the ground (so getting in and out is easy).

The Tree Tent packages includes travel on the Panorama Gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg, admission to the Rope Park, BBQ buffet dinner, and breakfast.

Advance reservations are essential and can be made directly via the Mt. Pilatus website .

Tree Tents at Frakmuntegg on Mt. Pilatus

How long should you spend at Mt. Pilatus?

How long to spend at Mount Pilatus really does depend on what you want to do while in the area. Around 5 to 6 hours would be the minimum time to allow, including travel from Lucerne. 

If you want to hike or take part in adrenaline activities or winter sports, it’s advisable to depart as early as possible in the morning, and return on one of the last cable cars or trains of the day.

Booking your travel and activity tickets ahead of time is essential when on a tight schedule. 

If you do have enough time, planning an overnight stay will allow you to soak up those magnificent mountain views from the comfort of your hotel – without rushing around. 

Sunset over Mt. Pilatus

Mt. Pilatus weather

In general, Mt. Pilatus weather is mild in summer and snowy in winter – this is why many of the hiking trails close during the coldest months. 

Taking a look at a webcam in Pilatus allows you to get a sneak peek of what weather is in store for your visit. You can find a live stream of the current conditions via the Pilatus webcam on the official Mt. Pilatus website. 

If you visit when there is good weather in Pilatus, the views are incredible, and there is plenty for active types to do too. 

Day and night-time winter temperatures are usually below zero degrees Celcius. 

Summer highs in July and August can be about 12°C, and overnight temperatures tend to stay above zero degrees between May and October. 

Is Mt. Pilatus worth visiting?

When you visit Switzerland will Mt. Pilatus make it onto your itinerary? It’s certainly worth serious consideration, especially if you’ll be staying in the Lucerne area. 

In as little as five or six hours you could take a boat trip across the lake, a ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel train and a ‘dragon ride’ with spectacular views.

Whether you take a Mt. Pilatus Silver Round Trip or go for gold, there is plenty to do when you reach the summit.

Take a hike, a toboggan ride or go rope climbing, or you could enjoy some winter sports or thrilling adrenaline activities.  

The slogan of Mt. Pilatus is “2,132 opportunities above sea level” and there is certainly no shortage of things to see and do.  We highly recommend a visit.

If you’re wondering whether to visit Mount Titlis, Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Rigi, this post might help you decide.

Planning a trip to Switzerland? At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers. Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our 10 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland guide. 🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭

Visiting Mount Pilatus – FAQs

Is mt. pilatus worth it.

The Mount Pilatus elevation alone surely makes it worth your while – just think of those views. If you’re a keen hiker, winter sports fan or adrenaline enthusiast, you have even more reasons to visit. 

From the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland to dining at your hotel while you watch the sunset, Mount Pilatus is worthy of inclusion on any Swiss itinerary.

In fact, even just the scenic journey alone – via boat, cogwheel railway and cable car – makes a day or overnight trip totally worthwhile. 

What is the Mt. Pilatus Golden Round Trip?

The Golden Round Trip is really just a term used to describe an all-inclusive ticket that covers your return transport from Lucerne.

It includes travel by boat across Lake Lucerne, cogwheel train from Alpnachstad, the cable car ride to Kriens and the bus back to the city. Or vice versa.

Offering good value for money and saving you time into the bargain, it’s the most popular way to see Mount Pilatus from Lucerne.  > Buy your Golden Round Trip ticket here.

Ibex at Mt. Pilatus

How to get from Zurich to Mt. Pilatus

If you want to visit Mount Pilatus from Zurich rather than Lucerne, taking an organised day trip is the easiest way to make the most of your time. You can find the details of our recommended small group day tour > here .

Alternatively, you can take the train or drive from Zurich to Lucerne before following one of the routes outlined above.

Where do I get a good Mt. Pilatus map?

You’ll find a general map of Mt. Pilatus above and you can also view a Mount Pilatus map on the official Pilatus website here .

This Pilatus map shows winter and summer activities, the location of hotels and restaurants, transport stations and lookout points.

🇨🇭 If you don’t plan to stay on Mt. Pilatus and would prefer to base yourself in Lucerne, read our  Lucerne Hotels Guide  to find the perfect place to stay. You can also read more about Lucerne in our  Lucerne Travel Guide .

Switzerland Travel Essentials

Swiss Travel Pass

Private Transfers

Rail Packages

Self-Drive Packages

Accommodation

Sightseeing.

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Berner Oberland Pass

Group Tours

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pilatus with swiss travel pass

Carolyn Schönafinger

Carolyn Schönafinger is a frequent visitor to Switzerland, the country she fell in love with more than 30 years ago. She now visits Switzerland every year in her quest to explore every inch of the country. Carolyn is a certified Switzerland Travel Expert and she has achieved the Swiss Travel System Travel Expert diploma. She loves sharing her Switzerland travel expertise and helping others to plan their dream Swiss vacation on this website and the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast. Read more

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Swiss Travel Pass & Mount Rigi (All The Answers)

pilatus with swiss travel pass

Wondering if your Swiss Travel Pass covers everything on a trip to the top of Mount Rigi?

You are in luck!

The Swiss Travel Pass covers all transport from Lucerne to the top of Mount Rigi including:

  • Public boats from Lucerne to Vitznau, Weggis or Kusnacht
  • Cable cars or Cogwheel railway to the top of Mount Rigi
  • Any buses in the region are also covered

Routes To Rigi Kulm

Here are some of the best routes to the top of Mt Rigi, also known as Rigi Kulm:

Lucerne – Vitznau – Rigi Kulm

  • Catch a boat from the main piers opposite Lucerne Train Station to Vitznau and enjoy the stunning scenery on a Lake Lucerne Cruise .
  • Ride the historic and steep cogwheel railway from Vitznau to the top of Mount Rigi
  • Enjoy the 360 degree views from the top of Rigi

Lucerne – Weggis- Rigi Kulm

  • Catch a boat from Lucerne Pier to Weggis and enjoy the scenery on the way
  • Ride the faster gondola to Rigi Kaltbad and have some lunch or enjoy the spa there
  • Walk to the top of Rigi Kulm or continue with the cogwheel railway to the top

There are so many different ways to the top of Rigi from train and gondola to walks from the bottom or just part way up. You can also come up from the Kussnacht end of the mountain or from over the back at ArthGoldau, where there are more transport options.

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Silver round trip

An excursion by rail, cogwheel railway and aerial cableway.

The Silver round trip is as rich in variety as the Pilatus itself. From mid-May to mid-November discover the highlights of Lucerne’s local mountain by using the railway, the cogwheel railway, the aerial cableway and the Panorama Gondolas.

Buy tickets

Lucerne–Alpnachstad (by rail)–Pilatus

The «Silver round trip» is a highlight for rail enthusiasts. The central railway from the main railway station in Lucerne will whisk you along the shores of Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad in twenty minutes. There the steepest cogwheel railway in the world awaits to take you all the way up to the summit of the Pilatus. On the comfortable ascent you can already feast your eyes on the scenery. The panoramic view of the Alps from the Pilatus is one of a kind. Another highlight awaits you on the Pilatus – a panoramic view of the mountain range of the Alpine massif.

Pilatus–Kriens–Lucerne

Gliding along: From Kriens to the valley station with the aerial cableway «Dragon Ride» and the Panorama Gondolas. From there it’s a five-minute walk to Bus no. 1 for the main railway station in Lucerne.

2,132 opportunities above sea level

Indulge and dream, for extraordinary moments, mystery-dinner, dragon trail.

Daniela Dysli

Welcome to Switzerland Travel Centre! You are welcome to contact us by e-mail or by phone on +41 43 210 55 00 .

Pilatus with sunrise in winter

The steepest rack railroad in the world

  • Panorama gondola and aerial cableway from Kriens to Pilatus Kulm
  • Panoramic view of Central Switzerland lakes and 73 mountain peaks
  • Return journey on the world's steepest cogwheel railway to Alpnachstad

der berühmte Pilatus

Highlights & Services

  • Round trip from Kriens/Alpnachstad to Pilatus (2128m).
  • Accessible either from Kriens by cable car and Panorama Gondola or from Alpnachstad by the steepest cog railroad in the world (combination also possible)
  • Breathtaking view with panorama terrace and gallery
  • Restaurants and stores available
  • More information on this panoramic map
  • Available as  print@home ticket / eTicket  and immediate booking confirmation

What else can you do on Mount Pilatus?

  • Sledding and tobogganing - rapid descent for young and old alike
  • Snowshoeing in the middle of nature
  • Fondue in the gondola or on the summit

Pilatus sunset snow

  • Culinary experiences with a view
  • Thrill in the rope park
  • Gentle flight over the treetops with the Dragon Glider
  • Hiking on varied routes
  • Adventure playground at Krienseregg

Pilatus Dragonride

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pilatus with swiss travel pass

Mountain railways

IMAGES

  1. The Essentials of Travelling With A Swiss Travel Pass

    pilatus with swiss travel pass

  2. The Essentials of Travelling With A Swiss Travel Pass

    pilatus with swiss travel pass

  3. The Essentials of Travelling With A Swiss Travel Pass

    pilatus with swiss travel pass

  4. Pilatus Railway

    pilatus with swiss travel pass

  5. Everything You Need to Know About the Swiss Travel Pass

    pilatus with swiss travel pass

  6. Pilatus Golden Roundtrip

    pilatus with swiss travel pass

COMMENTS

  1. Pilatus Prices

    310.00. Family (with own children from 6 - 15.99 years) 620.00. Dogs***. 80.00. *** Only available in combination with an annual ticket for adults. The Annual Pass is available at the Pilatus-Bahnen ticket offices in Kriens and Alpnachstad and at the Pilatus Shop Lucerne. You can find more information here. Prices.

  2. Mount Pilatus & Swiss Travel Pass

    No, you get a 50% discount to travel up Mount Pilatus with the Swiss Travel Pass. This includes either the gondolas and cable cars from Kriens, or the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstadt. However, travel with the Swiss Pass from Lucerne to the base of Mount Pilatus is free. This includes the bus ride to Kriens, or a train or boat ride from ...

  3. Is Pilatus free with Swiss Travel Pass?

    30 May 2017 at 17:50:40 #864261. Yes, Mt. Pilatus is free with the Swiss Travel pass - click here to see all that is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass you can order for free the Swiss Family Card at the same time. This will cover your kids on all routes completely (even if you have to pay a partial amount).

  4. Pilatus route and tickets with Swiss Travel Pass

    If you have further questions about your travel plans, you can best post them in a new thread as this one's about Pilatus tickets with the Swiss Travel Pass. Thanks for your understanding :-)! Todd. Participant. 4 posts. 5 June 2022 at 22:15:29 #942813. Arno, Thanks for your response. And sorry about the thread mix-up.

  5. Mount Pilatus in Lucerne

    A Swiss Travel Pass holder can purchase tickets at nearly half the rate. And to top it off, children up under 16 years whose parents hold a Swiss Travel Pass travel Free! The discounted rates are valid on all the types of Swiss Travel Pass, i.e. 1st or 2nd class for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days continuous or flexi pass.

  6. Mount Pilatus near Lucerne: how to plan your visit

    Pilatus is a mountain near the city of Lucerne, with wide views over Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. You can reach the top by cable car from Kriens (all year) and by cogwheel train from Alpnachstad (from spring to fall). The rides are free with a Tell-Pass, and discounted with the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.

  7. Visiting Mount Pilatus, Switzerland: A Comprehensive Guide

    There's a 50% reduction in price for kids aged 6-16, and all kids in possession of the Junior Travelcard of Swiss Travel Pass can travel for free when they are accompanied by adults. Timetable. ... Restaurant Pilatus-Kulm is a Swiss restaurant in the Pilatus Kulm Hotel. It's one of the two restaurants at the summit, and it has much better ...

  8. Swiss Travel Pass guide for 2024 with prices, inclusions, map

    Likewise, if you need a pass for 23 days, you can buy a 15-day and an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass of CHF 459 and CHF 419 each. The cost per travel day is CHF 38.17. If you don't need to travel every single day, the 15-day Swiss Travel Pass Flex of CHF 479 allows you to travel for 15 days within one month.

  9. Lucerne to Mount Pilatus: How to Visit Independently

    The train to Pilatus, cable car, gondola down to Kriens are 50% off with the Swiss Pass, and the remaining transportation is fully covered. Without a Swiss Pass, the full round trip will cost 103 CHF (about $115) per person. The Swiss Pass is not cheap, but if you're planning to spend about a week in Switzerland, it's likely worth the money.

  10. Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip: boat cruise

    Visit Mt Pilatus near Lucerne on a full day excursion including riding on a boat, cogwheel train, and cable car. Optional mountain hike and alpine slide. ... 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 ...

  11. Mount Pilatus Cogwheel Train and Cable Car

    Evening summit rendezvous in summer (from Alpnachstad), Restaurant Krienseregg and Restaurant Chalet, Hotel Pilatus-Kulm: Specials: The world's steepest cog railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus (48 % gradient), spectacular passage "Eselwand". Reduced rate mountain rail ascent with the Swiss Travel Pass/GA travelcard.

  12. FAQ

    Holders of following travel passes also receive a discount*: Eurail (50%), Interrail (50%), Swiss Travel Pass (50%) and Tell Pass (free). ... Interrail (50%), Swiss Travel Pass (50%) and Tell Pass (free). *only applies to the lines Kriens/Alpnachstad - Pilatus Kulm - Kriens/Alpnachstad ... Furthermore it is forbidden to use the official, marked ...

  13. Golden round trip

    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 ...

  14. Pilatus Bergbahnen Preise

    Swiss Travel Pass / Swiss Travel Pass Flex Interrail / Eurail Ticket; Kriens / Alpnachstad - Pilatus Kulm - Kriens / Alpnachstad ... Kinder (6-15.99) / Halbtax Ticket; Luzern - Alpnachstad - Pilatus Kulm - Kriens - Luzern (inkl. Schiff 2. Klasse und Bus) 113.80: 56.90 : Luzern - Alpnachstad - Pilatus Kulm - Kriens - Luzern ...

  15. Guide to the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus Lucerne

    SAVE MONEY and enjoy unlimited travel in Switzerland by train bus, boat and public transport with the Swiss All-in-One Travel Pass. Travel all over Switzerland with a Swiss Rail pass, valid all over the country. Choose between a 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive day pass. Make your trip to Switzerland as easy as possible with a rail pass that gives ...

  16. Pilatus: The Crown Jewel of Central Switzerland

    Your Gateway to Pilatus Awaits: Swiss Travel Pass / Pilatus Ticket. To truly unlock the magic of Pilatus, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass, which grants you a 50% discount on your Pilatus adventure. Opt for a specialized Pilatus Ticket and embark on a journey filled with breathtaking views and legendary tales. This mountain offers an ...

  17. Travel Guide to Mt. Pilatus

    A complete travel guide for a year round excursion with stunning views of Lucerne and 73 alpine peaks. ... Holders of the Lake Lucerne Region's Tell-Pass are granted free access to Mt. Pilatus' summit using alpine transports like aerial cableways or cogwheel railways. Holders of the Swiss Travel Pass are granted a 50% discount.

  18. PILATUS

    Mount Pilatus - 2,132 opportunities above sea level: hiking, climbing, cycling, concerts, fine dining, stories... all waiting to be discovered by guests from Switzerland and abroad - and by you. Discover. Discover 2,132 opportunities on the Pilatus. You can find our diverse offerings with a glance at the interactive map. ...

  19. How to visit Mount Pilatus

    Swiss Travel Pass holder: CHF 39.00: BUY HERE: Tell Pass holder: Free travel: BUY HERE: Self-guided Golden Round trip from Lucerne: From CHF 113.80: ... Travel to and from Mt. Pilatus is not included in accommodation rates from Booking.com. Pilatus-Kulm Hotel 4* The other hotel on Pilatus is the Kulm Hotel. This Mount Pilatus hotel dates from ...

  20. Swiss Travel Pass

    The Swiss Travel Pass has been developed for guests from abroad. It is available to persons permanently resident outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. For online purchasing, purchase as a "guest". You do not need a login. To receive the Swiss Family Card directly, add the child as a passenger under 'Add passengers ...

  21. Swiss Travel Pass & Mount Rigi (All The Answers)

    The Swiss Travel Pass covers all transport from Lucerne to the top of Mount Rigi including: Public boats from Lucerne to Vitznau, Weggis or Kusnacht. Cable cars or Cogwheel railway to the top of Mount Rigi. Any buses in the region are also covered.

  22. Silver round trip

    The panoramic view of the Alps from the Pilatus is one of a kind. Another highlight awaits you on the Pilatus - a panoramic view of the mountain range of the Alpine massif. Pilatus-Kriens-Lucerne. Gliding along: From Kriens to the valley station with the aerial cableway «Dragon Ride» and the Panorama Gondolas. From there it's a five ...

  23. Pilatus

    Ride the world's steepest cogwheel railroad up Mount Pilatus and marvel at Lake Lucerne. Order your eTicket now! Contact. Welcome to Switzerland Travel Centre! You are welcome to contact us by e-mail or by phone on +41 43 210 55 00. +41 43 210 55 00 English Deutsch Français Italiano ...

  24. Explore Switzerland In 7 Days Using One Swiss Rail Pass

    The Swiss Rail Pass allows you travel on trains, ... Another mountain not to be missed is the Mountain of Dragons, more commonly known as Mount Pilatus. This majestic mountain range looks over the whole of Lucerne and is famous for its legends about dragons and the soul of Pontius Pilate (the man responsible for the trial of Jesus). ...