Tours/Lucerne/Mt Pilatus from Lucerne Including Boat Trip, Gondola, Cogwheel
Viator

Mt Pilatus from Lucerne Including Boat Trip, Gondola, Cogwheel

4.5(249)Lucerne1 hour
VIATOR4.5(151)TRIPADVISOR4.5(98)

Description

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

Tour Options

Mt Pilatus from Lucerne Including Boat Trip, Gondola, Cogwheel

Itinerary

Admission included

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

Admission included

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

Admission included

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

Highlights

Panorama gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg (or vice versa)
Aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa)
Public bus between Lucerne main station and Kriens (or vice versa)
Lake cruise (2nd class) between Alpnachstad and Lucerne (or vice versa) on Lake Lucerne
Steepest cogwheel railway in the world between Pilatus Kulm and Alpnachstad (or vice versa)

What's included

Included
Panorama gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg (or vice versa)
Aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa)
Public bus between Lucerne main station and Kriens (or vice versa)
Lake cruise (2nd class) between Alpnachstad and Lucerne (or vice versa) on Lake Lucerne
Steepest cogwheel railway in the world between Pilatus Kulm and Alpnachstad (or vice versa)
Not included
Food and drinks
Tour guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional activities (rope park, Dragon Glider, toboggan run, etc.)
Other personal expenses
Seat reservation for the cogwheel train

Traveller Ratings

4.5
249 reviews
5
176
4
51
3
9
2
1
1
12

Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Check the timetable carefully, especially for the boat cruise (2-5 departures per day)
  • This is an unguided individual tour
  • Operates in almost all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Cableways are not in operation in case of storm
  • Starting direction 1: Take the cruise ship at the railway station in Lucerne (Quai 2 in front of the train station)
  • Starting direction 2: Take bus number 1 at the railway station in Lucerne to Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus
  • Round trip can be taken in both directions
  • Prior reservation mandatory for wheelchairs
  • Strollers must be folded during transport
  • To avoid long waiting times for the cogwheel train between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa), we highly recommend to make a reservation under www.pilatus.ch/reservation

Reviews(249)

M
MJDM72
July 1, 2026
Convenient option

Overall value add is a single ticket avoids buying tickets at multiple places. However, being self guided, more detailed instructions would have been helpful.

J
Jonathan_E
July 1, 2026
Lovely day, but poor information from Viatour.

You'll need a reservation on the railway during the busy season; we had a two-hour wait in Alpenstadt for the next available train. There is about a 15-minute walk from the base of the gondola to the #1 bus to take you back to Lucerne bahnhoff. Thr bus fare is not included in the ticket. To get down the mountain you will need to change from the cable car (upper mountain) to the gondola (lower mountain). The boat leaves from pier 2, across from the bahnhoff, and leaves most hours on the 38.

N
Nina H
June 30, 2026
Perfect for solo travelers!

Incredible day trip! Transfers to the respective activities are just a few minutes apart. Tickets work flawlessly. I would do it again anytime

U
Urmi_D
June 26, 2026
Best trip ever…. What an...

Best trip ever…. What an amazing experience!!! Loved it. The cold weather was a great relief from the heat in the valley.

W
Wendy_S
June 17, 2026
The experience was...

The experience was terrific but the directions were poor and very difficult to find the location to the gondola. No real directions. Long walk up a hill with few signs to the ride.

H
Holly_B
June 17, 2026
Overall great experience....

Overall great experience. There’s some uphill walking to the gondola. And the signage is not the best. But the views are wonderful. Best to get started early in the day. I bit tricky getting to first leg

S
Shawna_R
June 5, 2026
Amazing self guided tour of Mt. Pilatus

Once we figured out the bus transportation, this was a wonderful way to spend the day and see the beautiful views from Mt. Pilatus.

R
Robert_M
June 5, 2026
My Pilatus

Beautiful scenery! Weather can change quickly! Bring light jacket and/or umbrella to be on the safe side.

A
AntjeC_13
June 4, 2026
Wonderful experience!

A wonderful experience! We were lucky with the weather because the rain held off until the evening hours for the most part. Views up on the mountain were incredible! The only frustration was not knowing the times/location for the boat and the added reservation fee for the cogwheel.

1 people found this helpful
K
Karen_J
June 2, 2026
What a Day!

We did this tour on our own with no problems. We had to book our own train to get there and back. Getting off the train to begin catch Bus 1 going to Kierns across the street from Lucerne Railroad Station. When off that bus you see signs directing you to Pilatus Gondolas, a nice 1/4 mile walk. It’s worth what you will see. Everything else you will do is just a few steps away. Had a wonderful time.

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