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Pilatus

Swiss Museum of Transport

Chapel Bridge

Lion Monument

Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne

Château Gütsch

Glacier Garden of Lucerne

Musegg Wall

Kornmarkt

Lucerne Jesuit Church

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Lucerne Water Tower

Nearby destinations

Zurich tours

Chur tours

Interlaken tours

Kilchberg tours

Grindelwald tours

Lauterbrunnen tours

Nearby sights

Lake Lucerne

EigerAttraction in Grindelwald, Switzerland

Lake BrienzAttraction in Interlaken, Switzerland

JungfraujochAttraction in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Rhine FallsAttraction in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland

Zürich AirportAttraction in Zurich, Switzerland

  • Top experiences
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Bus & minivan tours

Cable car tours

Sailing trips & boat tours

Hiking

Chocolate tours & workshops

Bike tours

Paragliding

Wine tasting & winery tours

City cards

Tuk tuk & pedicab tours

Explore more things to do in Lucerne

Nature & adventure

Snow & winter sports

Outdoor sports

Food & drinks

Extreme sports & adrenaline

Water sports

Explore more things to do in Lucerne

Things to do in Zurich

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Explore more things to do in Lucerne

From Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Gondola, Cable Car, and Boat Trip

Top rated
4.7098713 out of 5 stars
4.7
4.7098713 out of 5 stars
1165 reviews
From Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Gondola, Cable Car, and Boat Trip
Top rated
4.7098713 out of 5 stars
4.7
4.7098713 out of 5 stars
1165 reviews

Visit Lake Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus on a half-day trip which takes you on multiple modes of transportation. Take in the views from a boat, cogwheel railway, aerial cableway, and gondola.

About this ticket

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 4.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Skip the ticket line
Wheelchair accessible

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

D
Dajah – United States

Really awesome the cart coaster thing was so fun highly recommend. Beware of the steps at the very top of the mountain they are intense but the view is worth it. There was also a surprising amount of bugs at the very top but again well worth the trip

B
Brandi – United States

Great way to do the golden circle. Just do your research and make sure you check the timetable for the boat. It has the least amount departures. My teens had a blast doing the rope park and we loved the toboggan. We skipped the dragon ride because it was slow and seemed like it would be better for younger kids. We made a reservation for the cogwheel train, but since we opted to skip the restaurant and just grab snacks, we were ready to leave the summit an hour before our reservation. They wouldn’t allow us to go early but we were able to fit on the trains next departure so that was a waste of money. However when we arrived the train had a 50 minute wait, so I’d still make the reservation jic.

Select participants and date

Participants

Highlights

  • Enjoy a mountain experience at 2132 meters above sea level
  • Incredible view from Mount Pilatus over the Lake Lucerne and Swiss Alps
  • World's steepest cogwheel railway between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm
  • See the mountains and valleys from the panorama gondola and aerial cableway

Full description

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

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

After another 15 minutes travel by panorama gondola, you will reach the middle station Fräkmüntegg. At Fräkmüntegg you can test your agility by climbing in the rope park (own expenses) or try one of the local specialties in the self-service restaurant (own expenses). At Fräkmüntegg you will also change into the aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" and after an exhilarating 5-minute ride you will reach the top of Pilatus Kulm. Thanks to its spacious interior, cockpit-like design and large windows the Dragon Ride gives you the impression of being in a helicopter.

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

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

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

Includes

  • Public bus between Kriens and Lucerne
  • Panoramic gondola ride between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg
  • Aerial cableway between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm
  • Cogwheel railway between Pilatus Kulm and Alpnachstad
  • Lake cruise from Alpnachstad to Lucerne on Lake Lucerne
  • Tour guide
  • Seat reservation for the cogwheel train
  • Additional activities (rope park, toboggan run) and personal expenses

Meeting point

Start your trip at the Lucerne Train Station. Show your ticket on bus number 1 from Lucerne to the stop Kriens, Zentrum/Pilatus. Please check the timetable before your visit.

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Important information

Know before you go

  • Please check the timetable carefully, especially for the boat connections (there are 2 - 5 boat departures per day)
  • To avoid long waiting times for the cogwheel train between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa), we highly recommend to make a reservation under www.pilatus.ch/reservation
  • The trip can be taken in both directions for a roundtrip journey
  • This is an unguided activity
  • This trip operates in almost all weather conditions, but please dress appropriately
  • Children under the age of 6 participate for free

From $143 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 1165 reviews

Review summary

  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5

Customer photos

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D
Dajah – United StatesJune 15, 2025 – Verified booking
Really awesome the cart coaster thing was so fun highly recommend. Beware of the steps at the very top of the mountain they are intense but the view is worth it. There was also a surprising amount of bugs at the very top but again well worth the trip
B
Brandi – United StatesJune 14, 2025 – Verified booking
Great way to do the golden circle. Just do your research and make sure you check the timetable for the boat. It has the least amount departures. My teens had a blast doing the rope park and we loved the toboggan. We skipped the dragon ride because it was slow and seemed like it would be better for younger kids. We made a reservation for the cogwheel train, but since we opted to skip the restaurant and just grab snacks, we were ready to leave the summit an hour before our reservation. They wouldn’t allow us to go early but we were able to fit on the trains next departure so that was a waste of money. However when we arrived the train had a 50 minute wait, so I’d still make the reservation jic.
S
Shaden – OmanJune 6, 2025 – Verified booking
Amazing trip and easy to be followed once you understand the round trip, thank you Only the bus stop was a little bit in different location where you have to cross the street to reach there

Product ID: 94602

Activity provider:PILATUS-BAHNEN AG
  • Switzerland
  • Canton Lucerne
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  • 4Château Gütsch
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  • 7Voralpen-Express
  • 8Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne
  • 9Lucerne Railway Station
  • 10Musegg Wall
  • 11Lucerne Water Tower
  • 12Lucerne Jesuit Church
  • 13Spreuer Bridge
  • 14Franciscan Church, Lucerne
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