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Pilatus

Pilatus: Our most recommended tours and activities

Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

1. Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

Embark on a day trip from Lucerne and ascend Mount Pilatus by cable car. Go on a hike and kick pack on the panorama terrace, descended the mountain by cogwheel railway, and complete your experience with a return journey by boat. Depart Lucerne and relax aboard a comfortable coach on the drive to Kriens. Then, climb aboard the panoramic gondolas and journey to Fräkmüntegg to board the aerial Dragon Ride cable car up the mountain. Get magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks from the panoramic windows. Arrive at the top of Mt. Pilatus, 2,132 meters above sea level and feel like a bird as you survey your surroundings. Hike to the summit or venture down the Dragon Trail where dragons with healing powers were thought to live in the Middle Ages. Relax on the panoramic terrace and take in the magnificent vistas of the mountains and lakes. Eat at one of the restaurants to enjoy lunch on top of the world. Get ready for the ride of a lifetime as you descend the mountain on the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Arrive in Alpnachstad to embark on a one-hour cruise back to Lucerne on the beautiful "Lake of the 4 Cantons" (only during summer).

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

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

See the Lake Lucerne area from the clear, blue waters of the lake and from the famous mountains above. Cruise the lake, ride along the world’s oldest cogwheel railway, an aerial cableway, and a gondola at your own pace.  Start your roundtrip excursion on the number 1 bus in Lucerne in the direction of Kriens/Obernau. Get off at the Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus stop and reach the gondola station in Kriens after a short walk. Enjoy a 15-minute ride to the Krienseregg station. Get back on the gondola and hop off at Fräkmüntegg. Board the aerial cableway, the Dragon Ride, and reach the top of Pilatus Kulmafter after an exhilarating 5-minute ride. With its spacious interior, cockpit-like design, and large windows the Dragon Ride feels just like a helicopter. From the top you can enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. Take your time and decide if you want to stay inside the panoramic gallery, relax on the terrace, climb one of the peaks, or enjoy a local specialty in one of the nearby restaurants. The world's steepest cogwheel railway, built in 1889, will bring you from Pilatus Kulm past jagged rock faces, sparkling mountain streams, and lush fields of alpine flowers down to Alpnachstad. From there, take a breathtaking one-hour boat trip on Lake Lucerne and arrive where you started.

Lucerne: Round-Trip Catamaran Cruise on Lake Lucerne

3. Lucerne: Round-Trip Catamaran Cruise on Lake Lucerne

Treat yourself to a scenic catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne. Explore the Alpine landscape and admire sweeping views of untouched nature. Be camera-ready as you pass iconic landmarks and green-covered mountains like Rigi and Bürgenstock. Hop on board a modern hybrid-powered catamaran and depart from the city center to a natural oasis of rugged mountains and vibrant greenery. See Lucerne Bay’s famous landmarks and the awe-inspiring Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and Mount Bürgenstock. Stretch out, capture unique landscape photos, and grab a drink or snack from the vending machine on board. As you make your way round-trip back to the city, soak in the tranquility of the water and the grandeur of the mountains.

From Zurich: Lucerne & Mount Pilatus Day Tour

4. From Zurich: Lucerne & Mount Pilatus Day Tour

Discover the beauty of Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus on a day trip from Zurich. Reach the summit via bus, cable car, boat, and cogwheel train. For the return journey, hop on a boat cruise across Lake Lucerne. Leave from Zurich Main Station in the morning and enjoy the bus ride through the countryside along the Lake of the Four Cantons to Lucerne. Make a stop at the Lion Monument of Lake Lucerne (traffic permitting).  Continue to Kriens and take a panoramic gondola and cable car to the summit of Mount Pilatus (2128 m above sea level). Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Swiss Alpine landscape and the surrounding lakes. Then, ride on one of the steepest funiculars down to Alpnachstad. Afterward, relax on a tranquil boat trip across Lake Lucerne back to Lucerne. From there, get on a bus to Zurich.

Kriens: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Cable Car Ticket to the Peak

5. Kriens: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Cable Car Ticket to the Peak

Visit Lucerne's landmark mountain, Mount Pilatus, with a round-trip cable car ticket. Experience breathtaking views of Fräkmüntegg as you travel up to 2132 meters above sea level. Look out over Lake Lucerne and the Swiss mountains before finding a restaurant at Pilatus Kulm. Start your trip at Kriens valley station and enjoy the 30-minute ride from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg, where you can raise your adrenaline during the visit of the biggest rope park of Central Switzerland. In the winter, try sledding routes and snowshoe trails going from the station Fräkmüntegg down to Krienseregg. At Fräkmüntegg change into the aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" and arrive at Pilatus Kulm, 2132 meters above sea level. Enjoy panoramic views of the Swiss mountains and Lake Lucerne. Walk in the Swiss mountains or on the Dragon Path, named after legends of the mythical creature in the area. You can try some Swiss specialties in any of the restaurants in Krienseregg, Fräkmüntegg, or Pilatus Kulm. Even Queen Victoria stayed at the Pilatus mountain and one of the restaurants at Pilatus Kulm is named after her.

From Lucerne: Self-Guided Round-Trip Train to Mount Pilatus

6. From Lucerne: Self-Guided Round-Trip Train to Mount Pilatus

Board the bus at Lucerne train station for the 15-minute ride to Kriens, where you will collect your tickets for the rest of the day. Make your way to the panoramic gondola for an amazing ride up the mountain to Krienseregg. Continue to Fräkmüntegg to take the thrilling Dragon Ride cable car to the summit of Mount Pilatus. Marvel at the views from 2,000 meters above sea level and gaze over the glacial lake and snow-capped mountains. Use your free time to grab a bite to eat or walk around the beautiful area. Then, board the world's steepest cogwheel railway and ride down to Alpnachstad. Pass lush meadows of Alpine flowers, sparkling mountain streams, and fascinating rock formations. Arrive at the valley station to take the train back to Lucerne. You may also enjoy this trip reversing the order of events.

Alpnachstad: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Train Ticket

7. Alpnachstad: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Train Ticket

Customize your Mount Pilatus visit by taking the train up from Alpnachstad and enjoying free time at the summit. Take advantage of your roundtrip tickets to arrive as early as you wish, explore the area and its views at your own pace, and ride the train down when you're ready. Start your trip at Alpnachstad Station and sit back on your 30-minute ride aboard the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Travel to the top of the beautiful Mount Pilatus and take in stunning panoramic views over the Swiss mountains and Lake Lucerne. Choose to embark on a short trek to one of the three surrounding peaks: Esel, Oberhaupt, and Tomlishorn, or simply wander around and admire the view. Snap amazing photos from the summit and board the return train when you're done exploring. If you're feeling hungry, take some time to taste a delicious meal at one of the restaurants in the area.

Mt. Pilatus: Private Tour with Lake Cruise from Lucerne

8. Mt. Pilatus: Private Tour with Lake Cruise from Lucerne

73 Alpine peaks and countless lakes ensure a unique and unforgettable all-round view at Mt. Pilatus which is located outside Luzern. The typical Golden Round Trip (Jun-Oct) offers a wonderful excursion: first by lake boat on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. From there by the world's steepest cogwheel train to Mt. Pilatus. On the return travel by panoramic aerial cableway via Kriens and by local bus back to Luzern. Families and adventure seekers are also very welcome on the Pilatus. Central Switzerland's largest rope park is on the Fräkmüntegg. Numerous attractions await you on Mount Pilatus. Or enjoy the time on the large viewing terrace. Cogwheel railway and the scheduled lake board are closed from Nov-May. During this time you reach Mt. Pilatus by cableway and you'll take a one-hour scenic lake cruise in Luzern instead.

Lucerne: Classic City Walking Tour

9. Lucerne: Classic City Walking Tour

Your local guide will welcome you at the reception of your hotel in Lucerne before briefing you on the route on a city map and providing all the information you need about your tour. You will then depart to the Bourbaki Museum, where your guide will provide you with historical information about it. Following this, you will continue to the Lion Monument, which represents a dying lion and commemorates the fallen Swiss mercenaries who died in the storm of the Royal Palace in the turmoil of the French Revolution. A walk of about 10 minutes will take you to the hill of the Musegg Wall, the still preserved part of the outer city fortification of medieval Lucerne. You will visit the "Schirmerturm" and the "Zeitturm" with its clockwork from the late Middle Ages. You will learn interesting facts about Swiss history, the wars of liberation, the territorial expansion policy and the armed neutrality that still applies today. After encountering the city center, you will have the chance to visit the wine market which hosts the city's oldest fountain. You’ll drink pure Pilatus spring water and learn from your city guide why the old town well flows the best water in the city of Lucerne. Afterwards, continue through the legendary Furrengasse to Peterskapelle, the first church in the city of Lucerne, which dates back to the founding of the city in the 12th century. You will stroll across the world-famous Chapel Bridge to the other river side of the historic center. Afterwards, visit the Jesuit Church and visit this first baroque church in Switzerland from the inside (except during church services). Just a few steps further on you will reach the cantonal government building, the former Ritter's Palace and the city's most imposing Renaissance palazzos. During your visit, you will see the courtyard with the loggias and marvel at the beautiful stone carvings of the unfortunate stonemason "Hans von Trient". You can then enjoy the presentation of the seven paintings which show the Dance of Death (Danse Macabre). This famous Renaissance art work was created around 1610 by Jakob von Wyl.

Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip Small Group Tour from Luzern

10. Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip Small Group Tour from Luzern

Travel from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus on a view-laden circuit that includes a lake cruise, cogwheel train, and an aerial cableway. Let your guide show you the changing landscape and answer your questions about the country and its people. Head to the massive multi-peaked Mount Pilatus which looms over Lucerne. Take a lake boat from Lucerne across to Alpnachstad. Next, hop aboard the Pilatus Railway, the world's steepest cogwheel railway which is in operation from May to November. Go back down on the aerial cableways from Kriens which operate all year round. Snap pictures of the panoramic views from the cableways. Return to Lucerne by bus.

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What people are saying about Pilatus

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,620 reviews

Robert was our guide for this tour. He was friendly and took good care of us. Ensuring we know what to do and where to go. Spectacular views from the top. The coach was comfortable and clean. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who is looking to visit Mount Pilatus.

The experience was incredible. Best self guided tour ever. I highly recommend this trip. All transport was arranged and we had the liberty to choose our own times to travel at our own pace. Give it a try.

It was very foggy with slight drizzle so visibility was limited. But still a beautiful view of what is visible. Climbing to the top of the mountain was exhilarating, (very windy also)

Instructions were clear to get our tickets for the round trip to Mt. Pilatus.

Highly recommend Mt Pilatus. Cristina was amazing! So kind and knowledgeable.