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Mt Pilatus Roundtrip Ticket
4.6
210 Ratings
Alpnach
Embark on a thrilling cable car adventure to Mt. Pilatus from Kriens. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps from 7,000 feet above sea level.
Embark on a thrilling cable car adventure to Mt. Pilatus from Kriens. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps from 7,000 feet above sea level.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Pilatus Railway - Begin your journey in Alpnachstad and experience the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to Pilatus Kulm, passing through beautiful alpine meadows and impressive rock formations.
- Pilatus-Bahnen AG - Start your adventure at Kriens valley station and enjoy a 30-minute ride on the panoramic gondola from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg….
- Pilatus Railway - Begin your journey in Alpnachstad and experience the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to Pilatus Kulm, passing through beautiful alpine meadows and impressive rock formations.
- Pilatus-Bahnen AG - Start your adventure at Kriens valley station and enjoy a 30-minute ride on the panoramic gondola from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg. Here, you can explore Central Switzerland’s largest rope park, suitable for visitors aged 4 and up. At Fräkmüntegg, transfer to the “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway and reach the summit of Pilatus Kulm, standing at 2132 meters above sea level, in just 5 minutes.
- Pilatus Luzern - Whether you begin at Alpnachstad or Kriens valley station, you’ll arrive at the summit of Pilatus Kulm, 2132 meters above sea level. At the top of Lucerne’s iconic mountain, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Swiss mountains and Lake Lucerne. You can also hike to one of the three peaks at Pilatus Kulm (Esel, Oberhaupt, or Tomlishorn) or stroll along the Dragon Path. At Krienseregg, Fräkmüntegg, and Pilatus Kulm, savor local specialties at one of the restaurants before making your return journey.
What's Included
- Panorama gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg
- Aerial cableway ‘Dragon Ride’ between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm
- Steepest cogwheel railway in the world between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm
- Panorama gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg
- Aerial cableway ‘Dragon Ride’ between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm
- Steepest cogwheel railway in the world between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm
What's Not Included
- Tour Guide
- Seat reservation for the cogwheel train
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Meals and snacks in restaurants
- Additional activities (rope park, toboggan run)
- Parking fee at the valley station Alpnachstad and Kriens
- Tour Guide
- Seat reservation for the cogwheel train
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Meals and snacks in restaurants
- Additional activities (rope park, toboggan run)
- Parking fee at the valley station Alpnachstad and Kriens
Additional Information
Visiting Lucerne’s iconic Mt. Pilatus is a must when you’re in the Lake Lucerne area. Begin your journey at either Alpnachstad or Kriens valley station and relish a 30-minute ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway (from Alpnachstad) or the panorama gondola and aerial cableway “Dragon Ride” (from Kriens). At the summit of Lucerne’s famous…
Visiting Lucerne’s iconic Mt. Pilatus is a must when you’re in the Lake Lucerne area. Begin your journey at either Alpnachstad or Kriens valley station and relish a 30-minute ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway (from Alpnachstad) or the panorama gondola and aerial cableway “Dragon Ride” (from Kriens). At the summit of Lucerne’s famous mountain, take in the stunning panoramic views of the Swiss mountains, Lake Lucerne, and the city of Lucerne from the expansive outdoor terrace or the cozy indoor panorama gallery. In just a few minutes, you can also reach one of the three peaks at Pilatus Kulm (Esel, Oberhaupt, or Tomlishorn) and enjoy a walk in the Swiss mountains or along the Dragon Path. Pilatus is also known as Dragon Mountain due to legends of a dragon residing there—discover these myths in the Dragon World at Pilatus Kulm. This is a self-guided tour with no designated meeting point.
- Check the timetable carefully
- Don’t miss the last transportation down to the valley
- This is an unguided individual tour
- Operates in almost all weather conditions; please dress appropriately
- Cableways are not in operation in case of storm
- 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 for the cogwheel railway
Location
Pilatus Railway
Brünigstrasse
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(210 Ratings)
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163ronaldl
Sep 19, 2025
A great way to spend a few hours exploring Pilatus. - We boarded the funicular at Alpnachstad to go to the top of Mt Pilatus. Supposedly this funicular has the steepest climbing angle of all funiculars. Not sure how long it took, but we arrived at the top at 1100. Stayed there until 1230. Lots of things you can do besides shopping and eating as you can climb to several different lookout points. When you are done at the top you get into a multi-person cable car which drops you down to an activity area where you can do all kinds of cable-related things or ride a luge. Then you board a 4-person cable car for the trip down to Kriens.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chithracb
Aug 15, 2025
A lifetime experience - From Lucerne we took a train to Alpanaschtad station. We had booked timed tkts to go to the summit by cogwheel train. One shall avoid the crowd if you buy timed tkts. This train service s throughout the yr. Thrilling experience to reach the summit. Never miss it. You can either tk this for one way and choose the Gondola for the retn to hv both the experiences. We scaled 3 peaks. A restaurant to your need. Price quite reasonable. Enjoy the nature from all points. Capture great clicks. A must do activity. We retd by a Gondola.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linatoday
Aug 4, 2025
Must do it once in your life - Got the golden round trip with boat Cogwheel cable cart bonde bus from Lucerne -> Alpnachstad -> Pilatus -> Kriens -> Lucerne. $250 for 2 adult. Took boat 9:38 am, had lunch at the hotel $100 and got back Lucerne 7 pm. Lot of walking up step stairs total 25 flight for views from top. You don’t have to walk up the different hills and you can stay in the observatory. There are fast food buffet restaurant and coffee shop with ice Cream cakes a gift shop. You can paraglide download the mountain depending on weather.
You can hike up the mountain from alpnachstad 3 hours. We didn’t have time but on way back down via cable cart there is a middle area with rope Course and other activities. And other option is night star gaze, 3 course dinner, and night at hotel up the mountain starting at $810 for 2 or just dinner at night for $310 for 2. Last cable cart for general public down mountain is 5:30 pm. So if you miss it you will have to stay at the hotel or you can stay for dinner as mentioned above.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michellecw323bo
Jun 28, 2025
Fun day out with views and five forms of transport - We booked our tickets two days in advance with discounts using Swiss Travel Pass. The only piece that needs a timed booking is the cogwheel train. It was very busy when we were there (on a Friday) and many people who tried to book on the spot were having to wait quite a while (one family who arrived with us had missed their reservation and just gave up). We took the train from Luzern to Alpnachstad (16 mins), then the cogtrain (30 mins) to the top. Be sure to allow for time to experience the clouds shifting and the views changing! We did the two walks available at the summit (they are obvious when you are there). The indoor cafe sells cake and coffee, reasonably priced. The outdoor grill sells Swiss fast food involving sausages :) . We then took the gondola to Frankmutskriens (the half-way station - I am getting the name wrong) where we watched a lot of teenagers enjoying the rope walks, before getting on the cable car to the bottom. Be ready to scan your ticket a lot of times! The Apple wallet was a god-send. At the end, we took the number 1 bus back to Luzern (turn right out of the cable car station and walk down hill following signs). A very fun day out. The planning feels intimidating because the website isn’t intuitive, but worth figuring it out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nadiab888
Jun 2, 2025
Worth a visit! - Visor of Mount Pilatus by cable car (Train closed for maintenance when we were there). At the top stunning views of the lake and mountains with some snow, superb scenery in good weather. We recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diana_j
Jan 18, 2025
Bad weather good Viator - We didn’t go on the cable car because of bad weather. However maybe I should change the rating. In regard to the service from Viator that was excellent. We were notified the day before so we had time to plan something else. They also were quick about refunding our money. I would use Viator for my next trip.
Review provided by Viator
Edufettermann
Jan 3, 2025
Unforgettable - Certainly one of the most beautiful places in Europe. We've got a line above usual because it's the penultimate day of the year. Even so, everything worked perfectly. The service is great in all spaces, the information is clear and the staff are friendly and speak various languages - especially German, English and French. A very rich experience, with a spectacular view and great photo spots.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Recensistnr100
May 28, 2025
Beautiful experience - From Alpenachstadt the Pilatusbahn taken. Parking is possible at the station and costs 5 CHF, a ticket without a seat reservation 80 CHF per person return. Seat reservation is unnecessary and costs 10 CHF extra.
We got a 10% discount with our guest card from the campsite in Sempach where we stayed.
Expensive but it's Switzerland... everything here is twice as expensive so if you're not willing to go, don't go.
The ride by train is beautiful but if you regularly go on winter sports you are spoiled in terms of views of course.
Upstairs it was freezing and windy, bring a good coat!
But very beautiful rocks and views of the lake. Unfortunately, the sun wasn't shining.
We were there at the end of May and it was not very busy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trip62258893926
Jun 25, 2025
Treated like cattle! The railway trip itself was spectacular but, once at the top, we were herded like cattle! - Kept standing in line with 27 degree heat for over 20 minutes whilst waiting for the return train, with no information about the service. Those with back problems or those who can’t stand for too long should be aware. Not very customer friendly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tourist43133650798
May 30, 2025
Remember to come early and take the ticket online! - Be careful to come early if you are several, and look in mind that a long line for the cable car is possible. We arrived as a family at 10am, there was a huge queue (2h maybe). Without a ticket, you have to wait in line to get tickets, then re-queue the main. Remember to take online! Once arrived to pick up the tickets the lady was aggressive, telling us that we should not be surprised to have to queue and that being 7 had to think about coming earlier (8am) and that it was no longer possible to take the boat/golden ticket because too many people. I asked her if it was possible to be more polite then she answered us better. Remember to arrive early if possible!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
