With its stunning natural beauty and range of activities, Mount Pilatus is sure to be a highlight of your Swiss adventure. Read below for helpful information regarding day trips to Mount Pilatus.
On a clear day, the mountain offers a panoramic view of 73 alpine peaks. At the top, venture on the mountain trails or stop for a bite to eat at one of the 5 restaurants, both offering delicious cuisine and 360 views over Switzerland. We recommend that you plan at least half a day to experience the journey and have time to soak in everything at the top.
For your day trip, you should also have an additional voucher to present along with your Swiss Pass, which you will need to exchange for your tickets at the ticket desk prior to the journey. Your Swiss Pass will cover any journeys up to the actual mountain excursion, please reference the suggested timetable on your travel vouchers. Please note that there should be a voucher for each traveler for this excursion, and it is only valid on the date shown on the voucher.
Please ensure that you bring your passport, Swiss Pass (if purchased with your package), and your Mount Pilatus voucher, which was sent separately with the rest of your rail tickets. Ensure you keep your tickets throughout the day as you’ll need to show them before each leg of the journey. With your ticket you can travel flexibly at any time of day, please refer to your travel documents for suggested times.
There are two routes depending on the time of year. Please refer to your travel documents for either “Day Trip to Mount Pilatus via Cog Wheel Train” or “Day Trip to Mount Pilatus via Panoramic Gondola”. Regardless of the route, you’re in for a spectacular journey!
Operates May 26th - November 20th, apart from October 24th - November 4th
If you did not purchase a Swiss Pass with your package, you’ll need to purchase the ferry ticket at the pier from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, and the bus ticket at Kriens Zentrum to return to Lucerne.
Just behind the train station, you’ll find Pier #2, where you will start your journey with a cruise along Lake Lucerne. Enjoy crisp blue waters and mountainous views as the boat pulls up to Alpnachstad. Here, you’ll need to exchange your Mount Pilatus ticket at the ticket office before boarding the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. Hop aboard and climb the path to Pilatus Kulm, past blooming alpine meadows, and striking rock formations.
When you’re ready to head back down to Lucerne, make your way to the “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway station. With panoramic windows, you’ll descend a different route than you came, and feel like you are flying in the sky! The cableway brings you to Frakmuntegg, where you’ll disembark and then board the panorama gondola to Kriens Pilatusbahn. Follow the signposts and make your way to Kriens Zentrum, just a five-minute walk, to take bus #1 back to Lucerne station.
Operates all year apart from January 10th - February 18th and October 24th - November 4th
If you did not purchase a Swiss Pass with your package, you’ll need to purchase the bus tickets at the Lucerne station for the ride to Kriens Zentrum, and at Kriens Zentrum to return to Lucerne.
Start your journey by taking bus #1 at Lucerne station to Kriens Zentrum. Once there, it’s only a five-minute walk to the next leg of your adventure, following the signposts for Pilatus to Kriens Pilatusbahn. Here, you’ll board your panoramic gondola where you’ll take in sweeping views of the mountains and lakes during the 30-minute ride to Frakmuntegg. Change for the “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway and arrive at the top of Mount Pilatus!
When you’re ready to head back down to Lucerne, you’ll take the same route back down the mountain via aerial cableway and gondola to Kriens. Follow the signposts to Kriens Zentrum to catch bus #1 back to Lucerne station.
A visit to Mount Pilatus is the perfect day trip from Lucerne and an amazing mountain adventure. You can either take the world’s steepest cog railway (a 48% grade in one section) from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm in the summer or board a panorama gondola in Lucerne partway up the mountain before boarding the aerial cableway to the summit.
