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Mt Pilatus Self-Guided Round Trip from Lucerne
4.4
35 Ratings
Kriens
Experience Mt. Pilatus: Scenic train, world's steepest cogwheel railway, and Dragon Ride cableway. Marvel at Lake Lucerne and Swiss Alps views.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Pilatus Luzern - 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 take the public train back to Lucerne (20 min). The trip can also be done in the opposite direction, starting by train from Lucerne. In any case, check the timetable before your visit.
What's Included
- Public train between Luzern and Alpnachstad (2nd class)
- Aerial cableway ‘Dragon Ride’ between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm
- Panorama Gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg
- Public bus between Kriens and Lucerne main station
- Steepest cogwheel railway in the world between Pilatus Kulm and Alpnachstad
What's 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
Additional Information
Visit Mt. Pilatus on a half-day tour featuring a scenic train ride, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, the aerial cableway “Dragon Ride,” and a panorama gondola. Experience the mountain at 2132 meters above sea level. Marvel at the breathtaking views from Mount Pilatus over Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. Enjoy a picturesque train journey between Lucerne and Alpnachstad. Ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm. Take in the stunning mountain and valley vistas from the panorama gondola and the “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway between Kriens and Pilatus Kulm.
- Check the timetable carefully
- Round trip can be done in both directions
- Operates in almost all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Cableways are not in operation in the case of storms
- A maximum of 9 people per booking
- Prior reservation mandatory for wheelchairs
- Strollers must be folded during transport
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- To avoid long waiting times for the cogwheel train between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa), we highly recommend to make a cogwheel train reservation
Location
Pilatus Luzern
Schlossweg 1
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.4
(35 Ratings)
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Se840
Sep 28, 2023
Wonderful experience - Wonderful experience even though our view was obscured by clouds. Hiking through tunnels in the mountain was fun, unfortunately we have inclement weather so I must return to the mountain another time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cathy_r
Jun 21, 2023
Family of 10 - great experience! - Enjoyed the different modes of transportation. Just need a little more specific direction regarding the return bus stop 1 in Kreins.
Review provided by Viator
Sandeepbala
Mar 4, 2023
Mt pilatus a must visit if you're in lucerne! - This was the first thing we did once we landed in luceren. Recommended to us by our hotel host, since we had some time before our check-in.
You take the bus number 1 from the city center and get off at Mt Pilatus stop and then take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain..it costs about 53 euros with a discount voucher if you're staying in a hotel in lucerne.
You can then go all the way to the top and spend some time... We had a lovely experience and got some great views since the sun was out as well.
For our first time experience of snow, it was incredible!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nina_f
Oct 23, 2022
Unforgettable - Friendly, helpful staff plus beautiful weather made for an unforgettable experience. Would recommend this trip to anyone visiting Lucerne!
Review provided by Viator
Gooseylucyloo
Oct 5, 2020
Superb and breath-taking experience - Absolutely stunning scenery and fantastic way to check out Mt Pilatus with a family. The cable car was exciting and view up at the top was breathtaking. We were lucky enough to have some snow, although the train was unfortunately closed on the way down :(
Still, we could not fault this experience as the day was sunny and wind-free!
Directions were easy to follow and reviews helped us to make the decision and find the bus stop.
The company we booked with also returned a portion of the tickets, given the train was closed! How amazing is that!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherine
Nov 13, 2019
A Day in the Alps - This was a wonderful experience. The cog railway was the best way to get up to the top of Mt Pilatus. Once at the top there are plenty of things to do. Hiking, enjoying the scenery, along with a park where you can zip line, climb ropes, etc. One of the most fun things to do was the toboggan. There is an extra fee for this but it is reasonable. The best part is you don't have to walk back up!! Food at the top was good and there is plenty of seating to enjoy your meal. Two gift shops provide lots of opportunity to shop for gifts. We also got to listen to a group of alphorn players. Overall great day and the trip down was fun Try to go up on a sunny day, if you go up with clouds you won't be able to see much. There was some confusion about taking the train up to the Cog Railway it states that you must exchange your voucher for tickets...do this once you get off the train. We ended up paying for the train ride twice. Your ticket includes the train ride even though it is not clear.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M8844qrchrish
Sep 5, 2022
Self-Guided your best option, but buy tickets from actual Pilatus website. - Self-Guided tour was wonderful with no pressure from a tour group or feeling rushed! Receiving the actual tickets to Mt Pilatus was chaotic, disorganized & a lot of wasted time waiting in line. It is recommended to purchase tickets via Mt. Pilatus Website where tickets will be electronic with a QR code. Having a QR code, will avoid the long, chaotic line of receiving hard paper tickets and can “jump” ahead of those who have to wait in line for tickets. If going on a beautiful sunny day, get to Mt. Pilates at opening (8:30 am) to avoid the massive lines and people who will show up around 10:00 am! Arriving early, will prevent waiting in long lines for hard paper tickets and get up the mountain before the 10 am rush. Would absolutely do the self-guided tour again, but hindsight being 20/20, would purchase online tickets ahead of time from the website.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pabloo964
Nov 10, 2019
Poorly timed and description is misleading. - The description of this tour is not what you experience. You spend only 25 minutes at Interlaken which doesn’t allow you to see anything. Then you are dropped off at Kleine Scheidegg for over three hours. It was very cold and snowing. The tiny town had only one restaurant and a very small gif shop open. Nothing else to do. The tour is organized with two other group types being dropped off at multiple locations. We had to wait by ourselves until the tour came back to pick us up.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tom
Jul 15, 2022
Poor communication, total lack of planning or foresight. - Booking makes no sense. Inadequate confusing information. Leave Lucerne by train but pick up the tickets at the OTHER end because the email you get is not a ticket? Or take a bus - with no ticket - then collect your tickets up there? That's nonsensical. This is a half-baked plan by someone who didn't think it through or cannot communicate. Cancelled the tickets entirely and I'll do exactly the same 'tour' for half the price booking direct.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Felicia_h
Jun 11, 2022
Poor redemption process - The redemption of the tickets was bad experience. We redempted the tickets at Pilatus Railway when the counter only given us one ticket for all. Then we walked back to the counter and asked for the correct tickets. Ended up again we found out the bus and train tickets was not given to us when we need to travel back railway to get out car. We had no choice but to rebuy the bus and train ticket to get out car back. Its was extremely annoying experience when we found out the tickets were incomplete.
Review provided by Viator
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