Mt. Pilatus & Lake Lucerne Cruise Small Group Tour | From Basel
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Towering over the city of Lucerne like a monument to the Swiss wilderness, Mt. Pilatus is a must-visit for nature lovers. This stunning massif boasts several stunning peaks, set within a playground of soaring rock faces, lush rolling valleys, and a network of meandering emerald lakes. The tallest peak in the group, Mt. Pilatus, reaches a heady 2,132 meters above sea level and is beloved by visitors for its sensational views over the region. We'll take you to the heart of the sights, with opportunities to explore the Lake of Lucerne, Pilatus summit, and ride the famous dragon aerial cable cars.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Basel
Your guide will greet you at the Basel Train Station before whisking you away to Lucerne by train
Pilatus Luzern
Our accent to Mount Pilatus will take us aboard the iconic “dragon ride” aerial cable cart, where we will float back to earth suspended in a giant glass cabin. The windowed walls provide 360 views of the Lucerne region, and many compare the experience to flying. Enjoy an ever-changing perspective of the Alpine landscape, as historic Lucerne pulls back into focus as we approach the end of the line. The ride is a highlight of any trip to Mount Pilatus.
Options
Mt. Pilatus & Lake Lucerne Cruise Small Group Tour | From Basel
What‘s Included
Standard Rail Pass
Mt. Pilatus Steepest Cogwheel Experience (From Mid-May to Mid-October)
Local Guide
Lake Lucerne Cruise Pass
Lunch at the Mt. Pilatus
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Booking was easy, guide...
Jim S,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Booking was easy, guide was great and the experience was wonderful. A long full day and our guide held us together.
The Swiss Alps
Sharon S,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is such a great tour. I would highly recommend it. The scenery was outstanding. Mary, our guide, did a fantastic job.
Not all is seafood what has fischer in its name
Shpringimbet,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00After a couple of days feasting on Wienerschnitzel in Basel, my wife and I decided to try something different. I asked ChatGPT to give us a list of seafood restaurants in Basel. Fischershtub came up highly praised by AI as a nice seafood restaurant. It is on the opposite bank of Rhein from the old city, but what is a couple of extra miles for a tourist. When we arrived, we learned that Fischershtub had no seafood dishes at all. Surprise! So much for the artificial intelligence. "Fischer" indicates fish; shtub means house, so this should be a seafood restaurante. It turned out that Fisher was the name of the shtub owner. ChatGPT has yet much to learn, and we have ended up eating yst another Wienerschnitzel again (and not a very good one too).
Remarkable Experience with Stunning Swiss Scenery
ladinaa2026,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I joined this tour last year, and it was truly one of the highlights of my trip to Switzerland. From the moment we left Basel, everything was well organized and stress-free. The journey to Mt. Pilatus offered breathtaking views, and the cable car ride was an unforgettable experience. The cruise on Lake Lucerne was equally remarkable, with crystal clear water and spectacular mountain scenery all around. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the day both enjoyable and informative. What impressed me most was how seamlessly the tour combined different experiences mountain adventure, scenic transportation, and a relaxing lake cruise all in one day. Every stop offered incredible photo opportunities and memories that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Switzerland. It is an excellent way to experience some of the country's most beautiful landscapes in a single day. A truly remarkable and unforgettable experience!
You can totally manage on your own.
johnmV8728KA,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The tour guide was excellent. However, the price was high and the company's organization was terrible. You can totally manage on your own.The scenery was stunning, a stark contrast to the tour company's poor organization.
Spectacular Views
Sheila B,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a fantastic tour! Lincoln is very personable and knowledgeable and entertaining. The views are spectacular! We came from Basel by train.
Beautiful Experience
Catherine F,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful on a sunny day! Tour guides were very friendly. Directions to the meeting place at the train station was spot on. Our tour guide, Salma was very friendly and met us there. But, we were very surprised she didn't go on the train with us to Lucerne, but just dropped us off with instructions to meet the main tour guide, Erika at Lucerne. This was our first time on a train in Europe and we were under the impression that we would have a guide every step of the tour. No English announcements was spoken over the intercom as in some places. It wasn't easy finding the group once we arrived, so that part of the journey was frustrating. Once we joined the group, the rest of the day was amazing. Our tour guide, Erika was fantastic, being friendly and knowledgeable. We walked short way to the Ferry tour boat. The views were fantastic. Nice and gentle ride. Then got off and took a break before going on the Cogwheel up the mountain. It was a very smooth and steady ride. I don't like heights, but as long as I didn't look straight down on some parts, I was great! The scenery was spectacular. Tunnels, forest, Lucerne and lake below, snow capped mountains in the distance. We had the very back seats that fit three comfortably. Being at the back window meant lots of photos were taken! At the top was amazing. Ate lunch at the restaurant up a floor vs the little quick Cafe. The food and chef were fabulous! Definitely do the short walk that takes you to a few lookouts carved out of the Mountain. It gives you a different view. But, be warned that it is very dark and wet inside with an uneven walkway, so not recommended for those unsteady on their feet or have poor eyesight. When we came back out, we looked at where we were, and there were mountain goats on the cliff! What a fun bonus! Took the tram down. I must say that could have been done better as the Pilatus staff shoved as many people in there as they could. We could barely move. It is a short 5 minute standing only ride, thank goodness, but that was not OK. Next, we hopped on a small cable car which can hold six. But there isn't anyone there to guide you into a specific car as they come around the corner slowly, so, many of us ended up in our very own car. That was nice! We then walked a few blocks down hill to the bus stop. We had one gentleman in a walker, and it was very difficult for he and his wife to navigate it. I'm glad some of us were able to help on the steep parts of the walk. I would not recommend it for those who have mobility issues. All in all, it definitely was a highlight of our three week trip to Europe and we would do it again!
The only was to see Mt. Pilatus!
Janine H,May 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Having a guide like Lincoln with us all day definitely made this trip so much easier and better! He was very sweet and very knowledgeable
Beautiful view
Dream43687178985,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unforgettable experience. Absolutely recommended..
Mt. Pilatus & Lake Lucerne
502kayp,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Victor, our guide, was fabulous. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Very flexible too. It was even better than described!
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Operated by Tours of Switzerland