Overview
Mobile ticket
Visit Mt. Pilatus on a half-day tour by a scenic train ride, steepest cogwheel railway in the world, aerail cableway "Dragon Ride" and panorama gondola.
Enjoy a mountain experience at 2132 meters above sea level
Incredible view from Mount Pilatus over the Lake Lucerne and Swiss Alps
Scenic train ride between Lucerne and Alpnachstad
World's steepest cogwheel railway between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm
See the mountains and valleys from the panorama gondola and aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" between Kriens and Pilatus Kulm
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
What To Expect
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.).
Pilatus Luzern
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.
Options
Mt Pilatus & train to Lucerne
What‘s Included
Public train between Luzern and Alpnachstad or vice versa (2nd class)
Aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" between Fräkmüntegg and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa)
Panorama Gondola between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg (or vice versa)
Public bus between Kriens and Lucerne main station (or vice versa)
Steepest cogwheel railway in the world between Pilatus Kulm and Alpnachstad (or vice versa)
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
81 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Good activity not good value
Catherine P,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The trip is fantastic - but the ticket does not include the boat (as other commenters suggested) and you can get the same tickets for cheaper directly from Mt Pilatus website.
Spectacular transportation and views!
Michael B,May 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Go early so you can spend a lot of time at the top. Lines are long but they are worth the wait! Both the train and the cable car rides are spectacular!
A very long day and challenging travel. Do not recommend.
Laurie B,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Do not do it unless accompanied by a guide. Had to find the correct bus then got off at the wrong stop—walked a mile to the location to take the tram up—an hour long wait in the sun. Did NOT need passports. Boarded the tram and got to the top (not clear that the first landing is NOT the top.) Walked around and had a very mediocre expensive lunch. Bought a round trip cog wheel ticket as recommended—which did not need. Took the cog wheel train down —hot and crowded and took a long time. Had to find the train across the street and get back to Lucerne. We have used Viator for years all over the world—this was the worst as far as explanation, complex travel all over with signs in a different language, and not the same as directions. Highly do NOT recommend.
The trip to the top of...
Rob K,May 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The trip to the top of the mountain is well worth with a couple different options to get there and back. I recommend going up once and going back down a different way. Also, if the weather is good, there are great hiking options.
There was some challenge...
Janice G,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00There was some challenge getting from Zurich to Lucerne , but after we figure out the rail system, we enjoyed the trip very much. The tickets were easy to use and give us access to everything that we needed.
Bit of this, bit of that.
Ed T,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice combo of city bus, cable car, gondola, mountaintop, cog railroad and boat ride. Tickets worked flawlessly. Being on our own and without a guide even added a sense of adventure. World explorers!
We had a very foggy day...
Kristy V,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a very foggy day so not much visibility. Still worth it !! The tram and gondola and tram ride were wonderful.
Mt. Piltaus
Edward R,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything was as advertised. The only problem was the mountain top was fogged in. It is worth the time.
Wow! What a beautiful ride!
Phyllis S,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Worthwhile trip. The views were spectacular! We did the gondola, cog train, train and bus. Train/ Bus station was confusing so perhaps a little more info about how find bus number 1.
Magnificent Mount Pilatus
Rachy3001,Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you’re visiting Lucerne, then I think this is a must. We took the cog railway to the top. This was well organised and everyone had a seat on the train. We really enjoyed the musical interlude at the middle station, it was a lovely surprise. Once at the top, the views are spectacular! We were lucky enough to go up on a clear morning. It was breathtaking. There are also a view walking routes when up there, a souvenir shop and various food outlets available. We took the cable cars back down to Kriens, which was lovely. The journey was longer than we expected but in a good way.
Related Experiences
Operated by Pilatus-Bahnen AG