Private Tour
From Basel: Lucerne City, Mount Pilatus, Cruise in Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Sit back and relax—there’s no need to worry about transportation, as all tickets for trains, boat rides, the cogwheel railway, gondola, and buses are included in this private day trip.
Take in the beauty of the Swiss Alps and lakes on a full-day private tour from Basel to Lucerne. Travel comfortably by train with a private guide to the charming lakeside city, famous for its stunning mountain backdrop. Enjoy a relaxing one-hour boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, followed by an exciting ride up Mount Pilatus on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway.
- Enjoy the beautiful Swiss landscapes while traveling by train with a private guide for your exclusive small group — customizable itinerary with hotel pick-up included
- Experience a scenic hour-long cruise on Lake Lucerne, offering stunning views of the city and surrounding Alps
- Ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and explore at your own pace with options to personalize your journey—contact us to tailor your perfect day
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note: The boat and cogwheel railway are only available from May to October. During the off-season, the tour will be conducted using the gondola both ways to reach Mount Pilatus. The tour will conclude with a scenic one-hour boat ride on Lake Lucerne after returning from the mountain
Customers undertake all activities at their own risk. The Tour Operator's liability is limited to the tour price, including for direct damages caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct. Liability for slight negligence, auxiliary persons, consequential damages, and lost profit is excluded.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
all transportation fees for Train, Boat cruise, coghwheel railway, gondola and bus - 2nd class
all fees, taxes and handling charges
local guide for your exclusive small group
Any additional extra personal expense
Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Basel SBB Station
The tour starts at the train station - Basel SBB. Your guide will be waiting for you at the designated meeting point
Lake Lucerne
Your journey continues with a scenic one-hour boat ride from Lucerne to Alpnachstad. As you depart Lucerne’s picturesque bay, the boat cruises past the charming lakeside towns. All along the way, you'll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding mountains, making for a truly memorable experience on the water.
Options
From Basel: Lucerne City, Mount Pilatus, Cruise in Private Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A dream tour! highly recommend it
katherinelJ3264MW,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was AWESOME! The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and the guide was very knowledgeable, kind, and fun. My husband and I enjoyed an unforgettable view of the Swiss Alps. We took several types of transportation, including a cruise, train, cogwheel railway, gondola, and cable cars. Worth every penny!
Beautiful scenery and perfect organization!
E5037EHpeters,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of the nicest days of my trip. Everything was very well organized, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was cold, but the agency informed us in advance, so we came prepared — that was really helpful since we weren’t expecting the wind and light rain and didn’t have the right clothes for it. Mount Pilatus was amazing, and our tour guide was wonderful. Totally worth it!
incredible experience
Freedom692432,
Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Having a private guide made the experience even more special — everything was well organized, with flexibility to enjoy the tour at our own pace while learning about the history and culture of the region.
Well-Organized Tour with Great Guide
marce3715UV,
Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! The journey to Mount Pilatus was full of history, fun transport rides, and breathtaking views. Our guide was excellent, friendly, informative, and very helpful. Highly recommend this tour!”
An Amazing Journey Following the Dragon Path
U5675NImarks,
Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I truly enjoyed this tour it was absolutely worth the money! Our tour guide, Jhon, was wonderful and managed the itinerary perfectly. We had such a fun experience trying six different types of transport: tram, train, ferry, cogwheel, gondola, cable car, and bus. It was amazing to see how Switzerland offers such a dynamic experience, even for me and my wife in our 60s. We never felt rushed and could really enjoy every moment. I highly recommend this tour and our fantastic guide!
Day Trip to Pilatus
thomasmZ4246QI,
Aug 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This day trip was one of the highlights of our time in Switzerland! Lucerne is a beautiful city with its historic bridge and lakeside charm. From there, we took the cogwheel train up to Mount Pilatus — the views were absolutely stunning. At the top, the scenery was breathtaking, and the cable car ride down was just as memorable. Everything was smooth and well-organized. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a taste of the Swiss Alps in a single day!
Do Not Book: Overpriced Tour & Zero Support
hectormJ9352QI,
Aug 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I booked the “From Basel: Lake Lucerne Cruise and Pilatus in Private Tour” with Switzerland Viva Tours and was really let down. The price was noticeably higher than similar tours I found on other sites offering the same route and experiences. That might have been fine if the service matched the premium—but it didn’t. Their website looks very new (launched only a couple of months ago) and light on details, which I only noticed after booking. The real problem came when I tried to request a refund: the contact number never picked up. I called multiple times and got no response, which made the whole process stressful and time-consuming. Overall, poor communication and overpriced for what’s offered. I’d recommend comparing prices on other platforms and confirming support responsiveness before booking with this company.
Lake Lucern Redezvous
Brad G,
Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00The guide we were assigned to was was sweet, but she was brand new on the job and she should have had a seasoned guide helping her to learn the ropes. Her english was a bit broken and at times hard to understand.
Fabulous day trip.
Joan K,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Terrific day trip from Basel. Our tour guide was wonderful. Arrived promptly at our meet up point. Explained the history and background of all the sites we visited. Loved the cruise through Lake Lucerne and the ride up and down the Pilatus mountain. Took us to an excellent chocolate store in Lucerne. Definitely worth the cost the cost. Highly recommended.
Lucerne Private Tour
T5099MSjacksonb,
Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were a group of 4 and booked this private tour as we like to go "at own pace". And it was definitely worth it. The pick up from the hotel made it really easy and Pilatus/Lucerne are just gorgeous. Very satisfied with the planning, tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Related Experiences
Operated by Switzerland Viva Tours