Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
For a full day of alpine summer splendor, make for the mountains on this guided roundtrip from Zurich to central Switzerland's Mount Pilatus. Your full-day guided tour includes a gondola and aerial cable car ride, the world's steepest cogwheel railway and a cruise on Lake Lucerne.
Additional Info
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
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
19.10.-27.11.2026: Ascent and descent by cogwheel train, no boat ride but lunch voucher included
28.-29.11.2026: Ascent by cable car, descent by cogwheel train, no boat ride but lunch voucher included
What To Expect
Zurich
Start your tour at the Sihlquai Bus Station in Zurich. Set off for an exciting day traveling through picturesque landscapes and along the shores of Lake Lucerne to the enchanting city of Lucerne.
Luzern Altstadt
Once arriving in Lucerne, enjoy a brief orientation drive, where your guide points out the main attractions of this charming town like the Chapel Bridge, the Town Hall, the Jesuit Church and the Culture and Convention Centre (KKL). Enjoy the following time at leisure to stroll through Lucerne's beautiful Old Town.
Options
English
Spanish
What‘s Included
Fully guided tour by a professional multilingual guide (English/Spanish)
Lunch voucher up to 20 CHF (from 19.10. - 29.11.2026)
1-hour boat cruise on Lake Lucerne (until 18.10.2026)
Panoramic gondola and aerial cable car "Dragon Ride" ( except 19.10. - 27.11.2026)
Ride on the steepest cogwheel train in the world
Transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned coach
Carbon-balanced operations certified by myclimate
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Food and drinks (available for purchase in Lucerne or at Mount Pilatus summit)
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
709 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Perfect for full day trip and I really appreciate the informative and energetic tour guide Benie 🤙🏽 👏Love and Peace 🙏🏽🙏🏽?
Ermias Abebe T,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Perfect for full day trip and I really appreciate the informative and energetic tour guide Benie 🤙🏽 👏Love and Peace 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽.
Spectacular & Picturesque
svetlanap714,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very memorable and beautiful day exploring Lucerne, venturing up to Mt Pilatus in the cable cars, then back down on the cog wheel train!!! So picturesque and stunning views. The boat trip back to Lucerne ended the perfect day. Thank you
Loved it
Lori H,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic experience Highly recommend and Bernie was great. Lots of information and gorgeous scenery.
Excellent!
Paul S,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip, great tour guide, great value for money. All positives, no negatives.
Views were amazing
Fearless781156,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Bernie was excellent as was our driver Jose. Great itinerary with lots of different experiences. Excellent day trip out of Zurich.
Great tour
allan w,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a last minute decision to go on this trip, easy to book and the tour company was good. Our guide Fernando was very informative and friendly, made the day very special.
Switzerland in all its glory
Marsha R,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Really a perfect day. We explored the charming city of Lucerne,n then traveled to Mt Pilatus. Experienced two different cable cars getting to the top. Explored fabulous views of the Alps, had a delicious lunch, walked to the summit and followed the dragon trail. Then we descended via the steepest cog railway in the world. An hour cruise on lake Lucerne. Everything managed like clockwork. It was an amazing full day that gave us a true taste of Switzerland.
Spectacular views
crocky363,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The views speak for themselves. We went with a tour (BEWARE OF THE PRICING AS TO WHAT CURRENCY YOU ARE PAYING IN). The rude in cable car and gondola up went without a hitch. The ride on the cogwheel train was different. Whilst the view and ride remained spectacular, the service at the waiting point for the ride was poor. The lady arranging the reserved tickets was rude and not helpful. One man asked her “where are toilets” and she snapped “follow the signs”. There were people everywhere and signs were difficult to see. Would have been much easier for her to point in the direction of them. I appetite it was very busy but you are dealing with people from all over the world and some basic manners and consideration should not be too much to expect.
Double check the language
Scott D,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Our experience was not so good. They tried to do the tour in both English and Spanish. It was horrible. I feel like they should only charge half the price. It was not fair to Spanish speaking only or English speaking only. We only got half what a normal tour would be because he kept trying to repeat himself in both languages. It was a bad experience. Please…provide Spanish only or English only tours. It may be less expensive to hire a bi-lingual guide, but it is a bad experience for your patrons.
Great day.
Cougars09,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day. Bus was first which was very comfortable with a great driver and tour guide. On to Lucerne for a look strong and it a lovely town. On to Mount Pilatus next…unfortunately it was raining so our view was obstructed mainly because it was snowing at the top. But that’s the chance you take. Down to lake Lucerne for a very enjoyable boat ride. There’s a bar on board and the boat is very well maintained. Back to Lucerne to drop people off/pick others up and back to Zurich. We all thoroughly enjoyed the trip!
Related Experiences
Operated by Best of Switzerland Tours