Mount Pilatus is a tall mountain near Lucerne, with one of the most spectacular viewpoints in this region.

In summer, you can visiting this mountain with the "Golden Round Trip" excursion, which includes a boat ride, mountain train, and cable car ride.

When to go: mid May to mid October

Itinerary

1. Boat ride from Lucerne to the base of mountain at Alpnachstad.

2. Cogwheel train up to Pilatus Kulm observation terrace on the rocky peak.

3. At the top, you can do short hikes to various viewpoints, visit the dragon cave, and eat at one of the restaurants.

4. Then ride a cable car down the other side of the mountain.

5. Stop at Frakmüntegg station for summer toboggan, ropes climbing park, and tree top path.

6. Stop at next station for big playground.

7. The gondola ride ends in Kriens, where you can take a bus back to Lucerne.

You can do the round trip in either direction. The amusements can be crowded in the afternoon, so you may want to start with the gondola and do the trip counterclockwise.

• Learn more about this excursion on SwissFamilyFun.com

Tickets

The Golden Round Trip "combo" ticket includes all transportation necessary on this round trip (boat, mountain train, cable car, gondola, bus).

If you don't have any travel passes or discount cards, bok the Pilatus Golden Round Trip via GetYourGuide (free cancellation up to 24h in advance). Book seat reservation separately via Pilatus website.

Swiss Travel Pass or Saver Day Pass:

• The boat and bus are free with these passes. So you only need a one way ticket for the train and aerial cableways (with 50% discount). Buy a one way ticket for either "Alpnachstad-Kriens" or "Kriens-Alpnachstad" depending on your direction of trail. To get your discount, buy via the Pilatus website.

Swiss Half Fare Card, Eurail, or Interrail pass:

• With these passes, you get a discount on the "Golden roundtrip" combo ticket. You need to buy it via Pilatus website to get the discount. You can optionally book a time slot for the mountain train during booking.

Lucerne Tell Pass: The whole excursion is free with this pass. You may still want to book a timeslot for the mountain train.

Seat Reservation

You can optionally reserve a seat for the cogwheel train from Alpnachstad. This reservation can help you avoid long waits on busy days.

If you didn't make a seat reservation when you bought the ticket, you can do it via the Pilatus website, separate from your Golden Round Trip ticket.

How to get there

If you start with the boat, go to the ferry dock directly across from the Lucerne train station.

If you want to start with the gondola, drive or take the bus to Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens.

More details: our article about Pilatus Golden Round Trip

Pilatus Website: https://www.pilatus.ch/en/

Conditions: live status • webcam • forecast