Home > Lucerne > Mount Pilatus Summer Day Trip from Lucerne
USD $130.00
Mount Pilatus Summer Day Trip from Lucerne
Lucerne, Switzerland
Enjoy a day of Alpine adventure in Switzerland on this half-day, summer trip to Mt Pilatus from Lucerne. Begin your journey toward the skies with a 30-minute panoramic gondola ride to Fräkmüntegg, and then hop aboard the aerial cableway for your ascent to the summit of Mt Pilatus. Relax at your leisure on the peak or take a short hike to make the most of the stunning scenery below. Descend to Alpnachstad aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train and cruise out onto Lake Lucerne to admire the views from the water.
Meet your guide in central Lucerne in the early afternoon and hop aboard your comfortable coach for the short journey to Kriens, at the foot of the imposing Mt Pilatus. On arrival, begin your ascent to the mountain’s lofty summit with a 30-minute panoramic gondola ride to the Fräkmüntegg terminus. Enjoy beautiful views over the rolling hills and lush pine forests below.
At Fräkmüntegg, hop aboard the aerial cableway — a spacious and modern cabin with panoramic windows designed to give the feeling of flight. Continue your climb to the summit at a dizzying altitude of 7,000 feet, and take in spectacular views over the Alpine peaks and lakes from your vantage point on the mountain.
During your free time atop Mt Pilatus, perhaps sit down to a high-altitude lunch among the peaks (own expense) or relax on the expansive sun terrace. Venture down the Dragon's Path and take the short hike around the summit to enjoy the amazing views.
Take the world's steepest cogwheel train down to Alpnachstad, descending past trickling mountain streams and sheer rock faces toward the verdant, green meadows below. On arrival, conclude your tour with a picturesque 1-hour boat ride across lovely Lake Lucerne and enjoy the spectacular scenery from an entirely different angle. Your tour finishes at the end of the cruise in Lucerne.
The Golden Roundtrip (ascent by aerial cable car, descent by cogwheel train, return to Lucerne by boat) operates between early May and late October. Between late October and mid-November the aerial cable car is under maintenance. In this case you will travel up and down Mt. Pilatus by cogwheel train. The boat on Lake Lucerne operates from early May until late October - if you are traveling when the boat is no longer in operation you will return to Lucerne by train and receive a complimentary lunch instead.
Fantastic trip and for the amount of trip you get to see and experience many sights and modes of travel! Well worth the time and money!
Review by: Tim C, July 2018
Excellent tour, we were both very happy. We did the triple tour. Trams, Traim and Boat.
Review by: Scott S, July 2018
Overall great day trip to Mt Pilatus. Weather was beautiful. Our tour guide Erika was fantastic and went above and beyond the entire trip. Well worth the money on a beautiful day.
Review by: lee-anne w, April 2018
great day and a great experience
Review by: Susan Rae J, January 2018
This was a good get away from Lucerne with lots of photo ops and cruise back had some amazing views. It just seemed a little too spread out.
Review by: Mbloom1031, December 2017
A great day. Stunning views.
Review by: Celia G, December 2017
This was the most beautiful experience that i had had. Amazing
Review by: Leon W, November 2017
Wonderful trip, with many adventures on one tour. Going up the mountain on the gondola and descending by incline rail was a perfect way to experience the thrill of the mountain. The boat ride back to Lucerne was the perfect ending to a spectacular day.
Review by: Victoria F, October 2017
I booked this trip because we were told to be sure and see Mt Pilatus and Lucerne lake. This put both sites into one trip. The meeting place was very easy to locate and our guide ran everything with Swiss efficiency. We didnt feel rushed and enjoyed being able to experience all the modes of transportation available to see the Mt. A quick bus trip took us to the base of the gondola. This 4 person gondola took us about 2/3 of the way up the mountain. The view was spectacular and we were fortunate to have a beautiful clear day. We then took a larger high speed gondola that shuttle a larger group of folks. We arrived at the top where there were several options for eating, views and hiking. Our guide gave us sufficient time to experience the top of the mountain. There is a cafeteria but our guide mentioned going to the hotel restaurant for a nicer meal. We checked out both places and felt the hotel restaurant was a better meal for the price. We then descended the mountain on the cog railroad. What was really nice is that the guide got us VIP priotiy to skip the line. Once we got off the cog railroad train, which was a great experience, we then boarded a boat to cruise the Lucerne lake. We thought this was a great day well spent seeing Mt Pilatus and Lake Lucerne in one great package. We definitely would recommend.
Review by: Karen B, October 2017
Great experience. Hope for a clear day!
Review by: Vince C, October 2017
A most enjoyable afternoon - we joined the tour at Lucerne. Our guide was very organised and informative, arranging the various interesting modes of transport very smoothly, despite the large group. A very relaxing and pleasant way to experience the wonderful views from the mountain. Highly recommended !
Review by: David S, October 2017
Nice ride to the mountain, great trip up the mountain in the 2 gondolas, specactular views, good restaurant. An engineering and construction marvel in the building of the 2 sites on top of the mountain. Then a beautiful boat ride back to Luzerne. Well worth the money paid.
Review by: Pamela K, October 2017
Tour guide could have been friendlier. Barked orders and dressed liked she just rolled out of bed. Non informative of the area.
Review by: NURULLAH D, October 2017
Amazing trip
Review by: Chelsey P, October 2017
This tour was amazing! It gives you 3 different types of transportation. The aerial cart, cogwheel train, and then a gorgeous boat ride back to Luzern. Definitely worth the money!
Review by: Susan A, October 2017
Really enjoyed this tour, Conrad our guide was very good and organized, gave lots of information and was very approachable.
Review by: MARY LYNN C, October 2017
I great way to spend an afternoon in Lucerne. Full of adventure, scenery and value.
Review by: Roberta L E, October 2017
Enjoyed the tour. The top of the mountain had great views and the boat ride was nice.
Review by: Gregg, October 2017
Very good tour and it allowed us to see it all in one tour.
Review by: Phillip H, September 2017
Great tour, Well organised and had a fabulous time, would tell anyone to do this
Review by: James N, September 2017
So happy we took this comprehensive tour. A bus ride to the base of Mt. Pilatus was only the beginning. Cable Cars and Gondolas brought us to the top where there was time to have lunch, walk to the cross at the top of Mt. Pilatus and rest before boarding the cog railway down the steep slope which at times had as much as a 46 degree incline. The scenery at the top and in route varies with the weather. We were fortunate to see the zig zag walking trails hikers take to and from this 7,000 foot peak, the pit stops along the way and farms as well._br/_ Then boarding a boat to traverse Lake Lucerne we were treated to many great views of the countryside including estates, wineries and homes._br/_ Ps- if you stay at the Marriott Hotel this tour will pick you up and be sure to pack a warm coat or wear layered clothing as there were icicles at the top in early September
Review by: Geetha K, September 2017
Wonderful , adventurous and thrilling trip ... This is one mountain that should not be missed , exclusive and so different with its scenic cable car up the mountain as well as the steepest cogwheel down the mountain . Its better to to take this with another mountain trip to the snowy peaks of jungfaujoch . Then you would have covered the mountain trips...
Review by: laura, September 2017
I would advise future travelers to be aware of the weather before booking this tour. It was not the tour-group's fault, but the weather was terrible on the day of our tour. This had a HUGE impact on the tour. We tried to reschedule, but that option was not available. I feel that if the weather had been better, we would have loved the tour.
Review by: Terry E, September 2017
Loved the trip, had perfect weather, clear skies, nice temps. Listen for the cow bells on the climb up. Only negative, the aft deck of the catamaran returning to Lucern is supposedly first class area had to cough up additional 5 CHF/person to relax there on trip back. Not told about it until other areas packed with people.
Review by: sarah M, September 2017
Amazing day - really beautiful and so good to get the cable car, cogwheel and boat on the lake as part of the same trip - really must do this.
Review by: Christopher J, September 2017
This was an extraordinary tour definitely worth the money. I would highly recommend it. Rita, our guide, explained everything to us, where we were going and what we would see and be able to do. We were given plenty of time at top to do as we wish, were it to walk around on the various trails or just sit and stare!! We were lucky enough to have a spectacular day! The variety of transportation options up and down the mountain was also a unique experience between cable car, gondola and cog railway. Everything ran on time. At the summit there were options of places to eat and also plenty of places to sit outside or inside to admire the spectacular views! Finishing off the tour with a relaxing cruise on Lake Lucerne was a perfect way to end the day.
Review by: Isabel H, September 2017
We booked this tour before we left Michigan and hoped it would be good. It was beyond our expectations and exactly what we hoped for in a half-day touring experience outside of city and into the mountains. This is not your basic bouncing on a bus for hours trip at all. Our guide Anna was a beautiful local who took excellent care of us through a SHORT bus ride to a LONG cable car ride up 7000 feet to the mountain. An hour and a half at the top was plenty of time to hike to upper lookouts before our trip down via cog-rail train breathtaking! then a SLOW boat ride across Lake Lucerne gorgeous right back to the Lucerne docks. Do this, even if the weather looks iffy as it changes quickly in Lucerne and is always worth the trip. Could not have been more convenient, easy and FUN. This was a relaxing highlight before we got back to busy, interesting Lucerne for more chocolate!
Review by: Sandra V, September 2017
Great tour. We particularly enjoyed the gondola ride up the mountain, being able to take a few walks at the summit, and the cog wheel train back down. Unfortunately it rained during the paddle steamer tour.
Review by: Sharon K, September 2017
We had a picture perfect day to take our tour to Mt. Pilatus! My husband and I were there in 1999 so the good weather this time was appreciated. The gondola ride up most of the way was lovely - beautiful views in all directions - and the sound of cow bells was fun. Everything was so green and serene as we went higher and higher. Life on the edge was interesting with stacks and stacks of firewood around each of the charming homes. When we got on the larger gondola the scenery continued and we were glad the clouds weren't an issue. At the top we climbed one of the 3 routes to a higher level and then played dodge ball with the clouds and mountains for a couple of hours - patience is a virtue when you are waiting for the next Alp view! But we got them. Ate at the self-serve cafeteria and then headed back outside. It was fun watching the clouds come in and out - especially since that wasn't what we had all day. The cog train ride down was also lovely - I would recommend sitting on the left side of the car for better mountain views, but you really can't go wrong as you descend the mountain. The boat ride lasted about an hour - it was a local so we made several stops. Coming into beautiful Lucerne was lovely. This is a MUST DO when you are in Lucerne.
Review by: Susan S, September 2017
I expected more from this trip. The guide did nothing except direct us from one place to another. Very little commentary and I was very surprised that the boat that was used to shuttle us back to Lucerne was just that, a shuttle. I expected it to be a sightseeing cruise with commentary by the guide. It was actually a boat that picked up locals at different points to shuttle them to Lucerne or somewhere else along the way. To sit upstairs and get a better view, you had to pay 14 Swiss francs extra for a first class ticket. I could have easily done this trip with the help of the concierge for a lot less money and received just as much for a lot less expense.
Review by: Jack F, September 2017
Very organized-would highly recommend
Review by: John M, September 2017
Xxxxx
Review by: febyaris, February 2017
This is the best tour ever, i am so lucky to have this
Review by: Richard F, January 2017
fabulous - brought back great memories for me...
Review by: Dennis G, December 2016
Breathtaking. If you are in Lucerne this tour is a must, we were there in Sept 2016. Would love to go back in the winter season. Make sure you take your phone or camera. You won't see scenery like it again.
Review by: Greg M, November 2016
Great tour. The your company gave us back 20 francs each due to a misunderstanding about the lunch voucher. It was my fault but they still gave the refund._br/_ Great tour guide.
Review by: Dan S, October 2016
Breathtaking! The bus, gondola, tram, cogwheel train and boat trip was the high point of our time in Lucerne. Fortunately, the overcast cleared so the views from the mountain top were great. We climbed some of the paths at the top to get better views below. We marveled at some of the people opting to climb up or down the mountain. This trip should not be missed!
Review by: Mark S, October 2016
Nice ride up the mountain in the gondola. Great views of the surrounding mountains as the clouds clear. The cogwheel train provides nice views of the valley and the boat ride on Lake Lucerne was a relaxing way to end the tour. A must do tour when in Lucerne.
Review by: Kristine, October 2016
We really enjoyed the trip up Mt. Pilatus. Unfortunately, it was misty and foggy, so we didn't have a view at the top. Nevertheless, we took a couple of hikes and found the trails well kept and terrain interesting. The views from the trams and the boat ride were beautiful.
Review by: Roysten D, October 2016
It was ok, Its better to take the Mt. Titlis and the Jungfrau tour instead. We were sold the boat ride in the package, but it was closed as it was out of season.
Review by: Roysten D, October 2016
We were told there would be a boat ride, but it was out of season. Mt, titlis is a better location.
Review by: Janet L, October 2016
It was not a guided tour. He gave us very little information. I just directed us to the trams.
Review by: Davis C, October 2016
It is spectacular. Great views, fun transportation: first a typical tour bus, then a small ski lift, to a large gondola to the top of the mountain, then cog wheel train, then finally a paddle boat. Lots of paths and different areas to explore on top of Pilatus. One day may come back and walk up.
Review by: JOHN M C, September 2016
Excellent tour that was worth the extra money for a guide. Weather was poor on the way up to Pilatus and remained so until 30 minutes before departure. But it cleared a bit and afforded us very nice scenery for the descent and for the Lake Lucerne cruise.
Review by: Ross, September 2016
A perfect day. All aspects were more than we expected. Punctual, centrally located and efficient organisation Wonderful!!
Review by: Ron P, September 2016
great trip - would recommend adding an option for 1st class for the boat portion.
Review by: Jeff L, September 2016
Very well done.....on time and interesting
Review by: Robert M A, September 2016
Destination was spectacular. Bus was filled to capacity and we had to wait at some points picking up other groups and the driver would shut off the engine and thereby the air conditioning. It created a very uncomfortable situation. Guide was nice and her English was excellent. I looked for her at the end of the trip to give her a tip but she was nowhere to be found.
Review by: Rod G, September 2016
Good trip, well organised but probably an hour too long at the top. We were lucky with the weather and got some great pics of the fabulous views.
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