Mount Rigi & Lucerne Private Tour: Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

Ride Europe's first cogwheel railway to Queen of the Mountains, then descend by cable car and boat.

A ten-hour private tour from Zurich combines Mount Rigi's cogwheel train ascent and cable car descent with a Lake Lucerne boat cruise and guided exploration of Lucerne's historic landmarks. Your dedicated driver-guide handles all transport, timing and route decisions, leaving you free to move at your group's pace. The day includes entry to the cogwheel railway and cable car, boat passage across the lake, and a walk past the 14th-century Chapel Bridge, Water Tower and Lion Monument.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mount Rigi3h · entry included
2. Lake Lucerne1h · entry included
3. Zurich Old Town2h · entry included

Zurich to Mount Rigi and Lucerne tour

• Meet driver-guide at Zurich hotel
• Drive through countryside to Lake Lucerne
• Take cogwheel train up Mount Rigi
• Lunch and enjoy views on Mount Rigi
• Descend by aerial cable car to Weggis
• Boat cruise on Lake Lucerne
• Explore Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, Lion Monument
• Return drive to Zurich hotel

The experience

The tour begins with pickup from your Zurich hotel, then moves through the countryside toward Lake Lucerne. At Vitznau, you board the cogwheel train (Europe's first, built in 1871) for the climb to Mount Rigi's 1,798-meter summit. The ascent takes roughly an hour, and the views open across 13 lakes and the Swiss Alps. You have time at the top to eat and absorb the 360-degree panorama before the cable car carries you down to Weggis, a lakeside village where the landscape shifts from alpine to resort.

From Weggis, a boat crossing of Lake Lucerne brings you to the city itself. Your guide leads you through Lucerne's Old Town on foot: the Chapel Bridge, a wooden structure from the 14th century with a painted interior; the octagonal Water Tower that once served as a treasury and prison; the Lion Monument carved into a cliff face as a memorial to Swiss Guards. The cobblestone plazas and narrow streets hold the medieval layout intact. The day closes with a private return drive to Zurich, ending at your hotel or a location you choose.

A dedicated driver-guide manages the route and timing throughout, so you're not coordinating trains, boats or transfers yourself. The tour runs on your group's schedule, not a fixed clock. All transport uses luxury Mercedes vehicles, and the itinerary is built to fit the cogwheel train's departure times and the boat's schedule, so the logistics are already solved.

What’s included

• Private round-trip hotel transfers from Zurich in a luxury Mercedes vehicle.
• cogwheel railway tickets to Mount Rigi's summit.
• cable car descent from Rigi Kaltbad to Weggis.
• boat cruise across Lake Lucerne.
• guided walk through Lucerne's Old Town including the Chapel Bridge, Water Tower and Lion Monument.
• dedicated driver-guide service throughout the day with complete schedule flexibility.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Swiss Epic Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the option with pickup if your hotel is in Zurich and you'd rather not arrange your own transport to the starting point. Without pickup, you'll meet the driver at a central location and manage your own arrival. Either way, the private format means your group sets the pace at Mount Rigi and in Lucerne, and the guide adjusts stops and timing to match your interests.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Mount Rigi and why is it called the Queen of the Mountains?

Mount Rigi is a 1,798-meter peak in Central Switzerland known for its 360-degree views across 13 lakes and the Alpine range. The name reflects its prominence as one of the most visited summits in the region, with views that span from the Jura to the Bernese Oberland.

How do I get to the top of Mount Rigi on this tour?

You take the cogwheel railway from Vitznau to the summit. The cogwheel train is Europe's first, completed in 1871, and the ascent takes about an hour. You'll have time at the top to rest and eat before descending by aerial cable car to Weggis.

What happens after we come down from Mount Rigi?

You descend via cable car to Weggis, a lakeside village on Lake Lucerne, then board a scenic boat cruise across the lake to Lucerne. The boat journey offers continuous views of the surrounding mountains and shoreline.

How much time do we spend walking around Lucerne?

Your guide leads you through Lucerne's Old Town on foot to see the Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, Lion Monument and cobblestone plazas. The exact duration depends on your group's pace, since the tour is tailored to your preferences and timing.

Can I book this tour with hotel pickup included?

Yes. The tour is available with or without pickup from your Zurich hotel. If you choose the option with pickup, the driver-guide collects you at your accommodation and returns you there at the end of the day.