Mt. Pilatus, Mt. Rigi & Lake Lucerne Tour from Lucerne

Five mountain and water transitions in one day, each one a different way up or across

A guided tour from Lucerne covering Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi with Lake Lucerne cruise in between, using gondola, cogwheel railway, boat and mountain train. The guide meets you at Lucerne train station and returns you there at the end; all rail passes and the lake cruise are included. Lunch can be purchased at Mount Pilatus if you want it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Mt. Pilatus, Lake Lucerne, and Mt. Rigi

• Meet guide at Lucerne train station
• Ascend Mt. Pilatus by gondola and cable cart
• Visit Fräkmüntegg former ski resort
• Climb to Mt. Pilatus highest peak
• Optional Swiss meal at Pilatus Valley restaurant
• Descend to Alpnachstad by cogwheel train
• Learn about Pilatus Railway history
• Cruise on Lake Lucerne
• Arrive at Vitznau and take train to Mt. Rigi
• Discover Mt. Rigi heritage and steam locomotive
• Enjoy summit views at Mt. Rigi
• Return to Lucerne train station

The Experience

Your guide meets you at Lucerne train station and takes you to the base of Mount Pilatus, where you board a gondola that climbs to Fräkmüntegg, a former 1950s ski resort. From there, a second aerial cableway — part gondola, part "Dragon Ride" — carries you higher while your guide tells you the legend of Dragon Rock. Then you reach Pilatus's highest peak at 2,128 meters, where the views open across the Alpine range. If you'd rather not climb, the restaurant at the summit serves authentic Swiss food overlooking the Pilatus Valley, and there are hiking routes if you want to walk part of the way.

The descent happens by cogwheel train to Alpnachstad, and this is where your guide explains what makes the Pilatus Railway the world's steepest — a 48% gradient that the American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The train takes about an hour, and you'll learn how it was built and how it still operates. At Alpnachstad, you board a boat for a scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne. The water reaches 214 meters deep in the Gersauer Becken, and as you glide across, you see Mount Bürgenstock and the vineyards that line the shore. The boat takes you to Vitznau, where you board the Rigi Railways — Europe's first-ever mountain rail track — to climb to the 1,752-meter summit. Your guide points out the Rigi Bahn No. 16, a steam locomotive built in the early 1920s, and at the top you stand at the highest point of the day with views across the region. The guide then returns you to Lucerne train station.

What’s included

• Mount Pilatus rail pass.
• Mount Rigi rail pass.
• Lake Lucerne cruise pass.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• meet-and-greet at Lucerne train station with return transport to the station at the end of the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tours of Switzerland

Is this one for you?This tour works best for travelers who want to see multiple Alpine peaks and a lake in one day without arranging transport between them — the guide handles all the transitions, and the fixed route means you move through five different landscapes (gondola, peak, cogwheel train, boat, mountain train) without deciding what comes next.

Traveler reviews

3.94★★★★★★★★★★

36 verified traveler reviews

5 ★24

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★4

1 ★6

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the world's steepest railway, and where do I ride it on this tour?

The Pilatus Railway descends from Mount Pilatus to Alpnachstad with a 48% gradient — the steepest in the world. You ride it downhill after visiting the peak, and your guide explains its history and engineering during the journey.

Do I have to hike to the top of Mount Pilatus, or can I take the train all the way?

You can take the cogwheel train to the summit without hiking. If you prefer to walk, there are mountain routes available, and if you'd rather skip the peak entirely, the restaurant at the top serves Swiss food with views over the valley.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but you can buy food at the restaurant on Mount Pilatus using a card. You'll have time there to eat if you want to.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the Mount Pilatus rail pass, the Mount Rigi rail pass, the Lake Lucerne cruise pass, and a live guide in English or Spanish. The guide meets you at Lucerne train station and returns you there at the end.

How long is the Lake Lucerne cruise, and what will I see?

The cruise crosses Lake Lucerne from Alpnachstad to Vitznau, passing Mount Bürgenstock and the vineyards along the shore. You'll see the deepest point of the lake, the Gersauer Becken, which drops to 214 meters.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility concerns?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The tour suits all physical fitness levels.