Lucerne to Mount Pilatus: How to Visit Independently

An imposing peak that towers over the city, taking a day trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus is a can’t-miss adventure in Switzerland!

The day trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus includes several different forms of transportation, including boat, cogwheel train, gondola, cable car, and bus. But fear not, reaching the peak is relatively easy thanks to top-notch Swiss transportation!

With a peak almost 7,000 feet above sea-level, Mount Pilatus is one of the tallest mountains in the area and the summit provides unmatched views of the Swiss Alps high above the clouds. Visiting this stunning peak is one of the best things to do in Lucerne.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make your trip to Mount Pilatus go smoothly.

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus Map

The map below displays the route and types of transportation you will use to reach Mount Pilatus from Lucerne:

• Step 1 | Boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad (travel time: 90 minutes)
• Step 2 | Cogwheel train from Alpnachstad to Pilatus (travel time: 40 minutes)
• Step 3 | Gondola from Pilatus to Fräkmüntegg (travel time: 10 minutes)
• Step 4 | Cable car from Fräkmüntegg to Kriens (travel time: 20 minutes)
• Step 5 | Bus from Kriens back to Lucerne (travel time: 20 minutes)

• To view more details about each location, click on the marker on the map.
• To save this map for future use, click the star next to the title. From your phone, open the Google Maps app and click the “saved” tab, followed by the “Maps” icon. From your Gmail account, navigate to Maps –> “Saved” –> “My Maps” –> “Maps” tab.
• To email this map to yourself, click the three dots in the upper right corner.

Variations to the route

In this article, we cover the route to Mount Pilatus that takes you up via cogwheel train from Alpnachstad and down by cable car to Kriens. We think this is the best route because it allows you to avoid long lines for the ferry and cogwheel train if you start early, gives you the option to stop in Frakmuntegg on the way back (time allowing), and allows you to see both sides of Mount Pilatus.

However, there are a few different variations of the trip you could take:

• Reverse the order | Start in Kriens, end in Alpnachstad
• Hike up from Kriens | 13 kilometer hike one-way. To get back, take the cable car back to Kriens OR train down to Alpnachstad.
• Hike up from Alpnachstad | 8 kilometer hike one-way. To get back, take the train back to Alpnachstad OR cable car down to Kriens
• Hike up from Alpnachstad and down to Kriens (or vice versa) | 21 kilometers total

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus | Trip Details

In the following section, we’ll break down all the details on how to get from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus.

Step 1 | Boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad

• Ticket Cost | 28 CHF, free with Swiss Pass
• Departure Times | Once per hour at 38 minutes past the hour (first departure at 7:38 AM)

The first step of your journey is a beautiful boat ride on Lake Lucerne from Lucerne to the small lake-side village of Alpnachstad. You will board the boat at the Luzern Banhofquai (ferry terminal), located across from the train station on the bank of Lake Lucerne.

The boat departs once an hour at 38 minutes past the hour (they really mean this!), starting at 7:38 AM. We recommend beginning your day early to avoid the crowds and to make sure you have plenty of time for tobogganing in the afternoon.

The boat ride takes a total of about an hour and a half, but it won’t feel nearly that long as you sit on the deck of the boat, sipping a morning coffee and soaking up the sunshine and mountain views.

Pro tip | You can purchase tickets for the cogwheel train to Pilatus on the boat to skip the lines at Alpnachstad

Step 2 | Train from Alpnachstad to Pilatus

• Ticket Cost | 72 CHF roundtrip, 36 CHF with Swiss Pass (Includes return trip to Alpnachstad or Kriens)
• Departure Times | Operates from mid-May to mid-November
  Ascent: every 30-45 minutes from 8:10 AM – 5:10 PM
  Descent: every 30-45 minutes from 8:45 AM – 5:45 PM

For the second leg of the journey, take the cogwheel train from Alpnachstad to Pilatus. A cogwheel train is simply a train that is built at an angle and equipped with specialized gear for handling steep inclines. The cogwheel to Pilatus is the steepest in the world, reaching a maximum angle of 48 degrees!

Once you arrive in Alpnachstad, the train station is just a quick walk up the hill – you can’t miss it. We hopped right on a train with no lines after taking the first boat out of Lucerne in the morning.

The train ride takes a total of about 40minutes but goes by in a flash.

What to do on Mount Pilatus

On a clear day, you can see mile after mile of snow-covered peaks from the top of Mount Pilatus. There are a few short hikes and things to do once you arrive. We recommend taking a quick hike to both Tomlishorn (2 miles) and Oberhaupt Peak (1 mile).

Hiking to Tomlishorn on Pilatus

Tomlishorn is the highest peak on Mount Pilatus. You can get there by taking an easy two-mile round-trip hike. The trail begins on the opposite end of the platform from the train station and leads along a ridge, through a natural tunnel, and ends with a quick ascent up to the peak.

Oberhaupt Peak

With just a 20-minute walk, you can also visit Oberhaupt peak, another jaw-dropping viewpoint. As we walked up, the clouds started to roll in. Nonetheless, the sight of the cliffs dropping off into an abyss of clouds was eerily beautiful.

The trail to Oberhaupt peak starts behind the hotel on the side of Pilatus closer to the train station.

Pilatus Kulm Hotel & Restaurant

The Hotel Pilatus-Kulm is located at the top of Mount Pilatus. Staying there will definitely cost you, but I can only imagine how incredible it would be to wake up on Pilatus for the sunrise views.

There is also a restaurant at the top, but the food is pricey. We recommend packing a lunch for a picnic with a view from Tomilshorn instead.

Step 3 | Gondola from Pilatus to Fräkmüntegg

• Ticket Cost | included with purchase of cogwheel train ticket

Once you’ve explored the peak and seen every possible view, take the gondola down to Fräkmüntegg. On a cloudy day, this gondola ride can be somewhat terrifying if you are afraid of heights. It’s difficult to tell if you are even still moving as you inch your way through a blur of white.

Luckily, the entire ride takes only about 10 minutes.

Tobogganing in Fräkmüntegg

• Ticket Cost | 9 CHF per person, 7 CHF for children < 16 years old

We recommend stopping in Fräkmüntegg to ride the toboggan at Fräkigaudi. A toboggan (aka. alpine slide, as we call it in parts of the United States) is a small cart with a brake you pull on to slow down that follows a narrow track down the mountain.

You’ll zip down the mountain whizzing around curves and speeding through tunnels, all while passing by Swiss cows happily grazing with a perfect view of Lake Lucerne below you. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing a toboggan ride before, this will make you feel like a kid again!

Note that the last toboggan rides end at 5:00pm, so make sure you leave Pilatus by 3:30pm or so to ensure you have enough time. If you do not plan to go tobogganing, you can hop immediately onto the cable car to continue your journey to Kriens.

Step 4 | Cable Car from Fräkmüntegg to Kriens

• Ticket Cost | included with purchase of cogwheel train ticket

Once you are ready to finish your journey, jump in a cable car to Kriens for a 20-minute ride. While the trip may be coming to an end, the views aren’t over quite yet.

As we broke through the clouds, we were surprised by another incredible view of the town of Kriens and Lake Lucerne below.

Step 5 | Bus from Kriens to Lucerne

• Ticket Cost | 4 CHF (one-way), free with Swiss Pass

Once you arrive in Lucerne, follow signs down the hill to the bus stop. The bus leaves every 20 minutes and the trip back to Lucerne takes about 15 minutes.

Lucerne to Mount Pilatus | FAQs

How much does it cost to get to Mount Pilatus?

With a Swiss Travel Pass, transportation for the entire day trip will only cost 36 CHF (about $40) per person! The train to Pilatus, cable car, gondola down to Kriens are 50% off with the Swiss Pass, and the remaining transportation is fully covered.

Without a Swiss Pass, the full round trip will cost 103 CHF (about $115) per person.

The Swiss Pass is not cheap, but if you’re planning to spend about a week in Switzerland, it’s likely worth the money.

If you don’t have a Swiss Pass, you may consider purchasing a Golden Round Trip or Silver Round trip, which includes all your tickets to reach Mount Pilatus from Lucerne.

Book your tickets | You can purchase Mount Pilatus transportation tickets here in advance, or wait until the day of your trip.

Other tips for a great trip to Mount Pilatus

• Wear layers | It may feel warm in Lucerne, but it gets chilly on the boat and on top of the mountain.
• Pack a lunch and enjoy it on the top of Tomilshorn to save a little money. The restaurant on top of Pilatus is very expensive.
• Start early! Pilatus gets crowded so get an early start to beat the crowds and avoid lines
• If you have more than one day in Lucerne, pick the day with the clearest weather for your trip to Pilatus. It can be cloudy on Pilatus, obstructing the incredible views.

Other Switzerland resources

Planning a trip to Switzerland? Check out these great resources for more inspiration!

Questions or comments about the trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus? Let us know in the comments section below!