Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise
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Lucerne, Switzerland
+6
- 5 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Exploring the villages of the Swiss Alps can be confusing, but this group tour has you covered with mountain transportation all the way from Lucerne to the top of Mt. Pilatus. Your seasonal adventure includes panoramic gondola rides up Mt. Pilatus, free time at the summit, a ride down the world's steepest cogwheel train, and a scenic Lake Lucerne cruise (summer only). Guided commentary and round-trip transportation from Lucerne complete the experience.
- Secure your preferred date for a popular Mt. Pilatus trip online, with ease
- Avoid the often-long lines for tickets with transportation booked in advance
- Leave a complicated Swiss Alps itinerary to local experts, and relax instead
- Enjoy a fun journey, traveling by mountain gondolas, cogwheel train, and boat
What's Included
- Panoramic gondola and aerial cable car "Dragon Ride" (except 19.10. - 27.11.2026)
- Ride on the steepest cogwheel train in the world
- 1-hour boat cruise on Lake Lucerne (until 18.10.2026)
- Lunch voucher up to 20 CHF (from 19.10. - 29.11.2026)
- Transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned coach
- Fully guided tour in English by a professional guide
- Carbon-balanced operations certified by myclimate
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Food and drinks (available for purchase at Mount Pilatus summit)
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Best of Switzerland Tours AG, LuzernBus Parking Landenberg, Alpenquai, 6005 Luzern, Switzerland
Please wait there on the sidewalk. Your tour guide will be holding a red flag with “Best of Switzerland Tours” on it.
End point
- Luzern Bahnhofquai6003 Lucerne, Switzerland
The tour ends at the pier in Lucerne, just a 7-minute walk from the meeting point and only 1 minute from the main train station.
Itinerary
Climb aboard your coach in central Lucerne for an afternoon excursion to the top of Mt Pilatus, situated at a dizzying altitude of 7,000 feet. You’ll make the brief journey to Kriens where your guide accompanies you aboard the panoramic gondola for a 30-minute ride to the Fräkmüntegg summit terminus.
Look down upon forested views, then swap your gondola for the aerial cableway at Fräkmüntegg — it's a quick 3.5-minute ride to the summit. The cabin’s spacious and sleek design on this ‘Dragon Ride’ affords more magnificent views over the Alpine lakes and rugged peaks seen from your vantage point high above.
During your free time atop Mt Pilatus, you can venture on a high-altitude hike, grab lunch (own expense) or enjoy the vista from the terrace. Then meet up with your guide for the descent to Alpnachstad aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train. Ride past sheer rock faces and pretty mountain streams toward the fertile meadows below.
On arrival, enjoy a 1-hour boat ride across picturesque Lake Lucerne and view the scenery from a different angle before your tour concludes here in the evening.
Please note: The aerial cableway is under maintenance between late October and mid-November. In this case, you will ascend and descend Mt Pilatus by cogwheel train. The Lake Lucerne boat cruise operates from early May until late October; if you are traveling when the boat is no longer in operation, you will instead receive a complimentary lunch voucher.
Look down upon forested views, then swap your gondola for the aerial cableway at Fräkmüntegg — it's a quick 3.5-minute ride to the summit. The cabin’s spacious and sleek design on this ‘Dragon Ride’ affords more magnificent views over the Alpine lakes and rugged peaks seen from your vantage point high above.
During your free time atop Mt Pilatus, you can venture on a high-altitude hike, grab lunch (own expense) or enjoy the vista from the terrace. Then meet up with your guide for the descent to Alpnachstad aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train. Ride past sheer rock faces and pretty mountain streams toward the fertile meadows below.
On arrival, enjoy a 1-hour boat ride across picturesque Lake Lucerne and view the scenery from a different angle before your tour concludes here in the evening.
Please note: The aerial cableway is under maintenance between late October and mid-November. In this case, you will ascend and descend Mt Pilatus by cogwheel train. The Lake Lucerne boat cruise operates from early May until late October; if you are traveling when the boat is no longer in operation, you will instead receive a complimentary lunch voucher.
Lucerne (Pass By)
1
Pilatus Luzern
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Alpnachstad (Pass By)
2
Lake Lucerne
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Lucerne (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 19.10.-27.11.2026: Ascent and descent by cogwheel train, no boat ride but lunch voucher included
- 28.11.-29.11.2026: Ascent by cable car, descent by cogwheel train, no boat ride but lunch voucher included
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 48 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Tom_N
My wife and I planned this bucket list trip months before our Oct.7/25 trip up Mt.Pilatus summit , cog wheel train to bottom ..so cool...and beautiful cruise on Lake Luzern with the Majestic mountains
We lucked out with weather @17 C and blue sky.Viator met all my expectations and people in the area speak well of them as a trusted tour company. The guides were so knowledgeable , kind and willing to share all they were proud of. Thanks Viator and for an extra pat on the back!!! I booked a canal dinner cruise with Viator in Amsterdam it was amazing but this time of year ...I would recommend going on the mid afternoon to experience the beauty of the city because it gets dusk around 7. Amazing narrator and boat captains. Try this company , there easy to trust and keep you well informed of upcoming excursion
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,366 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Burton_V, Jul 2026
Breathtaking views with several activities for the thrill seekers and also those on a slower track. Kiddos also have an opportunity to play, hike, zip line, and louge.
Robert_L, Jul 2026
Super tour Our guide Gappy was wonderful . View of alps was amazing from the top, Boat ride on lake was very relaxing.
Omar_E, Jul 2026
Very professional company and an extremely talented tour guide. Erika (the tour guide) was genuinely pleasant one on one and with our kids, and really took the time to help the group understand the history of all the different locations/sites we visited which really made a difference to the experience. Overall, I highly recommend this tour operator for a first stop activity when visiting Lucerne as it will help cover three key attractions within 1 tour.
CynthiaT_R, Jul 2026
This is a beautiful place and the tour is great! Our tour guide, Diana, was very attentive and thorough. She was fun to be with! We weren’t sure we were in the correct pickup spot at first, so I called the number provided and got someone immediately who confirmed our location. Overall, the tour was very well done!
Clint_B, Jul 2026
We were in Europe for a month. Had several excursions. This was the best one! Our guide was FANTASTIC!!!! Whatever VIATOR is paying her, it's not enough!!!!!
REBECCA_M, Jul 2026
My family was visiting Lucern for the first time and wanted a 4-5 hour tour that would give us an opportunity to see the Alps. This tour was perfect. Our tour guide was excellent, provided interesting historical information and clear directions throughout the tour. The views are spectacular and this tour provides ample time to have lunch and walk around the area before returning to the city center. I highly recommend this tour - the price is extremely reasonable for the experience.
Jodi_M, Jul 2026
The time spent at the top of Mt Pilatus was enough to explore the area. This trip was well worth the money and time.
Sarah_B, Jul 2026
This experience was nice yo be able to experience different terrain with 4 types of transportation. It was a beautiful day, a bit cloudy at the top but overall great. Yolanda was a great tour guide.
5bb92p4rh6, Jul 2026
The ride up is spectacular and the views from the top breathtaking. Our guides were very friendly and responsive.
Elizabeth_S, Jul 2026
You travel by bus, briefly, then a small gondola, then a large gondola, then a cog train and then a beautiful boat!!
Mt. Pilatus has a breathtaking view, even though we had a “cloud present, clouds gone, clouds present” kind of day!! Our tour guide, Anabel was wonderful. The little hiking trails at the peak our worth the small treks!
Donald_C, Jul 2026
Fun experience with great views going up and down and while at the top! Cruise of Lake Lucerne was a relaxing ending.
Alice_H, Jul 2026
Confusing information on the website to make reservations
Time and location to meet was not clear
Guide was not early nor did he carry a flag nor did he stand in one common place
Jason_T, Jul 2026
Beautiful views. Annabel was an awesome guide. Great boat ride on lake Lucerne. Be careful with the cog train on the way back. The operators insist upon splitting families to fill the trains.
Deborah_C, Jul 2026
Exceptionally planned, just the right amount of information, plenty of free time at the summit of Mount Pilatus! We have NEVER been disappointed with a Viator experience.
Diana_S, Jul 2026
Amazing views! Tip: if you want to do the toboggan run, opt for the earliest time available. We sadly didn’t have enough time as it was a 2 hour wait at 1pm and we only had about an hour and a half at the summit.
Sharona_G, Jul 2026
Mount Pilatus was a great tour if you go to Switzerland. I have shared my experience with others as a must do!!! Your tour guide was great too.
Zach_P, Jul 2026
Well worth the price! Gaby was a great guide. The drop off is a bit away from the pick up so if you park a car for the trip expect to walk back.
Geetha_S, Jul 2026
Great tour, great service.
Fantastic view of the Alps and Lake Lucerne.
Exciting Cable car and Dragon train rides to and from the Mt. Pilatus.
JuliaAnne_W, Jul 2026
Our tour guide Thomas was incredible! Everything was so easy and we didn’t have to worry about anything. The views were amazing
Kathy_G, Jul 2026
It was the best tour we have ever taken! We loved traveling by bus, cable car, train and boat. The whole tour was awesome! We were able to see so much!!!
Lawrence_H, Jul 2026
It was a really cool experience. The sites were magnificent. Our guide Diana was very nice and really on top of everything.
Taja_F, Jul 2026
The gondola ride and the height of the mountain was more of an adventure than I expected. Definitely out of our normal comfort zone. Glad we got to experience it. Once in a a lifetime adventure with the family. We’ll never forget.
Carmine_R, Jul 2026
It is fabulous and not to be missed. Also not as scary as you think! Wonderful views of the Swiss Alps, lakes and valleys.
Larry_K, Jul 2026
Our family enjoyed this tour very much. Gaby was an excellent guide and kept our group organized and on time. She was high energy and provided great information about the activities scheduled so as to maximize our time on the mountain. The boat ride back was also very enjoyable. We began our day in Zurich and opted to take the train to/from Lucerne to start our tour and spend more time in Lucerne. This was easy and is an alternative to taking the bus tour originating from Zurich.
Clint_J, Jul 2026
worth the money and the efforts to get to the top!! the views are breathtaking!! The only reason i gave 4 instead of 5 was the downtime in between getting to the top..
Pam_G, Jul 2026
The gondola and cog train were not bad. But the train was late getting to us and it was a cattle call trying to run for the train and find a seat. We were with two 85 year olds so at the end of the line and had to separate to find seats. Then we were stuck going down backwards. Then it was a rush and cattle call to the boat. We were so rushed that the bottom level was full and we went to the top. It was just a shuttle ferry. They then came around and told us we owed another $34 francs because we were upstairs even though there was no room downstairs. We had no option but to pay. I feel like we should get a $34 franc refund. I had to find the tour guide downstairs and she apologized but I guess couldn’t do anything. Then my husband tipped her $10 euros. The boat ride was not worth it. I would recommend going to the top for the view but was not happy with the long waits and then the additional charge to find a seat in the boat.
Tina_S, Jul 2026
The operator was very organized and navigated us easily from cable car to tram to cogtrain and finally to boat for our return. We had ample free time at Mt Pilatus for some hikes and beautiful views.
Lauren_D, Jul 2026
Everything we hoped for and more! We had a fabulous guide who shared fun history and kept us organized. We had plenty of time to explore independently. Lucky to have a gorgeous day with stunning views - and a thrilling toboggan ride down the mountain! I’d definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Switzerland.
josephinem_v, Jul 2026
Wonderful say trip to Mt Pilatus including a bus, cable car, cogwheel train and cruise!! Very accessible for the elderly. Guide Rita was fabulous!
Pia_B, Jul 2026
The experience was not met on this tour. The tour included a ride on the cogwheel train and a CHF 20 food voucher for lunch. The cogwheel train broke down before we were supposed to ride. We were not given the CHF 20 food vouchers as listed in the booking details. I requested for a partial refund but I was denied of any amount of refunds. We always booked with Viator for our tours but this was a disappointment that they didn’t stand behind their customer service.
From $201.20
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise
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