Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise

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Lucerne, Switzerland

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Booked 5+ times in 12 hours.

5 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.5

· Elizabeth_R ·

May 2026

It’s a complete experience. It was wonderful to have so many modes of transportation packed into one excursion. The time flies by and it’s the perfect way to see Mt. Pilatus. Yolanda was our tour guide - she is very knowledgeable and friendly. She offered to take pictures of our family as well as give bits of information about the area.

· 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.

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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, Luzern
Bus 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 Bahnhofquai
6003 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.

Lucerne (Pass By)

Pilatus Luzern

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Alpnachstad (Pass By)

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

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Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

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

4.5

based on 1,347 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Great trip well organized but plenty of time to yourself.

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.

Great tour, great...

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.

Our tour guide Thomas was...

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

Awesome tour!!!

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!!!

Mount Pilatus

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.

Once in a lifetime adventure

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.

Pilatus mountain top!

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.

Mt Pilatus day trip

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.

worth it!

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..

Beautiful view but too much of a cattle call and waiting in lines and the boat ride was disappointing.

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.

Pilatus tour and boat ride

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.

Fantastic

Lauren_D, Jul 2026

Wonderful say trip to Mt...

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!

Disappointed with Viator

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.

Mt. Pilatus Tour

Dennis_B, Jul 2026

It was an awesome experience to be able to go to the top of Pilatus and being able to see all the beauties of the surrounding villages and cities below us. To go down on the cogwheel train to the boat tour was great experience and my wife really loved seeing the cows on the way down with authentic cowbells. The views and hiking were breathtaking and an experience we loved.

It was wonderful except...

William_C, Jul 2026

It was wonderful except for the cloudy view :) Dry well run and easy to use. Would like to go again !!

A great ride to the top.

Brian_B, Jun 2026

It was a great trip. It had five different modes of transportation and the trails and views on the mountain were fantastic. The only thing I would point out is that on the trip details it mentions a food voucher at the mountain. This is only during a brief period of the year and didn’t apply to our trip. Several other guests were confused by that point also.

This was such a fun...

Mandi_B, Jun 2026

This was such a fun little excursion! It was like 5 little adventures in one! It was definitely worth every penny!

Great Way to Experience Lucerne

Arlene_D, Jun 2026

This was a great experience. The fact that you used 5 modes of transportation was fun. The excitement kept building until you got to the top of the mountain which was the highlight. The views were spectacular. The boat ride around Lake Lucerne was very relaxing and enjoyable too. Couldn’t get over the beautiful turquoise color of the lake.

Great, but…

HOWARD_C, Jun 2026

This was a fantastic tour! Mount Pilatus does NOT disappoint! We even rode the Alpine Coaster which was a big hit with my teens. Up on top, the views were magnificent! Getting down on the cog wheel train and then the boat tour was a great way to wrap it up. Only removed a star because we were told we would have a $20 CH per person lunch voucher and we did not get it. Spent $100 CH on lunch. Be prepared!

A Wonderful Day at Pilatus!

AnnBaranco_L, Jun 2026

We arrived in Lucerne early, but the tour operator allowed us to take the earlier scheduled excursion. We were very comfortable, on the air conditioned bus.

Great excursion, enjoyed...

Robin_I, Jun 2026

Great excursion, enjoyed the cog wheel, the boat ride, the gondola. Great views of the Alps. Only issue was we never received our lunch voucher.

Beautiful views start to finish

Gail_N, Jun 2026

Must see if you are in Lucerne. Viator made it easy to see the mountain. The guide was very nice and attentive.

Beautiful way to see Lucerne

Kelly_W, Jun 2026

Excellent way to see Lucerne. So fun to take the lift, gondola, train and boat. Our tour guide Thomas was lovely and very knowledgeable. Wonderful day!

Wonderful Mount Pilatus experience

Kelly_M, Jun 2026

This was an incredible experience! We took a bus, a gondola ride, cable car, cogwheel train and a beautiful boat ride across lake Lucerne. This tour was the whole package! We loved Mount Pilatus and had plenty of time for lunch and to climb and explore taking in the amazing views. The boat ride at the end was a great capper to the experience.

Best senior citizen, ever . this was the best guy he kept everybody together. He gave us plenty of his time, giving his

RichardH_M, Jun 2026

Great tour ver we organized The guide was especially good. He was an older gentleman and did a really great job. He really knew his stuff. I recognized him by the red strap around his neck held the identification card. You can’t miss them at the bus terminal across from the gas station.

This excursion proved to...

Melinda_O, Jun 2026

This excursion proved to be a fantastic experience. The tour guides work hard to please and I highly recommend.

Amazing Mt. Pilates

Karen_R, Jun 2026

The most beautiful place and view I have ever seen! The rides on the gondolas and cog train were incredible, the views were spectacular.

Once in a lifetime trip

Gail_P, Jun 2026

Rolf was a great guide and kept us all on time with clear instructions. It was very convenient for travel and gave us plenty of free time to explore.

A great adventure

Anita_C, Jun 2026

It was the highlight of our trip. The cable car ride up the mountain was amazing. The views from the top were breathtaking! There were plenty of things to do and different level hikes for all levels. The cog wheel train was fun and had different views from every turn. The boat ride around the lake was the perfect way to end the day. Our guide made sure we left on time and gave clear instructions on meeting times and places. I would highly recommend this.