Pilatus Golden Round Trip from Lucerne: Guided Tour with Cable Car and Boat Ride | Switzerland
- Ride two cable cars up to Mount Pilatus, including the modern “Dragon Ride” with panoramic views.
- Walk the Dragon Path to the summit at 2,132 meters and admire the Swiss Alps and turquoise lakes.
- Descend on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway through stunning alpine meadows.
- End the experience with a scenic boat cruise on Lake Lucerne
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Departure Time | Late Departure (After 9 am) |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Bus tour |
Product Info
— What You Can Expect —
Set out on a half-day guided journey from Lucerne to the legendary Dragon Mountain. Ride two cable cars up to Mount Pilatus, then descend on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Conclude your adventure with a relaxing boat cruise across Lake Lucerne.
Pilatus is shrouded in myths and legends. In the Middle Ages, people believed dragons once lived among its rocky cliffs. Today, you can still uncover traces of these stories while taking in breathtaking views. This tour combines history, legend, and natural beauty for a truly memorable experience.
Your trip begins in Lucerne with a coach ride to Kriens. From there, board the panoramic gondola to Fräkmüntegg before continuing on the modern “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway. With its wide windows, it feels almost like flying as you enjoy sweeping alpine scenery. During late October to early November, while the Dragon Ride undergoes maintenance, the cogwheel train replaces this section.
From the top station, it’s just a short walk to Pilatus’ summit at 2,132 meters. Stroll along the Dragon Path and soak in panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and sparkling blue lakes. You can also explore hiking trails or enjoy a meal at one of the summit restaurants.
The descent from Pilatus Kulm takes you down the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, gliding past alpine meadows on a thrilling 40-minute ride with gradients up to 48%. From Alpnachstad, return to Lucerne and complete your tour with a one-hour scenic boat trip on Lake Lucerne (operating until mid-October, after which a lunch voucher at the summit is provided instead)
— Important Info —
- Dog : Only assistance dogs are permitted (advance registration required, free of charge).
- Wheelchair: Must be foldable for transport on the bus; passengers must be able to board and disembark independently.
- Stroller: Must be foldable for transport on the bus.
- Please notify the tour operator in advance and discuss any additional details directly with them.
Visit Summit station at Mount Pilatus with panoramic views of rocky peaks, Lake Lucerne, and the Swiss Alps.
Ride on the red panoramic gondolas above the forest with Mount Pilatus towering in the background.
Glide in an aerial cable car with large windows offering panoramic views of the alpine landscape.
Complete the tour with a one-hour scenic boat trip on Lake Lucerne
Important Info
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 2 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–1 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
The Pilatus Golden Round Trip is a full-day excursion from Lucerne that combines various transport modes and stunning alpine scenery. It typically involves a scenic boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, ascending Mount Pilatus via the world's steepest cogwheel railway, enjoying summit attractions, and descending by modern panoramic cable cars, offering a diverse and immersive Swiss mountain adventure.
The entire Pilatus Golden Round Trip experience, including travel from Lucerne, ascending, enjoying the summit, descending, and returning, typically takes a full day. While the mountain ascent and descent can be done in a few hours, allowing ample time for the lake cruise and enjoying the views and activities at the summit of Mount Pilatus is recommended, making it a 5-6 hour journey at minimum, often longer depending on leisure.
On Mount Pilatus, visitors can enjoy several unique features. Highlights include riding the modern “Dragon Ride” cable car with panoramic views, walking the 'Dragon Path' at the summit (2,132 meters) to admire the Swiss Alps and turquoise lakes, and descending on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway through stunning alpine meadows. The summit also offers various viewpoints, walking trails, and restaurants.
Yes, the Pilatus Golden Round Trip is highly recommended for first-time travelers as it offers a comprehensive and iconic Swiss experience. It uniquely combines a tranquil lake cruise, a thrilling ride on the world's steepest cogwheel railway, modern cable car journeys, and breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and surrounding lakes from Mount Pilatus's summit, making it a memorable and diverse adventure.
To start the Pilatus Golden Round Trip from Lucerne, you typically have two main options for the initial leg. You can take a boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, where you board the cogwheel railway. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Lucerne to Kriens, which is the starting point for the panoramic cable cars up Mount Pilatus. The 'Golden Round Trip' then combines these different modes for the full circuit.
Yes, the Swiss Pass generally offers a reduction on the Pilatus Golden Round Trip, meaning part of the journey may be covered or available at a reduced rate, rather than being entirely free. For a convenient and comprehensive booking experience that bundles all transportation components of the Golden Round Trip, you can book through KKday. This allows for easy planning and often secures your preferred time slots without the hassle of individual ticket purchases, providing a seamless travel experience.
The Pilatus Golden Round Trip journey primarily includes four distinct modes of transport. These are a scenic boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, a ride on the world's steepest cogwheel railway, an aerial cable car journey, and a trip on the modern “Dragon Ride” panoramic cable car. This combination allows for a varied and exciting exploration of the region and Mount Pilatus.
From the Dragon Ride cable car, you can expect stunning panoramic views as you ascend, looking down on the diverse landscape. At the Mount Pilatus summit, visitors are treated to breathtaking 360-degree vistas of the surrounding Swiss Alps, including distant peaks and the shimmering turquoise lakes below, such as Lake Lucerne. The views encompass expansive mountain ranges, valleys, and forests.
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