The mountain only
From Alpnachstad or Kriens
Up and down the mountain, from Alpnachstad or Kriens
For the ride up and down, when you already have your way to the valley station.
How to get to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
By bus and gondola from Kriens, or by train or boat to Alpnachstad. How long each way takes, when it runs, and which ticket you need.
- From
- €65
- Train to Alpnachstad
- 20 min
- Cogwheel railway
- 27 min up
How do you get from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus?
By bus and gondola all year, or by train or boat and the cogwheel railway in season.
By bus and gondola
From Kriens, all year
Bus line 1 takes eleven minutes from Lucerne station, then you walk 5 to 10 minutes. About 30 minutes to Fräkmüntegg, and 3.5 minutes to the top. Closed for maintenance on some dates.
The cable carBy train and cogwheel railway
From Alpnachstad, May to November
20 minutes by train from Lucerne main station, then 27 minutes up. Pilatus-Bahnen recommends reserving a seat.
The cogwheel railwayBy boat and cogwheel railway
From pier 2, in summer
The boat leaves opposite Lucerne station and takes 47 to 92 minutes depending on the sailing. An underground path leads from the landing stage to the railway.
The Golden Round Trip
Which way is the quickest?
The train and the cogwheel railway: about 47 minutes of riding, plus your change at Alpnachstad.
Train and railway
20 minutes, then 27. May to November.
Bus and gondola
About 50 to 55 minutes: 11 by bus, 5 to 10 on foot, about 30 by gondola, 3.5 by cableway.
Boat and railway
The slowest, and the point of the trip: 47 to 92 minutes on the lake, then 27 up.
On foot
Pilatus-Bahnen counts about 5 hours, from either valley station.
Which ticket do you need?
The plain ticket if you get to the valley yourself, the Golden or Silver if you want the way from Lucerne included.
We earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
From the valley
Bus, train or boat to the valley are extra.
Lowest price
From Kriens
Gondola and cableway from Kriens, there and back
For a shorter trip by gondola and cableway, going up and down on the same side.
From Lucerne
The whole circle, in season.
By train, not by boat
From Lucerne, no guide
Silver Round Trip ticket, by train, without a guide
For the same circle with the train in place of the boat: quicker and cheaper.
The full circle
From Lucerne, no guide
Golden Round Trip ticket, without a guide
For a day around the mountain at your own pace, by boat, cogwheel railway, cableway, gondola and bus.
Pilatus-Bahnen, the company that runs the mountain, also sells this ticket on its own site: CHF 119.80 for an adult in 2nd class (read 6 Nov 2026). The GetYourGuide listing we link to is sold by Pilatus-Bahnen too, from €130 (read 4 Nov 2026). At the ECB rate of 5 Nov, the two are within a euro. GetYourGuide lets you cancel free up to 24 hours before.
With a Swiss Travel Pass you don't need the round-trip ticket: boat and bus are free, and the mountain costs half, CHF 42 instead of CHF 84. GetYourGuide's ticket pages mention no such discount, so buy that part from Pilatus-Bahnen.
Compare in detail
Prices and ratings are read from GetYourGuide. Prices are rounded up. Last checked on 4 Nov.
Every tour here is free to cancel up to 24 hours before it starts.
| Tour | Duration | Starts | Min. age | Rating | From | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From the valley | ||||||
Up and down the mountain, from Alpnachstad or KriensPILATUS-BAHNEN AGThe route: Cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, gondola and cableway from KriensAt Pilatus-Bahnen: CHF 84 for an adult from May to November, read on 6 November 2026Keep in mind: Getting to the valley station is up to you, and parking there is extra. A seat on the cogwheel railway is not included. What's includedIncluded
Not included
| The valley station at Alpnachstad or Kriens: getting there is up to you | €91 | See dates: Up and down the mountain, from Alpnachstad or Kriens | |||
Gondola and cableway from Kriens, there and backPILATUS-BAHNEN AGThe route: Up and down on the same side: gondola and cablewayAt Pilatus-Bahnen: CHF 84 for an adult from May to November, CHF 60 from December to April, read on 6 November 2026Keep in mind: Pilatus-Bahnen charges CHF 60 from December to April and CHF 84 from May to November, so check the price for your date. What's includedIncluded
Not included
| The valley station at Kriens: getting there is up to you | €65 | See dates: Gondola and cableway from Kriens, there and back | |||
| From Lucerne | ||||||
Silver Round Trip ticket, by train, without a guidePILATUS-BAHNEN AGThe route: Train, cogwheel railway, cableway, gondola, bus, in either directionAt Pilatus-Bahnen: CHF 94.20 for an adult in 2nd class, CHF 98 in 1st, read on 6 November 2026Keep in mind: Pilatus-Bahnen gives two seasons on one page: May to October, and mid-May to mid-November. A seat on the cogwheel railway is not included. What's includedIncluded
Not included
| Lucerne: bus no. 1 or the train to Alpnachstad, in either direction | €103 | See dates: Silver Round Trip ticket, by train, without a guide | |||
Golden Round Trip ticket, without a guidePILATUS-BAHNEN AGThe route: Boat, cogwheel railway, cableway, gondola, bus, in either directionAt Pilatus-Bahnen: CHF 119.80 for an adult in 2nd class, CHF 136.80 in 1st, read on 6 November 2026Keep in mind: From May to October. A seat on the cogwheel railway is not included, and there are only 2 to 5 boats a day. What's includedIncluded
Not included
| 4 h 30 | Lucerne: bus no. 1 or the boat from pier 2, in either direction | €130 | See dates: Golden Round Trip ticket, without a guide | ||
What is the easiest way up Mount Pilatus from Lucerne?
From Kriens: it runs nearly all year and you need no change of train. In summer, the train to Alpnachstad is quicker.
Where does the bus leave from?
Bus line 1 runs from Lucerne station to the stop Kriens, Zentrum / Pilatus.
Can you drive?
Yes, to the valley stations at Kriens and Alpnachstad, where parking is extra on the tickets here.
Which way is open right now?
From 19 October to 27 November 2026, only the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad. Pilatus-Bahnen publishes any interruptions on its site.
Can you go up one way and down the other?
Yes. The plain ticket lets you do so, and the Golden and Silver tickets are built for it.
The Golden Round TripIs it far from Zurich?
The guided days here count 50 minutes to an hour by train to Lucerne.
Days from ZurichWould you rather not plan this?
A guided trip arranges the transport for you.