Cable car
From Kriens, all year apart from maintenance.
- Ride
- About 35 min
- One way
- CHF 42
- Season
- All year
Mount Pilatus cable car
Two rides from Kriens: a panorama gondola to Fräkmüntegg, then the Dragon Ride cableway to the top.
- From
- €65
- Gondola
- About 30 min
- Dragon Ride
- 3.5 min
Is there a cable car up Mount Pilatus?
Yes, two in a row: a gondola from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg, then an aerial cableway to Pilatus Kulm.
The gondola stops at Krienseregg and climbs 899 m in all. The cableway, called the Dragon Ride, climbs another 646.6 m over 1,387.6 m of line.
You can get off and on again at Krienseregg and Fräkmüntegg. Fräkmüntegg also has a summer toboggan run, run by a separate company.
Cable car or cogwheel railway?
Do both if you can: up one and down the other. If you must choose, the cable car runs nearly all year.
Cogwheel railway
From Alpnachstad, at up to 48%.
- Ride
- 27 min up
- One way
- CHF 42
- Season
- May to November
When does the Mount Pilatus cable car run?
All year, except during maintenance.
Closures in 2026
30 and 31 March, and 19 October to 27 November, for an overhaul done every 12 years. Check before you go.
Hours
In 2026, the gondola leaves Kriens from 08:30 to 17:00 from 1 April to 18 October, and until 16:00 from 28 November to 31 December.
In winter
Sledging routes and snowshoe trails run below Fräkmüntegg.
Wheelchairs
Pilatus-Bahnen says the gondolas and the cableway are accessible.
How much is the Mount Pilatus cable car?
CHF 42 one way and CHF 84 return from May to November, CHF 60 return from December to April.
Half price with a Half Fare card or a Swiss Travel Pass. On GetYourGuide, from €65.
We earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Tickets
Sold by Pilatus-Bahnen, on GetYourGuide and directly.
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.
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.
With a guide
The cable car is part of the guided half-day.
Most reviewed
From Lucerne, by coach
Half-day from Lucerne with Best of Switzerland
For a first visit: the most reviews here, and the whole circle with a guide in half a day.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tickets | ||||||
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 | |||
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 | |||
| With a guide | ||||||
Most reviewedHalf-day from Lucerne with Best of SwitzerlandBest of Switzerland ToursThe route: Coach to Kriens, gondola and cableway up, cogwheel railway down, boat back to LucerneTime at the top: 1.5 hoursGroup size: Up to 48 peopleKeep in mind: Up to 48 people. Its list has the boat until 18 October 2026, then a lunch voucher on autumn dates. Wheelchair users are listed as not suitable. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 5 h 30 | Bus parking Landenberg, Alpenquai, Lucerne | €179 | See dates: Half-day from Lucerne with Best of Switzerland | ||
How long is the cable car ride up Mount Pilatus?
About 30 minutes by gondola, then 3.5 minutes by cableway, with a short change at Fräkmüntegg.
How do you get to the cable car?
Bus line 1 from Lucerne, then a 5- to 10-minute walk.
Getting thereIs it the same ticket as the train?
The plain up-and-down ticket covers both, so you can go up one way and down the other.
Every priceDoes it run in bad weather?
The ticket pages say the trip runs in almost all weather. Pilatus-Bahnen publishes any interruptions on its site.
Want the whole mountain?
The round trips add the cogwheel railway and the lake.