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.
Mount Pilatus tours from Lucerne
7 guided trips from Lucerne, from €159: what each one includes, how many people, and how long you get at the top.
- From
- €159
- Duration
- 4 to 6 h
- Tours compared
- 7
What does a guided Mount Pilatus tour include?
A guide and the mountain transport. Food is extra on all of them, and the boat depends on the trip and the month.
The differences are the size of the group, from 48 people down to your own party, and the time at the top, from 1.5 to 3 hours. The cheapest trip goes up and down by gondola and cableway: the cogwheel railway and the boat are paid options there, in summer only.
The boat stops in autumn: on the half-day, its list has it until 18 October 2026. Check what your date includes.
Which guided tour from Lucerne is best?
For most people, the half-day with Best of Switzerland: the most reviewed, the whole circle in summer, from €179.
We earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
By coach or minibus
The most reviewed, and the lowest price.
Lowest price
From Lucerne, by minibus
Glass-roof minibus from Lucerne with Keytours
For 3 hours at the top, at the lowest price of a guided trip.
Small groups
15 people at most on two of them, with more time at the top or a reserved seat.
15 people at most
From Lucerne, by boat
Small group from Lucerne with Tours of Switzerland
For a smaller group, with a boat crossing and 3 hours at the top.
Your seat is reserved
From Lucerne, in the afternoon
Silver Round Trip in the afternoon, from Lucerne
For a shorter afternoon: 4 hours in all, with your seat on the cogwheel railway already reserved.
All tickets included
From Lucerne, by boat and train
Small group by boat and train, from Lucerne
For a small group in German or English, with the whole circle from June to October.
In winter, or private
Few reviews so far.
For winter
From Lucerne, by local bus
Winter small group from Lucerne
For the snow, with a guide: up and down by gondola and cableway, with 2.5 hours at the top.
Private
From Lucerne, your party only
Private Golden Round Trip from Lucerne
For your own guide and your own pace, on the whole circle.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By coach or minibus | ||||||
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 | ||
Lowest priceGlass-roof minibus from Lucerne with KeytoursKeytours Switzerland SAThe route: Up and down by gondola and cableway; the cogwheel railway and the boat are summer options at extra costTime at the top: 3 hoursGroup size: Up to 20 peopleKeep in mind: That price goes up and down by gondola and cableway. The cogwheel railway and the boat are paid options, in summer only. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 6 h | Bus parking Landenberg, Alpenquai, Lucerne | €159 | See dates: Glass-roof minibus from Lucerne with Keytours | ||
| Small groups | ||||||
Small group from Lucerne with Tours of SwitzerlandTours of SwitzerlandThe route: Boat to Alpnachstad and the full round trip from mid-May to mid-OctoberTime at the top: 3 hoursGroup size: Up to 15 peopleKeep in mind: Its round-trip ticket runs from mid-May to mid-October. Lunch is extra. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 5 h | Zentralstrasse 1, Lucerne | €250 | See dates: Small group from Lucerne with Tours of Switzerland | ||
Silver Round Trip in the afternoon, from LucerneSwissTravelGuideThe route: Gondola and cableway up, cogwheel railway and train downTime at the top: 2 hoursGroup size: Up to 15 peopleKeep in mind: Only 3 reviews so far. Up to 15 people. Wheelchair users are listed as not suitable. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 4 h | Tourist Information, Zentralstrasse 5, Lucerne | €272 | See dates: Silver Round Trip in the afternoon, from Lucerne | ||
Small group by boat and train, from LucerneSwissTravelGuideThe route: From June to October, the full round trip by boat, cogwheel railway and cableway; from November to May, local bus and cableway, with a lake cruise in LucerneKeep in mind: From November to May it goes up by cableway instead, with a lake cruise in Lucerne. Only 7 reviews so far. What's includedIncluded
Not included
| 6 h | Tourist Information, Zentralstrasse 5, Lucerne | €361 | See dates: Small group by boat and train, from Lucerne | ||
| In winter, or private | ||||||
Winter small group from LucerneSwissTravelGuideThe route: Local bus to Kriens, then gondola and cableway up and downTime at the top: 2.5 hoursKeep in mind: Only 1 review so far. Wheelchair users are listed as not suitable. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Not suitable with
| 5 h | Tourist Information, Zentralstrasse 5, Lucerne | €341 | See dates: Winter small group from Lucerne | ||
Private Golden Round Trip from LucerneSwissTravelGuideThe route: Boat, cogwheel railway, cableway, gondola and busTime at the top: 2.5 hoursGroup size: Your party onlyKeep in mind: Only 6 reviews so far. Check on GetYourGuide what the price covers for your group size. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 6 h | Pickup in Lucerne | €487 | See dates: Private Golden Round Trip from Lucerne | ||
How do the tours from Lucerne differ?
By the route, the group, and the time you get at the top.
From each trip's page on GetYourGuide, read on 6 November 2026. “Not stated” means its page does not say.
| Route | Group, time at the top | |
|---|---|---|
| Best of Switzerland | Coach, gondola and cableway up, cogwheel railway down, boat | 48 at most, 1.5 hours |
| Keytours | Minibus, gondola and cableway up and down | 20 at most, 3 hours |
| Tours of Switzerland | Boat, and the full round trip from mid-May to mid-October | 15 at most, 3 hours |
| Silver afternoon | Gondola and cableway up, cogwheel railway and train down | 15 at most, 2 hours |
| By boat and train | Full circle from June to October, cableway the rest of the year | Group not stated, top not stated |
Do you need a guide at all?
No: the transport is public, and tickets are on sale without one.
On your own
From €130 for the whole circle, with no set time at the top. All tickets and prices.
With a guide
From €179 for the same circle, with the transport arranged and a set time at the top.
With a pass
The pages of these trips mention no pass discount. With a Swiss Travel Pass, the cheapest way is on your own.
Is a guided tour of Mount Pilatus worth it?
That's yours to weigh: the half-day costs €179, the ticket alone €130, and the difference buys a guide, a coach and a planned day.
Are there tours in winter?
Winter small group from Lucerne runs by gondola and cableway. Small group by boat and train, from Lucerne also goes up by cableway from November to May.
In which language?
English on the half-day, the minibus and the Tours of Switzerland trip. German or English with SwissTravelGuide. Check under “Compare in detail”.
Can wheelchair users join?
Pilatus-Bahnen says its transport is accessible, but the half-day, the minibus, the Silver afternoon and the winter trip list wheelchair users as not suitable. Ask before you book.
Where do the tours start?
At the Landenberg bus parking on the Alpenquai, at Zentralstrasse 1, or at the Tourist Information at Zentralstrasse 5, depending on the trip.
Can you cancel?
All of them can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before.
Not staying in Lucerne?
Guided days also leave from Zurich and Basel.