Rigi or Pilatus?
Choose Rigi if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass: its railways are free with it, and Pilatus is half price. Choose Pilatus for the higher summit, the steeper railway and a circle by boat, train and cableway.
Rigi
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How do Rigi and Pilatus compare?
Two mountains by Lake Lucerne, with the same CHF 84 at the door and very different rules for a pass.
From Pilatus-Bahnen and Rigi Bahnen, read on 6 November 2026. Prices can change.
| Pilatus | Rigi | |
|---|---|---|
| Top station | 2,132 m | Rigi Kulm, 1,797 m |
| Its railway | Steepest cogwheel railway in the world, says its operator | Europe's first mountain railway, 1871, says its operator |
| Adult price | CHF 84 up and down, May to November | CHF 84 for a day pass |
| Swiss Travel Pass | Half price | Free |
| Ways up | Alpnachstad, Kriens | Vitznau, Goldau, Weggis, Kräbel |
| On this site | 15 guided trips, 4 tickets | No offers: we only compare Pilatus trips here |
Which is better, Rigi or Pilatus?
We can't tell you which view you'll prefer, but the sums and the logistics do differ.
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, the sums favour Rigi: Rigi Bahnen lists the pass under free travel, with no ticket to buy, while Pilatus costs CHF 42 from May to November.
Without a pass, the price is about the same, so the choice is the day itself. Pilatus has the higher top, the steeper railway, and a circle by boat, cogwheel railway, cableway and gondola. Rigi has its own railways from Vitznau and Goldau, and can be reached by boat, train, bus or car.
We sell neither mountain ourselves. Our commission comes from Pilatus trips only, which is one more reason to check Rigi Bahnen's own prices.
Decided on Pilatus?
For a first visit, the half-day from Lucerne, from €179, or the whole circle on your own, from €130.
We earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
With a guide
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.
Most reviewed from Zurich
From Zurich, by coach
Day from Zurich with Best of Switzerland
For a full day from Zurich with a guide in English or Spanish, an hour in Lucerne and the whole circle.
On your own
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
Most reviewed from ZurichDay from Zurich with Best of SwitzerlandBest of Switzerland ToursThe route: Coach to Lucerne, gondola and cableway up, cogwheel railway down, then a boat to Lucerne: the operator's own page lists the boat until 18 October 2026Time at the top: 1.5 hoursKeep in mind: GetYourGuide's list of inclusions does not name the boat, though its itinerary does. The operator's own page lists it until 18 October 2026. Then a lunch voucher replaces it. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 10 h | Sihlquai bus station, Limmatstrasse 2, Zurich | €200 | See dates: Day from Zurich with Best of Switzerland | ||
| On your own | ||||||
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 | ||
Rigi or Pilatus with a Swiss Travel Pass?
Rigi costs nothing more with the pass, and Pilatus costs CHF 42 or CHF 30, depending on the season.
Which is higher?
Pilatus: 2,132 m at the top station, against 1,797 m at Rigi Kulm.
Which can you visit in winter?
At Pilatus, the gondola and cableway run all year apart from maintenance, and the cogwheel railway stops. For Rigi, check Rigi Bahnen's own timetable.
What about Titlis?
We have not compared it here: we have no figures from its operator that we have read.
Going to Pilatus?
Start with your way up.