Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise
Description
Enjoy a day of Alpine adventure in Switzerland on this half-day, summer trip to Mt Pilatus from Lucerne. Begin your journey toward the skies with a 30-minute panoramic gondola ride to Fräkmüntegg, and then hop aboard the aerial cableway for your ascent to the summit of Mt Pilatus. Relax at your leisure on the peak or take a short hike to make the most of the stunning scenery below. Descend to Alpnachstad aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train and cruise out onto Lake Lucerne to admire the views from the water.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide in central Lucerne in the early afternoon.
Hop aboard your comfortable coach for the short journey to Kriens, at the foot of the imposing Mt Pilatus. On arrival, begin your ascent to the mountain’s lofty summit with a 30-minute panoramic gondola ride to the Fräkmüntegg terminus. Enjoy beautiful views over the rolling hills and lush pine forests below. At Fräkmüntegg, hop aboard the aerial tramway — a spacious and modern cabin with panoramic windows designed to give the feeling of flight. Continue your climb to the summit at a dizzying altitude of 7,000 feet, and take in spectacular views over the Alpine peaks and lakes from your vantage point on the mountain. During your free time atop Mt Pilatus, perhaps sit down to a high-altitude lunch among the peaks (own expense) or relax on the expansive sun terrace. Venture down the Dragon's Path and take a short hike around the summit to enjoy the amazing views.
Take the world's steepest cogwheel train down to Alpnachstad, descending past trickling mountain streams and sheer rock faces toward the verdant, green meadows below.
Conclude your tour with a picturesque 1-hour boat ride across lovely Lake Lucerne and enjoy the spectacular scenery from an entirely different angle.
At the end of the cruise, your tour ends back in Lucerne.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 19.10.-27.11.2026: Ascent and descent by cogwheel train, no boat ride but lunch voucher included
- 28.11.-29.11.2026: Ascent by cable car, descent by cogwheel train, no boat ride but lunch voucher included
Reviews(1,379)
Great way to experience Mount Pilatus. Short bus ride to the Gondola station. You take two consecutive gondolas up to the summit (first one is a routine cable car, second is a larger one that makes the final steeper ascent). Had two hours on our own at the summit. Crystal clear morning with breathtaking views. Then took the cogwheel train for a slow ride back to the base. Finished with a boat cruise back to Luzern, drop off just in front of the Luzern train station. Our guide Yolanda was kind, organized and knowledgeable - she took the time to chat with individual families. Would recommend.
It was a great way to see parts of Switzerland with several modes of travel! The only bad part was once we were up on Mount Pilatus, it was very cloudy and we were unable to see the beautiful views
It was an amazing well organised day with a wrap up of all sightseeing in the most efficient way! Erika our tour leader was kind, patient & very knowledgeable
Wonderful experience. Yolanda was a perfect guide. My husband has limited physical abilities and she helped us and made accommodations for him. We very much appreciated her kindness and compassion.
Wonderful trip Gaby our guide was wonderful and helpful. We were disappointed to end on a ferry without guided information of areas passed. This was not explained properly in the Viator site. You should let people know it ends on a large ferry!
The mountain and the excursion were great. The views were awesome, I just needed a little more guidance or history regarding the area from the guide.
Touched all the bases. Enjoyed enough down-time at teh summit to have a beer and a burger for lunch. SPECTACULAR views!
The experience was worthwhile and enjoyable in all respects. A cable cars cog wheel rail and the boat ride was excellent. Be sure to get pictures on the top of the mountain of the cows with the ring bells. Eat when you first get there because usually there's a cloud cover that dissipates by the time you're done eating. Well worth the price.
Viator was easy to schedule and their communication was superb from start to finish. Our tour guide, Anna Belle, was extremely knowledgeable of Mount Pilatus and Lucerne, Switzerland. This tour was one of the highlights we experienced during our time in Lucerne. The views from Mount Pilatus are beautiful and breathtaking. We highly recommend Viator and this tour.
Great adventure. Adventurous ride and view from the top. IT was truly a worthwhile and enjoyable experience.
