Retourticket voor de Pilatus vanuit Alpnachstad of Kriens

We boarded the funicular at Alpnachstad to go to the top of Mt Pilatus. Supposedly this funicular has the steepest climbing angle of all funiculars. Not sure how long it took, but we arrived at the top at 1100. Stayed there until 1230. Lots of things you can do besides shopping and eating as you can climb to several different lookout points. When you are done at the top you get into a multi-person cable car which drops you down to an activity area where you can do all kinds of cable-related things or ride a luge. Then you board a 4-person cable car for the trip down to Kriens.

From Lucerne we took a train to Alpanaschtad station. We had booked timed tkts to go to the summit by cogwheel train. One shall avoid the crowd if you buy timed tkts. This train service s throughout the yr. Thrilling experience to reach the summit. Never miss it. You can either tk this for one way and choose the Gondola for the retn to hv both the experiences. We scaled 3 peaks. A restaurant to your need. Price quite reasonable. Enjoy the nature from all points. Capture great clicks. A must do activity. We retd by a Gondola.

Got the golden round trip with boat Cogwheel cable cart bonde bus from Lucerne -> Alpnachstad -> Pilatus -> Kriens -> Lucerne. $250 for 2 adult. Took boat 9:38 am, had lunch at the hotel $100 and got back Lucerne 7 pm. Lot of walking up step stairs total 25 flight for views from top. You don’t have to walk up the different hills and you can stay in the observatory. There are fast food buffet restaurant and coffee shop with ice Cream cakes a gift shop. You can paraglide download the mountain depending on weather. You can hike up the mountain from alpnachstad 3 hours. We didn’t have time but on way back down via cable cart there is a middle area with rope Course and other activities. And other option is night star gaze, 3 course dinner, and night at hotel up the mountain starting at $810 for 2 or just dinner at night for $310 for 2. Last cable cart for general public down mountain is 5:30 pm. So if you miss it you will have to stay at the hotel or you can stay for dinner as mentioned above.

We booked our tickets two days in advance with discounts using Swiss Travel Pass. The only piece that needs a timed booking is the cogwheel train. It was very busy when we were there (on a Friday) and many people who tried to book on the spot were having to wait quite a while (one family who arrived with us had missed their reservation and just gave up). We took the train from Luzern to Alpnachstad (16 mins), then the cogtrain (30 mins) to the top. Be sure to allow for time to experience the clouds shifting and the views changing! We did the two walks available at the summit (they are obvious when you are there). The indoor cafe sells cake and coffee, reasonably priced. The outdoor grill sells Swiss fast food involving sausages :) . We then took the gondola to Frankmutskriens (the half-way station - I am getting the name wrong) where we watched a lot of teenagers enjoying the rope walks, before getting on the cable car to the bottom. Be ready to scan your ticket a lot of times! The Apple wallet was a god-send. At the end, we took the number 1 bus back to Luzern (turn right out of the cable car station and walk down hill following signs). A very fun day out. The planning feels intimidating because the website isn’t intuitive, but worth figuring it out.

Kept standing in line with 27 degree heat for over 20 minutes whilst waiting for the return train, with no information about the service. Those with back problems or those who can’t stand for too long should be aware. Not very customer friendly.

Visor of Mount Pilatus by cable car (Train closed for maintenance when we were there). At the top stunning views of the lake and mountains with some snow, superb scenery in good weather. We recommend.

Be careful to come early if you are several, and look in mind that a long line for the cable car is possible. We arrived as a family at 10am, there was a huge queue (2h maybe). Without a ticket, you have to wait in line to get tickets, then re-queue the main. Remember to take online! Once arrived to pick up the tickets the lady was aggressive, telling us that we should not be surprised to have to queue and that being 7 had to think about coming earlier (8am) and that it was no longer possible to take the boat/golden ticket because too many people. I asked her if it was possible to be more polite then she answered us better. Remember to arrive early if possible!

From Alpenachstadt the Pilatusbahn taken. Parking is possible at the station and costs 5 CHF, a ticket without a seat reservation 80 CHF per person return. Seat reservation is unnecessary and costs 10 CHF extra. We got a 10% discount with our guest card from the campsite in Sempach where we stayed. Expensive but it's Switzerland... everything here is twice as expensive so if you're not willing to go, don't go. The ride by train is beautiful but if you regularly go on winter sports you are spoiled in terms of views of course. Upstairs it was freezing and windy, bring a good coat! But very beautiful rocks and views of the lake. Unfortunately, the sun wasn't shining. We were there at the end of May and it was not very busy.

We didn’t go on the cable car because of bad weather. However maybe I should change the rating. In regard to the service from Viator that was excellent. We were notified the day before so we had time to plan something else. They also were quick about refunding our money. I would use Viator for my next trip.

Certainly one of the most beautiful places in Europe. We've got a line above usual because it's the penultimate day of the year. Even so, everything worked perfectly. The service is great in all spaces, the information is clear and the staff are friendly and speak various languages - especially German, English and French. A very rich experience, with a spectacular view and great photo spots.