Mt. Pilatus Day Trip from Zurich: Golden Round Trip & Lucerne (copy)
Visits: Lucerne
Up by dragon, down the world's steepest railway, home across the lake.
- Conquer 2,132 m Mt. Pilatus on the famous Golden Round Trip, in half a day from Lucerne
- Fly up on the Dragon Ride, through panoramic windows built to feel like flying and ride down the world's steepest cogwheel railway
- Cruise Lake Lucerne by boat and see the peaks from the water, see Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and wander the Old Town's winding alleys
See Lucerne's own mountain the classic way, by gondola, cable car, cogwheel train and boat, in a single afternoon. Four ways to travel, one unforgettable mountain, and every ticket booked for you.
Meet your guide at the Landenberg coach park on Alpenquai and settle into your coach seat for the departure.
A short drive brings you to Kriens, at the foot of Mt. Pilatus. Board the panoramic gondolas and float up over forests and Alpine pastures to Fräkmüntegg. At Fräkmüntegg, change to the Dragon Ride aerial cableway. Its panoramic windows are designed to make you feel like you're flying as you glide up the last stretch to the summit.
Step out at Pilatus Kulm, 2,132 metres up, and make the mountain your own (weather permitting):
Panorama terrace, the Alps at your feet: admire snowy peaks and the deep blue lakes in the valleys below.
Dragon World, the legend comes alive: explore the interactive Dragon World experience.
Dragon Trail, a walk through the rock: follow the trail along the cliffs and through the mountain.
A short hike to the summit, the best view of all: climb a little higher for a 360-degree panorama.
Lunch with a view: treat yourself to a typical Swiss lunch at one of the summit restaurants (at your own expense).
Here comes the highlight of the day. Board the world's steepest cogwheel railway and descend at a gradient of up to 48% to Alpnachstad on the shore of Lake Lucerne.
Board a public boat at Alpnachstad for a lovely one-hour cruise on Lake Lucerne and see the mountains you just conquered from an entirely different angle.
The tour ends when you step off the boat in Lucerne, right in the heart of town.
Wait at the street corner on the pavement at the entrance to the coach park, and your guide will come and meet you there.
Wait at the street corner on the pavement at the entrance to the coach park, and your guide will come and meet you there.
Tourist Bus Parking Landenberg, Alpenquai, 6005 Luzern, Switzerland
- 1Lucerne: An Easy Start by the Main Station Meeting point 15 MinsMeet your guide at the Landenberg coach park on Alpenquai and settle into your coach seat for the departure.Read more
- 2Kriens: Panoramic Gondolas into the Mountains 45 MinsA short drive brings you to Kriens, at the foot of Mt. Pilatus. Board the panoramic gondolas and float up over forests and Alpine pastures to Fräkmüntegg. At Fräkmüntegg, change to the Dragon Ride aerial cableway. Its panoramic windows are designed to make you feel like you're flying as you glide up the last stretch to the summit.Read more
- 3Mt. Pilatus Summit: Dragon Views at 2,132 m 120 MinsStep out at Pilatus Kulm, 2,132 metres up, and make the mountain your own (weather permitting): Panorama terrace, the Alps at your feet: admire snowy peaks and the deep blue lakes in the valleys below. Dragon World, the legend comes alive: explore the interactive Dragon World experience. Dragon Trail, a walk through the rock: follow the trail along the cliffs and through the mountain. A short hike to the summit, the best view of all: climb a little higher for a 360-degree panorama. Lunch with a view: treat yourself to a typical Swiss lunch at one of the summit restaurants (at your own expense).Read more
- 4Cogwheel Railway: The World's Steepest Ride 60 MinsHere comes the highlight of the day. Board the world's steepest cogwheel railway and descend at a gradient of up to 48% to Alpnachstad on the shore of Lake Lucerne.Read more
- 5Lake Lucerne: A Relaxing Cruise Back to Lucerne 90 MinsBoard a public boat at Alpnachstad for a lovely one-hour cruise on Lake Lucerne and see the mountains you just conquered from an entirely different angle.Read more
- 6Back to Lucerne via Lucerne: Relax All the Way Home 15 MinsThe tour ends when you step off the boat in Lucerne, right in the heart of town.Read more
Wait at the street corner on the pavement at the entrance to the coach park, and your guide will come and meet you there.
- Start stress-free: be at the Landenberg coach park, Alpenquai, 15 minutes before your departure
- Dress for snow: it can be below freezing at the summit, even in summer. A warm jacket, gloves and a hat: the summit is snowy and cold all year. Waterproof shoes with good grip: for the snow, the Cliff Walk and the Glacier Park
- Eat your way: on Golden Round Trip dates lunch isn't included. Eat before the departure or at a summit restaurant.
- Accessibility: not suitable for wheelchair users.
- Fear of heights? The cogwheel train is steep but enclosed and very safe; sit facing downhill for the best view.
- One-hour public boat cruise on Lake Lucerne (until 18 October 2026) and Lunch voucher on Mt. Pilatus (19 October to 29 November 2026 only)
- Toilets at Lucerne: An Easy Start by the Main Station and Kriens: Panoramic Gondolas into the Mountains
- Food isn't included — places to eat at Kriens: Panoramic Gondolas into the Mountains
What your price covers
Read this before you book — no surprises on the day.
- Air-conditioned coach from Lucerne and back
- Live guide in English or SpanishEnglish · Spanish
- Panoramic gondolas and the Dragon Ride aerial cableway, so you fly straight to the top
- Cogwheel railway down to Alpnachstad, the world's steepest
- One-hour public boat cruise on Lake Lucerne
- Meals and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Personal expenses
- Kriens: Panoramic Gondolas into the Mountains
Choose your date and book
Seats & prices liveGood to know
Questions people ask
It's the classic way to see Mt. Pilatus: up by panoramic gondola and the Dragon Ride cable car, down on the world's steepest cogwheel railway, then back to Lucerne by boat on Lake Lucerne.
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