Mt. Pilatus Day Trip from Zurich: Golden Round Trip & Lucerne
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 one day from Zurich
- 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
Discover Mt. Pilatus the classic way on this day trip from Zurich: by gondola, cable car, cogwheel train and boat, all in one smooth day. Four ways to travel, one unforgettable mountain, and not a single ticket or timetable for you to sort out.
Meet your guide at the Sihlquai coach park, a short walk from Zurich main station, and settle into a comfortable air-conditioned seat for the departure.
Sit back as the coach rolls through splendid Swiss countryside and along the shores of Lake Lucerne, with your guide sharing stories along the way.
Your guide shows you Lucerne's main sights on a short orientation drive past the Chapel Bridge, the Town Hall, the Jesuit Church and the Culture and Convention Centre (KKL). Then the town is yours: grab a bite to eat, browse local shops for traditional Swiss souvenirs or wander the winding alleys of the enchanting Old Town
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.
Relax on the coach as you head back via Lucerne, swapping snow-day photos with your fellow travellers. The tour ends at the meeting point in Zurich in the evening.
Meet us at Zurich Sihlquai Bus Station, close to Zurich’s main train station. Locate the Green Building & check-in at counter.
Zurich Sihlquai Bus Station, Locate the Green Building & check-in at counter marked in green & yellow.
Sihlquai 29, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
- 1Zurich: An Easy Start by the Main Station Meeting point 15 MinsMeet your guide at the Sihlquai coach park, a short walk from Zurich main station, and settle into a comfortable air-conditioned seat for the departure.Read more
- 2Lake Lucerne Shores: A Scenic Drive Through the Swiss Countryside 60 MinsSit back as the coach rolls through splendid Swiss countryside and along the shores of Lake Lucerne, with your guide sharing stories along the way.Read more
- 3Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Old Town and a Bite to Eat 120 MinsYour guide shows you Lucerne's main sights on a short orientation drive past the Chapel Bridge, the Town Hall, the Jesuit Church and the Culture and Convention Centre (KKL). Then the town is yours: grab a bite to eat, browse local shops for traditional Swiss souvenirs or wander the winding alleys of the enchanting Old TownRead more
- 4Kriens: 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
- 5Mt. 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
- 6Cogwheel 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
- 7Lake 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
- 8Back to Zurich via Lucerne: Relax All the Way Home 105 MinsRelax on the coach as you head back via Lucerne, swapping snow-day photos with your fellow travellers. The tour ends at the meeting point in Zurich in the evening.Read more
Zurich Sihlquai Bus Station, Locate the Green Building & check-in at counter marked in green & yellow.
- Start stress-free: Reach at our meeting point Sihlquai 29, Zurich 15 Mins prior. From Zurich main station, follow track 18 (the last track at street level) until the road turns right, walk 50 metres and find the Sihlquai coach park opposite Starbucks. Check in at the green building, at the counter marked in green and yellow.
- 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
- Lunch your way: on Golden Round Trip dates lunch isn't included. Eat at one of the restaurants on Pilatus Kulm, or grab a snack in Lucerne.
- 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 Zurich: An Easy Start by the Main Station, Lake Lucerne Shores: A Scenic Drive Through the Swiss Countryside, Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Old Town and a Bite to Eat and Kriens: Panoramic Gondolas into the Mountains
- Veg food at Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Old Town and a Bite to Eat
- Food isn't included — places to eat at Lake Lucerne Shores: A Scenic Drive Through the Swiss Countryside, Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Old Town and a Bite to Eat and Kriens: Panoramic Gondolas into the Mountains
What your price covers
Read this before you book — no surprises on the day.
- Air-conditioned coach from Zurich and back
- Live guide in English or SpanishEnglish · Spanish
- Lucerne orientation drive and time to explore the Old Town
- 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
- Lake Lucerne Shores: A Scenic Drive Through the Swiss Countryside
- Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Old Town and a Bite to Eat Veg options
- 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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