Mount Pilatus offers stunning scenery and incredible views. Marvel at the splendor of the Swiss Alps and uncover the beauty of Mount Pilatus with a variety of experiences to choose from!
You can choose to explore the mountain at your own pace with a self guided tour, or enjoy the comfort of a personal guide and driver on a personal Mt Pilatus tour. If you’d prefer to see the mountain from a breathtaking different perspective, a 30-minute helicopter tour over the city of Lucerne and the exquisite Rigi and Pilatus mountains is also an option.
There is such a variety of options to explore the beautiful Swiss Alps, so you are bound to find the perfect experience to suit your budget and your schedule.
Know before you book:
- The self-guided tour can start from either Kriens or Alpnachstad
- The gondolas are closed for maintenance from 21 October – 08 November 2019 due to inspection – access will only available from Alpnachstad during this time
- The world’s steepest cogwheel is closed from 18 November 2019 – mid-May 2020 – access will only be available from Kriens during this time
- Experiences may be postponed due to weather conditions
Highlights:
- Absorb breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps from Mt. Pilatus
- Ascend to a height of 2,132 meters (6,995 feet) above sea level
- Feel the thrill of riding the world’s steepest cogwheel railway on the way down
- Choose the option of a 30-minute scenic helicopter ride over the Swiss mountains
- Opt for a private guided tour, complete with all of the perks
In Central Switzerland, overlooking the gorgeous city of Lucerne, lies the towering Mount Pilatus. At almost 7,000 feet tall, Mt Pilatus is not just stunning to look at, it offers spectacular views from the top!
There are several ways to experience the splendor of the Mt. Pilatus: as a self-guided experience, with a private tour, and even by helicopter!
The self guided tour is best suited for those with an adventurous streak who want to tackle the tour alone. Ride the cable car from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg before hopping on board the “Dragon Ride” cable car to the summit of Mt. Pilatus.
If you prefer to be picked up from your accommodation by a personal driver and escorted to the summit with a personal guide, then the personal Mt. Pilatus tour is for you.
For those with more of a time constraint and a less limited budget, the 30-minute helicopter ride across Lucerne city, and the Rigi and Pilatus mountains promises an experience unlike any other!
Regardless of how you wish to absorb the beauty of Mount Pilatus, there is an option for you! Be advised that all tours do depend slightly on weather conditions and tours may be postponed if the weather does not allow for a safe experience.
All that’s left to do now is book your ticket and look forward to absorbing the beauty of the Swiss Alps in whichever way suits you (and your schedule) best!
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Mount Pilatus Price 2024
The cost of the experience starts at approximately $72 USD and can reach up to around $580 USD for a more luxurious experience. In this post, there are three different options for you to explore!
Mount Pilatus Opening Times
The mountain massif overlooking Lucerne, Switzerland, has no opening times. Although, each tour has its own starting time and access which depends on the cable car rides.
Please note that the gondola and aerial cableway used to reach Mt. Pilatus is closed from 21 October – 08 November 2024 due to inspection. In normal conditions, the timetable is as follows:
09 November 2024 – 30 March 2024
Kriens – Fräkmüntegg ascent: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Fräkmüntegg – Pilatus ascent: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Pilatus – Fräkmüntegg descent: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Fräkmüntegg – Kriens descent: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
31 March 2024 – 20 October 2024
Kriens – Fräkmüntegg ascent: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Fräkmüntegg – Pilatus ascent: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Pilatus – Fräkmüntegg descent: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Fräkmüntegg – Kriens descent: 9:00 am – 5:45 pm
21 October 2024 – 14 December 2024
Kriens – Fräkmüntegg ascent: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Fräkmüntegg – Pilatus ascent: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Pilatus – Fräkmüntegg descent: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Fräkmüntegg – Kriens descent: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Best time to go
The best time of year to visit Mount Pilatus is around June. The unpredictable spring weather has passed and the summer crowds are yet to take over! Morning tours are often quieter.
Mount Pilatus Tour Options
The beauty of experiencing Mt. Pilatus lies in far more than the mountains, but also in the variety of options! Here are a few more details about the various options available.
Self-guided Mount Pilatus, Lucerne, Switzerland
The self-guided Mount Pilatus tour sets you off from your choice of either Kriens or Alpnachstad where you will board a four-seat gondola and travel to Krienseregg. From here you can choose to indulge in a delicious meal at the Krienseregg restaurant, loved as a popular spot for families and children.
After this, the gondola ride continues your journey to Fräkmüntegg (which is home to another favorite restaurant) before you hop on board the exhilarating “Dragon” cable car ride to the summit of Mt. Pilatus. Here you can take your time to absorb the panoramic views from 2,132 meters (6,995 feet) above sea level.
At the top of the mountain, you have a chance to feast at the historical Restaurant Pilatus-Kulm. End off your summit experience by strolling around the gallery and visiting the terraces. Don’t forget to snap as many photographs as possible!
You will make your way home on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, going past meadows filled with lush natural beauties – including alpine flowers and mountain streams. Your trip will end at Alpnachstad Station.
It is important to note that for the self-guided tour, the cost of parking is not included. This is charged at $5 USD.
- Cable car ride
- Cogwheel train
- Food and beverages
- Parking fee
- Overnight stay on summit
- Rope park entrance fee
What we liked: Allows you to explore freely and at your own pace.
Click the buttom below to find out more about the experiential journey of this self-guided Mt. Pilatus tour!
Mount Pilatus Tour with personal guide and driver
Looking for a little bit more comfort and a stress-free experience? The personal Mt. Pilatus tour is the perfect option for those who want the experience without the fuss. Your first class experience includes all of the thrills offered in the self-guided experience such as aerial cable car and beautiful gondolas.
This unforgettable private experience has a duration of six hours and is limited to a maximum of four people.
- Transportation
- Driver
- Guide
- Hotel pick-up/drop-off
- Cogwheel train ticket
- Cable car ticket
- Gratuities
- Mt. Pilatus admission
- Food and drink
Click the button below to see more of the perks included in the private tour!
Scenic Helicopter Flight – Rigi and Pilatus
This option is perfect for those pressed for time as well as those wanting their breath taken away with a short, but incredibly memorable, experience from the air.
You will be taking off at Airport Luzern-Beromünster, 30 minutes outside of Lucerne. The helicopter flight passes over the iconic city of Lucerne, the captivating Rigi mountains and, of course, Mount Pilatus. Pick up is an option for the helicopter ride and available on request at an additional cost.
It is important to note that the helicopter ride ticket does not include airport tax which costs approximately $5 USD per person.
Click the betton below to read more details and book this captivating 30-minute helicopter ride!
Specification: Mount Pilatus Tickets (Self-guided, Private & Helicopter) 2024
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Photos: Mount Pilatus Tickets (Self-guided, Private & Helicopter) 2024
Todd – United States –
Beautiful, my favorite part of a ten day trip! This is a must do if in the area, the day we went the weather was great. If you go in March, you may want to just get the tram tickets at the mountain, we had opted for the tram and cog wheel train down but the train wasn’t running yet. It was still awesome.
Anonymous – United States –
Cool views but definitely an overpriced tourist trap