Mt. Pilatus Summer Day Trip from Zurich
About this activity
Highlights
- Scenic Lake Lucerne boat cruise
- Ride the world's steepest cogwheel train
- Breathtaking panoramic mountain views
- Explore Lucerne's charming old town
- Visit the historic Chapel Bridge
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Zurich
- Lake Lucerne boat cruise
- Cogwheel train ride to Mt. Pilatus summit
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: Start your tour at the Sihlquai Bus Station in Zurich. Set off for an exciting day traveling through picturesque landscapes and along the shores of Lake Lucerne to the enchanting city of Lucerne.
Once arriving in Lucerne, enjoy a brief orientation drive, where your guide points out the main attractions of this charming town like the Chapel Bridge, the Town Hall, the Jesuit Church and the Culture and Convention Centre (KKL). Enjoy the following time at leisure to stroll through Lucerne's beautiful Old Town.
Continuation to Kriens, where you take the panoramic gondola and aerial cable car to the top of Mount Pilatus at 7000 feet (2132 meters). Enjoy some time at leisure admiring breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and lakes. Venture down the Dragon's Path and make the short hike to the summit before descending Mount Pilatus to Alpnachstad by cogwheel railway. At a gradient of 48% it is the world's steepest!
Your summer alpine adventure concludes with a picturesque boat ride across lovely Lake Lucerne to Lucerne.
Pass by: After an enjoyable day, the guide will bring you back to Zürich.
Meeting point
Start Location
Best of Switzerland Tours AG, Sihlquai Bus Station, Limmatstrasse 2, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in all weather conditions; cancellations are rare.
- Children under 6 years old can join for free if seated on a parent's lap.
- Please inform the tour operator of any dietary restrictions in advance.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a light jacket, as temperatures can vary at higher elevations.
- Check the weather forecast before departure to ensure optimal conditions.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- 19.10.-27.11.2026: Ascent and descent by cogwheel train, no boat ride but lunch voucher included
- 28.-29.11.2026: Ascent by cable car, descent by cogwheel train, no boat ride but lunch voucher included
Traveler reviews
Switzerland in all its glory
Really a perfect day. We explored the charming city of Lucerne,n then traveled to Mt Pilatus. Experienced two different cable cars getting to the top. Explored fabulous views of the Alps, had a delicious lunch, walked to the summit and followed the dragon trail. Then we descended via the steepest cog railway in the world. An hour cruise on lake Lucerne. Everything managed like clockwork. It was an amazing full day that gave us a true taste of Switzerland.
Spectacular views
The views speak for themselves. We went with a tour (BEWARE OF THE PRICING AS TO WHAT CURRENCY YOU ARE PAYING IN). The rude in cable car and gondola up went without a hitch. The ride on the cogwheel train was different. Whilst the view and ride remained spectacular, the service at the waiting point for the ride was poor. The lady arranging the reserved tickets was rude and not helpful. One man asked her “where are toilets” and she snapped “follow the signs”. There were people everywhere and signs were difficult to see. Would have been much easier for her to point in the direction of them. I appetite it was very busy but you are dealing with people from all over the world and some basic manners and consideration should not be too much to expect.
Double check the language
Our experience was not so good. They tried to do the tour in both English and Spanish. It was horrible. I feel like they should only charge half the price. It was not fair to Spanish speaking only or English speaking only. We only got half what a normal tour would be because he kept trying to repeat himself in both languages. It was a bad experience. Please…provide Spanish only or English only tours. It may be less expensive to hire a bi-lingual guide, but it is a bad experience for your patrons.
Great day.
Great day. Bus was first which was very comfortable with a great driver and tour guide. On to Lucerne for a look strong and it a lovely town. On to Mount Pilatus next…unfortunately it was raining so our view was obstructed mainly because it was snowing at the top. But that’s the chance you take. Down to lake Lucerne for a very enjoyable boat ride. There’s a bar on board and the boat is very well maintained. Back to Lucerne to drop people off/pick others up and back to Zurich. We all thoroughly enjoyed the trip!
Mt Pilatus
Wonderful experience. Our guides were very nice, professional, knowledgeable. The towns were picturesque and the food was amazing. The whole experience was an unforgettable experience.