Private day tours › Lucerne & Mount Pilatus
Lucerne & Mount Pilatus, from Zurich
The mountain that sits directly above Lucerne, reached by the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. In summer you can do the Golden Round Trip — boat across the lake, train up the rock face, cable car down — which is arguably the best-designed day in Swiss tourism. In winter the Dragon Ride cableway takes over.
What makes this day worth it
- Lucerne old town, Chapel Bridge, Water Tower and the Lion Monument
- Mount Pilatus at 2,132 m, looking down over Lake Lucerne and the Alps
- May to October: the Golden Round Trip — lake cruise, cogwheel railway, cable car descent
- November to April: the Dragon Ride panoramic cableway to the summit
- Less crowded than Titlis, and a shorter day on the mountain
How the day runs
- 1
Pick-up at your Zurich hotel
About an hour to Lucerne, along the lake for the last stretch.
- 2
Lucerne
Time to walk the old town at your own pace — the covered bridge, the painted facades on Weinmarkt, and the Lion Monument.
- 3
Up Mount Pilatus — summer
Golden Round Trip: a cruise across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then the cogwheel railway up a 48% gradient, the steepest in the world.
- 4
Up Mount Pilatus — winter
The railway closes for snow, so the Dragon Ride cableway takes you to the summit from Kriens instead. Same view, different approach.
- 5
At the summit
Terraces on both sides, a ridge walk if the weather is clear, and a long look over the lake and the central Alps.
- 6
Back to Zurich
Descent and a direct return to your hotel.
What is included
In the price
- Private vehicle and English-speaking driver for the full day
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Zurich
- Fuel, tolls and all parking
- Onboard Wi-Fi and Swiss mineral water
- Advice on which ascent suits the season and the forecast
Not included
- Pilatus railway, cable car and lake cruise tickets
- Meals and drinks
On the day
Questions people ask before booking
What is the Golden Round Trip?
Boat across Lake Lucerne, cogwheel railway up the mountain, cable car and gondola down the other side, then back to Lucerne. It only runs May to October, when the railway is open.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover Pilatus?
It covers the lake cruise in full and gives a discount on the mountain sections. Tell us if you hold one and we will build the day around what it already pays for.
Pilatus or Titlis?
Pilatus for the lake, the railway and a gentler day. Titlis for glacier and snow. If you only have one mountain day and it is summer, Pilatus with the Golden Round Trip is the more interesting journey.
Is it very crowded?
Less than Titlis and much less than Jungfraujoch. Going up early or late in the day helps, and your driver can time it.
Is the price per person?
No — per vehicle for up to 8 people. Mountain and boat tickets are per person and bought on the day.
Request this day
Fill this in and our ops team will review your day, then send you the exact price and a payment link — usually within one working day. We already know which tour you are on, so you do not need to tell us.
