Mount Pilatus Day Trip

The activity lasts 10 hours

Available in English and Spanish

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

Guide: English and Spanish

English–speaking guide
Transport by bus
Boat trip (subject to weather conditions)
Panoramic gondolas (subject to weather conditions)
Dragon Ride cable car (subject to weather conditions)
Cogwheel train (subject to weather conditions)

Food and drinks

Guide: English and Spanish

English–speaking guide
Transport by bus
Boat trip (subject to weather conditions)
Panoramic gondolas (subject to weather conditions)
Dragon Ride cable car (subject to weather conditions)
Cogwheel train (subject to weather conditions)

Food and drinks

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Swiss Alps on this excursion to Mount Pilatus, departing from Zurich. Experience a hike to the summit, ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel train, and take a scenic cable car for stunning vistas of the mountain landscape.

Details of the Day Trip

Our journey begins at the Sihlquai Bus Terminal parking area at the scheduled time, where we will board the bus to Lucerne, enjoying extraordinary sights of the Swiss Alps along the route.

As we approach the city, the guide will highlight significant landmarks, including the esteemed Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. You will then have leisure time to wander through the charming Old Town of Lucerne at your own pace.

Following our visit to Lucerne, we’ll get back on the bus and continue towards Kriens, where we will embark on a cable car journey. From your gondola, soak in stunning views of the enchanting forests of Krienseregg as you ascend to Fräkmüntegg. Here, you’ll board the Dragon Ride, an aerial cableway with panoramic windows designed to give you the exhilarating sensation of gliding over the Swiss Alps.

Upon reaching the summit of Mount Pilatus, standing nearly 7,000 feet (2,131 meters) above sea level, you can choose between a walk along the intriguing Dragon Trail or a brief hike to the peak. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the stunning scenery of the surrounding lakes and mountains! You’ll also have time to enjoy lunch at one of the mountain restaurants.

After fully exploring Mount Pilatus, it will be time to descend the mountain. Experience the thrilling ride down to Alpnachstad on the world's steepest cogwheel train, followed by a relaxing boat cruise on the Lake of the Four Cantons, offering a different viewpoint of the majestic Swiss Alps.

Lastly, we will return to our original meeting point in Zurich, concluding a memorable day that lasts approximately 10 hours.

Adjustments to the Itinerary

Adjustments to the itinerary may take place during the following periods:

From October 19 to November 27, 2026: the ascent and descent will occur via rack railway, and there will be no boat trip. A meal voucher will be included instead.
On November 28 and 29, 2026: the ascent will be by cable car while the descent will use the rack railway. There will not be a boat cruise, but a meal voucher valid for restaurants on Mount Pilatus will be provided, worth 20CHF for adults and 10CHF for children.

The meeting point may vary. Always check the tickets we sent you to confirm the final details before the activity.

Meeting point:

Sihlquai bus terminal parking lot (Limmatstrasse 2, Zurich)

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Instructions

Meeting Point

The tour will start at the designated time at the Sihlquai bus station parking lot, located at the following address in Zurich: Limmatstrasse 2 (in front of the Hotel Fred). Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

How to Arrive at the Meeting Point

To get to the Sihlquai parking lot by public transport, you can take the streetcar. Lines 4, 6 and 13 will leave you at the stop called Sihlquai / HB. The Central Train Station (Zürich Hauptbahnhof) is only a 10-minute walk from the Sihlquai parking lot.

For more information in English on how to get to the meeting point, please consult the following link.

Itinerary Adjustments

October 19 to November 27, 2026: the ascent and descent will be made by rack railway and there will be no boat trip. In this case, a meal voucher will be included.
On November 28 and 29, 2026: the ascent will be made by cable car and the descent by rack railway. There will be no boat trip, but a meal voucher valid for restaurants on Mount Piltatus will be included. The value of this voucher is 20CHF for adults and 10CHF for children.

Recommended Gear

We suggest wearing hiking boots and a waterproof and windproof jacket, as well as warm clothes (especially in the winter).

Save Our Planet

This ticket includes a small contribution to Myclimate. This is a non-profit climate protection organization based in Switzerland that supports various projects to combat climate change.

GuruWalk

Switzerland

Day Trips from Zurich

Mount Pilatus Day Trip