Golden Round Trip to Pilatus by Boat, Cogwheel Railway and Gondola

What it is

The Golden Round Trip is Lucerne's classic excursion: a circular loop up Pilatus, the 2,132 m mountain that closes off the city's horizon, without repeating a single stretch. You set off by boat across the lake to Alpnachstad, go up on the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, according to the company, come down the other side by cable car and gondolas to Kriens and return to the centre by city bus. A single ticket covers everything.

The route, clockwise

1. Boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad. It leaves from the quay by the station and crosses the lake to the south. First class is on the upper deck.
2. Cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm. It has run since 1889, with a gradient of up to 48%. It climbs in 27 minutes.
3. The summit. At Pilatus Kulm there are viewpoints, short paths among the rocks, hotels and restaurants.
4. Cable car and gondolas down to Kriens, on the north face, over forests and meadows.
5. City bus from Kriens to Lucerne.

It can also be done in reverse: bus, gondolas and cable car to go up, and cogwheel railway and boat to come down. If you go in the afternoon, the reverse direction leaves the boat for the return, with the low light over the lake.

Prices and season

According to Pilatus-Bahnen's 2026 prices, the Golden costs CHF 119.80 in second class and CHF 136.80 in first. With a Half Fare Card and for children aged 6 to 15, half: CHF 59.90. With the Swiss Travel Pass, the boat and the bus are included and the mountain section has a 50% discount. If you prefer the train to the boat as far as Alpnachstad, the Silver Round Trip costs CHF 94.20.

It is only sold from May to October, when the cogwheel railway runs. In winter you go up and down via Kriens, for CHF 60. Mind the autumn: from 19 October to 27 November 2026, the gondolas and cable car are closed for maintenance and you can only go up by cogwheel railway.

How much time you need

Count on a long half-day: the boat to Alpnachstad, half an hour on the cogwheel railway, as long as you like at the top and the descent via Kriens to the centre. The company does not publish a total duration; reckon four to five hours at an unhurried pace and check the day's boat timetable on the shipping company's website.