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

What to do en Lucerne · Lucerne

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/things-to-do/golden-round-trip-to-pilatus · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Desde: 119.8 € adult, second class
- Duración: 4 h 30
- Temporada: May – October
- Para quién: All ages; reduced fare for ages 6 to 15

Boat, cogwheel railway and gondola · 4–5 h · From CHF 59.90 with a Half Fare Card · May – October · The circular loop up Pilatus from Lucerne.

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

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.
Cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm. It has run since 1889, with a gradient of up to 48%. It climbs in 27 minutes.
The summit. At Pilatus Kulm there are viewpoints, short paths among the rocks, hotels and restaurants.
Cable car and gondolas down to Kriens, on the north face, over forests and meadows.
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.

Lo organiza: Pilatus-Bahnen AG, desde 119.8 € adult, second class (https://pilatus.ch/en/railway-cableways/tickets/golden-round-trip)

Lo organiza: Pilatus-Bahnen AG, desde 94.2 € adult, second class (https://pilatus.ch/en/railway-cableways/tickets/silver-round-trip)

Lo organiza: Pilatus-Bahnen AG, desde 60 € adult (https://pilatus.ch/en/railway-cableways/prices)

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Web: https://pilatus.ch/en/railway-cableways/tickets/golden-round-trip
- Coordenadas: 46.979, 8.2547

## Cerca de aquí

- [Wirtshaus Galliker](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/where-to-eat/wirtshaus-galliker), a 8.7 km
- [Hotel des Balances](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/where-to-stay/hotel-des-balances), a 8.9 km
- [Rathaus Brauerei](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/where-to-eat/rathaus-brauerei), a 9.0 km
- [Steamboat Cruise on Lake Lucerne to Flüelen](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/things-to-do/lake-steamer-cruise), a 9.0 km
- [Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) and Water Tower](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/things-to-do/chapel-bridge), a 9.0 km
- [Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/where-to-stay/hotel-schweizerhof-luzern), a 9.4 km
- [Old Swiss House](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/where-to-eat/old-swiss-house), a 9.7 km
- [Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal)](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne/things-to-do/lion-monument), a 9.8 km

## Consejos

### Check the webcams before you buy
If the summit is in cloud, change the day. Pilatus is often covered in the afternoon.

### Bring a coat even if it's warm below
Up top you are above 2,000 m.

### Choose first class on the boat if it's busy
The upper deck is emptier and has nothing in front of you.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How much is the Golden Round Trip to Pilatus?
In 2026, CHF 119.80 in second class and CHF 136.80 in first. Half with a Half Fare Card and for children aged 6 to 15.

### Can you do it in winter?
No. The Golden Round Trip runs from May to October; in winter you only go up via Kriens.

### Is it included in the Swiss Travel Pass?
The boat and the bus are. The mountain has a 50% discount.

### Which direction is better?
In the morning, starting with the boat; in the afternoon, the other way round, to come back across the lake.

Destino: [Lucerne](https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/lucerne.md)