Mount Rigi by boat and rack railway from Vitznau

What it is

Rigi is Lucerne's other mountain, across the lake from Pilatus. It is lower and gentler: meadows instead of rock, easy paths and a summit, Rigi Kulm, from which you can see Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and, on clear days, the chain of the Alps all at once. You climb by rack railway from Vitznau, a lakeside village you reach by boat from Lucerne. It is the mountain outing that works best with children, because under-16s travel free when accompanied by an adult.

How it works

1. Boat from Lucerne to Vitznau, from the landing stage opposite the station. It costs CHF 31 one way in second class.
2. Rack railway from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm. The train leaves next to the jetty and climbs through meadows and woods to the summit.
3. At the top, Rigi Kulm is the end of the line: from the station you walk up to the highest point.
4. The way down: back the same way or, with the day pass, by another route: by rack railway to Arth-Goldau, where you connect with the SBB train to Lucerne, or by cable car to Weggis to take the boat back from a different landing stage.

If you want to walk, go down part of the way on foot and pick the train up again at an intermediate station.

Prices

According to RIGI BAHNEN, from 1 June 2026 the return trip Vitznau – Rigi Kulm costs CHF 84, the same as the day pass for all its lines; with a half-fare card, CHF 42. Children up to 15 travel free with an adult. With the Swiss Travel Pass, Rigi is fully included, and with Eurail or Interrail you get 50% off.

When to go

The Rigi trains run all year, even in snow. In November the company carries out maintenance: in 2026 some small cable cars, hotels and restaurants on the mountain close from 2 November until early December. Check their website before you go.