Pilatus is a well-known excursion and viewpoint in Lucerne for both tourists and locals alike. In case you were wondering how to get from Lucerne to Pilatus, then this guide is for you.
Pilatus wasn’t always this well-known though. In fact, back in 1370, the local government did not allow visitors to the Pilatus Lake on Oberalp. Locals regarded areas in the alps as scary places. The locals feared ghosts, witches, and dragons. Good thing we do not believe the same thing nowadays as those who lived during the Middle Ages!
The genius Eduard Locher envisioned a futuristic train on Pilatus at the end of the 19th century. Pilatus has the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. It has a maximum gradient of 48% and an average gradient of 35%. The train links Alpnachstad in Obwalden to Pilatus Kulm at 2,073 Meters.
It is possible to go from Lucerne to Pilatus in one day. Based on the travel time we have already experienced, I estimate around 70 minutes each way.
On this page, you can find all the information you need regarding the journey from Lucerne to Pilatus.
You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.
Getting tickets from RailEurope is definitely a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. A global leader in train tickets and passes, RailEurope is headquartered in Paris, France. A Swiss Pass and a Half Fare Discount Card can also be obtained from RailEurope.
Using the Swiss Pass, you can travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, and more. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
Are There Direct Trains From Lucerne to Pilatus?
As of the time of writing (updated January 2023), there are no direct trains from Lucerne to Pilatus.
How to Get From Lucerne to Pilatus
How to Get From Lucerne to Pilatus via Kriens
To get from Lucerne to Pilatus via Kriens, you will have to take the following connections:
- Take the bus from Lucerne to Kriens.
- In Kriens, take the gondola to Fräkmüntegg.
- In Fräkmüntegg, you will take the cable car to Pilatus Kulm.
How to Get From Lucerne to Pilatus via Alpnachstad
To get from Lucerne to Pilatus via Alpnachstad, you will have to take the following connections:
- Take the train from Lucerne to Alpnachstad.
- In Alpnachstad, take the rack railway to Pilatus Kulm.
How to Get From Lucerne to Pilatus with the Golden Round Trip
To get from Lucerne to Pilatus with the Golden Round Trip, you will have to take the following connections:
- Take the boat from Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad.
- In Alpnachstad, take the rack railway to Pilatus Kulm.
- In Pilatus Kulm, take the cable car to Fräkmüntegg.
- In Fräkmüntegg, take the gondola to Kriens.
- In Kriens, take the bus back to Lucerne.
How to Get From Lucerne to Pilatus with the Silver Round Trip
To get from Lucerne to Pilatus with the Silver Round Trip, you will have to take the following connections:
- Take the train from Lucerne to Alpnachstad.
- In Alpnachstad, take the rack railway to Pilatus Kulm.
- In Pilatus Kulm, take the cable car to Fräkmüntegg.
- In Fräkmüntegg, take the gondola to Kriens.
- In Kriens, take the bus back to Lucerne.
How Long Does It Take From Lucerne to Pilatus?
The following table shows the travel duration from Lucerne to Pilatus (updated January 2023):
| Route | Duration (Fastest) |
|---|---|
| Lucerne – Alpnachstad – Pilatus Kulm | 50 minutes |
| Lucerne – Kriens – Fräkmüntegg – Pilatus Kulm | 1 hour 9 minutes |
How Much Will the Train Ticket From Lucerne to Pilatus Cost?
According to pilatus.ch (as of January 2023), ticket prices are as follows:
| Route | Description | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucerne – Pilatus – Lucerne (including bus) | Mt. Pilatus Excursion | 82.20 | 43.20 |
| Lucerne – Kriens – Pilatus – Kriens – Lucerne (including bus, December to April rate) | Mt. Pilatus Excursion in Winter | 67.40 | 39.50 |
| Lucerne – Kriens – Pilatus – Alpnachstad – Lucerne (boat and bus, May to October) | Golden Round Trip | 109.60 | 55.20 |
| Lucerne – Kriens – Pilatus – Alpnachstad – Lucerne (boat only, May to October) | Golden Round Trip | 106.00 | 53.00 |
| Lucerne – Kriens – Pilatus – Alpnachstad – Lucerne (train and bus, May to November) | Silver Round Trip | 91.20 | 45.60 |
| Lucerne – Kriens – Pilatus – Alpnachstad – Lucerne (train only, May to November) | Silver Round Trip | 85.20 | 42.60 |
As you can see, if you avail of the Half Fare Travel Card, you can definitely save on your fare for long train journeys. So this is definitely something to consider during your travel to Switzerland. You can do simple calculations and decide from there if it will be worth it for you.
You will also get reductions if you have one of the following tickets: Interrail, Eurail, Generalabonnement, Swiss Travel Pass, and Swiss Travel Pass Flex.
Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?
No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.
Resource
- Detailed Price List. pilatus.ch. https://www.pilatus.ch/buchen/preise. Accessed on 13 January 2023.
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