Combine the Lucerne local mountain with a boat trip on Lake Lucerne. Both experiences are absolute musts during your visit to the Lake Lucerne region.
The Golden Circular Tour starts in Lucerne. Take bus number 1 (towards Kriens/Obernau) directly in front of Lucerne station. After an eleven-minute bus ride to the stop "Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus" and a short walk, you reach the valley station of the panoramic cable car in Kriens. Enjoy the 15-minute journey to the middle station Krienseregg. There, you can relax on the terrace of the Krienseregg restaurant (own expense) and enjoy your time while the children play on the PiLU Land playground.
After another 15-minute ride with the panoramic gondola, you arrive at the middle station Fräkmüntegg. At Fräkmüntegg, test your agility climbing in the rope park (own expense) or try a local specialty in the self-service restaurant (own expense).
From Fräkmüntegg, board the cable car "Dragon Ride" and reach the summit of Pilatus Kulm after an exhilarating 5-minute ride. Thanks to its spacious interior, cockpit-like design, and large windows, the Dragon Ride gives the impression of riding in a helicopter.
Once at the top, enjoy the panoramic view over Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. You can decide whether to linger in the panoramic gallery or relax on the terrace. You can climb one of the summits (5-10 minutes) or enjoy a local delicacy at the Bellevue Hotel or Pilatus Kulm Hotel restaurant (own expense). Many hiking opportunities invite you to discover the Dragon Mountain above Lucerne.
The world's steepest cogwheel railway (built in 1889) takes you from Pilatus Kulm through stunning rock faces, bubbling mountain streams, and lush alpine flower meadows down to Alpnachstad. In Alpnachstad, simply cross the road, and you are at the boat dock in Alpnachstad. After an breathtaking one-hour boat trip on Lake Lucerne, you arrive near the station in Lucerne, and your unforgettable half-day excursion ends.
The Golden Circular Tour can also be undertaken in reverse direction by boat from Lucerne. Make sure to check the timetable before your visit, especially for the boat trip.
Practical Information:
- Wheelchair accessible (reservation required in advance)
- Duration: 2.5 - 6 hours, see timetable for departure times (especially for the boat trip)
- Check the timetable carefully, especially for the ferry connections (there are 2 - 5 departures per day)
- To avoid long waiting times for the cogwheel train between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa), we recommend making a reservation at www.pilatus.ch/reservation
- The circular tour can bedone in both directions
- If you want to do the trip in the opposite direction, take the boat to Alpnachstad (pier no. 2) and show the voucher on board.
- Dress according to the weather, as it can be cold and windy at the summit.
- Toddlers travel for free (age 0 - 5.99 years)
- The children's price applies to ages 6 to 15.99 years.
- Choose the first class ticket for a more comfortable boat trip: holders of a first class ticket sit in the spacious upper deck of the boat and enjoy a great view over the lake.
- Holders of a second class ticket sit on the lower level of the boat.
- Please note that this is a self-guided tour, with no guide waiting for you.
- Start your journey at Lucerne station. The voucher is valid for bus no. 1, the cable car, the cogwheel train and the boat.
- Small dogs up to 30 cm tall can travel free of charge on all transport modes during the Golden Tour. However, they must remain in a transport container for the entire journey. You must tuck the container under your seat.
- Dogs without containers and all dogs over 30 cm shoulder height require their own dog ticket for each mode of transport.
For the Golden Tour, you need the following dog tickets:
- Pilatus Railways: Dog ticket valid for mountain and valley trips (rack railway and cable car)
- SGV-Dog ticket (Lake Lucerne shipping): SGV dog ticket. (The SBB dog GA is also valid on SGV ships.)
- SBB (bus lines): separate SBB dog ticket at half price of a second class ticket or the minimum fare (dog day pass, dog pass).