Visit Lucerne's landmark and enjoy the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.
Start your journey from the Alpnachstad valley station or Kriens and enjoy the 30-minute ride on the world's steepest cogwheel railway (from Alpnachstad) or take the Panorama gondola and "Dragon Ride" aerial cableway (from Kriens).
At the summit of Lucerne's local mountain, you'll be treated to stunning panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, Lake Lucerne, and the city itself — either from the spacious outdoor panoramic terrace or the cosy indoor panorama gallery.
Within minutes, you can reach one of Pilatus Kulm's three peaks (Esel, Oberhaupt, or Tomlishorn) and enjoy hiking in the Swiss mountains or on the Dragon Trail.
Pilatus is also called the Dragon Mountain because legends claim dragons live there — discover more about these myths in the Dragon World at Pilatus Kulm.
In Alpnachstad and at Pilatus Kulm, you can sample local specialties at one of the restaurants. Even Queen Victoria visited Pilatus, and one of the restaurants at Pilatus Kulm is named after her.
If you choose to take the cable car to or from Kriens, you can enjoy various recreational activities (for an additional fee), such as the largest rope park in Central Switzerland (suitable for visitors aged 4 and up), hang gliding, or the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland at the Fräkmüntegg station.
At Fräkmüntegg, switch to the "Dragon Ride" aerial cableway and reach the Pilatus Kulm summit at 2132 m above sea level.
Practical information:
- Wheelchair accessible (advance reservation required)
- Duration: 2.5 to 6 hours, check the timetable for departure times
- Operation of the gondola and aerial cableway: 08.11.2025 - 29.03.2026 / 01.04.2026 - 18.10.2026
- Operation of the cogwheel railway: 11.05.2026 - 29.11.2026
- Gondola and cableway: Service is suspended for maintenance on 30th and 31st March 2026 as well as from 17th October to 27th November 2026. During this period, Pilatus Kulm is accessible by cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad.
- Check the timetable carefully
- To avoid long waits for the cogwheel railway between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa), we strongly recommend booking in advance at www.pilatus.ch/reservation
- The tour runs in almost any weather, so dress accordingly
- Note that this is a self-guided tour with no guide waiting for you.
- Toddlers participate free of charge (ages 0 - 5.99 years)
- You can choose your start and end points (Kriens and/or Alpnachstad).
- Transport to and from start and end points is not included.
- Small dogs up to 30 cm are allowed free of charge on the Pilatus railways. However, they must remain in a transport container for the entire duration. You need to slide this container under your seat.
- Dogs without containers and all dogs from 30 cm shoulder height require their own dog ticket for the Pilatus railways.