Two ways to the mountain
You can reach Pilatus Kulm from two sides. From Alpnachstad, the cogwheel railway climbs to the top in 27 minutes. From Kriens, a gondola and the Dragon Ride cable car take about 40 minutes. Lucerne is the hub for both.
The fastest route to the summit is Lucerne to Alpnachstad by S-Bahn (16 minutes) plus 27 minutes on the cogwheel railway. Times in this guide come from SBB timetable data (sample of 20 October 2026), so check the current timetable before you travel.
Via Alpnachstad or via Kriens
Choose by season and by what you want to see.
| Alpnachstad (cogwheel) | Kriens (gondola) | |
|---|---|---|
| From Lucerne | S5, 16 min, two trains per hour. Or the boat, 70–90 min | Bus 1, about 11 min |
| Ride to the top | 27 min up, 33 min down | Gondola about 30 min to Fräkmüntegg, Kriens to Kulm about 40 min |
| Season 2026 | 11 May–29 Nov | All year except maintenance; closed 19 Oct–27 Nov |
| Adult round trip | CHF 84 in summer | CHF 84 in summer, CHF 60 in winter |
| Special feature | Steepest cogwheel railway in the world, up to 48 % | Panorama views from the gondola and a short cable car ride |
Most visitors combine both sides on one ticket. Prices for each section are on the tickets and prices page.
Getting to Mount Pilatus: tours and tickets
Golden Round Trip tickets, day trips from Lucerne and Zurich and combinations with other mountains or the lake, with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad
The route with the steep gradient.
Alpnachstad station is on the S5 from Lucerne, with two departures per hour and a ride of about 16 minutes. The cogwheel railway starts at Alpnachstad. Trains run roughly every 35 minutes between 11 May and 29 November 2026. The first uphill train leaves at 08:10 and arrives at 08:37. The last one leaves at 17:30 and arrives at 17:57. The last train down leaves Kulm at 18:04. The earliest and latest runs (08:10, 16:55 and 17:30) only operate until 24 October, so the day is slightly shorter afterwards.
A reserved seat is recommended but not mandatory. Bikes are not carried, and strollers only folded.
You can also take a boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad. It takes 70 to 90 minutes, and regular sailings ended on 18 October 2026. The Golden Round Trip page explains the loop.
Gondola from Kriens
The route that runs most of the year.
Bus 1 runs from Lucerne to Kriens in about 11 minutes. From the Kriens valley station the panorama gondola goes via Krienseregg to Fräkmüntegg, then the Dragon Ride cable car makes the last climb in under four minutes. Kriens to Fräkmüntegg takes about 30 minutes, and Kriens to Pilatus Kulm about 40 minutes.
The gondola and the Dragon Ride are closed from 19 October to 27 November 2026 for maintenance. Until then the only way to the summit is the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad. Winter operation resumes on 28 November 2026.
From Zurich, Zurich Airport and Bern
Travel times from SBB data.
| From | To Kriens | To Alpnachstad | To Lucerne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich main station | about 1 h | about 1 h 18 min (change in Lucerne) | about 41 min (direct) |
| Zurich Airport | – | – | about 1 h 10 min |
| Bern | – | – | about 1 h |
From Zurich Airport and Bern you reach Pilatus by travelling to Lucerne first, then taking the S5 or bus 1. A day trip from Zurich is realistic. See the Pilatus tours page if you prefer a packaged trip.
Construction at Lucerne station and closures in 2026
Station square until 12 December 2026
Construction work on Lucerne's station square changes some city bus stops. Access to the boat piers remains open. Check the timetable before you leave, especially for bus 1.
Gondola closed 19 October to 27 November 2026
Gondola and Dragon Ride are closed for maintenance. Go via Alpnachstad.
Cogwheel railway until 29 November 2026
After this the mountain is reached from Kriens only. The 2027 start date was not published when this page was last checked; the railway traditionally starts in May.
For more on seasons, see best time to visit Mount Pilatus. If you plan to stay overnight, read where to stay.
Getting to Mount Pilatus: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Lucerne to the top of Pilatus?
About 43 minutes of travel via Alpnachstad: 16 minutes by S5 and 27 minutes on the cogwheel railway. Via Kriens it is about 11 minutes by bus plus about 40 minutes by gondola and cable car.
Is it better to go via Alpnachstad or Kriens?
Alpnachstad for the steep cogwheel railway, Kriens for the gondola and cable car. Most people use one for the way up and the other for the way down.
Can I get to Pilatus from Zurich in a day?
Yes. Zurich to Lucerne takes about 41 minutes by direct train, and Alpnachstad is 16 minutes further by S-Bahn.
What can I take to the summit in late 2026?
The cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad until 29 November. The gondola from Kriens reopens on 28 November.
How do I get from Lucerne station to the boats?
The boat piers are opposite the station. Pier 2 serves Alpnachstad. Access stays open during the construction on the station square.