15485 posts
Hi Cruiser939,
1. It’s doesn’t matter in my opinion. I’ve heard that the cogwheel train can be quite busy in the morning when going up, but I guess that differs from day to day. In either case, be sure to take both rounds to see all of the scenery: http://www.myswissalps.com/pi latus/gettingthere.
2. Whether you buy from SBB or elsewhere does not matter, you will most probably need to exchange your ticket for the “official” one that operates the turnstiles. There’s no extra time involved as compared to buying on the spot. It’s slightly quicker normally.
http://www.myswissalps.com/pi latus/tickets
8 posts
Hello
We “did” Mt Pilatus a week ago, on 4th June. We were staying in Luzern at the time. The hotel receptionist was very familiar with going up and down Mt Pilatus and advised us that the less busy and therefore more enjoyable route was to go up from Kriens in the gondola/then cable car, and down by cogwheel to Alpnachstad.
That is what we did and found the receptionist’s advice to be good. It was truly wonderful/magical/thrilling!
We had a complimentary bus travel ticket in Luzern, given to us by our hotel. So we got the No 1 bus (just outside our hotel) to Kriens, about a 10 minute journey. Left Luzern about 8.15/8.30 am (that avoids the crowds later on in the day- we had gondola/cable car and cogwheel carriage all to ourselves). Then walked the very short (signposted) route to the Mt Pilatus station where we bought our tickets, getting a 50% discount with our Interrail passes.No queing. Very quick and helpful and friendly.
Once the cogwheel adventure ended in Alpnachstad we reluctantly got off the little train and caught the next train back to Luzern, with free travel of course. Before we did that, we had a picnic lunch across the way from the train station looking out onto the lovely lake.
Enjoy!
386 posts
Or, at Alpnachstad, take the boat back to Luzern. Boat is a short 2 minute walk. Boat free with STP.