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Season: all year
Recommended season: early April to mid November
Max. altitude: 1115 m (3658 ft)What is Bürgenstock? 
Bürgenstock is a mountain ridge with a luxurious resort above Lake Lucerne, at a 40- to 45 minute trip from Lucerne.
The resort offers hotels, spas, restaurants and terraces. But Bürgenstock is also an easy-to-reach and affordable viewpoint. You'll find great hiking trails here, including the easy "Felsenweg" or "Rock Path" to the famous Hammetschwand elevator.
In addition, the journey to Bürgenstock is scenic and diverse. You can get there by funicular from a ship pier on the lake, and by bus from Stansstad. Boat and train segments complete your trip.
➤ Prices and reservations
Bürgenstock prices 2026 - without a rail pass
Regular prices per person for a return trip between the valley stations and Bürgenstock are as follows:
- CHF 8 if you travel by bus from Stansstad.
- CHF 50 from April to October, or CHF 34 from November to March, if you travel by funicular from the ship pier "Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock".
A return trip all the way from and to Lucerne costs:
- CHF 15.60 if you travel by train and bus via Stansstad.
- CHF 80 from April to October if you travel by boat and funicular via Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock. This is based on a return trip of CHF 50 by funicular, plus a return trip of CHF 30 by shuttle boat between Lucerne and Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock.
- CHF 61.60 from November to March if you travel by boat and funicular via Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock. That's based on a return trip of CHF 34 by funicular, and a return trip of CHF 27.60 by shuttle boat between Lucerne and Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock.
Of course, you can combine both routes up and down. You'll then pay for single rides.
If you choose the more expensive route via Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock and don't have a rail pass that gets you free or discounted travel, check if a cheaper Saver Day Pass is available.
A Saver Day Pass is not worth it just for the cheaper bus and train route via Stansstad (assuming you don't want to make other trips that would be covered by a Saver Day Pass on the same day).
Bürgenstock prices 2026 - with a Swiss Travel Pass
A Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) grants free trips by bus from Stansstad to Bürgenstock, and by boat from Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock.
If you travel up by funicular from Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock, you'll get a discount: a return ticket for the funicular costs CHF 25 in April-October and CHF 17 in November-March.
Bürgenstock prices 2026 - with a Swiss Half Fare Card
The Swiss Half Fare Card gets you a 50% discount on all of the regular ticket prices explained above.
Bürgenstock prices with other rail passes
Several more rail passes, such as the Lucerne Travel Pass, also cover some or all of the routes to and from Bürgenstock. Find a full overview of rail pass benefits for this excursion here.
Hammetschwand elevator prices
A single lift ride costs CHF 15 per adult, a return ride costs CHF 18. The Lucerne Travel Pass includes the elevator. Most other rail passes do not provide any benefits. Check the full overview here.
Where to buy your tickets
If you need tickets, you can buy them online, at the Bürgenstock funicular stations, and from the bus driver.
Reservations
You don't have to make reservations for this trip. But if you want to dine in one of the restaurants, I advise you to contact them and ask if a reservation for your travel party, date, and time is recommended.
An overnight stay in one of the popular Bürgenstock hotels can best be booked well in advance.
➤ Save money with your rail pass
The below rail passes offer discounts or even free traveling to Bürgenstock.
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Day Pass | Discount 50%:
Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock (boat): free. Stansstad to Bürgenstock (bus): free. Hammetschwand lift: no discount. |
| Eurail Global Pass | No discount:
Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock (boat): 50% discount. Stansstad to Bürgenstock (bus): no discount. Hammetschwand lift: no discount. |
| Interrail Switzerland Pass | No discount:
Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock (boat): 50% discount. Stansstad to Bürgenstock (bus): no discount. Hammetschwand lift: no discount. |
| Lucerne Travel Pass | Free:
|
| Saver Day Pass | No discount:
Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock (boat): free. Stansstad to Bürgenstock (bus): free. Hammetschwand lift: no discount. |
| Swiss Half Fare Card | Discount 50%:
Hammetschwand lift: no discount. |
| Swiss Travel Pass | Discount 50%:
Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock (boat): free. Stansstad to Bürgenstock (bus): free. Hammetschwand lift: no discount. |
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Discount 50%:
Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock (boat): free. Stansstad to Bürgenstock (bus): free. Hammetschwand lift: no discount. |
How to travel to Bürgenstock: directions and map
There are two ways to reach the resort: by bus from the railway station of Stansstad, and by a funicular that leaves from the boat dock "Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock". Both routes take 40 to 45 minutes from the Lucerne railway station.
Option 1: funicular from the boat dock Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock
Take a boat to the dock "Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock". There are modern, direct shuttle boats between Lucerne and Kehrsiten. A single ride takes about 30 minutes. Many of the regular boats on Lake Lucerne stop at Kehrsiten as well.
A funicular, called the "Bürgenstockbahn", leaves right next to the pier. In 6 minutes, it takes you up over the steep slope between the lake and the Bürgenstock resort.
Find all details of boat trips at Lake Lucerne here.
Option 2: bus or car from Stansstad
There’s a direct bus leaving from the railway station of Stansstad, which is a 26-minute train ride from Lucerne. The bus ride over a winding asphalt road and through meadows takes approximately 20 minutes.
Get out at the stop "Bürgenstock Zentrum", unless you have specific plans for which one of the other bus stops in the resort is more suitable.
Arrival by car from Stansstad is an option too. There are underground parking facilities near the hotels.
Operation dates, schedules and timetable
Operation dates for the Bürgenstock funicular and bus
Bürgenstock can be reached year-round. The funicular, bus and Lake Lucerne shuttle boat run on all days of the year.
In the low season months, mostly November to March, fewer (but still plenty of) boat and funicular connections are available. Plan your trip in the Swiss timetable as explained below.
Opening dates of the Hammetschwand lift
The Hammetschwand lift is scheduled to open on April 3, 2026. It will likely operate until late November. Check current dates here.
The elevator can be closed at any time due to bad weather. Sudden maintenance closures may occur, too.
Planning your trip in the timetable
The Swiss timetable allows you to plan all sections of your Bürgenstock excursion. Use these names:
- "Bürgenstock Resort" for the funicular station at Bürgenstock
- "Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock" for the boat dock and the funicular valley station
- "Stansstad" for the bus stop in Stansstad
- "Bürgenstock Zentrum" for the bus stop at Bürgenstock. There are more bus stops in the resort. They're called "Bürgenstock, Ost", "Bürgenstock, Residenzen" and "Bürgenstock, Waldhotel". Which one's best depends on your plans, but if you just want a central location, I advise getting out at "Bürgenstock, Zentrum".
Best season for Bürgenstock
Bürgenstock is accessible all year round. The best season for a visit is early April to mid November. That's when the Hammetschwand lift is usually operational, so you can add the spectacular lift ride to your Bürgenstock excursion.
Bürgenstock is at low altitude for Swiss standards, so snow in the resort in winter is not guaranteed. But if weather cooperates, you can enjoy lots of winter activities in the area. And the views of the snow-capped mountains all around are beautiful!
Weather forecast for Bürgenstock
Bürgenstock isn't very high, but low clouds can still block the views. So check weather forecasts shortly in advance. Temperatures in the resort are a bit lower than down in the valley, but there are mostly no huge differences.
If you plan to hike, prepare well and make sure you have the right gear.
Combining Bürgenstock and Hammetschwand with other activities
You can easily combine a short visit to Bürgenstock with many other activities:
- If you travel up or down via funicular, a boat trip over Lake Lucerne is part of your excursion. Travel back to Lucerne, or cross the lake to Weggis and Vitznau for an additional visit to Rigi.
- Another way up or down is by bus from Stansstad. From there you can quickly reach the nearby town of Stans and the Stanserhorn.
- Find all activities in the area here.
Bürgenstock FAQ
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What’s the view from Bürgenstock like?
Bürgenstock offers wonderful views towards the north. You’ll see a large part of Lake Lucerne, Lucerne itself, Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and the gentle hills north of this area.
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What to expect from the hotels and restaurants?
Hotels and restaurants are the main features at Bürgenstock. There are three luxury hotels, some with spa facilities. In addition, you can book spacious apartments with fantastic lake views in separate buildings.
Visitors have a wide choice of bars and restaurants, all with different cuisines. The options range from Swiss specialties to oriental meals.
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Which indoor activities are available?
Apart from dining and spending the night in one of the hotels, you can watch English movies in the cinema of the Bürgenstock Hotel. Sports classes, spa facilities, wellness treatments, and culinary workshops are at your disposal as well.
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Which outdoor activities are available?
Sports lovers can use the alpine golf court or join a guided outdoor trip. The options include hiking, biking, and adventure sports. In winter, several fun snow activities are offered.
If you want to make normal hikes, you don’t have to book a guided hiking tour. You can also explore the trails on your own.
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What is Villa Honegg?
Villa Honegg is a luxurious hotel with a panoramic terrace in the Bürgenstock area. You can get there on foot from Bürgenstock, for example via a circular hike that includes the Hammetschwand lift.
Alternatively, you reach the hotel-restaurant by bus, car, or the hotel’s shuttle service from the village of Ennetbürgen.
Hammetschwand lift FAQ
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What is the Hammetschwand elevator?
The Hammetschwand elevator is an iconic outdoor lift in the Bürgenstock area. The elevator, which was built in 1905, is attached to a steep rock wall high above Lake Lucerne. It can be seen from afar, even in the evening when it’s lit.
The Hammetschwand lift functions as a quick transfer between hiking trails near Bürgenstock. The lift’s frame consists of glass and steel. This allows you to keep enjoying the views, while you’re ascending 152 vertical meters at an impressive speed.
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How to reach the Hammetschwand lift?
You can reach the lower access to the lift via the so-called “Felsenweg” (“Rock Path”) from the Bürgenstock resort. This is an easy trail above Lake Lucerne with information about the history of the Bürgenstock area, available via QR codes. It takes about 45 minutes.
The first part of the walk is relatively flat. In the second half, the path gradually ascends through several curves. You can take quicker shortcuts through several stairs too.
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What’s at the top of the elevator?
You’ll find a cozy restaurant with a terrace that’s open during the summer season, and you can continue hiking in several directions. You’ll have wider views of eastern Lake Lucerne than from Bürgenstock.
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Is the Hammetschwand elevator scary?
The lift is well-monitored according to Swiss standards. To me, it’s not scary: I think it’s a very special experience and I love the wide views through the glass exterior. Plus, the ride is over before you know it.
But that’s personal. I don’t recommend it if you suffer from fear of heights or don’t like elevators in general.
➤ Where to buy Bürgenstock tickets and tours: my recommendations
Promotions
There are currently no promotions available.
- www.burgenstockresort.com: Bürgenstock restaurants
- www.burgenstockresort.com: independent and guided activities from Bürgenstock
- www.burgenstockresort.com: about the Hammetschwand elevator
- www.burgenstockresort.com: the "Bärgbeizli" restaurant at the top of the elevator
Schedules
- www.burgenstockresort.com: Bürgenstock funicular and catamaran ferry timetables
- www.burgenstockresort.com: Hammetschwand lift timetable
Prices
- www.burgenstockresort.com: Bürgenstock funicular ticket prices
- www.burgenstockresort.com: Hammetschwand lift ticket prices
Free with the Swiss Travel Pass in Lucerne
Budget mountain excursions
Boat Lake Lucerne
Stanserhorn
Pilatus
Rigi
Town walk Lucerne
Lucerne
