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Min. time required: 3:00
Season: all year
Recommended season: early January to late February and early May to late October
Max. altitude: 1798 m (5899 ft)What is Mount Rigi? 
Rigi is a green mountainous area on the northern shores of Lake Lucerne in Central Switzerland. It's accessible by cogwheel trains and cable cars from multiple villages. The top station at 1798 m altitude is called 'Rigi Kulm'. From Lucerne, it takes about 1h30 to reach the top.
Mount Rigi is famous for its wide views over Lake Lucerne and the Central and Bernese Alps, the varied and scenic ways to get there, and its many hiking trails.
Rigi ticket prices and reservations
Rigi - overview of 2024 ticket prices
| Price | More information and prices | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CHF 0 | more info | all routes between Lucerne, Arth-Goldau/Weggis/Vitznau and Rigi with a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex |
| CHF 0 | more info | all routes between Lucerne, Arth-Goldau/Weggis/Vitznau and Rigi with a Tell-Pass |
| CHF 29 | more info | all routes between Lucerne, Arth-Goldau/Weggis/Vitznau and Rigi with a Saver Day Pass, lowest possible discounted fare (with a Swiss Half Fare Card)* |
| CHF 52 | more info | all routes between Lucerne, Arth-Goldau/Weggis/Vitznau and Rigi with a Saver Day Pass, lowest possible full fare* |
| CHF 39 | more info | all routes between Arth-Goldau/Weggis/Vitznau and Rigi with a Rigi Day Pass, discounted fare (with a Swiss Half Fare Card) |
| CHF 78 | more info | all routes between Arth-Goldau/Weggis/Vitznau and Rigi with a Rigi Day Pass, full fare |
Rigi - 2024 prices without a rail pass
A standard return ticket to Rigi Kulm from Arth-Goldau, Vitznau, or Weggis costs CHF 78. If you add the price for a return trip Lucerne - Arth-Goldau, the total costs are CHF 105.20.
The above price is just an example: there are many ways to reach Rigi.
Apart from regular tickets, you can buy Rigi Day Passes. A Rigi Day Pass includes unlimited use of the cogwheel trains from Arth-Goldau and Vitznau, and the cable cars from Weggis and Kräbel.
Note that a Saver Day Pass is usually cheaper than normal tickets and than a Rigi Day Pass, provided that you purchase it well in advance. A Saver Day Pass includes free travel to Rigi too.
Rigi - 2024 prices with a rail pass
All journeys from and to Rigi are entirely for free with a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex and Tell-Pass. You don't have to buy any additional tickets or Rigi Day Passes.
The Swiss Half Fare Card provides a 50% discount on regular tickets, Saver Day Passes and Rigi Day Passes.
Find a full overview of rail pass discounts for Rigi here.
Where to buy tickets to Rigi
If you need full-fare or discounted tickets, you can buy them at several locations:
- online in advance
- at the boat docks surrounding Lake Lucerne
- at railway stations
Reservations
Reservations are not required for any of the normal boats, cable cars or cogwheel trains to Rigi.
Only if you're traveling with a group of 10 or more, reservations are obligatory. They have to be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Tours and packages
There are many tours to Rigi, both independent and guided. If you book a tour, you usually don't need any additional tickets.
Get your tickets and tours for Rigi
Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com
- Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
- Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
- Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com
- Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
- Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
- Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com
- Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
- Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
- Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Promotions
There are currently no promotions available.
Rail pass discounts for Rigi
The travel passes below allow discounted or even free traveling to Rigi.
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Day Pass |
Free:
|
| Eurail Global Pass |
Discount 50%:
|
| Interrail Switzerland Pass |
Discount 50%:
|
| Saver Day Pass |
Free:
|
| Swiss Half Fare Card |
Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass |
Free:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex |
Free:
|
| Tell-Pass Summer |
Free:
|
| Tell-Pass Winter |
Free:
|
How to reach Rigi: directions and map
Quick overview of the several routes to Rigi
The 3 main ways to reach Rigi are:
- by cogwheel train from Arth-Goldau
- by cogwheel train from Vitznau
- by cable car plus cogwheel train from Weggis
The top station is called "Rigi Kulm". There are many intermediate stops along the 2 cogwheel train lines. Please see the map for details.
Many travelers start from Lucerne. Public transport is the best way to reach Rigi. If you come by car, the parking lot next to motorway A4 in Goldau is a convenient option. There's a train stop close to this parking lot.
1. Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm
Take a train from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau. Then board the cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm. The cogwheel trains leave from an outdoor platform at a higher level than the other tracks of Arth-Goldau. The route to the Rigi platform is clearly indicated.
This train stops at Goldau A4 (parking lot), Kräbel (where a cable car to Rigi Scheidegg departs), Fruttli, Rigi Klösterli, Rigi Wölfertschen-First and Rigi Staffel. These stops are useful as a start or end point of a hike, but for general sightseeing they are not worth it to get off the train.
2. Vitznau to Rigi Kulm
Take a boat from Lucerne to Vitznau. Or travel from Lucerne to Küssnacht by train, then from Küssnacht to Vitznau by bus. In Vitznau a cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm departs. The train station is directly across the boat dock.
The cogwheel train stops at Mittlerschwanden, Grubisbalm, Freibergen, Romiti-Felsentor, Rigi Kaltbad-First (where the cable car from Weggis arrives), Rigi Staffelhöhe and Rigi Staffel.
Rigi Kaltbad-First is in a small village and worth it for general sightseeing. The other stops are isolated and mostly used by hikers.
3. Weggis to Rigi Kulm
Travel from Lucerne to Weggis by boat. Or get to Küssnacht by train, and then to Weggis by bus.
In Weggis, you'll have to reach the valley cable car station. This is a 10- to 15-minute uphill walk. On most days, there's also a bus between the boat dock and the cable car station. A bus ride takes 5 to 18 minutes: some buses take a longer route through the village than others.
The cable car ends in the small village and spa resort Rigi Kaltbad. It's located along the cogwheel track that starts in Vitznau. So you can board a train to Rigi Kulm here.
"Queen of the mountains Round Trip" and "Classic Round Trip"
The "Queen of the Mountains Round Trip" (formerly called "Majestic Round Trip") is just one option to explore Rigi. So is the "Classic Round Trip".
- Take the boat from Lucerne to Vitznau.
- Change to the cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm and enjoy the view on the top.
- Travel down via Arth-Goldau and return to Lucerne by train.
- Or travel down via Rigi Kaltbad and Weggis and get back to Lucerne by boat.
Operation dates, schedules and timetable
2024 operation dates of Rigi trains and cable cars
Operation dates for the trains from Vitznau and Arth-Goldau
The trains operate all year round.
Operation dates of the cable car from Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad
The cable car from Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad operates during most of the year, except for 2 maintenance breaks. During these breaks, replacement trains from Vitznau are available to reach Rigi Kaltbad and the top station Rigi Kulm.
- From 4 to 28 March, 2024: the cable car does not operate on workdays, it does operate in weekends.
- From 18 to 29 November, 2024: the cable car does not operate on workdays, it does operate in weekends.
Operation dates of the cable car from Kräbel to Rigi Scheidegg
The cable car from Kräbel to Rigi Scheidegg operates during most of the year, except for 2 maintenance breaks. You can still reach Kräbel and the top station Rigi Kulm by train from Arth-Goldau.
- From 8 April to 3 May, 2024: the cable car does not operate on workdays, it does operate in weekends.
- From 4 November to 11 November, 2024: the cable car does not operate on workdays, it does operate in weekends.
How to plan a journey to Rigi with the timetable
You can plan each segment of your trip to Rigi with the timetable. The names below indicate the destinations you can enter.
General:
- "Rigi Kulm" for the top station at Rigi
- "Goldau A4" for the train station at the large parking lot
When traveling via Arth-Goldau:
- "Arth-Goldau" for the train station Arth-Goldau
- "Arth-Goldau RB" (RB stands for RigiBahnen) for the elevated platform from which the cogwheel trains leave
When traveling via Vitznau:
- "Vitznau" for the cogwheel train station and boat dock (this is a combined terminal)
- "Vitznau, Station" for the bus stop in Vitznau next to the cogwheel train station
When traveling via Weggis:
- "Weggis" for the boat dock in Weggis
- "Weggis, Schiffstation" for the bus stop near the boat dock
- "Weggis, Seilbahn" for the bus stop near the cable car valley station
- "Weggis (Luftseilbahn)" for the cable car valley station
- "Rigi Kaltbad (Luftseilbahn)" for the cable car top station in Rigi Kaltbad
- "Rigi Kaltbad-First" for the cogwheel train stop next to the cable car station in Rigi Kaltbad
Best season for Rigi
Rigi can be visited all year long. The best period is early January to late February and early May to late October.
- From May to October, all hiking trails are usually accessible and all cogwheel trains and cable cars are operational. We like Rigi best in spring (May to early June) and autumn (mostly October). Compared to the summer months, there are generally fewer tourists and you'll see more snow on the Central and Bernese Alps.
- January and February offer the best chances of snow and winter activities, such as sledding.
Rigi weather info and forecasts
You'll mainly visit Rigi to enjoy the cogwheel train and cable car rides, the views from the top, and the hiking trails. This means that clear and sunny weather is best. If the top is covered by clouds and the forecasts don't look favorable for several hours in a row, your ride up may not be worth it.
Clouds, drizzle and some snow don't have to be a problem. But don't go hiking if strong rain, wind, fog, hail, or heavy snow is predicted. Even though many trails at Rigi are relatively easy, such weather can cause danger.
The trains and cable cars will keep operating in all sorts of weather, except in extreme conditions.
Current forecast for the Rigi area
The wide views from Rigi explained
Up at Rigi, you’ll see a typical Swiss green landscape with meadows, forests and grazing cows. The many hiking trails with their benches and picnic spots define the area as well.
You’ll have broad views over Lake Zug and more lakes in the plains north of Rigi. The views even reach as far as Germany. Towards the south, you’ll look down on Lake Lucerne and you’ll see the Central and Bernese Alps in the distance.
The best panoramic views are from:
- the viewing platforms and the transmission tower at the top station Rigi Kulm;
- the viewing platform at Känzeli. This is at a 15-minute hike from Rigi Kaltbad.
Our favorite hikes in the Rigi area
These are the best trails in our opinion:
- Enjoy the beautiful panorama trail between Rigi Kaltbad and Rigi Scheidegg. This easy broad path follows the route of a former cogwheel train that once connected both places.
- Walk down from Rigi Kulm to the village of Rigi Kaltbad. Along a steep cliff, you’ll have a gorgeous view of Lake Lucerne far below. The trail itself gradually descends.
- Walk from Rigi Staffelhöhe to Freibergen.
Other activities to do on the same day
Our suggestions for other excursions to do on the same day as your Rigi visit:
- Visit Stanserhorn. Then travel from Stansstad to Weggis, Vitznau or Arth-Goldau and visit Rigi.
- Visit Pilatus. Get up via Alpnachstad and down via Kriens. Travel to Rigi from Lucerne.
- Visit Bürgenstock. Travel to Lucerne by boat or train and continue to Rigi.
- Make a boat trip on Lake Lucerne. Get out in Weggis or Vitznau. Then visit Rigi.
- Explore Lucerne and visit Rigi before or after this.
We feel that combining Rigi and Titlis in one day isn’t ideal, because they’re quite far apart. It’s doable if you leave early.
Rigi, Pilatus, Titlis or Stanserhorn: how to choose
There are several mountains near Lucerne. You may prefer Rigi for these reasons:
- It’s relatively cheap. And with some rail passes the entire trip is even free.
- You can make a varied round trip that includes lots of travel modes: boat, train, bus, cable car and cogwheel train.
- Rigi usually attracts fewer tourists than higher peaks such as Pilatus and Titlis. And you can immediately start hiking and exploring in several directions from the top station. So it can be less crowded during the tourist peak seasons.
Rigi FAQ
-
What to do at Rigi in summer?
You can make a varied round trip that includes boats, buses, trains, cogwheel trains and cable cars. At the top station Rigi Kulm you can admire the views. There’s a hotel-restaurant with a panoramic terrace. Climb part of the iconic transmission tower for even wider views.
There are plenty of hiking trails. Many start or end along the stops of the cogwheel train lines. If you want to relax, visit the spa complex at Rigi Kaltbad.
-
What to do at Rigi in winter?
Rigi isn’t as high as some of the other mountains near Lucerne. This means that snow on the top is not guaranteed, not even in winter. But if there is snow, Rigi is a splendid area for winter hiking. There are several sled runs too.
-
How long does an excursion to Rigi take?
A return trip from Lucerne to Rigi Kulm via the quickest route takes about 3 hours. But of course, you need some time at the top. You may also want to hike, dine in the restaurant or make a longer round trip. So you can easily spend an entire day on a visit to Rigi.
-
What to expect in the spa resort Rigi Kaltbad?
Rigi Kaltbad is located above the village of Weggis and can be reached by cable car and cogwheel train. This a picturesque small mountain village.
It also houses a modern hotel and spa complex that was designed by the Swiss architect Mario Botta. The complex includes indoor pools and spa treatments, plus a heated outdoor pool with magnificent mountain views.
-
How to visit Rigi from Zurich or another town far away?
A day trip to Rigi from Zurich is doable if you leave early. A single ride Zurich-Rigi Kulm via the fastest connection takes about 1h45. You can book guided tours from Zurich too. We feel that a day trip to Rigi isn’t realistic from most other popular tourist towns.
-
Is it possible to spend the night at Rigi?
Yes, there are hotels with panoramic views at Rigi Kaltbad and Rigi Kulm. Find mountain hotels here.
Other websites of interest
- www.rigi.ch: Rigi winter activities
- www.rigi.ch: Rigi hiking trails
Schedules
- www.rigi.ch: timetables of the Rigi cogwheel trains and cable cars
Prices
- www.rigi.ch: Rigi standard ticket prices
Itineraries including Rigi
Best of the Alps
Scenic trains winter
Our blog posts about Rigi
Hike Rigi Kaltbad-Rigi Scheidegg
Our guides for activities near Rigi
Boat Lake Lucerne
Bürgenstock
Pilatus
Stanserhorn
Town walk Lucerne
About the Lake Lucerne region
Lucerne
