How to get to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne

Short summary – read this first

A traveler is heading to Lucerne at the end of April and is staying at the Ameron Flora Hotel. They want to know the best way to travel to Mt Pilatus and if the cogwheel train will be open during their visit.

Key takeaways:
  • Take the city bus to the gondola from the main train station for an easy trip to Mt Pilatus.
  • The gondola operates year-round, running daily from 08:30 to 17:00, and the total travel time is about 45 minutes.
  • The cogwheel train won't be open until mid-May, so plan accordingly.
  • Check the mountain weather the day before or the morning of your visit for the best experience.
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InfoAI-generated summary
  • Annika
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    Reply 1 of 10 • 6 April 2016 at 17:07:26 #850379

    Hi kenlee6!

    Did you study the Pilatus page and the timetable that’s been mentioned in your previous topics? If so, please let me know in case you can’t find what you’re looking for there.

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    Reply 2 of 10 • 6 April 2016 at 21:11:37 #850380

    The cheapest option we found was the city bus to the gondola which we took both ways.

    User
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    Reply 3 of 10 • 7 April 2016 at 3:26:31 #850381

    Hi Annika

    the cogwheel starts after mid May. It’s closed for maintenance on the day I’m there. But there’s a cable car tat operates whole year right ??

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    Reply 4 of 10 • 7 April 2016 at 3:29:37 #850382

    When did you guys go??is the gondola open all year round?? Where do u take the bus from??

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    Reply 5 of 10 • 7 April 2016 at 5:53:29 #850383

    It was in July 2014 we got on bus no. 1 on the street outside the main Lucerne train station and rode it to Kriens stop. Then a short walk (well marked) to the gondola for the ride to the top. Returned the same way but got off the gondola half way down to ride the mountain toboggan then back on the gondola to Kriens and bus 1 back to the main station. It was very easy to do.

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    Reply 6 of 10 • 7 April 2016 at 6:03:20 #850384

    Is the gondola open in End of April??

    how long was the whole trip up and down?? What did u guys do up there

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    Reply 7 of 10 • 7 April 2016 at 6:18:47 #850385

    We just walked around the mountain top, had a coffee in the gift shop, walked up to the view platform for an incredible view. My son dropped the GoPro which tumbled down the mountain but luckily stopped on a small patch of grass and we retrieved it! It is really not much but a trip for great views.

    According to the website the cableway (aka gondola) runs almost year round. From end of March to October, It runs daily from 08:30 to 17:00. The gondola (aka cableway) ride is about 15 minutes. With the bus ride maybe 45 minutes total from Lucerne Station to top of Mount Pilatus. Don’t worry, it really is easy and you will have a fine visit! Plus the website also says the cog wheel train is open from mid May. You really should peruse the website, it is loaded with great information! http://www.pilatus.ch

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    Reply 8 of 10 • 8 April 2016 at 8:45:06 #850386

    Thanks so much. So you guys check the weather one day before u went up??

    Arno
    Moderator
    15730 posts
    Reply 9 of 10 • 8 April 2016 at 13:11:49 #850387

    You can check the forecast the prior evening, and also the morning you actually want to go. There is live video from many mountain tops on Swiss TV in the early morning. That’s helpful as well.

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    Reply 10 of 10 • 8 April 2016 at 19:07:48 #850388

    Thanks Arno. Will check it out

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