MySwissAlps.com includes Reservation time cogwheel train Pilatus-Alpnachstad after toboggan run
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I’d like to buy a timed reservation for the cog wheel to alpnachstad but I’m struggling to find the right time. I’ll be arriving at Frakmuntegg at 10am and plan to do the toboggan and stay on the summit for about an hour or so, and maybe grab a bite to eat. What would be the best time for the return ticket on the cog wheel?
I’ll be there next Saturday, do you think it’ll be really crowded?
Thank you!
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Hi Traveler1234,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
Weekends can be very busy, especially in good weather, so I would recommend making seat reservations in advance to avoid long waits. From personal experience, the toboggan ride is very popular and there may be a queue. There are also several other activities at the top to enjoy. I think one hour would be too short for Mt Pilatus. Allowing 2–3 hours would be more comfortable. From Fräkmüntegg, you will also need to take the cable car up to the summit before taking the cogwheel train down, and this journey can take extra time if it is busy.
You can find more information about Mt Pilatus here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/pilatus/
Regards,
Anna
I did the toboggan run several years ago in September, supposedly when there are fewer tourists than mid summer. The queue wait was over 1 hour, so allow plenty of time.
Hi Traveler1234! It’s best to keep your Pilatus-related questions in one thread (see the forum rules). To complete this thread, I’ll paste Lastlook’s useful answer from your duplicate thread below, as well as your follow-up question. You can continue here; I’ll close the other thread. Thanks for your understanding :-)!
Lastlook, 13 June:
“If your plans are not already set, consider taking the cogwheel train up to the summit of Mt. Pilatus, spend some time there and perhaps have lunch there before going down on the cable car to get off and do the mountain slide. After you ride the slide, then take the lift down to Kriens, and walk downhill into town to catch the bus back to Luzern.”Traveler1234, 13 June:
“I was thinking of taking the cable cars up so I could get to the slide when it opens to hopefully avoid a long queue and eliminate any chance of not making the slide, what would be the reasoning to take the cog wheel up? Thanks!”
In response to your question about why you could take the cogwheel train first: this makes it easier for you to reserve your cogwheel train seats, as you can pick a fixed departure time in the morning without having to estimate how long you’ll be spending at the top, before returning via Fräkmüntegg.
But your reasoning makes sense too: making sure you’ll arrive at Fräkmüntegg early in the morning, and well in time, helps you avoid queues. I’d advise getting there earlier than 10:00. Try to arrive by 09:30 at the latest, and factor in that queues at the gondola valley station in Kriens can be long as well. Any waiting time up at Fräkmüntegg until the toboggan run opens is no problem at all, as the views there too are lovely :-).
I’d say that you’re safe with a cogwheel train reservation for your trip down to Alpnachstad around 14:00. That should give you plenty of time to ride the toboggan run, enjoy the views from the top, have a bit there, and maybe hike up to one of the viewing points or enjoy the easy “Dragon Path” roundabout trail. This departure time also allows for delays, if waiting times for the toboggan run and/or the cable car from Fräkmüntegg to Pilatus Kulm are longer than expected.
Does this help you plan?
My thinking was that you might not want to feel rushed at the summit to make your reserved departure time on the cogwheel train. However, it seems that the slide is your priority, so I understand your thoughts on arriving early there. I agree with Annika, that you should arrive earlier than 10 a.m. When I’ve stayed overnight at the summit, and took the very first cable car down in the morning, there was already a long line at the bottom in Kriens, waiting to get onto the gondolas that take you to Fräkmüntegg, and beyond. If you don’t have any time constraints at the end of your day, I would take your time at the summit, as you might find more to do there than you might expect. Walking the paths through the mountain offers some great views and photo ops. Lunch on the large patio area overlooking Luzern and the lake is nice if the weather is good. My favorite thing to do is to book the overnight package that includes the round trip transportation, one night in one of the two hotels at the top, a wonderful evening meal in the beautiful dining room, and breakfast the following morning. It is a bit of a splurge, but a wonderful way to experience the summit after the day visitors have left on the last lifts down. After dinner or early in the morning, you can walk around outside and easily see ibex quite close by. Just listen for the click, click, click of their hooves on the rocks and you will be able to spot them. It is so quiet and peaceful up there after the crowds have left – it’s just you and the other hotel guests – and the ibex.
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