Mt. Rigi day trip – travel via Vitznau or Weggis?
An old traveler from Australia is planning a 16-day trip in Switzerland, focusing on scenic views by train and boat instead of hiking. He's interested in the best route to Mt. Rigi on public holiday June 19, debating between two options for his last three days near Lucerne.
- For a more convenient experience, take the boat to Vitznau, as the cogwheel train station is right there.
- Consider using the Swiss Travel Pass for free rides on the cog railway to Rigi Kulm.
- Keep in mind that Swiss weather can impact your travel plans, so check forecasts beforehand.
AI-generated summary-
Dear Swiss Alps. Thank you for providing so much valuable information. Could you provide me some guidance?
We are travelling for around 16 days in Switzerland. We have a varied itinerary involving trains, mountains and lakes which we have been able to put together with your valuable assistance, without which would have been near impossible. We are unable to hike so transport is important.
Our last 3 days are in the Lucerne area and in particular I am planning a trip on the 19th. June [weather permitting] which is a public holiday. We are catching a train to Fluelen then a boat back to Vitznau and on to Mt. Rigi via cog wheel and then back to Lucerne via Arth Goldau. All very doable for us.
After leaving Fluelen we also have the alternative of travelling on the boat past Vitznau to Weggis then to Rigi Kaltbad hooking up with the cog wheel for the trip to the summit. In doing that we miss the section of cog wheel between Vitznau and Rigi Kaltbad.
I could also slip in a side trip from Rigi Kaltbad to Weggis and return to Rigi Kaltbad but that makes it all too rushed.
We will have done many cable car / gondola rides by this time, in and around the Jungfrau region for example.
After leaving Fluelen my realistic choices are therefore; Vitznau – Rigi Kulm – Arth Goldau – Lucerne or alternatively Weggis – Rigi Kaltbad – Rigi Kulm – Arth Goldau – Lucerne
Our main interest is scenery so I guess the opinion I am looking for is which is more spectacular, Vitznau – Rigi Kaltbad or Weggis – Rigi Kaltbad
Regards
Old guy from OZ.
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Hello again Old Guy
Thanks for your kind words regarding MySwissAlps.
I will not attempt to answer the question whether it is more scenic to go up from Vitznau or from Weggis.
If you get off the boat at Weggis, it is a 15 minute uphill walk to the cable car. If you get off the boat at Vitznau, the station for the cog-wheel railway is straight in front of you!
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hi Old Guy,
I will have to agree with Roger.
If you take the boat to Vitznau, it will be a short walk to the base station for the cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm. This might be more convenient if you are not keen to walk or hike.
You can find further information on how to plan your trip to Mt Rigi here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/#directions
Best regards,
Anna
Thanks Roger and Anna for the valuable advice. A15 minute uphill walk would be difficult so your advice makes the decision for us.
Best regards
Hello, Old Guy
I went to Rigi Kulm from Lucerne 3 months ago. My original intent was a train from Lucerne to Arth-Goldeau and the cog railway to the top (Kulm, free with the STP), and take the cog railway (another line) back down to Vitznau, and the boat back to Lucerne. While up on the railway from Arth-Goldeau, we discussed going back down (she is afraid of heights). So we hiked/walked down to Rigi Katblad and jumped on to the cable car down to Weggis. She felt more comfortable getting the shorter cable car ride over with (that was not free with the STP.) than the longer cog railway into Vitznau. So that’s what we did, and walked that 15 min+ jourjey the boat and went to Lucerne from there.
Not only would it be rushed, but you would only be going down and back up again (not free with the STP). And if you stayed down, it would be the reverse of the 15 + minute walk to the boat that Roger was referring to in his post to get back to Lucerne.
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I would stick with the above scenario, as it would be your best bet based on your not wanting to do any hiking. Basically, it’s the opposite of what I did with my friend, but at a different station. Basically, though, it will be a long day, which shouldn’t be a problem. For example: Train, Lucerne to Fluelen, about an hour. Boat to Vitznau, about 2 hrs. Vitznau cog railway to Rigi Kulm, about 45 min. Rigi Kulm cog railway to Arth-Goldau, 55 min. Arth-Goldau to Lucerne, about a half hour. Plus, add in how much time you’ll spend at each stop along the way. These times are basic round figures. You can fine-tune them on the SBB timetable (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/). One thing to keep in mind is that at the top station, Rigi Kulm, one line will go down to Vitznau (along the lake), and one will go down to Arth-Goldau, which is the train station which one can take back into Lucerne.
I hope this helps in some way. Have a great trip.
Regards,
Danielsan
Hi Danielsan
Thank you that insight. I think the train to Fluelen, boat to Vitznau etc. sounds like a good plan. Obviously all weather dependent.
Regards
Old guy
Hi Old Guy,
Yes, the Swiss weather can play quite a role for many activities. You can read more about the weather here, in the link below:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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