Mt. Rigi via Vitznau versus via Arth Goldau

You can (should, IMO) do a loop and see the scenery from both sides: up from Arth-Goldau, and down via the cable car to Weggis or the train to Vitznau for the boats back to Luzern. I personally prefer the cable car: it is faster despite the 1/2 mile walk to the pier at the bottom, and it gives you the opportunity to walk to the amazing Känzeli viewpoint at the top (max 45 min RT from the top station of the cable car).
To answer your question, the scenery is less dramatic on the Arth-Goldau side, and there is nothing of note in Goldau, which is just a railway junction and little else.

We did the trip to Rigi Kulm both ways on the boat , didn't use Arth - Goldau on the return . Absolutely loved the trip and planning to do it again this Autumn . The steamer on the way back was one of the restored " Dampfschiff " boats . While the scenery is striking , as you know , I am a lover of steam power ( boats and trains ) , so I was glued to the engine for a while on the return to Lucerne . After leaving Vitznau , we walked along the lake back to Weggis , before boarding the boat . I first encountered this voyage in a video documentary in 1980 , Finally in 2012 we were there , and got to experience much of it . https://youtu.be/Xb9vTT2Nqi8 If you have an interest in music and music history , just south past the Hauptbahnhof in Luzern , stands Tribschen , the home of Richard Wagner during his years in Luzern Here is a brief description - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribschen which tells the tale of the " Siegfried Idyll " , and here is an excerpt of a performance at the site in the manner that it was done on Christmas Day 1870 - https://youtu.be/Ry59vzTUL24

We have done the loop by taking the cog railroad to the top and then hiking down to the cable car and cable car down to the port finally back to Lucerne. We had mid afternoon lunch at the cable car station on the mountain. Don't know how to classify one scenic view as being better than the other. All were great. The cable car ride down was magnificent. The view over the lake from the cable car is better than the window of the cog railroad car.

We were coming from Germany, heading to Rigi Kaltbad for the night, and it was simplest to take the train from Arth-Goldau, op and over the top at Rigi Kulm ( we changed trains there). It was foggy the whole ride, but even with no fog you don’t get the views over the lake on the back side. But once you reach Rigi Kulm they are right in your face, provided it is a clear day.

If “time is of the essence” as they say, I’d go the Arth-Goldau route up. Then you can decide whether to descend to the lake by way of Vitznau on the cogwheel train, or by way of Weggis on the big cablecar. We did the latter . . . Talk about views!!! Right in front of you, straight down.

No need to spend any time in Arth-Goldau. Just walk from the main train to the little station for the cogwheel train up the mountain. The schedules are usually aligned pretty well.

Thanks for the helpful responses!! It sounds like I should consider the loop or at least include the cable car this time. I’m not a huge fan of the cable cars, but I did take several last year, including the one up to Mannlichen on the top, outside part, and I survived. 😊 It helps to know that Arth Goldau itself is not worth seeing, so I know not to factor that into my decision.

Stephen, thanks for the train video. I started watching it during my lunch break and am really enjoying it. The stretch between Zurich and Vienna looks fabulous. For the end of my second trip next year, I’ll be taking the train from Innsbruck into Switzerland. I do love the trains!!

Since you've been to Switzerland before, you know that weather conditions can affect (especially, summit) views. Our Rigi day was unfortunately misty, with no chance to choose another day in our schedule. We actually stayed at the smaller (and nearer) of the two luxury hotels in the cog railway area.

Tim, are you trying to say it might rain or snow during my trip? 😊 We had near perfect whether in Sept., so I know I probably won’t be that lucky again. I bet it was incredible to stay up there. There must be some great sunrises and sunsets at that height.

No, I'm talking about blinding mist and fog at the summit, but not at the base. There is a webcam at the summit, or was when we were there.

I've been completely - absolutely completely - fogged out at the summit of Rigi.

...I’m not a huge fan of the cable cars,.... I am not sure what that means. I am very familiar with cable cars, gondolas, and chair lifts but the cable car from the top down to the lake even got to me a little. It is magnificent going over edge. I didn't know you could have a cable car could go that far between towers.

Tim and Nigel, fog in Switzerland? I don’t believe it. Just kidding.😊 I only have 2 full days in Lucerne this time, so I’ll probably still go to mountains even if the weather is not great.

Frank, I get a little nervous on the cable cars when they sway. I think it might be the motion, more than the height, as I’m fine going up and down on the train. I may still try the Rigi cable car. I’ll have to see how brave I’m feeling that day.

The Weggis-Rigi cable car is large (75 ppl), it does not sway much! It is quite steep however, so, impressive in that regard.

Balso, thanks for the info. I found a few videos of the cable car on you tube. It is indeed very steep!!