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Pilatus - scanning PDFs on phone versus print-outs

Since so many Swiss experiences are weather-dependent, we're trying to be flexible about what days to do things. So, for example, we'd like to decide the day before whether to buy Silver Round Trip tickets for Mt Pilatus. The website says "print@home - The ordered tickets are available for download in a PDF document to be printed by yourself." Do we actually need to print these out (in which case we'll need our hotel's help), or can ALL the various modes of transportation (train, cogwheel train, cableway, gondola life, bus) just scan the PDF from my iPhone?

Thank you!

Posted by
4 posts

You can just scan the QR code directly from your phone from the email you receive after purchasing the ticket. No need to print. I was there just a few days ago.

Posted by
65 posts

If you don't print, you might want to take a screenshot of the ticket/QR code in case you have trouble connecting to the internet. Cellular reception isn't always reliable in Switzerland.

I'm not familiar with the ticket you mentioned, but you can purchase train tickets on the SBB (national rail) app, which doesn't require any printouts. The app generates a QR code for your ticket that will be scanned by SBB personnel if they come through your train car.

Posted by
2493 posts

You can also buy the ticket in Luzern at the train station or the boat landing where you start.

Posted by
21142 posts

For the benefits of others, the Silver Round Trip is a train from Luzern to Alpnachstad, cogwheel train to Pilatus, cable car down to Kriens, bus back to Luzern, or in the other direction. Since the cogwheel train can be crowded, they sell optional seat reservations so you will not have to wait. That is all on a single ticket.