My family will start a RS Switzerland tour on Sunday August 13th. We will arrive on August 12th and were planning to go to Mt. Pilatus early Sunday morning and returning prior to the "Welcome to Switzerland" meeting at 5pm. We have read Rick's recommendations for travel to Mt. Pilatus taking the cogwheel train up and the gondola ride down. We plan to purchase the combo-ticket which covers all the transportation between Luzern and the mountain. It still seems challenging with travel by boat, bus, train and gondola. We would appreciate any advice from those who have experienced this trip. Can we manage this trip in a day? Also, how does a luge ride fit into the scenario?
Thanks
Posted by
San Diego, California
4865 posts
The Swiss have made public transportation so easy to use. The area just isn't that big and once you're transitioning, everything is well- marked and there are staff to help. For us, this was a half-day trip.
I actually like going to Rigi better, as the hour boat ride is so peaceful. When you get off the boar at Vitnau, the cogwheel train is right there waiting for you to ascend to Mt Rigi. The Swiss coordinate the timing. This was also a half-day trip for us. And- you can take a gondola down to Weggis, walk a little, then get on the boat.
Have a wonderful trip in this beautiful country. Safe travels.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8421 posts
The transportation at Mt Pilates makes this a very doable trip. My hotel suggested the opposite way (gondola first, then cogwheel). I was able to purchase the necessary ticket at the front desk of Hotel des Alpes. I then caught the bus that takes you near the gondola base station at the bus stop about 200 feet from the hotel.
Posted by
Tennessee
395 posts
I'm on your tour. See you in Lucerne!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
I've done that trip and it's not actually as difficult as it sounds, and easily doable as a day trip. As I recall, there's a T.I. office in the station (one floor down from track level?) and you can buy the tickets there. I usually buy tickets on the day prior to travel.
If following the route you mentioned, you'll first take a relaxing boat trip to Alpnachstad (about an hour?). The boat dock is an easy walk from the station. When you arrive there, walk across to the Pilatusbahn and wait for the next Funicular. You'll arrive at Pilatus in the lower level of one of the hotels, and you can wander about and sightsee for awhile. There are some restaurants there so you can enjoy lunch with a great view.
When you're ready to return to Lucerne, go to the Gondola station and board the next one heading down. The first Gondola take will be fairly large and will take you to a mid-point station. Once you arrive there, I believe that's the point where you can take Luge rides. I didn't do that so not sure of the details, but the information should be available here - https://www.pilatus.ch/en/discover/fraekigaudi-toboggan-run .
The final gondola to the bottom uses small four person "telecabines", and it's a short ride to the bottom terminal. Once you disembark in Kriens, you'll have to walk downhill to the bus station (I believe the bus number is listed in the guidebook). From Kriens, it's only a 10-15 minute trip back to the main station in Lucerne.