What you'll do
This itinerary is suitable for November, when many mountain areas are closed, taking a break before winter ski season starts in mid December.
I've including only outings that are scheduled to be open in November.
In a few cases, the mountains may have short maintenance closures in mid November. I've noted these so you can choose only ones open during your travel dates.
Notable closures:
Pilatus - only accessible via cable car, not by boat + mountain train
Grindelwald First - closed most of November
Stoos - funicular + chair lifts to Fronalpstock viewpoint open on Nov weekends only, ridge trail closed
Day 1
Rigi - Boat Cruise + Mountain Viewpoint
Mt Rigi near Lucerne is one of the mountain excursions that you can do open year round, including a boat ride on Lake Lucerne and mountain train to a spectacular viewpoint.
From Luzern train station, walk across the street to Pier 1 for the Rigi boat.
Boat ride to Vitznau (1h).
Ride cogwheel train from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm viewpoint (32 mins).
Wander viewpoint, take pictures, etc. (about 45 mins)
(Option) If no snow, short hike on Lake View trail to Rigi Kaltbad First station.
(Option) Afternoon relaxation at Rigi Mineralbad & Spa.
Ride mountain train back to Vitznau and boat back to Lucerne.
Some services may close due to poor weather. So check Rigi status, Rigi webcams, and Rigi weather forecast before heading out.
Boat & mountain train are free the Swiss Travel Pass, so you get great value out of this outing.
Rigi Boat: Lucerne-Vitznau
public_transport
Cruise Lake Lucerne to Rigi Mountain
This boat ride between Lucerne and Vitznau is part of the Mt Rigi Classic Round Trip (sometimes called "Queen of the Mountains Round Trip").
In Vitznau, you can transfer to the a cogwheel mountain train up to the Mt Rigi viewpoint. On your way back, you can ride the mountain train back to Vitznau and boat back to Lucerne.
Stops: Luzern, Bahnhofquai (Pier 1) to Vitznau.
Open: year round
How to get there
Lucerne: The boat leaves from the Pier 1, directly in front of the Lucerne main train station.
Vitznau: The boat dock is right next to the Rigi mountain train station in Vitznau.
Timetables
The Rigi boat to Vitznau runs year round. The arrival/departure times are coordinated between the boat and mountain train.
Lucerne 𥺠Vitznau: departs hourly, usually on the XX:00 or XX:12 (travel time 57 min)
Vitznau 𥺠Lucerne: departs hourly, departure times vary (travel time 45-58 min)
Verify current schedule on www.lakelucerne.ch or SBB.ch.
Tip: If looking at schedules on SBB.ch, make sure to turn on the "show via field" option. Then look for this connection: Luzern, Bahnhofquai - Vitznau - Rigi Kulm. That will show you the boat and mountain train times.
Tickets
Free with Lucerne Tell Pass and Swiss Travel Pass. Discount with Swiss Half Fare Card, Eurail, and Interrail. With discount passes, purchase via Rigi.ch.
If you need a ticket, you can buy the "Rigi Classic Round Trip" ticket, which includes the boat and mountain train. Purchase this ticket via GetYourGuide or Rigi.ch.
If you just need the boat ticket, you can buy that on SBB.ch, at the ferry dock ticket office or on the boat. If you just need the mountain train ticket, you can buy it on SBB.ch or Rigi Vitznau mountain train station.
Rigi Cogwheel Train Vitznau
public_transport
Scenic railway to mountain viewpoint
This cogwheel train travels from the lakeshore village Vitznau to the Rigi Kulm mountain viewpoint.
Location: Bahnhofstrasse 7, 6354 Vitznau ⢠bus stop Vitznau, Station
Open: year round
If you are doing the "Rigi Classic Round Trip," the boat from Lucerne drops you directly at the Rigi mountain train station.
The train stops a few times along the way, which makes it convenient if you are hiking (like the Rigi Lake View Trail) and want to catch the train farther down the mountain.
Popular stops: Vitznau ⢠Rigi Kaltbad-First ⢠Staffel ⢠Rigi Kulm
How to get there
Many people visit Rigi as part of the "Rigi Classic Round Trip" , which starts with a boat ride from Lucerne. The boat drops you off at Vitznau, directly where the train picks up.
You can also reach this train by car, bus or boat from elsewhere along the lake.
By car: You can drive directly to Vitznau. There are a couple parking garages near the Rigi mountain train station. We usually park at Altdorfbachweg 6, 6354 Vitznau (limited spaces, best to arrive early), a short walk from the Rigi train.Â
By boat: There are many boat stops along Lake Lucerne. So you don't have to catch the boat in Lucerne if you are staying father away. Check the Lake Lucerne boat stops and schedule - www.lakelucerne.ch.
By bus: The closest bus stop is Vitznau, Station. If you are coming from Weggis or Brunnen, the bus is the fastest way to get here.
Timetable
The Rigi mountain train runs daily year round. The train departs about once an hour.
Times are coordinated with the boat arrival and departure times. The timetable varies slightly by season.
Check current timetables.
Tickets
If you are arriving by boat, get the "Rigi Classic Round Trip" ticket which includes the boat and trains.
If you just need a ticket for the mountain railways, you can buy the Rigi Day Pass, available online or in person at the ticket office.
This mountain train is free with the Swiss Travel Pass, Saver Day Pass, and GA. Discount with Swiss Half Fare Card. Kids under 16 ride free with a parent.
You cannot reserve a timeslot or seat. So on very busy days, you may have to stand on the train or wait for the next train (not typical).
Mt Rigi Viewpoint
activity
Stunning panorama viewpoint over Lake Lucerne
Mt Rigi is a popular mountain viewpoint at 1798 m near Lucerne. You can visit the Rigi Kulm viewpoint year round by riding a cogwheel train up the mountain, the same way skiers reach the slopes here.
For a bit more excitement, you can start with a boat ride from Lucerne to Vitznau before catching the mountain train (learn more about the boat).
At the top, you can wander around the panorama viewpoints, walking on groomed snowy paths. Best to wear waterproof shoes and warm clothing. Near the viewpoint, there is a restaurant with indoor seating if you need to warm up.
If you want to walk longer, you can follow the groomed panorama trail down to one of the middle train stations. Learn more.
At the top, you can also rent sleds and sled down to the Rigi KlĂśsterli and catch the train there. Learn more.
Read our post about visiting Mt Rigi
Website: https://www.rigi.ch/en/
Location: catch mountain train at either Vitznau or Arth Goldau
Book Rigi mountain train tickets.
Book Rigi round trip from Lucerne.
Note: The mountain train and boat ride from Lucerne are included with the Swiss Travel Pass and SBB GA / Day Pass, no extra fee. Discount with other Swiss travel cards.
Mt Rigi Panorama Winter Hike (short version)
Hike
Easy winter hike
This groomed winter trail at Mount Rigi has spectacular views of many mountains and lakes in the Lucerne region.
Trail: 1h30 ⢠4.2 km ⢠50m up, 350m down ⢠see trail map
The snow on this trail is groomed with machine, so you can walk on it with waterproof hiking shoes, no snowshoes required.
This winter walk is easy and suitable for families with children of any age. The length of trail can be easily adjusted from 1 to 9 km, to meet the needs of your group.
Trail info
This winter trail starts at the Rigi Kulm station (top) and ends at the Rigi Kaltbad-First station.
From Rigi Kulm, you hike down to the Staffel station. Then a steep, but short uphill to the Rotstock viewpoint. Then down to Rigi First. From here, you turn right and walk across to the Kaltbad station, where you can ride the train down to Vitznau.
Variation: If you want to ride down to Arth Goldau instead of Vitznau, when you reach Rigi First, turn left following signs to Rigi KlĂśsterli station. Then ride the blue train down to Arth Goldau. See trail map
How to get there
The nicest way to reach this hike is a boat ride from Lucerne to Vitznau. Then transfer to the mountain train up to Rigi Kulm.
You can also reach this trail with the Rigi train from Arth Goldau.
Learn more on SwissFamilyFun.com
Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad
spa
Relaxation and nature
Fantastic mountain views from the infinity pool at these thermal baths halfway up Mt Rigi near Lucerne. They have heated indoor and outdoor pools, an herbal steam bath, and Finnish herbal sauna.
This would a great activity after enjoying the spectacular views on Mt Rigi. You can buy a combo ticket that include both the Mt Rigi trains and the spa.
Children aged 1 - 16 are allowed in the pools if accompanied by an adult, but not the sauna and spa facilities.
Website: www.aqua-spa-resorts.ch Location: Hotel Rigi Kaltbad - ride mountain train from Vitznau to Rigi Kaltbad First Open: daily 10:00 - 22:00 (hotel guests only from 8:00 - 10:00)