How to buy Pilatus tickets

The Pilatus Golden Round Trip starts in Lucerne and includes a boat, mountain train, and cable cars.

It's best to buy Pilatus tickets a few days in advance so you can reserve a boarding time for the mountain train. Here are some tips

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Costs 2026

Pilatus Golden Round Trip (with boat)

• Full price CHF 119

• STP CHF 42

• HFC CHF 59.90 / Eurail 60.90

Plus CHF 5/person for seat reservation

When to buy

Buy tickets a couple of days beforehand, when you know the weather will be nice. You may need to move Pilatus to a different day on your itinerary based on the weather. Check weather on Search.ch.

Direction of Travel

If you want to do the amusements (toboggan, ropes park, etc), we suggest doing that first to avoid longer lines in the afternoon.

In this case, do the loop counterclockwise, starting with the bus and gondola to Fräkmüntegg for the amusements. Then cable car to the viewpoint, mountain train, and end with boat.

Reserve time slot for mountain train

During booking, you need to choose a timeslot for the mountain train. Choose one that accounts for enough time for your desired activities AND coordinates with the boat departure. Check schedule here.

For example, mountain train departs Pilatus at 14:34 and arrives Alpnachstad at 15:07. Transfer to boat that departs 15:17.

With Swiss Travel Pass

If you have the STP, the boat is free. So you only need to buy tickets for the mountain train and cable cars, which will be discounted 50%.

Purchase this "up and over" ticket via the Pilatus website at this link.

First choose your starting and ending point. If you are starting with the bus, you start at Kriens and end at Alpnachstad to get on the boat.

Make sure to choose your STP to apply the discount. You should have the Swiss Family Card for each child, so their ticket is free.

With Half Fare Card or Eurail

With the HFC or Eurail, you get a 50% discount on the boat, mountain train and cable cars.

Purchase a combo ticket for all three with the "Golden Round Trip" ticket via the Pilatus website.

Make sure to choose the correct direction of travel. This example shows counterclockwise, starting with the bus and ending with the boat.

You will also need to select a reserved boarding time for the mountain train.