3-Day Lucerne Self-Guided Rail Tour:
Rigi & Pilatus

Are you coming to Switzerland one day earlier?

Upon landing in Zurich, you’ll check in and rest at your comfortable airport hotel — the ideal way to recover from your international flight before your adventure begins.

For the next day, we’ve designed a wonderful Pre-Tour Option: a full-day excursion to Stein am Rhein & the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen. After the tour, your guide will accompany you back to Zurich to collect your luggage and then escort you to the train station, ensuring you comfortably continue to your next destination.

For the smoothest experience, we recommend adding this when booking your 3-Day Rail Tour. Just reach out to our Travel Experts — we’ll make sure everything is perfectly arranged before your journey begins.

Accommodation: Zurich Airport Hotel Hyatt Regency or Place (or comparable lodging).

Welcome to Switzerland!

Today you’ll arrive in Lucerne, a city nestled between the serene Lake Lucerne and the mighty Alps.

Known as the most beautiful city of Switzerland, Lucerne has a lot to offer. You will have all day to wander through the Old Town, marveling at the iconic Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere that sets this city apart.

Scenic Journey Duration: approx. 2 hours.

Journey Mode: Bus & Funicular.

Meals included: Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Continental (or comparable lodging).

Important: This trip is available all year round but the organization and means of transport used depend on the availability of the cogwheel trains, boats, cable cars and gondolas.

Pilatus cogwheel train runs from May till November. In winter we will skip the train and use gondola connection only.

Alternatives for your itinerary will be communicated in advance.

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Today you’ll board the local train for a 30 min ride along lakes Lucerne and Zug to Arth Goldau. Here you will board a cogwheel mountain railway which takes you on a scenic journey up to Rigi-Kulm (the summit of Mt Rigi).

This is the mountain peak where Alpine tourism began over 200 years ago.
Enjoy impressive 360-degree views over the Alps stretching way out into the distance. On a clear day you can even see as far as France to the West and the Black Forest in Germany to the North.

At Rigi-Kaltbad you catch the aerial cable car down to Weggis in time to catch a Lake Lucerne boat for a scenic 50 min cruise back to Lucerne.

Once in Lucerne, walk across the street and board the local bus for a 15 minute ride and then a short walk to the Mt. Pilatus gondola station. Climb aboard a 4-person gondola and enjoy the views over the city and surrounding hills. Then transfer to the “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway that whisks you up to 2,032 m / 7,000 ft to the top of Lucerne’s other home mountain, the Mt. Pilatus.

Once on top, there is time to take in the magnificent views over the Alps. Follow the Dragon Caves walking trail (500 m/0.3 miles) and learn about the legends of the mountain’s dragons and its surprising connection with Pontius Pilate. Take an adventure walk along the Flower Trail to the Tömlishorn (the highest peak at 2128 m) where, on a clear day, you can see the famous peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in the distance. If you are lucky, you may even encounter a few wild ibex along the way, and hear the clanging of cowbells in the air.

The return trip to Lucerne begins with a descent to Alpnachstad on the world’s steepest cogwheel train with 48% gradients and through numerous tunnels. More wonderful views of the Swiss Alps accompany you on your descent. In Alpnachstad board the local train for a quick and easy ride back to Lucerne.

Scenic Journey Duration: approx. 5 hours.

Journey Mode: Rigi & Pilatus Cogwheel Train, Cable-Car, Gondola & Cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel Continental (or comparable lodging).

Today is departure day. 

We wish you a safe journey and we hope to see you again for another adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast.