1. Golden Round Trip from Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Self-Guided Tour
Your 4.5-hour tour begins at the train station in Lucerne, where you’ll board a bus for a 15-minute ride to Kriens. In Kriens you’ll pick up your ticket for the rest of the tour. Head to the 4-seat Panorama Gondola to ascend to the mid-way station at Krienseregg. In another 15 minutes you’ll reach Fräkmüntegg. Finish the journey to the summit of Mount Pilatus on a thrilling 5-minute aerial cable car ride, known as the Dragon Ride. At more than 2,000 meters above sea level, you’ll have spectacular views over the Lake Lucerne region and the Alps. You’ll also have some free time for a bite to eat or a walk around the area. Then you’ll board the world's steepest cogwheel railway for the ride down to Alpnachstad, passing lush meadows carpeted with Alpine flowers, sparkling mountain streams and fascinating rock faces. In about a half hour you’ll arrive at the valley station, where a ship will take you back to Lucerne. Sample Itinerary 08:30 Departure from Lucerne by bus 08:40 Arrival in Kriens, station Zentrum Pilatus; walk to the valley station to pick up your tickets 09:00 Departure by gondola to Fräkmüntegg 09:30 Change to the Dragon Ride cable car 09:35 Arrival on Mt. Pilatus; enjoy the panoramic view and a walk around the area and/or a delicious meal 10:10 Departure by world's steepest cogwheel railway to Alpnachstad 10:50 Arrival in Alpnachstad 11:00 Departure by ship 12:18 Arrival in Lucerne