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Lucerne & Mount Pilatus: Switzerland from Sea to Sky
Published on November 9, 2025
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Lucerne was the perfect city to introduce me to Switzerland. It being just a short train ride from the Alsace region of France made for a seamless transition between countries. We spent only two days there: one acquainting ourselves with the city, located in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, and the next ascending to the top of Mount Pilatus and taking in the incredible scenery below, before continuing our journey to Lugano.
Day 1: Lucerne
After arriving in Lucerne, we began our day with a walk up to Museggmauer, where we were rewarded with stunning views of the city, Lake Lucerne, and the surrounding mountains. From there, we wandered through the old town and across the flower-adorned Chapel Bridge, Europe’s oldest covered bridge, before stopping for lunch at Rathaus Brauerei, located along the Reuss River that winds through the city. After lunch, we continued exploring the city, popping in and out of various cheese and chocolate shops. The cheese pies from Cheese Barmettler are a must-try, and are the right size for an afternoon snack! The schnitzel I ate for dinner at Restaurant Reussfähre definitely hit the spot, and we capped off the evening with drinks by the river at Pfistern. It was a full and memorable day, and the perfect amount of time to spend in the city center of Lucerne.
Day 2: Mount Pilatus
We purchased our Golden Round Trip tickets to Mount Pilatus the day prior at the Pilatus Shop in Lucerne. You can also purchase a ticket on the Pilatus website, or opt for a guided tour. You have a choice in direction when it comes to your trip up and down Mount Pilatus. We chose to take the gondola and aerial cableway up the mountain, and to take the cogwheel railway down the mountain followed by a boat ride on Lake Lucerne back to the city. While the pupose of your journey may be to reach the top of Mount Pilatus and to take in the view from there, each step of the way is an amazing experience in itself.
Outward Journey
To begin the Mount Pilatus round-trip from Lucerne, take bus number 1 in the direction of Kriens/Obernau from the Lucerne railway station. From there, you’ll walk to the gondola station to begin your journey up the mountain. No need to worry about getting lost – there are plenty of signs pointing you in the right direction, and other adventurers following the same path! After the 30-minute gondola ride to Fräkmüntegg, you’ll have a chance to enjoy incredible views and to try the Frakigaudi Summer Toboggan, the longest summer toboggan ride in Switzerland. Racing down the track while taking in the fresh air and gorgeous scenery of the Swiss mountains was exhilarating!
When you’re ready to continue your journey up the mountain, you’ll take the aerial cableway, or “Dragon Ride”, to reach the top of Mount Pilatus in just 3.5 minutes. We spent just under two hours at the top of Mount Pilatus walking around and taking in the view from various viewpoints, getting a bite to eat and enjoying a drink, and even getting to watch a performer play the alphorn, a traditional Swiss instrument!
Return Journey
The descent from Mount Pilatus offers a completely different experience but is just as impressive as the trip up. It takes place on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, which runs along tracks so narrow and invisible beneath you that it feels like you’re gliding in midair down the side of the mountain! The ride ends in the lakeside village of Alpnachstad, where you can stop for a meal or take a short walk to enjoy the scenery. From there, a scenic boat ride across Lake Lucerne provides a relaxing return to the city. We were lucky to be there on a warm and sunny day in September, and enjoyed feeling breeze on our faces while cruising back to Lucerne.
The entire journey to and from Mount Pilatus was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I can’t recommend this excursion enough. The experience was unforgettable, and, despite my fear of heights, I would do it again if I were to ever return to Lucerne. Being surrounded by the beauty of the Swiss Alps was surreal, and truly felt like I was standing inside of a postcard!
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