Rigi vs. Pilatus vs. Titlis vs. Stanserhorn: Which one to choose?
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The charming city of Lucerne is surrounded by some of the most accessible mountains in Switzerland, and there are four in particular that pop up on every ‘best day trips from Lucerne’ list: Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus, Mount Titlis and Stanserhorn.
All four of these mountains near Lucerne are genuinely worth visiting and easily reached with a day trip, which is why choosing between them sends so many Switzerland visitors into analysis paralysis.
Do you prioritise views, activities, value for money or the time it takes to get there and back? Are you more keen for year-round snow at Titlis or Pilatus for the steepest cogwheel train in the world? If you’ve got a Swiss Travel Pass but just one spare day in Lucerne should you hit Rigi or Stanserhorn (both free with the STP!), or try see them both?
Having personally criss-crossed Switzerland and stood atop each of these mountains, I can confidently say that all four are magical and have their own standout features. In an ideal world, you’d be in Lucerne for long enough to tick off all of them, but I know all too well that time and budget limitations get in the way.
So if you’re wanting to choose just one or two mountains to add to your Switzerland itinerary, here’s all you need to know to compare Rigi vs Pilatus vs Titlis vs Stanserhorn, including how to get to each mountain from Lucerne, highlights of the excursion, 2026 prices & travel pass discounts, and anything else to make your trip easier, cheaper and better.
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Quick summary: Rigi vs Pilatus vs Titlis vs Stanserhorn
| Rigi | Pilatus | Titlis | Stanserhorn | |
| How to get there | Boat/cogwheel/cable car/train | Cogwheel train/cable car/gondola | Cable car | Funicular/cable car |
| Highlight | Mineral baths + epic hikes | Magical rugged views | Snow year-round | An epic cable car experience |
| Swiss Travel Pass discount | 100% | 100% to Alpnachstad or Kriens, 50% off from there to Pilatus | 100% to Engelberg, 50% to Titlis | 100% |
| Tell Pass discount | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Swiss Half Fare discount | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Full adult fare* | 122.60CHF | 119.80CHF | 138.40CHF | 97.60CHF |
| Open year-round? | Yes | Yes but the cogwheel train + boat are seasonal | Yes | No, 11 April to 22 November 2026 |
*Full adult fare based on the mountain excursion plus the point-to-point cost to reach the mountain station from Lucerne
Mount Rigi
Open year-round
Affectionately dubbed the “Queen of the Mountains”, Mount Rigi is a slice of paradise sitting at 1798m with panoramic views across endless mountains and lakes.
The best thing about Rigi (aside from insane views) is the accessibility, it’s one of the easiest day trips from Lucerne and you get a fantastic experience and epic photos without taking too much time and money.
Why Mount Rigi is worth it
- Unmatched views: The summit of Rigi delivers breathtaking 360-degree views over 13 lakes (including Lucerne, Zug and Lauerz) and countless Swiss Alps peaks
- Historical railway journey: The Rigi Railway was the first mountain railway in Europe, making its first journey to Rigi Kulm wayyyy back in 1871
- Hikes for everyone: If you want to hit the hiking paths, Rigi is home to more than 120km of trails for various levels of adventure
- Wellness with a view: Rest your body and mind with a visit to the mineral baths at Rigi Kaltbad
How to get to Mount Rigi from Lucerne
The journey to Rigi is almost as epic as the destination, and there are a few options to get up and down. Combine two options to be able to tick off two different experiences.
Boat + cogwheel train: Catch a stunningly scenic boat ride across Lake Lucerne to reach Vitznau, where you’ll switch to the cogwheel train that travels up to Rigi Kulm in just under an hour. The views are insane, sit on the left side for the best views.
Train + cogwheel train: Catch a regional train to Arth-Goldau, then switch onto a different cogwheel railway to reach Rigi Kulm (sit on the right-hand side facing uphill for this one).
Boat + cable car: Catch a boat from Lucerne to Weggis, then switch to the Weggis-Rigi Kaltbad cable car. From here you can walk to Rigi Kulm if you’re up for a short but steep hike, or catch a train the final leg to the summit.
I prefer the boat to Vitznau and then Vitznau-Rigi cogwheel if you wanted to just choose one and return the same way. It’s about 1h 30m-1h 40m between Lucerne and Rigi no matter which way you choose.
Mount Rigi prices & discounts
Arth-Goldau or Vitznau to Rigi Kulm return is 78CHF full fare, the available discounts are:
- 100% discount with Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass
- 50% discount with Swiss Half Fare Card, Eurail Pass or Interrail Pass
The train from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau is 10-14CHF one way (fully covered by any valid travel/rail pass and half price with Half Fare Card) and the boat from Lucerne to Vitznau is 31CHF one way (fully covered by Tell Pass or Swiss Travel Pass, 50% discount with Half Fare Card or Eurail/Interrail Pass).
Mount Rigi seasonal differences
- Rigi is open year-round, mainly offering hiking and sightseeing in summer and hiking, snowshoeing, sledding and skiing in winter
- Because Rigi is one of the more accessible mountains, expect it to be busy on most days, particularly on weekends and school holidays
Best Mount Rigi tours from Lucerne
- Mount Rigi day pass including mineral baths and spa access
- A guided summer day trip to Rigi from Lucerne
Stanserhorn
Open 11 April to 22 November 2026
The Stanserhorn (1898m) boasts a world-first open-top cable car, the CabriO, that delivers an unparalleled ride to the summit.
Enjoy the fresh mountain air and 360-degree panoramas over ten lakes and countless Alpine peaks. Hit the hiking trails for a bit of exercise and unwind in a revolving restaurant for an unforgettable mountain escape.
Why Stanserhorn is worth it
- Vintage vibes: A nostalgic trip on the restored wooden funicular carriage for the first bit
- No glass reflection: The world’s first open-top cable car, the CabriO, offering unobstructed views
- 360 degree scenery: Revolving restaurant for dining with panoramic views (but you need a seat at the edge of the revolving platform to really enjoy it)
- Surrounded by mountains: Suspended walkway for epic photos
How to get to Stanserhorn from Lucerne
Catch an easy 15-20 minute train from Lucerne to Stans, walk a couple of minutes to Stanserhornbahn and then jump on the vintage funicular up to Kälti midway station, which takes about ten minutes. From Kälti you change to the epic CabriO cableway for a thrilling final leg to reach the top.
All up it’s less than an hour from Lucerne to the top of Stanserhorn if you time your trip right.
Stanserhorn prices & discounts
The funicular + cable car combo from Stanserhornbahn to the top is 82CHF return, the available discounts are:
- 100% discount with Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass
- 50% discount with Swiss Half Fare Card
- 25% discount with Eurail Pass or Interrail Pass
The train from Lucerne to Stans is 7.80CHF each way full fare, covered by all valid travel passes and 50% with a Half Fare Card.
Stanserhorn seasonal differences
- Stanserhorn hibernates for the winter, it’s open in the warmer months from 11 April to 22 November 2026
- There are evening trips available in the busier seasons: Saturday evenings from 1 May to 31 October, Friday evenings from 5 June to 30 October, and Thursday evenings from 4 June to 29 October
Best Stanserhorn tour from Lucerne
Mount Pilatus
Open year-round with aerial cableways, but the cogwheel train and boat run seasonally
Shrouded in myths and legends, Mount Pilatus rises dramatically with its jagged peaks at 2132m. In the Middle Ages people believed dragons lived here!
Take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway for a scenic ascent and get amongst adventurous activities like an epic toboggan run.
Why Mount Pilatus is worth it
- On edge: World’s steepest cogwheel railway
- Glide above the mountains: Panoramic aerial cableway and gondolas to Kriens
- Kids will love it: Family-friendly activities like a rope park, Pilu-Land playground, toboggan run and ibex safari
- Stargaze: Astronomy evenings including accommodation up the mountain
- For the foodies: Some cool culinary experiences like fondue in the panoramic gondola and an Easter brunch event
How to get to Pilatus from Lucerne
Mount Pilatus is another one with a cool loop route to experience a variety of transport options, it’s known as the ‘Golden Round Trip’ and it’s seasonal, available 11 May to 18 October 2026.
Begin with a boat trip on Lake Lucerne to reach Alpnachstad, then switch to the world’s steepest cogwheel train to reach the summit at 2132m elevation. After you’ve soaked up the view and ticked off any Pilatus activities you want to do, you can jump on the ‘Dragon Ride’ aerial cableway to Fräkmüntegg, then switch to a panoramic gondola to Kriens, and then it’s just a short walk to catch the bus back to Lucerne.
All up, including time to enjoy the view and maybe grab a bite to eat, expect to spend at least five hours getting to and from Pilatus.
You can also just choose to take the same route up and back down of course, each to their own!
The cogwheel train runs from 11 May to 29 November 2026, the boat to Alpnachstad stops on 18 October but you can get there from (or back to) Lucerne by train, this is called the ‘Silver Round Trip’.
If you’re visiting Pilatus before 11 May or after 29 November you can still take the aerial cableways between Kriens and Pilatus, but the boat and cogwheel won’t be running.
Mount Pilatus prices & discounts
The pricing is far too complex to write here because it really depends on the specific route you take, when you’re doing it and if you have a travel pass of some sort.
To give you a rough idea, the full Golden Round Trip from Lucerne is 119.80CHF or the aerial cableways between Kriens and Pilatus are 84CHF return from May to November or 60CHF return from December to April, plus 9.60CHF to get from Lucerne to Kriens and back.
- A Tell Pass gets the whole Pilatus trip included
- A Swiss Half Fare Card gets the whole trip at half price
- A Swiss Travel Pass will cover your transport between Lucerne and Alpnachstad (train or boat) and/or Kriens (train) for free, and you’ll get 50% off the Pilatus cogwheel railway and aerial cableways.
- A Eurail/Interrail Pass will get you 50% off the boat trip to Alpnachstad, a free train ride between Lucerne and Alpnachstad or Kriens, and 50% off the Pilatus cogwheel railway and/or aerial cableways.
Told you it was complex!
Mount Pilatus seasonal differences
- The mountain is open year-round but as I mentioned, the boat only runs from 11 May to 18 October and the cogwheel train only runs from 11 May to 29 November, meaning you can only do the Golden Round Trip in the warmer months
- You can catch the aerial cableway throughout the year, except for their maintenance period from 19 October to 27 November, so if you’re visiting when the cogwheel is closed you can still take the gondolas up and down
- Sledding, bobsledding and snowshoeing is available in winter
Best Mount Pilatus tours from Lucerne
- Self-guided Golden round trip from Lucerne
- Self-guided Silver round trip from Lucerne
- Mount Pilatus & Lucerne photo tour
- Small group winter Pilatus tour from Lucerne
Mount Titlis
Open year-round
Known for its year-round snow and ice, Mount Titlis stands tall at 3238m offering a thrilling alpine wonderland.
Experience the world’s first revolving cable car, the Rotair, for breathtaking 360-degree views and test your nerves on the Titlis Cliff Walk, Europe’s highest suspension bridge!
Why Mount Titlis is worth it
- 360 degrees: The world’s first rotating aerial cableway, taking ‘panoramic views’ to the next level!
- Adrenaline rush: The Titlis Cliff Walk, Europe’s highest suspension bridge, 500m off the ground and more than 3000m above sea level
- Ice palace: A 150m-long path 10 metres below the surface of a glacier
How to get to Titlis from Lucerne
Catch a 43 minute train to Engelberg, walk a short way to the cable car station, then it’s a trip on the Titlis Xpress cable car to Stand station and a quick switch to the Titlis Rotair revolving cable car to Titlis. The cable cars take about 30 minutes all up.
Mount Titlis prices & discounts
102CHF return from Engelberg to Titlis, and 36.40CHF full fare to get from Lucerne to Engelberg and back.
- Tell Passes get the whole trip included
- Swiss Travel Pass gets to Engelberg for free and then half price to Titlis
- Swiss Half Fare Card gets the whole journey half price
- Eurail/Interrail Passes get to Engelberg for free and then 25% off to Titlis
Seasonal differences
- The Titlis Rotair revolving cable car will be out of action from 11 August to 22 December 2026 but there’s a new cable car that’ll be operating throughout this period
- Skiing, SnowXPark, tobogganing and showshoeing in winter
- Hiking, a family playground and mountain biking in summer
Best Mount Titlis tours from Lucerne
FAQs about Lucerne’s mountains
Is Mount Rigi worth it?
Yes! You get 360-degree views over loads of lakes, there are plenty of hiking trails for adventurers as well as viewpoints just steps from the train station, and it’s completely free with a Swiss Travel Pass, Tell Pass or Eurail/Interrail Pass.
Mt Pilatus or Mt Rigi: which is better?
Pilatus is better for rugged scenery and feeling like you’re in the middle of the mountains, plus it’s got the world’s steepest cogwheel train if you nerd out over that kind of thing (I do too 🤓). Rigi is better for relaxation, feeling like you’re on top of the world overlooking central Switzerland’s lakes, and it’s totally free with a valid travel pass.
Mt Titlis or Mt Pilatus: which should I choose?
Titlis has year-round snow, glacier activities and a terrifyingly high suspension bridge. Pilatus has more unique transport options with a boat, cogwheel, cable car and bus combo to and from Lucerne, plus family-friendly stuff like tobogganing.
Can you do Mt Titlis and Mt Pilatus in one day?
Technicallyyy yes, but you’d spend most of your day on various modes of transport and wouldn’t have much time to actually enjoy the experiences. If you’re going to do this it would need to be in summer where the cable cars run later in the day and you’d need to start early in the morning.
Can you do Rigi and Stanserhorn in one day?
Rigi and Stanserhorn are pretty easy to combine in a day trip with enough time up top on both mountains to enjoy the highlights.
Is Titlis or Jungfrau better for seeing snow?
If you’re only visiting Lucerne then Titlis is the better choice, Jungfrau is too far away for a comfortable day trip. If you’re visiting both Lucerne and Interlaken (best base for Jungfrau) then Jungfrau’s “Top of Europe” is the highest train station in Europe with incredible views over the mighty Alps, but it’s also a lot more expensive than Titlis.
Rigi vs. Pilatus vs. Titlis vs. Stanserhorn: The final verdict
So with all that in mind, which of Lucerne’s mountain excursions comes out on top? The truth is it really depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re on a budget: Cost-wise they’re all similarly-priced when you look at the full fare + transport from Lucerne, but if you have a Swiss Travel Pass then you can go up Rigi and Stanserhorn for free (whereas Pilatus and Titlis are just 50% off). If you have a Tell Pass then all four are free!
If you want an easy day trip: Rigi is the most accessible mountain to Lucerne, making it a super convenient day trip that’s accessible for all kinds of travellers.
If you want magical views: All four mountains offer stunning panoramas, but Titlis has a higher vantage point and Rigi is known for its sweeping landscapes that seem to go for hundreds of miles.
If you want thrills: Titlis takes the top spot with its revolving cable car, glacier activities and the cliff walk. Pilatus also offers a touch of adventure with the steep cogwheel train and toboggan.
If you want to get away from the crowds: I visited all four mountains in mid-October and Stanserhorn was the quietest, it’s right at the end of their season though so that might be different depending on the time of year.
If you want snow: Titlis is snow-capped year-round thanks to its elevation.
If you’re a train nerd: Pilatus is home to the world’s steepest cogwheel railway which is a bit of an engineering marvel, if that’s what floats your boat!
If you are tossing up between travel passes to get you the best bang for your buck then you should read my Switzerland travel pass breakdowns (all have example itineraries):
- Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
- Is the Swiss Half Fare Card worth it?
- Is the Jungfrau Travel Pass worth it?
- A review of Lake Lucerne’s Tell Pass
P.S. If you book your Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card through these links, you can save 10% using the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK (and the code works on other Switzerland activities on Klook too!).
And my other Switzerland blog posts might help you too 👇🏼
MORE SWITZERLAND TRAVEL INSPIRATION:
- How to spend 5 days in Switzerland
- How to spend 10 days in Switzerland
- 33 most beautiful places in Switzerland
- Rigi vs Pilatus vs Titlis vs Stanserhorn: Which one to visit?
- The cheapest place to ski in Switzerland: Liddes Ski Hostel
- 10 reasons to try co-living in Switzerland
- The ultimate Northern Italy and Switzerland itinerary
MORE SWITZERLAND TRAIN GUIDES:
- Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card: Which one is best?
- The ultimate Swiss Travel Pass guide
- The ultimate Swiss Half Fare Card guide
- Is the Glacier Express worth it?
- Is the Bernina Express worth it?
- Bernina Express vs Glacier Express: Which one should you choose?
- Is the Jungfrau Travel Pass worth it?
- Is the Tell Pass worth it?
MY GO-TO TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Flights ✈️ I use Skyscanner to find the best flights for my trip and then I’ll always book direct with the airline to protect myself from having to deal with dodgy third parties if anything goes wrong.
Trains 🚂 If I’m travelling through Europe, I try to travel by train wherever possible! For an extended trip (2+ weeks) I’ll calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it, or I’ll book point-to-point tickets through RailEurope or the local train operator.
Accommodation 🛎️ I book almost all of my accommodation through booking.com, they have a user-friendly website + app and many of their options are free cancellation, easily cancelled with a simple click of a button.
Activities 🗽I use GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator to look for activities in the places I visit, or I just Google ‘things to do in [city]’! P.S. If you book anything on Klook you can use the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK to get 10% off
Travel cards 💳 I’m a Wise gal through and through, they’ve been my chosen travel card for more than five years now. You can easily top up your card from your bank account or through Apple Pay, convert your money to local currency, and spend money with minimal fees and the best exchange rates around.
Travel insurance 🩺 I use Cover-More NZ travel insurance for my own trips, I have a comprehensive policy and I’ve only had good experiences with them. Cover-More also has an Australian company, but if you’re from elsewhere then two popular insurance options for global travellers are SafetyWing (cheaper policy, lower coverage) and World Nomads (more expensive but significantly better coverage).
Luggage 💼 I travel with Samsonite Cosmolite suitcases, one 75cm check in bag and a 55cm carry on bag, and I absolutely adore them and will never travel with anything else! They are SUPER lightweight (2.8kg and 1.9kg respectively) so I have much more space for my actual stuff.
Camera gear 📸 I use a iPhone 15 Pro Max for phone photos/videos, and my camera kit includes a Lumix S9 (incredible lightweight full-frame camera, a game changer for travel creators!) with a 20-60mm lens, a Lumix G9 with an 8-18mm and 12-60mm lens, a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and a GoPro Hero 10. I do all my writing and editing on my ASUS Zenbook 14, it’s lightweight but powerful enough for photo editing and intense blogging sessions.
I went through some 8-9 travellogues before coming across yours. (MY BAD! guess put up the wrong words on google)
but the point is
YOU ARE THE BEST!!
Miss Alexx,
Oh my, You’ve given 100% info needed for a newbie traveller like me…
NO DOUBT YOU ARE THE BEST..!!!
Sree
Glad it was helpful! Have the best time 🙂