Pilatus is Lucerne’s local mountain and one of the region’s most popular destinations. No road leads to the summit, though, and that raises one question: what’s the easiest way up? Anyone searching for a taxi to Pilatus usually wants exactly that answer.
Below is how the journey works, which routes lead up the mountain, and how a taxi makes the start of the day easier. Pilatus is worth a visit almost year-round, but the right route depends on the season.
Why you can’t drive straight to Pilatus
The summit of Pilatus sits high above Lake Lucerne and can’t be reached by car. Instead of a mountain road, railways and cable cars cover the way up.
That means the journey always comes in two parts. First you travel to the valley station, and from there the mountain railway takes you to the summit. This split is the key to the whole plan. The first part, the way to the valley station, decides how relaxed the outing starts.
For many, the ride up by rail is part of the experience itself, not simply a means to an end. All the more reason to keep the first leg, to the valley station, as simple as possible. Knowing this lets you plan the day correctly from the start, instead of searching in vain for a road to the summit.
The two routes to the summit
Two well-known routes lead up Pilatus. Both start at different points at the foot of the mountain, and which one suits you better depends on the season and your preferences.
By cogwheel railway from the lake side
From the lake side at Alpnachstad, a cogwheel railway climbs to the summit. The line is considered one of the steepest of its kind and is an experience in itself. Along the way, the view opens up further and further over the lake and the surrounding mountains.
This railway runs during the warmer months, making it the classic choice for a trip in summer or early autumn. If you want the ride up to be a highlight of the day in its own right, this route is a good fit. Alpnachstad sits right on the lake and is easy to reach by taxi, so the switch to the railway happens without detours.
By cable car from Kriens
On the other side, the route starts from Kriens, a town right next to Lucerne. From there, a gondola and a cable car in several stages carry you to the summit.
This route is also a reliable choice outside the summer season, since it’s open longer. The multi-stage ride also gives a good sense of how the landscape changes with every metre of altitude. If you want to stay flexible, this side is often the safer bet. Since Kriens borders directly on Lucerne, this valley station is reached within minutes, which makes for a particularly simple start.
Combining both sides in one day
In summer, many visitors combine both routes into a round trip. A classic itinerary takes the boat across the lake to the lakeside, goes up by cogwheel railway, and comes back down the other side by cable car and gondola to Kriens.
That way you see the mountain from two sides and experience both railways in a single day. A taxi suits this round trip well, since it brings you to the starting point and picks you up again at a different location at the end. Many consider this round trip the finest way to experience Pilatus, since it combines boat, railway, and cable car in one day.
Taxi to Pilatus: the easiest way to the starting point
The biggest difference for a relaxed day lies in the first leg, the way to the valley station. That’s exactly where a taxi shows its strength.
Comfortably from your door to the valley station
With a taxi, you travel straight from your door to the valley station of your choice, with no changes and no search for parking. You arrive relaxed and start the actual outing without detours.
Since the service is available at any time, an early ride can be arranged too. Setting off early beats the biggest crowds, giving you the mountain almost to yourself in the quiet morning hours. And because the driver knows the way, you don’t need to worry about the route yourself, even if you don’t know the region well. On request, the vehicle can already be waiting at the agreed time, so the outing starts punctually and without rushing.
Ideal for groups, families, and gear
Anyone travelling in a group or with family benefits especially. Instead of coordinating several connections, everyone travels together to the valley station.
For larger groups, a minibus for up to eight people offers enough space, including for backpacks, walking poles, or a pushchair. That way the outing starts comfortably for everyone, at the same place, without the group having to split up along the way. The return trip can also be arranged in advance for the whole group, so nobody is left waiting for a ride once the outing is over.
Once you reach the summit
At the summit, a wide panorama awaits over the Alps and Lake Lucerne. On a clear day, the view stretches over numerous peaks and far into the lowlands.
Around the mountain station there are viewpoints, short walking trails, and places to eat. That means you can shape your time at the top however you like, whether as a brief stop for a photo or a longer stay with a hike. Keeping an eye on the mountain railway schedule lets you wind the day down calmly, without missing the last ride. Bring warm clothing, since it’s noticeably cooler and windier at the summit than down in the valley, even in summer.
How to plan the trip
Before your trip, check the current mountain railway schedules, since they change by season. Then decide which side you want to go up from, and plan your journey there accordingly. A quick look at the weather helps too, since the wide view from the summit is the biggest part of the experience on a clear day.
When booking, ask about the approximate travel time and the fare at the same time, so you know where you stand from the start. State the number of passengers and the luggage, so the right vehicle is ready. And think about the return trip, especially if you come down on the other side from where you went up. In that case, name the end point when booking, so the pickup happens exactly there, without waiting.
Your taxi to Pilatus from Lucerne
Planning a trip up Pilatus? Luzerner Taxi takes you comfortably to the valley station of your choice, from where the mountain railways take over the rest. You start the day without searching for parking and without changing transport. With vehicles for every group size and room for gear, you’re well looked after from the first metre.
Book your ride via the app, online, or by phone at +41 41 558 89 89 and start your outing relaxed.
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