Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) · Lucerne, Pier 1 (Bahnhofquai)
The classic Rigi loop on one ticket: boat to Vitznau, the rack railway to Rigi Kulm, down to Rigi Kaltbad, the cable car to Weggis and the boat home. No set times, so you can stay up there for cake or a walk and catch any later connection.
The boat leaves from Pier 1 at Lucerne station and takes about an hour to Vitznau, on a modern motor ship or, in summer, one of the paddle steamers. At Vitznau the Rigi railway, running since 1871 and the first mountain railway in Europe, climbs to Rigi Kulm at 1,798 m in about half an hour. You ride back down to Rigi Kaltbad, take the cable car to Weggis and catch the boat to Lucerne. The ticket is valid for one day and you are not tied to any times; departures run all day.
Pass holders already have most of this: the scheduled SGV boats are covered by the Swiss Travel Pass and Lucerne Travel Pass, and MySwitzerland lists the Rigi railways as free with the Swiss Travel Pass (the Flex on travel days). For them, the Rigi boat, train and baths ticket adds the mineral baths. For everyone else, this ticket covers the whole loop, with the boats in 2nd class. There is no guide and no food included.
Mind the dates. From 16 to 27 November 2026 the cable car between Rigi Kaltbad and Weggis is closed for maintenance, and the trip runs via Vitznau both ways. Once there is snow on the mountain, the operator advises wheelchair users to travel via Vitznau too, where low-floor trains usually run. The cable car can get crowded at busy times, and from its valley station it is a walk of about a kilometre down to the Weggis pier.
The listing's sample day takes the 09:12 boat from Pier 1, arriving in Vitznau at 10:09. A half-day version leaves at 12:00.
The train leaves from beside the Vitznau pier and reaches the summit in about 30 minutes.
Views over the Swiss Plateau, the Black Forest, the Vosges and the Alps on a clear day. Restaurants are at your own expense.
The rack railway takes about 15 minutes down to Kaltbad. Stop here for a walk or a coffee.
About 10 minutes down to Weggis, then a walk of roughly a kilometre to the pier.
Board at Weggis and arrive in Lucerne at 16:47. Later boats run if you stay longer.
★★★★★The entire round trip is a special experience. Since you are not bound by time here either, there is no stress. The ride on Lake Lucerne and then by the Rigi Railway up to Rigi Kulm to enjoy the views. [...] Otherwise, I can recommend this tour to anyone.
★★★★★Me and my family enjoyed this classic Rigi round trip. It was great doing it on our own pace and not hurrying up. We had the chance to have some coffee and cake up up at the restaurant there. [...] But overall it was a great trip!
★★★★★an excellent trip to Mt Rigi , very well connected by ferry and then train up to the summit for fabulous views .
★★★★★The ferry ride was nothing short of amazing. Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains are beautiful. [...] I liked the peace if mind knowing everything was covered.
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It is a one-day ticket with no fixed times. The listing's sample day runs from 09:12 to 16:47; a half-day plan leaves at 12:00 and is back at 18:41.
MySwitzerland lists the Rigi railways as free with the Swiss Travel Pass (the Flex on travel days), and the scheduled SGV boats are covered too. This ticket is for travellers without one.
Not from 16 to 27 November 2026, when it is closed for maintenance. During that time the trip runs via Vitznau both ways.
Pier 1 at Bahnhofquai, in front of Lucerne station. The boat to Vitznau takes about an hour.
Ready to book
Boat to Vitznau, Europe's first mountain railway to Rigi Kulm and the cable car down to Weggis, at your own pace.
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