Best of Switzerland Tours · Zurich, Sihlquai bus station
A guided 10-hour day from Zurich's Sihlquai bus station: an hour in Lucerne, the gondola and cableway up Pilatus, the world's steepest cogwheel railway down to Alpnachstad and an hour on Lake Lucerne. Pick it if you are based in Zurich and want the Golden Round Trip without working out a single connection.
Best of Switzerland Tours runs this day from the Sihlquai bus station at Limmatstrasse 2 in Zurich. A narrated coach ride takes you to Lucerne for an hour of free time, then on to Kriens, where the panorama gondola and the aerial cableway climb to Pilatus Kulm at 2,128 m. You get about 1.5 hours at the top with your guide, then ride the cogwheel railway down to Alpnachstad. Pilatus Railways calls it the world's steepest, at up to 48%. A 1-hour boat cruise across Lake Lucerne and the coach back to Zurich finish the day. Guiding is in English and Spanish.
The autumn months change the route, and today that applies. Pilatus Railways closes the panorama gondolas and the aerial cableway from 19 October to 27 November 2026, and the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad is then the only way up. On those dates the tour goes up and down by cogwheel. The listing includes the boat cruise until 18 October 2026; from 19 October to 29 November 2026 there is no boat ride and a lunch voucher is included instead, on the autumn option. On 28 and 29 November the ascent is by cable car again and the descent by cogwheel. For later dates, the options on the listing show what runs.
For pass holders this day has a clear use. A Swiss Travel Pass already covers the train from Zurich and the scheduled boat, but Pilatus needs a mountain ticket; here the mountain, the coach and the guide are all in the price. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, pets are not allowed (assistance dogs are), and you cannot eat or drink on the coach. Bring your passport or ID.
Leave the Sihlquai bus station in Zurich with your guide narrating the drive.
A walk, photos or a coffee by the river. Reviewers say this stop feels short, so pick one sight.
Coach to Kriens, then the panorama gondola and the aerial cableway to Pilatus Kulm.
Terraces and short trails with the lakes below you.
The steep descent to Alpnachstad on the lakeshore.
A 1-hour cruise across Lake Lucerne (until 18 October 2026), then the coach back to Zurich.
★★★★★Victor our guide was excellent, the coach driver was great. We had just the right amount of time in Luzerne and Mt Pilatus. Highly recommended.
★★★★★This is a great day trip from Zurich. Our tour guide Sonia was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions and was able to keep the group on track. Was nice to see several different areas of Switzerland in one day with Lucern, Pilatus and the boat back to Lucern was perfect for one day. [...]
★★★★★Would highly recommend for anyone visiting Switzerland, especially if you are only there a short time - this tour encompasses a bit of everything so gives you a great taste of Switzerland all in one day!
★★★★★A trip worth recommending. Great itinerary, very good timing of each activity. All of this despite weather - clouds covered Mt. Pilatus and we could not admire the view. [...]
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Until 18 October 2026, yes: a 1-hour cruise across Lake Lucerne. From 19 October to 29 November 2026 there is no boat ride and a lunch voucher is included instead, on the autumn option.
About 10 hours, from the Sihlquai bus station in Zurich and back. That includes about 1.5 hours on Pilatus Kulm and an hour of free time in Lucerne.
By the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, both ways, from 19 October to 27 November 2026, while the gondolas and cableway are closed. On 28 and 29 November the ascent is by cable car again.
Yes. The gondola, cableway and cogwheel railway are in the price, which is useful for Swiss Travel Pass holders, since the pass does not cover the mountain part.
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Lucerne and the Pilatus Golden Round Trip with a guide and coach from Zurich, about 10 hours.
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