Pilatus gets all the hype for most visitors to Lucerne, and yes, it is undoubtedly justified.
But there is one local mountain, called “Queen of Mountains” by locals, that often gets overlooked – but is just as much fun.
Just like on Pilatus, you will also get a stunning boat ride to a steep cogwheel to the top. But these mountains also offer lots of things that other nearby mountains can’t match.
If you want to know more, here are several reasons you should visit Mount Rigi instead of Pilatus on your next visit to Lucerne.
1. It’s Free For Some People
Mount Rigi is free with the Swiss Travel Pass!
Wait, what? Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass offers free rides up some mountains, and this one is on the list.
Not only is all transport free on the mountain, but you also get the boat ride there.
So, almost everything you do for the day won’t cost you a penny!
Except for a few added extras you might want to do, but we will get to those in a minute…
2. The Cheese Farm
One of my favorite things at Rigi Kulm is the cheese farm. The local dairy is also a tavern and a place where you can spend the night, so there’s no excuse not to visit. You can meet the local herdsman who manages to produce 12 tonnes of cheese every summer, and you can even get to see the cows who provide high-quality milk.
Anyone who visits the dairy can tour the place for a fee of 2 CHF. You can also get a private tour from Franz-Toni Kennel, the herdsman, but that tour must be booked in advance and it has a fee of 50 CHF.
Also, it goes without saying that a trip to the cheese dairy inevitably includes some cheese tastings. Fondue, raclette, and grilled cheese sandwiches are all on the menu, and everything is made with the best locally made cheeses.
👉👉 SEE THE HIKING MAP TO THE CHEESE FARM
3. The Walking There Is Easy Peasy
Mount Rigi is a breath of fresh air for those of you who enjoy easy hikes or just don’t like long walks—Swiss mountain air, that is. There are countless walks all over the mountain, including many that are downhill, some that are flat, and one that ends at a local cheese farm, which we will discuss next.
Rigi Panorama Trail – 2 Hours 10 Mins: The Rigi Panorama path from Rigi First to Rigi Scheidegg follows the former railway route of the Rigi-Kaltbad-Scheidegg railway. It’s an easy trail with a very small elevation gain, so anyone can attempt this stunning panorama hike and experience the scenic vistas.Rigi Känzeli Hiking Tour (30 Mins)
Rigi Känzeli Hiking Tour—15 min: This is the perfect trail for non-hikers. It’s a 15-minute walk to the Känzeli observation platform from the Rigi Kaltbad station. There’s even a ramp for wheelchair users, so anyone can do this short and easy hike.
Rigi Kulm to Rigi Kaltbad – 1 Hour 10 Mins: Walk down the mountain and explore your surroundings. It’s only about an hour in either direction, and you can follow two distinct paths: descend down the mountain ridges, or follow the funicular railway.
Rigi Staffel to Rigi First – 1 Hour 30 Mins: also known as the Rigi Floral Trail, because you can see roughly 200 different species of flowers on the side of the trail if you’re hiking in the spring. This easy hike offers great insight into the flora of Mount Rigi and it’s even suitable for prams and wheelchairs.
The Animal Tracks trail – 20 mins: is a short and easy loop hike at the top of Rigi Scheidegg. The animals most commonly seen on this trail are squirrels, foxes, badgers, and chamois.
Rigi Kulm to Rigi Klosterli – 1 Hour 45 Mins: is one of the longer hikes you can do, but it’s still a pretty easy trail because you’re only going downhill. The trail features stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and you might even experience what it’s like to be above the clouds.
1-3 DAYS IN LUCERNE: A FIRST-TIMER'S GUIDE FOR 2025
Everything you need to know when planning a trip to the Lucerne Area.
AFFORDABLE AT ONLY $29
4. Cogwheel Railway
The cogwheel train from Vitznau is the most popular option for reaching the top of Mount Rigi. It combines a stunning boat ride from Lucerne and is super easy to access.
The ride is very scenic, and you’ll get to enjoy some spectacular views along the way as you climb the mountain from the lakefront town of Vitznau.
Want To Save This For Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
At the top of Rigi Kulm, you will get a stunning panoramic view. In the background, you can see not only Lucerne but also the Alps.
5. Kanzeli Viewpoint
Kanzeli Viewpoint is an observation deck at Rigi Kaltbad, the perfect destination for travelers who want to admire the scenic views but aren’t into hiking.
You don’t have to walk up the mountain for hours to find the perfect scenic spot because this observation deck is just a 15-minute walk from the Rigi Kaltbad Hotel.
The view is surreal, and a detailed map at the observation deck tells you precisely what you’re seeing. I will say there’s no point in going to the observation deck on a foggy or cloudy day – sometimes, the clouds are below you and all you can see is a sea of fluffy clouds.
6. Spa at Rigi Kaltbad
Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad is the place to be if your idea of a winter excursion on a mountain includes a sauna and thermal baths. This is a very popular chain of spa centers in Switzerland, with locations in some of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, Rigi Kaltbad included.
The spa center has a warm indoor pool, herbal steam baths, and a heated outdoor pool with central Switzerland as a backdrop. It also offers massages and other cosmetic treatments, so you could easily spend the entire day here getting pampered and relaxing into oblivion.
It is also the junction of the cogwheel train and the cable car down to Weggis, so if you want a slight shortcut back to Lucerne, you can take the cable car down and then the same boat (one stop closer) back to Lucerne.
7. Lake Lucerne Cruise
If you’re ever in the area, you must take a cruise on Lake Lucerne, and using it to get to and from Mount Rigi makes for a great day out. And remember, it is also free on the Swiss Travel Pass (or Tell Pass)
You simply jump on the boat at Pier 1 opposite the Lucerne train station and enjoy the journey to Vitznau, where the cogwheel train is. The cogwheel leaves right opposite so there is almost no effort involved!
General Information
| Region | Central Switzerland, Schwyz and Lucerne cantons |
| Location | https://maps.app.goo.gl/rEqjKftCimm5ArrQ9 |
| Parking | VitznauWeggisArth-Goldau |
| Operating Times | Open year-round |
| Prices | 78 CHF – Mount Rigi Day Pass (transport, skiing, sledding, etc.) |
| Discounts | Free with Swiss Travel Pass, GA Travelcard, 50% with Half-Fare Card, 20% with Lucerne Visitor’s Card |
| Services | Lodging, Restaurants, Railway, Cable Cars, Skiing, Sledding, Snowboarding, Ski Rental |
| Website | https://www.rigi.ch/en |
Mt Rigi Tickets & Prices
The standard price of funicular railway tickets to Mt. Rigi is
- 49 CHF for a one-way journey
- 78 CHF for a return trip.
This is the price for train tickets from Weggis, Vitznau, and Goldau, which are the most popular starting points for the journey.
In case you’re traveling from Weggis via cable car and funicular, expect to pay
- 36 CHF for a one-way ticket for the cable car
- 24 CHF for the train ride up to the top of the mountain.
If you want to purchase a return ticket, I highly recommend getting a day pass for the Mount Rigi Railways. It includes
- the cogwheel trains from Vitznau and Goldau
- the cable car from Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad and from Kräbel to Rigi Scheidegg
Ticket Discounts
The good news is that you’ll get a discount for the trip up to Mount Rigi with any of these passes. The journey will be free with any of these passes except for the half-fare card, which will get you a 50% discount on the tickets.
Children under 15 who are accompanied by adults can travel on the funicular free of charge, as do dogs.
Additionally, anyone staying in towns in the region and eligible for a visitors card can claim a discount on Mt Rigi Railway tickets. It’s a 20% discount if you have a visitor’s card from Lucerne, Grappen, Vitznau, Weggis, or the Schwyz region.
Travelers who stay at hotels on Mount Rigi get Guest Cards that give them a 50% discount on tickets for the Rigi Railways. Anyone who has a student or apprentice ID and is under the age of 24 can get a 50% discount on the tickets.
Plan Your Trip to Switzerland
Accommodation: I always book my hotels via Booking.com. They have some of the best rates, longterm deals, easy cancellation and more 
Transport: Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Switzerland. Buying a Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to save money on travel and museums. 
Car Rental: Having a car gives you flexibility on your travels. I use RentalCars.com and Discover Cars to get the best deals on car rentals in Switzerland. 
Luggage Storage: Find out where you can store your store your luggage while you are visiting various places in Switzerland. 
Trips & Tours:Viator and Get Your Guide are the best places to find local tours and trips for your adventures in Switzerland. 
Packing: Here are my recommendations for what to pack for a trip to Switzerland. As someone who has lived half their life in Switzerland, I have a good idea of what you need to bring! 
Hello Ashley,
Do I need to make a reservation for the cruise and cogwheel train to Mt. Rigi? How about the dairy farm…not the tour, just the visit?
Thank you