Top Zurich activities
Top Zurich landmarks
Beyond Zurich
Zurich trip ideas
Mount Rigi and Lucerne Summer Day Trip from Zurich
Badge of ExcellenceZürich, Switzerland
From $160.69
Select Date and Travelers
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Zurich Tours
Attractions
- 9 hours 30 minutes
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Experience an Alpine adventure on an exhilarating full-day tour of Lucerne and Mount Rigi from Zurich. Enjoy an abundance of leisurely free time to explore charismatic cities and dramatic mountain scenery; see the historical highlights of Lucerne; ride an aerial cable car up the steep mountainside to absorb sweeping Alpine vistas; and take a tranquil cruise over the surface of Lake Lucerne. Climb aboard a cogwheel train to a vertiginous mountain vantage point and relish the convenience of round-trip transportation from Central Zurich.
- Full-day tour from Zurich to Mount Rigi and Lake Lucerne
- Ride an aerial cable car and a cogwheel train
- On Mount Rigi, go for a walk or hike, enjoy a meal and admire the views of the Swiss Alps
- Boat ride on Lake Lucerne
- Free time to explore Lucerne at your leisure
- Perfect day trip for the independent traveler!
What's Included
- Aerial cable car, cogwheel train
- Boat ride from Vitznau to Lucerne
- Transportation by air-conditioned coach from Zurich to Weggis and from Lucerne to Zurich
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Meals and drinks
Meeting And Pickup
Meeting point
- Best of Switzerland Tours AGSihlquai Coach Parking, Limmatstrasse 4, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
The official departure point for all tours departing from Zürich is Sihlquai Coach Terminal, close to Zurich’s main train station (Zürich HB). Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to departure at the white ticket office marked with “Best of Switzerland Tours” or “City Tours & Excursions”.
Start time
09:30 AM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Depart from a centrally located pickup point in Zurich and admire the verdant Swiss countryside as you travel along the shores of Lake Lucerne. Arrive in the enchanting summer resort town of Weggis and embark on self-guided exploration of the picturesque enclave. Ride an aerial cable car to a lofty lookout point and absorb panoramic views of Lake Lucerne and its stunning surroundings.
On arrival at the middle station, situated at an elevation of almost 4,000 feet (1,200 meters), climb aboard Europe’s first cogwheel train for the smooth ride to the mountain’s summit. Customize your independent itinerary according to your interests and spend some leisurely free time exploring Mount Rigi at your own pace. Use a sheet of recommended activities to formulate a plan, perhaps taking picturesque hiking trails or revitalizing with a traditional Swiss lunch (own expense).
Descend the mountain on another cogwheel train and disembark at the quaint lakeside village of Vitznau. Relax during an idyllic cruise to Lucerne and then set out to discover the important monuments and pretty attractions of the city; explore the Old Town, stroll across Chapel Bridge and then rejoin your group and guide for the return journey to Zurich, where the tour concludes.
On arrival at the middle station, situated at an elevation of almost 4,000 feet (1,200 meters), climb aboard Europe’s first cogwheel train for the smooth ride to the mountain’s summit. Customize your independent itinerary according to your interests and spend some leisurely free time exploring Mount Rigi at your own pace. Use a sheet of recommended activities to formulate a plan, perhaps taking picturesque hiking trails or revitalizing with a traditional Swiss lunch (own expense).
Descend the mountain on another cogwheel train and disembark at the quaint lakeside village of Vitznau. Relax during an idyllic cruise to Lucerne and then set out to discover the important monuments and pretty attractions of the city; explore the Old Town, stroll across Chapel Bridge and then rejoin your group and guide for the return journey to Zurich, where the tour concludes.
Zurich (Pass By)
Weggis
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Mt. Rigi
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Vitznau
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Lucerne
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Zurich (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- From 01-21 Apr 2023, the round-trip up and down Mt Rigi will be by cogwheel train due to cable car maintenance.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
See more
Featured review
GARY_M
This was the best tour we've taken in 15 years of travel. Most of it is self guided, but the instructions are very clear and the tickets are all included. The sights were beautiful and it was a great value. I would very strongly recommend.
Reviews
4.5
240 reviews
Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 240 reviews
Best day trip for a beginner
Ben_R, Sep 2023
This was a great trip taking in views of the mountains from a cable car, cogwheel train, walking and boat. And spending 2 hours exploring Lucerne. The weather was nice so the temperature in September was warm and only needed a jacket at the top of Rigi where it was a bit windy. The views down fabulous especially as the sunlight hit the mountains in the afternoon and looking down on the lake and countryside. Most of it was self-guided at your own pace with a time to be at each pick-up point. And the distance was not too far so we’ll worth it for a day out to do so much! The Tour guide was also very informative while travelling to and from Zurich.
A Wonderful Time!
Diane_D, Sep 2023
The trip up Mount Rigi was amazing. Beautiful views. Road the cable car, the train, and a boat. Great day!
great views - if weather is cooperative
Elvin_M, Sep 2023
We had a self guided option. We had Robert as our guide at Mount Rigi. Robert was knowledgeable about the area and gave us recommendations with our given conditions.
The weather was our biggest adversary with the foggy day obscuring many of the views of the alps that we hoped to get a glimpse of. We wanted to stop by the nearby cheese factory in mount Rigi but many of the usual accommodations (mount Rigi hotel and cheese factory) were closed or gated off. Thankfully, the bistro was open to grab a quick bite.
No comments on the boat tour. There is no narration so just take your camera for a few views and you can also a few alacarte items.
We had roughly two hours to explore Lucerne. I’d stress that that amount of time is just enough to walk one round of the ‘recommended’ landmarks the tour pamphlet provides. We were told by the operator to be on time for the pickups to not miss our bus. I’d recommend arriving 5-10 min before the written departure time. The bus will leave punctually - definitely felt like a few groups got left behind.
Mount Rigi & lake Lucerne well worth visiting
Alison_C, Sep 2023
Very interesting trip which we really enjoyed but 90% of the trip we did on our own. So trip up the mountain, down again & boat trip we navigated ourselves. We rejoined the bus in Lucerne - directions could have been clearer where to pick up the bus.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Dear Alison,
Thank you very much for joining our tour to Mt Rigi and Lucerne and rating your experience.
Our tour is partly guided, as explicitly stated in the tour descriptions in Viator. Our guests are only accompanied from Zurich to the cable car station in Weggis and from Lucerne back to Zurich in the evening, allowing you ample flexibility throughout the day. These kind of tours are ideal for those seeking a more autonomous exploration experience, free from the constraints of a fixed schedule. To ensure our guests make the most of their visit, we provide an informative leaflet at check-in. This leaflet not only offers recommendations on must-see attractions but also contains all the essential details concerning the meeting point in Lucerne.
We regret to hear that the instructions about the meeting point fell short this time. Our team is always available via phone or email in case of any doubts and gladly assist at all times.
Despite the inconvenience mentioned, we hope that you still enjoyed the visit to Mt Rigi and the beautiful city of Lucerne and look forward to welcoming you on a fully guided tour on your next visit to Switzerland.
Best regards,
Ambika from Best of Switzerland Tours
Great day trip from Zurich
Craig_G, Aug 2023
Amazing day trip to Rigi and Lake Lucerne. We all had a great trip and bus ride. Amazing views from the top and all the way up the mountain
Not a match for us
Michael_M, Aug 2023
This trip was not for us. Intense drive on the coach bus in rainy conditions. Ended up leaving a portion of the way in and taking the train back to Zürich.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Michael,
Thank you very much for participating in our tour to Mt Rigi and rating your experience.
We're truly sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations and that the weather conditions had an impact on your journey. While we aim to provide comfortable and scenic transportation, sometimes weather conditions are beyond our control, and we apologize for any inconvenience you experienced due to this.
Additionally, this tour is partly guided, as stated in the tour description in Viator. This means, our guests are only accompanied from Zurich to the cable car station in Weggis and in the evening from Lucerne back to Zurich. The time in between is unguided so that guests can explore the summit and the charming city of Lucerne at their own pace with the help of an informative booklet. Partly guided tours are ideal for those who prefer exploring destinations with more flexibility and freedom without having to follow a certain schedule. We are sorry to read that this wasn’t what you expected and regret that you didn’t address your concerns directly to your tour guide as there is always the possibility to upgrade the tour to Mt Titlis, which is fully guided.
We hope that you still enjoyed a pleasant stay in Switzerland despite the weather conditions and to welcome you on one of our fully guided tours next time.
Kind regards,
Ambika from Best of Switzerland Tours
Go on the trip and enjoy even if you may not get the view at the top of Mount Rigi, you’ll most likely hear the cowbells
Deneen_S, Aug 2023
I’d give it 5 stars but 2 things, fog rolled in which was unavoidable as it’s common so we didn’t really have a view. The other thing is we were really sure what to do when we were dropped off in Lucerne as that was self-guided. We should have done some homework on Last Verne before going on this trip. That being said even though we didn’t have the view when we got to the top of Mount Rigi we heard the cowbells in the mist and saw 2 lamas come out of the mist. That was neat. Also in Lucerne the city was beautiful as we walked down some of the streets and by the water and we got to enjoy delicious ice cream. I still recommend the trip because all the transportation and views were wonderful and our tour guide was so nice and knowledgeable.
Love it!
YOLANDA_J, Jul 2023
This tour was excellent! We loved every step of the way and the instructions given weee very clear. There was enough time allowed at each location, and the tour guide did a good job of informing us of the landmarks on the way. Definitely recommend!!
Not sure if I’d recommend
ROSALIE_M, Jul 2023
This was not a tour but more like a transportation to Mt Rigi and Lucerne. They just give you the tickets and instructions then you’re on your own.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Dear ROSALIE_M,
Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your Mount Rigi and Lucerne Tour experience.
As officially stated in the tour program, our “Mount Rigi and Lucerne” tour is a partly guided tour. This means, our guests are accompanied by a professional multilingual guide from Zürich to Weggis and in the evening from Lucerne back to Zürich. Once our guests arrive at Weggis, they will do an individual ascent and descent at Mt. Rigi and a boat ride on Lake Lucerne. Guests can enjoy two to three hours of leisure time at the top, and then have around one or two hours to explore the beautiful city of Lucerne. For this unguided part, all guests receive a comprehensive information booklet including schedules, upgrade options as well as recommendations of sights and activities in Lucerne.
Mt Rigi and Lucerne, like any other destination in Switzerland, can of course be visited individually. By public transport it would cost CHF 125.- and would involve taking a train and a bus only to reach the cable car station of Weggis. Without the Swiss Travel pass, our tour costs only CHF 15.- more which we find quite fair considering the information provided by the tour guide during the bus ride about our country and culture and having someone to ask any questions.
We are very sorry to hear that your trip did not live up to your expectations and hope that you were still able to enjoy a great stay in Switzerland.
Best regards,
Magdalena from Best of Switzerland Tours
Breathtaking view of Mount Rigi
nadaalahaiddib, Jul 2023
The trip should start early not 9:30. The stores in Lucerne were closed around 5 pm. If the tours started around 8 am, we would have time to enjoy it. In general, Mount Rigi was breathtaking.
...
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Mount Rigi and Lucerne Summer Day Trip from Zurich
237
9 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$160.69
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
- Bus Tours
- Nature and Wildlife Tours
- Day Cruises
- Water Tours
- Full-day Tours
- Day Trips
- Cruises & Sailing
- Day Trips
- Outdoor Activities
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Zurich
- Bus Tours - Lucerne
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Lucerne
- Day Cruises - Lucerne
- Water Tours - Lucerne
- Full-day Tours - Lucerne
- Day Trips - Lucerne
- Bus Tours - Basel
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Basel
- Day Cruises - Basel
- Water Tours - Basel
- Full-day Tours - Basel
- Day Trips - Basel
- Bus Tours - Davos
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Davos
- Day Cruises - Davos
- Water Tours - Davos
- Full-day Tours - Davos
- Day Trips - Davos
- Grossmünster Church Tours & Tickets
- Museum Rietberg Tours & Tickets
- Lindt Home of Chocolate Tours & Tickets
- Stein am Rhein Tours & Tickets
- Zoo Zurich Tours & Tickets
- Zurich Chinese Garden (Chinagarten) Tours & Tickets
- Bahnhofstrasse Tours & Tickets
- Botanical Garden (University of Zurich) Tours & Tickets
- Fraumünster Church Tours & Tickets
- Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) Tours & Tickets
- Limmatquai Tours & Tickets
- Zurich Old Town (Altstadt) Tours & Tickets
- Zurich Opera House (Opernhaus Zürich) Tours & Tickets
- Paradeplatz (Parade Square) Tours & Tickets
- Uetliberg Tours & Tickets
- Dolderbahn Tours & Tickets
- Lindenhof Tours & Tickets
© 1997-2023 Viator, Inc.