By Boat and Cogwheel Railway to Mount Rigi

Some days stay with you forever. The moment the boat leaves the harbour and the mountains slowly draw closer. The wonder on your children’s faces as the cogwheel railway climbs the mountain metre by metre. That first view from the summit across lakes and Alps, as far as the eye can see. This day trip combines Lake Lucerne with Mount Rigi and is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have from our holiday apartment in Dierikon.

Important tip: Start early and have breakfast on the ship. That way, you’ll at least partially avoid the crowds.

Your Route Through the Day

Take the S1 from Buchrain to Lucerne, a journey of about 15 minutes. At Lucerne station, walk straight to the boat pier at Bahnhofquai. Boats to Vitznau depart from Pier 1. The crossing takes about an hour and is already the first highlight of the day. You can have breakfast on the boat or simply enjoy the views from the upper deck. With a bit of luck, you will be travelling on one of the historic paddle steamers.

In Vitznau, step directly onto the Rigi Railways cogwheel train. Connections are coordinated with the boat schedule. The train takes you up to Rigi Kulm at 1,797 metres. On a clear day, the summit offers a 360-degree panorama across the Alps, Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and all the way to the Jura mountains.

Hiking to Kräuterhotel Edelweiss

From Rigi Kulm, walk gently downhill towards Rigi Kaltbad. The path is wide, well marked and easy for children. Allow about 45 minutes. Halfway down, the path splits at Kräuterhotel Edelweiss. Turn left for a steeper, quicker descent, or go right for a slightly longer route with better views of the lake. Both lead to Rigi Kaltbad.

Kräuterhotel Edelweiss is well worth a stop. The restaurant uses herbs from its own garden, and the terrace offers a stunning view across Lake Lucerne. There is plenty of space for children, and the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly.

If you like, you can also visit the mineral baths and spa at Rigi Kaltbad, though these are better suited for adults and older children.

Return via Weggis and the Lake

From Rigi Kaltbad, take the cable car down to Weggis. The ride takes just a few minutes. From the valley station, walk downhill to the boat pier, about ten minutes on foot. The boat takes you back to Lucerne, and from there the S1 returns you to Buchrain.

Tickets and Booking

The best value for this trip is the Rigi Day Pass including return boat trip. This combined ticket covers unlimited travel on all Rigi cogwheel trains and cable cars plus the boat journey between Lucerne and Vitznau in both directions. The easiest way to buy it is online at the Rigi Railways shop. The S-Bahn between Buchrain and Lucerne is not included in the combined ticket. A single ticket for the S1 costs just a few francs and you can buy it at the ticket machine at the station or in the SBB Mobile app.

Children up to and including age 15 travel free on all Rigi railways when accompanied by an adult. For the boat, children between 6 and 15 need a children’s day pass, available on board or online from the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV). Children under 6 travel free on the boat as well.

For international visitors, there are two particularly good options. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the entire journey, including the S-Bahn, boat and all Rigi railways, so you do not need to worry about individual tickets. If you do not have a Swiss Travel Pass, we recommend the FAIRTIQ app. Simply check in before boarding and check out at the end of the day. FAIRTIQ automatically calculates the cheapest fare for your entire trip, including the S-Bahn.

Boat timetables vary by season. Check the current schedule at lakelucerne.ch. We recommend starting as early as possible, especially on sunny days and during school holidays.