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Mount Rigi was the first outing we took in Switzerland, and oh boy did it set the bar high! It is a breathtaking trip that gives you a little taste of Switzerland by boat, by train and by foot. Sip a coffee aboard the ferry and amongst the swans on Lake Lucerne, ride a traditional Swiss cogwheel train up through the clouds and fill the rest of your day with leisurely strolls (or hardcore hikes if that is your thing), stunning alp views and hearty comfort food.
How to get there
Getting to Mount Rigi is half the fun and very easy. I would highly recommend the classic Mount Rigi round-trip.
From Lucerne
Catch the ferry from just outside the main train station in Lucerne (Bahnhof Luzern). The one-hour ferry takes you directly to the foot of Mount Rigi where you hop on the cogwheel train. The train takes about 30 minutes to get to the top station Rigi Kulm. If you enjoy hiking get off at the Rigi Klosterli stop and take a 1-hour hike to Rigi Kulm. Or if you prefer to take things at a slower pace get off at Rigi Kulm and spend an hour walking down to Rigi Klosterli at the end of the day.
From Zurich
If you are coming from Zurich, you simply catch the train from the main train station in Zurich (Zurich Hauptbahnhof) to Bahnhof Luzern. Then follow the directions above.
Getting home
Coming home is the same in reverse, just make sure you check the latest train times. It will vary depending on the season. We caught the last ferry back to Lucerne and it was so full we had to stand up the whole way. Next time I’d plan on getting an earlier ferry just to avoid this.
How much it costs
You can buy tickets from any SBB railway station, on the SBB Mobile App or at www.sbb.ch. The round-trip cost is about CHF 100 per adult in Summer and CHF 85 per adult in Winter. If you have an SBB Half Fare Card you can use it for this trip and it will cost you about CHF 50 per adult in both Summer and Winter. You can apply for the SBB Half Fare Card at any major bahnhof or online here. They cost CHF 120 for one month, or CHF 185 for one year, and will give you a 50% discount on any SBB tickets as well as other discounts. Depending on how much SBB travel you are planning on doing in Switzerland the Half Fare Card may or may not be worth it for you.
When to go
Mount Rigi is a great trip to take in any season, just not ideal on a foggy day as you won’t see much. It is best to be flexible with when you take your trip and check the Mount Rigi webcam for fog before you set off.
What to do
- Have a drink at Rigi Kulm Hotel and soak up the panoramic alp views
- Wander back down a few stops along the walking trails (or hike back up)
- Stop along your way at one of the restaurants scattered at each train stop for a hearty Swiss lunch
- Find a seat along one of the walking trails and hang around to enjoy the magical sunset
Want more information?
The options are endless for how you could spend your day, or days if you stay the night, at Mount Rigi. Check out the Rigi website to help plan your perfect trip!
3 Breathtaking Reasons you need to see Mount Rigi
1. The boat ride
The boat ride on Lake Lucerne, surrounded by swans with a coffee in hand
2. The cogwheel train
Spectacular views over the alps as you travel up above the clouds on the cogwheel train
3. Sunset
The endless rainbow of pastel hues that surround you as the sun sets
If you’ve been to Mount Rigi please feel free leave a comment below with your opinion and suggestions!
[…] Our very first hike in Switzerland, and one I’ll never forget! Switzerland sure did make a pretty good first impression on us. You can read more about our trip here. […]