Pilatusbahn / Pilatus Railway, Switzerland

The Pilatusbahn, also known as the Pilatus Railway, is a famous mountain railway in central Switzerland. It climbs from the lakeside village of Alpnachstad to a high station near the top of Mount Pilatus, a rugged mountain above the city of Lucerne. The railway is known around the world for its steep track and scenic views.

Where It Is

The Pilatusbahn is located in the canton of Obwalden in central Switzerland. The mountain it climbs, Pilatus, is part of a mountain range near Lake Lucerne. The highest station of the Pilatusbahn, called Pilatus Kulm, sits over 2,000 metres above sea level with panoramic views of lakes, valleys, and the Swiss Alps.

What Makes It Special

The Pilatus Railway holds a world record: it is the steepest rack railway in the world. This means that on parts of its route the track climbs at a slope of up to 48%, much steeper than most mountain railways. To climb such steep sections, the railway uses a special rack system called the Locher rack. This system was developed specifically for Pilatus and has horizontal cog wheels that grip a central rack rail.

The line is about 4.6 km long and rises more than 1,600 metres from start to finish. It was first opened in 1889 and electrified in 1937, and it continues to operate today with modern trains.

How to Get There

To ride the Pilatusbahn, visitors usually first travel to Alpnachstad or nearby Lucerne:

• From Lucerne, you can take a local train or bus to Alpnachstad.
• From Alpnachstad, it’s a short walk to the Pilatusbahn station to begin the mountain ascent.

The summit at Pilatus Kulm can also be reached from Kriens by cable car and gondola, offering another scenic way up the mountain.

Tickets and Prices

There are several ticket options depending on how you want to travel:

• A return trip to Pilatus Kulm costs CHF 84 for adults, whether you go up and down by cogwheel railway or combine it with the cable cars to Kriens; a one-way ride from Alpnachstad costs CHF 42.
• The Golden Round Trip from Lucerne (May to October), with boat, cogwheel railway, cable cars and bus, costs CHF 119.80 for adults in 2nd class.
• Many Swiss travel passes, such as the Swiss Travel Pass or Half-Fare Card, give 50% discounts on Pilatus tickets.

Ticket prices and details can change seasonally, and special offers may be available.

Schedule and Opening Times

The Pilatusbahn railway usually operates from mid-May to mid-November each year. This is because heavy snow can make the steep track unsafe in winter.