Self-guided Silver Round Trip review (train, not boat)
Verdict: the Silver Round Trip is the Golden loop with the S-Bahn instead of the boat, done on your own timetable. This voucher covers bus 1, both gondola sections, the Dragon Ride, the cogwheel with a seat reservation and the train back to Lucerne. Rated 4.7 across 326 reviews. It suits people who like to set their own pace and do not mind reading a departure board. It is not the right product if you already hold a rail pass, and it only exists while the cogwheel runs, 11 May to 29 November.
What the day looks like
Bus 1 leaves from outside Lucerne station and reaches Kriens Zentrum Pilatus in about 11 minutes. From the valley station at Schlossweg 1 the panorama gondolas take roughly 30 minutes through Krienseregg to Fräkmüntegg, then the Dragon Ride reaches Pilatus Kulm in about four. You stay on top as long as you like within the timetable. The cogwheel brings you down to Alpnachstad and the S-Bahn returns you to Lucerne in about 20 minutes, in second or first class depending on what you booked.
Doing it in reverse, S5 out first and cogwheel up, means you ride the steep section facing uphill and finish with the gondola, which is quieter in the late afternoon. Both directions are allowed. The voucher includes a seat reservation for the cogwheel; Erich from Germany was right that in peak season you want one, because the trains fill.
What works
- Every leg on one voucher, including the cogwheel seat reservation
- Your own timetable: Damon found going at his own pace “relaxing”
- Can be done in either direction
- Wheelchair accessible, and it runs in almost all weather
- Infants 0–5 ride free
Worth knowing
- No guide, no boat; the lake leg is the train
- Chris had some navigation confusion at the start; Kriens is signposted but not obvious
- Only while the cogwheel runs, 11 May – 29 November
- Meals, hotel pickup, rope park and toboggan all cost extra
- Pass holders get a better deal buying the mountain sections at 50%
What reviewers say
“A perfect way to access the mountain. Took public train and bus.”
Mck, US
“Family of 4. Significantly cooler, a relief in this heatwave.”
Kerrie, Australia
“In peak season, you should make a reservation for the train.”
Erich, Germany
“Everything was exactly on time.”
Gail, US
“Transport was very efficient. Weather on the day affected views.”
Sam, UK
Chris from Australia rated the views and facilities on top as “amazing” but mentioned confusion finding the way at first, which I hear from a lot of self-guided visitors: the bus stop at the station is not the first one you see, and the walk from Kriens Zentrum Pilatus to the gondola is a few minutes uphill. The getting there page has the directions.
Go up from Kriens before 09:00 on a warm day. Clouds build by late morning; the cogwheel ride down through the mist is still fine, but the terraces are better clear.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
For: independent travellers without a rail pass, families who want to linger on the summit, anyone who prefers a train seat to a coach. Not for: Swiss Travel Pass, GA, Half Fare, Eurail or Interrail holders, who already have the bus and train free or discounted and should buy the mountain sections at 50% instead; visitors between December and early May, when the Kriens return is the only route; people who want someone to explain the mountain, who should look at the guided tour. The Silver Round Trip page compares the two loops in detail.
Alternatives
Ticket onlyFrom Alpnachstad or Kriens: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Ticket
Most popularLucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise
Year-roundKriens: Mt. Pilatus by Panoramic Gondola and Aerial Cableway
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Silver and Golden Round Trip?
One leg. Golden uses the boat Lucerne to Alpnachstad; Silver uses the train. Everything on the mountain is identical. Silver is faster and costs less because the boat is the expensive part; the Golden page explains the loop.
Can I do the Silver Round Trip in reverse?
Yes. Take the S5 from Lucerne to Alpnachstad (about 20 minutes), ride the cogwheel up, and come down by Dragon Ride and gondola to Kriens, then bus 1 back.
Do I need to reserve a seat on the cogwheel?
The voucher includes a seat reservation. In July and August the trains are full, so use it; reservations can be moved up to 30 minutes before departure but not cancelled.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the listing marks it as accessible, unlike the guided coach tours. Confirm the gondola loading with staff at Kriens on the day.