Mount rigi and lucerne summer day trip from zurich

On this full-day alpine excursion, escape Zurich and spend a glorious day in the Lake Lucerne area, exploring Mount Rigi, known as the ‘Queen of the Mountains,’ and the picturesque lakeside town of Lucerne. This tour is mostly made up of free time and self-guided activities – your guide will be with you from Zurich to Weggis, at the foot of the mountain, and then you’re free to explore the mountain and Lucerne at your leisure. Ride an aerial cable car and a cog-wheel train; take in stunning views over the Swiss Alps; enjoy a boat ride on Lake Lucerne – it’s a full day of gorgeous scenery and mountain delights.

Your full-day tour from Zurich to Mount Rigi and Lake Lucerne starts with a panoramic drive over Albis Pass and then takes you to Weggis, a charming summer resort town on the shore of Lake Lucerne. Your guide will turn you loose in Weggis, where the self-guided part of your day trip begins. Take the aerial cable car for an approximate 15-minute ride up the mountain, offering you stunning views over Lake Lucerne.

You’ll reach a middle station at an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 meters), where you’ll change to the cog-wheel train (the first in Europe) that will take you on another 10- to 15-minute ride almost to the summit of the mountain.

Your itinerary on Mount Rigi is flexible – you can spend one to 2.5 hours exploring at your own pace, using the itinerary sheets and timetables your guide will give you. There are beautiful walking and hiking trails, spectacular panoramic views over the Swiss Alps, restaurants where you can relax and have a bite to eat, and more.

You’ll then take a cog-wheel train down the mountain to the lakeside village of Vitznau, where you’ll board a paddle-steamer for the approximate 45-minute boat ride to Lucerne. In Lucerne, you’ll have free time to explore; walk along the lake, visit the Old Town and admire the Chapel Bridge. Your guide will meet you at the end of the day in Lucerne and escort you by coach back to Zurich.