Getting to the Rigi: boat, cogwheel railway and cable car compared
Three routes lead up the Rigi: the cogwheel railways from Vitznau and from Arth-Goldau, and the cable car from Weggis. You get the most out of the trip by combining two of them into a round trip, because that way you see the mountain from two sides. Here are all the routes step by step, including the classic combination of boat and rail from Lucerne. What awaits you at the top is described in post Rigi: The Guide to the Queen of the Mountains.
From Lucerne: the classic round trip by boat and rail
This is the best-known way to travel up the Rigi. With a Swiss Travel Pass or GA every stage is free. Whether the trip is worth it on the day is something you can check in advance on the weather page for Rigi Kulm.
- Boat Lucerne → Vitznau. The scheduled boats leave right by Lucerne station. The crossing takes about an hour.
- Cogwheel railway Vitznau → Rigi Kulm. Europe's first mountain railway (1871) reaches the summit in about 30 minutes. Sit on the right-hand side going up, because that is the side facing the lake.
- Take a different way down. You can take the railway over the north side to Arth-Goldau and from there the fast train back to Lucerne in around 30 minutes. Or ride the railway down to Rigi Kaltbad, take the cable car down to Weggis and catch the boat back from there.
If you would rather walk part of the way down, post Hikes on the Rigi has suitable routes.
It is quicker without the boat: the train takes about 25 minutes from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau, and the cogwheel railway 45 minutes from there to the top.
From Zurich
- By train from Zurich HB to Arth-Goldau, around 45 minutes on the main Gotthard line.
- By cogwheel railway from Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm, about 45 minutes. The Rigi railway station is right next to the SBB station.
In total you are travelling around 1 h 45 from Zurich. For the way back a round trip is worthwhile: come down via Vitznau or Weggis and return along the lake. It takes a little longer, but the journey by the water is far more varied.
From the Schwyz side
Anyone staying in Schwyz, in Brunnen or at Stoos has the starting point for the Rigi close at hand. Arth-Goldau is only 10 to 15 minutes by train from Schwyz or Brunnen. That makes it easy to visit the Rigi and Stoos on two days from the same accommodation. Post Central Switzerland itinerary shows what such a plan can look like.
The three routes compared
| Route | Journey time to Kulm | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Cogwheel railway Vitznau | approx. 30 min. | The historic classic on the lake side, easy to combine with the boat |
| Cogwheel railway Arth-Goldau | approx. 45 min. | Direct link to the main line, a ride through the forests of the north side |
| Weggis cable car + train | approx. 20 min. | The fastest option, up in a cabin above the lakeside village |
All three routes end at or near Rigi Kulm. With combined tickets you go up one way and down another. Bear in mind that the Weggis cable car closes for maintenance in spring and late autumn; the current dates are on the official Rigi pages. The two cogwheel railways run all year.
Tickets
- Return ticket from any valley station: the current fare is on the Rigi Bahnen website.
- Rigi day pass: valid on all four Rigi lines and therefore the right ticket for round trips.
- Swiss Travel Pass / GA: all journeys are free, including the boat. What else the passes cover: Swiss Travel Pass, GA and half-fare card in the Schwyz region.
- Half Fare Card: 50 %. Regional guest cards (including the Schwyz region): 20 %.
If you do not have a travel pass, compare the cost with an early-booked saver day pass. It can work out cheaper than single tickets and covers the whole journey.
By car
There is paid parking at the valley stations in Vitznau, Weggis and Arth-Goldau. On fine weekends the lakeside car parks in Vitznau fill up early, because many visitors start their trip there. There is no road for visitors to the summit: the railways have served the mountain since 1871.
FAQ
What is the fastest way up the Rigi?
The quickest is the cable car from Weggis plus the short train from Rigi Kaltbad, about 20 minutes in total. From Zurich, the route via Arth-Goldau is the shortest overall.
Can I take a boat to the Rigi?
Yes. Scheduled boats link Lucerne with Vitznau and Weggis. In Vitznau you change straight onto the cogwheel railway, in Weggis onto the cable car. With a Swiss Travel Pass or GA the boat is included.
Do the Rigi railways run in winter?
Yes, the cogwheel railways from Vitznau and from Arth-Goldau run every day of the year.
Do I have to buy Rigi tickets in advance?
No, no reservation is needed. Tickets are available at the valley stations or online. With a travel pass you simply board.
In which direction is the round trip best?
Go up from Vitznau and sit on the right. Then come down towards Arth-Goldau or Weggis. On the morning boats the light is softer and there are fewer people than on the afternoon return sailings.
