Kriens gondola and Dragon Ride return ticket review
Verdict: the plain year-round way up. Panorama gondola from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg, Dragon Ride to Pilatus Kulm, back down the same way, QR code on your phone at the turnstile. Rated 4.7 across 669 reviews. From December to early May it is the only way up at all, since the cogwheel is shut. In summer it is the quickest half day on the mountain, but you miss the cogwheel and the lake, so on a summer date I would rather see you on a round trip.
What the day looks like
Bus 1 from Lucerne station to Kriens Zentrum Pilatus takes about 15 minutes; the valley station at Schlossweg 1 is a short walk uphill. The four-seat gondolas run continuously, so there is no departure time to hit, just a queue on busy mornings. You rise through Krienseregg to Fräkmüntegg at 1,416 m in about 30 minutes, cross the platform to the Dragon Ride and are at Pilatus Kulm four minutes later. Summer hours are Kriens up 08:30 to 17:00 and Kulm down 09:00 to 17:30; winter is an hour shorter. Then you come back the same way. Fräkmüntegg has the toboggan run, the rope park and the Dragon Glider in summer, and sledging and snowshoe trails in winter, none of them included.
What works
- Runs year-round; the only route up November to May
- No departure times: Genesis just showed the QR code and it worked for both cabins
- Fastest way to the summit from Lucerne, about 3 hours door to door
- Fräkmüntegg activities on the way if you have children
- Selma liked having both cabins booked before arriving
Worth knowing
- Same route both ways; no cogwheel, no boat
- Closed 30–31 March and 19 October – 27 November 2026 for maintenance
- Beth’s warning: clouds rolled in by 11 AM, so go early
- Food and Fräkmüntegg activities not included
- Check the pilatus.ch timetable the day before; hours change with the season
What reviewers say
“Convenient to get gondola and cable car tickets in advance.”
Selma, UK
“Check weather and go early. Clouds rolled in by 11 AM.”
Beth, US
“Just showed the QR code, and it worked for both cable cars.”
Genesis, Costa Rica
“Alps on one side, lowlands with lakes on the other.”
Miriam, Spain
“Great viewpoints and hiking trails.”
Daniel, US
Nerralie from Australia said it “exceeded our expectations” and Shane from the UK called it “well worth the trip”. The lower ratings are, once again, cloud, and a few people who expected a round trip and got the same cabins twice. That is what the listing says; the round trips are separate products.
In winter the gondola is a proper sledging lift. Rent a sledge at Fräkmüntegg, ride down to Krienseregg, and go up to the summit afterwards when the light is best. Best time to visit has the winter details.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
For: anyone visiting December to early May, families heading for the rope park or the sledging, people with three hours rather than six, and anyone who wants to be on top before the clouds. Not for: summer visitors with a full day, who should do a Golden or Silver loop and get the cogwheel; anyone visiting 19 October to 27 November, when this route is closed and the cogwheel is the way up. The Dragon Ride page explains the top section.
Alternatives
Ticket onlyFrom Alpnachstad or Kriens: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Ticket
Self-guidedLucerne: Self-Guided Round-Trip Train to Mount Pilatus
Most popularLucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kriens cable car open in winter?
Yes. Gondola and Dragon Ride run year-round apart from maintenance closures, which in 2026 are 30–31 March and 19 October to 27 November. In winter it is the only way up, because the cogwheel from Alpnachstad closes after 29 November.
Do I need to pick a departure time?
No. The gondolas run continuously within the timetable. That is the main practical difference from the roundtrip ticket, which needs a cogwheel slot.
How long does the trip take?
About 30 minutes on the gondola and 4 on the Dragon Ride each way, plus whatever you spend on top. Three hours door to door from Lucerne is the minimum; see how much time.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover this?
It gives 50% off the gondola and cableway, and bus 1 is free. If you hold a pass, buy the discounted ticket at the station rather than this voucher; you cannot stack the two.