Zurich

Mount Rigi Winter Day Trip from Zurich

Name: Mount Rigi Winter Day Trip from Zurich
Brand: Best of Switzerland Tours
SKU: 3885SW305BW
Price: 161.92 USD
Rating: 4.5 (99 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceZurich, Switzerland

9 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Delight in the frozen enchantment of Mount Rigi on a full-day tour of the ‘Queen of the Swiss Mountains’ from Zurich. Enjoy a balanced combination of independent and guided exploration and experience an aerial cable car ride to the summit of Switzerland’s most magnificent natural landmark. Take Europe’s first cogwheel train down the steep mountainside and soak up sweeping alpine vistas from a charming terrace above Lake Lucerne.

Winter day trip from Zurich to Mount Rigi in the Swiss Alps
Guided coach tour includes rides in a cable car and on a cogwheel train
Boat ride to Lucerne
Two hours of free time to explore Old Town
Pickup and drop-off at the Sihlquai Bus Terminal

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This is a great choice for independent travelers since most of the day is unguided, but you will receive all the information you need to make the most of your time. You'll see the fantastic views from Mt Rigi, ride a cogwheel train and cruise to lovely Lucerne.

What's Included

Aerial cable car, cogwheel train
Boat ride from Vitznau to Lucerne
Transportation by air-conditioned coach from Zurich to Weggis and from Lucerne to Zurich
Partly guided tour by professional multilingual guide as per description
Carbon-balanced operations certified by myclimate

Gratuities
Hotel pick-up and drop off
Meals and drinks
Personal expenses

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Best of Switzerland Tours AG
Sihlquai Coach Parking, Limmatstrasse 4, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
The official departure point for all tours departing from Zürich is Sihlquai Coach Terminal, close to Zurich’s main train station (Zürich HB). Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to departure at the white ticket office marked with “Best of Switzerland Tours” or “City Tours & Excursions”.

Start time

09:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Climb aboard a comfortable, climate-controlled coach at a central Zurich pickup point and relax during the scenic journey to Weggis, a charming resort at the foot of Mount Rigi. Climb onto an aerial cable car and soar up a super-sleek cable to the mountain’s lofty summit.

Gasp as you rest your eyes on striking, snow-smothered panoramas of the Swiss Alps. Scour the scenery for thirteen lakes and inhale fresh mountain air during your leisurely free time at the highest point of Mount Rigi. Descend the steep mountainside by Europe’s first cogwheel train, and then climb aboard an awaiting boat for a tranquil ride to Lucerne.

On arrival, set out to see the city’s historical highlights independently, strolling through the Old Town and visiting an ambient café for coffee (own expense). Reconvene with your guide and group at a prearranged time and location, then relax during the journey back to Zurich, where the tour concludes.

Please see the Itinerary section for additional information regarding guided and self-guided tour elements.

Zurich (Pass By)

Weggis

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mt. Rigi

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Vitznau

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Lucerne

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Zurich (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infant seats available
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
18.-22.11.2024 | 25.-29.11.2024 | 10.03-04.04.2025 | 17.11.-21.11.2025 | 24.11.-28.11.2025: the round-trip up and down Mt Rigi will be by cogwheel train due to cable car maintenance.
The tour is accompanied from Zurich to Weggis and from Lucerne to Zurich. For the individual stay in Mt Rigi and Lucerne, tickets and a written itinerary are provided.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 48 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

JoyceRae_Z

It was a very good experience for us. We loved everything in our incursion. It was such a breathtaking place. Although it was a partly guided tour which was indicated from the beginning, the tour guide was very informative and clear on giving instructions to everyone who went up to Mount Rigi and going back down towards Lucerne. All the transportations were really easy to follow as well. We highly recommend on trying this tour out.

Reviews

4.5

99 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 99 reviews

Great touring option

Mary_N, Mar 2024

We arrived and were upgraded to Mount Titlius as we were only 2 scheduled for Rigi. Our guide Roberto was excellent all day so helpful. Highly recommend this tour

Wouldn’t do it again

Teresa_L, Jan 2024

Tour guide was good even though microphone stopped working numerous times. Everyone was early so we got a bit more of a scenic route which was good. But found there wasn’t much to de on the mountain unless you wanted to ski. Then making your way back to Lucerne very easy with the instructions given. All in all bit expensive for what the day entailed as you were basically your own tour guide.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Dear Teresa Thank you very much for joining our partly guided tour to Mt Rigi and taking the time to write this review. We regret to hear that our tour did not live up to your expectations and that you felt it was not worth your money. Please accept our apology if the microphone didn’t work properly and that hindered you from properly hearing the commentary of your tour guide. Every day before the tour starts, our bus drivers check that all equipment, including microphones, is in proper condition. Nevertheless, as with any technology, unexpected malfunctions can occasionally occur and we deeply regret that you experienced this during your tour with us. Mt Rigi is one of the most popular destinations in Central Switzerland for the panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, Lake Lucerne, and the surrounding landscapes. During the warmer months, it transforms into a hiking paradise, and in winter it provides a wide range of outdoor activities for snow lovers. One has de chance to rent a sled and whizz down the 3.1 km long sledding run while enjoying the breathtaking views or go ice skating in the middle station, Rigi Kaltbad. For guests seeking a more laid-back experience, they can enjoy lunch at the summit and take in the stunning scenery before descending to explore the charming city of Lucerne. We are glad to read that you enjoyed the scenic route and look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to our wonderful country. Kind regards Fabio from Best of Switzerland Tours

Lovely day trip

Amen_J, Jan 2024

This was a lovely day trip from Zurich. It has a little bit of everything between the bus ride to the cable car station, going up in the cable car, the cogwheel train, and the beautiful boat ride across Lucern. I liked the independence to do things at our own pace but the guidance of what to do. I highly recommend!

Not ideal added cost

Alex_F, Dec 2023

Was only provided 1 cogwheel ticket from guide and train operator made us pay for another! Should have been included in tour 1 cogwheel ticket but wasnt provided . Enjoyed the mountain.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Dear Alex, Thank you very much for joining our Mt Rigi tour and taking the time to write this review. We are sorry to read about your experience with Rigi Railways, where you were charged for an additional ticket. Upon arrival at the cable car station in Weggis, the tour guide collects the tickets at the counter and distributes them to each guest. The ticket is valid for only one person and both the ascent and descent via cable car and cogwheel train. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any booking under the name of your feedback. This would help us to check the details of your tour, assess any issues that may have arisen, and determine the number of participants in your booking. Also, we regret that we did not receive any call or email regarding this matter. In such situations, we could have directly spoken with Rigi Railways to solve the misunderstanding. In order to investigate this issue, we kindly ask you to provide us with more details about your booking to info@switzerland-tours.ch. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the mountain and hope that you keep fond memories from your stay in Switzerland. Best regards, Ambika from Best of Switzerland Tours

Breathtaking Tour

JoyceRae_Z, Nov 2023

Recommended mix mountain and city day trip!

Ankit_K, Nov 2023

Nice day trip from Zurich for Mt Rigi and Lucerne. It’s mostly self guided (with some good briefing given to you in advance) at Rigi and Lucerne; with decent time to be at your pace for spending time up at Rigi, small hike and in Lucerne. Check the weather in advance, it can get real windy up there. I recommend this tour!

Self guided tour

Catherine_B, Jan 2023

The guide was great on the bus heading out of town. It was very good to be taken to a beautiful spot & dropped off to enjoy the sights without a guide. We got very good instructions on what to do and where to meet up at the end of the day to be transported back to the city. Probably didn’t need as much time as we were given. The whole trip could have been 5 hours instead of 9. There was a lot of waiting around.

Fun and beautiful and easy and comfortable

Minette_W, Dec 2022

Peter Mueller our guide was wonderful and kind and funny. He did all he can to take care of all of us. Its a mostly self guided tour but it was exactly what we wanted to get all done in a day, mountain, snow, lake and ferry and shopping in Lucerne all in one day.

Great day trip

Robert_E, Nov 2021

Alps, train, boat ride and a beer in old medieval town! Got to experience everything at your own pace. A great day trip!

Nice Experience

Hiya_S, Dec 2020

The tour was good. Guide was very helpful. Very nicely explained everything and shown to us. a worth trip.

Don't Recommend

MANOJKUMAR_D, Aug 2020

Not worth the charges. Very disorganized, they allocated our cable car coupons to somebody else by mistake and then refused to help. Luckily when the other passenger came to take one more coupon, they realized the coupon wasn't theirs, and was given to them by mistake. Cable car was filled like animal transportation, no space to view outside. Cog train was also very crowded, no space to even stand. The ferry back was the same story, with no view because of the crowding, meaning there was no point going.

Response from Host, Aug 2020

Dear Manoj Kumar, Thank you very much for having joined our tour to Mt. Rigi in December 2019. We are truly sorry to hear that you were anything but happy with your experience. Unfortunately, eight months later it is nearly impossible for us to reconstruct exactly what happened on your tour. Usually, the tour is partly-guided, but as we had more than 30 guests travelling to Mt. Rigi with us on that day, we had provided an additional tour guide to stay with the group throughout the tour. While it is not possible to reserve seats on the boat, we had seats reserved both for the cable car and the cogwheel train. We normally order the exact amount of transferable tickets at the group counter and hand them over to our guests. If it was our tour guide that handed out your cable car tickets, we would sincerely like to apologize for the inconvenience caused by the confusion. To avoid similar incidents in the future, it is very important for us to get your feedback as soon as possible after the tour. We would have been very happy to follow up your feedback with your tour guide and our destination partner and to offer you compensation in case of mistakes on our part. We hope that you were still able to enjoy a wonderful stay in Switzerland and would be very happy to welcome you back on our tours on your next visit! Best regards, Best of Switzerland Tours

A great day trip for sure!

Tom_R, Jan 2020

The guide did a great job except perhaps he could be a little more clear on where and when to catch all the trams/bus/train, ets. Perhaps reviewing things 2X before leaving everyone one their own. This tour is one which is very much intended for the free spirited, independent type person. But all in all, a wonderful day and experience. Beautiful surroundings everywhere as well.

Rigi excursion from Zurich

Kathleen_S, Dec 2019

Dress warm and wear proper boots for snow and possible icy walking. Loved the cable car up and the cogwheel train down

What a treat!

Christine_G, Mar 2019

This trip exceeded our high expectations! The weather was windy and one of the cable cars was closed for safety. No problem, there was a wonderful Plan B! A well prepared organization and outstanding natural resources!

Amazing day out at Rigi and Lucerne

Karen_J, Jan 2019

Fantastic trip, great to have partial guide to allow for freedom to explore. Great to travel by boat, cable car and cogwheel train. Had enough time to do what we wanted in mountain and in Lucerne. A long day but recommended.

Terrific tour

Judith B, Dec 2018

TheMt.Rigi tour was wonderful. The Train rude was fun and comfortable. It started to snow when we were on theMountain, overall a nice treat!

Mt. Rigi had the most amazing views...

ian_w, Jul 2018

Mt. Rigi had the most amazing views. We were lucky to see these as the fog/mist rolled in on the day that we were there. Well worth the visit. Wouldn't matter what time of the year you go, the views are sensational.

We went there for a panorama view...

Carlos_S, Apr 2018

We went there for a panorama view, but its snowy and all you can see is fog. To make it worst, the tour guide cut the time we spent on top from 2 hours to 1 hour. My kids wasnt able to play on the snow as they want us to go down asap. It's just bad. I do hope they have at least a partial refund of the payment as we did not get the real value of what we paid for. We live in UAE and the additional time playing on snow is a great fun for my kids. The trip is a winter day trip, and they didnt even give us time to play on the snow.

This tour is very organised and...

PWGK_A, Apr 2018

This tour is very organised and cover lots of experience during one day. I highly recommend this tour for short term stay

Exactly as described. Well organized...

John R, Mar 2018

Exactly as described. Well organized and worth it. Price was great.

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