Rigi Bahnen
Rigi Bahnen runs cogwheel trains from Vitznau and Goldau, plus a Weggis cable car, up Mount Rigi in Central Switzerland. Prices in CHF.
- Country
- Switzerland
- Official website
- Official website
- Train tickets
- Direct
Rigi Bahnen runs the cogwheel trains and cable cars that climb Mount Rigi in Central Switzerland, a mountain known locally as the Queen of the Mountains. The company traces back to 1871, when the Vitznau to Rigi Staffelhöhe line became Europe's first mountain railway.
Where Rigi Bahnen runs
Two cogwheel trains reach the summit at Rigi Kulm: one from Vitznau on Lake Lucerne, the other from Goldau. A cable car from Weggis climbs to the mid-mountain stop at Rigi Kaltbad, where you can continue on foot or by cogwheel train to the top. A separate cable car from Kräbel serves Rigi Scheidegg on the mountain's south side. Beyond this core network, several smaller cable cars reach other points on the mountain, including Rigi Burggeist, Seebodenalp and Urmiberg, each run under its own fare rules rather than the main network ticket.
Rigi Kulm sits at the highest point, and it's the destination most first-time visitors head for. The Vitznau route runs close to the lake shore before climbing through open pasture, while the Goldau approach comes from the landward side near the Rigi's base.
Tickets and fares
A return trip on the core cogwheel and cable car network, from either Vitznau or Goldau to Rigi Kulm, costs CHF 84 for an adult and CHF 42 with a Half-Fare Card. Shorter sections cost less; a Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad single, for instance, runs CHF 36 full fare. A Mount Rigi Railways day pass covering the whole core network is also priced at CHF 84 for an adult and CHF 42 at half fare.
Holders of the Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss GA travelcard ride the core network free, and children up to 15 travel free when accompanied by an adult. That free-travel rule does not automatically extend to every branch line. The smaller cable cars, such as those to Hinterbergen and Urmiberg, explicitly exclude the GA travelcard, Half-Fare travelcard and the Rigi Bahnen 365-day pass, so check the fare for the specific line before you board if you're relying on a pass.
Planning a Rigi trip
A popular way to visit is to go up one side and down the other, for example ascending from Vitznau and descending to Goldau, which lets you see two approaches to the summit without doubling back. Journey time on the cogwheel trains to Rigi Kulm runs around 30 minutes from Vitznau. Because Rigi Bahnen operates several separate lines with their own pricing, it's worth checking which station and route your ticket covers before travelling, especially if you plan to combine the core network with one of the outlying cable cars.
Where to book
Train tickets
- Buy direct from Rigi Bahnen
Rigi Bahnen
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Rigi Kulm?
Take the cogwheel train from Vitznau or from Goldau, both of which run directly to Rigi Kulm. You can also reach the mid-mountain stop at Rigi Kaltbad by cable car from Weggis and continue from there.
How much does a return trip on Rigi Bahnen cost?
A return trip on the core network between Vitznau or Goldau and Rigi Kulm costs CHF 84 for an adult and CHF 42 with a Half-Fare Card.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on Rigi Bahnen?
Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss GA travelcard give free travel on the core Rigi cogwheel and cable car network. Some smaller outlying cable cars, such as those to Hinterbergen and Urmiberg, do not accept these passes, so check the specific line's fare page.
How long does the cogwheel train take to Rigi Kulm?
The cogwheel train from Vitznau takes around 30 minutes to reach Rigi Kulm.
More operators in Switzerland
Train service
asm runs regional trains and buses in Oberaargau, Solothurn and Seeland, linking Langenthal, Solothurn, Biel/Bienne and Ins.
Official websiteAargau Verkehr runs the Wynental-Suhrentalbahn from Aarau and the Bremgarten to Dietikon line, using SBB and regional tariffs.
Official websiteAppenzeller Bahnen runs regional and rack trains between St. Gallen, Appenzell, Gais, Altstätten, Rorschach and Heiden. Tickets accept national Swiss passes.
Official websiteBLS runs Bern's S-Bahn, regional trains to the Lötschberg and Emmental, plus boats on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, priced in CHF.
Official websiteBrienz Rothorn Bahn is a seasonal steam cogwheel railway from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm in the Bernese Oberland. Seat guarantee recommended. CHF fares.
Official websiteCJ runs narrow-gauge trains around La Chaux-de-Fonds, Tavannes, Glovelier, Le Noirmont and Saignelégier, plus steam and heritage trains.
Official websiteFerrovia Monte Generoso is a seasonal rack railway from Capolago to the 1704 m summit above Lake Lugano, Ticino. Swiss GA not valid. CHF fares.
Official websiteFLP's S60 line runs every 15 minutes between Lugano and Ponte Tresa, on the Arcobaleno zone tariff in CHF, with tickets via the FAIRTIQ app.
Official websiteGornergrat Bahn is Zermatt's cog railway to the 3,089 m Gornergrat, with Matterhorn views. Trains run about every 24 minutes; fares are in CHF.
Official websiteJungfrau Railways (Jungfraubahnen)
Jungfrau Railways runs the trains and cableways to the Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald-First and other Bernese Oberland peaks. Fares are in CHF.
Official websiteLEB runs the narrow gauge train from Lausanne-Flon to Echallens and Bercher. Mobilis and SwissPass tickets, including the AG, are accepted.
Official websiteMatterhorn Gotthard Bahn runs 144 km of Alpine track from Zermatt to Disentis, with its own multi day pass and a car shuttle at Furka.
Official websiteMBC runs the Bière to Morges and Apples to L'Isle regional trains, plus area buses, under the cantonal Mobilis fare.
Official websiteMOB/MVR runs the GoldenPass Express Montreux to Interlaken, plus rack railways to Rochers-de-Naye and Les Pléiades. CHF only; GPX reservation CHF 20.
Official websiteNStCM trains link Nyon with St-Cergue and La Cure across 19 stops. Tickets use the Mobilis zone tariff, and SwissPass GA and half-fare cards are valid.
Official websitePilatusbahnen runs the world's steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, plus cableways from Kriens, up Mount Pilatus near Lucerne. Prices in CHF.
Official websiteRegionAlps runs regional trains from St-Gingolph to Brig, and Martigny to Le Châble and Orsières. Buy tickets before boarding; CHF only.
Official websiteRegionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn (RBS)
RBS runs S-Bahn Bern trains from an underground Bern station to Solothurn, Worb and Jegenstorf on Libero and Swiss half-fare tickets.
Official websiteRhätische Bahn runs Graubünden's regional trains and the Bernina Express, a separately booked panoramic service over the UNESCO-listed Bernina and Albula lines.
Official website- Check times & prices
SBB is Switzerland's national railway, connecting cities, towns and mountain villages. InterCity trains generally do not require reservations.
Official website Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn (SZU)
SZU runs the S4 Sihltal train to Sihlwald, the S10 Uetliberg train, and the Felsenegg cable car from Zürich HB. Fares in CHF through Zürich's ZVV network.
Official websiteSOB runs the Voralpen-Express, Treno Gottardo and Aare Linth plus eastern Swiss S-Bahn lines from its St. Gallen base. CHF fares, Swiss national ticketing.
Official websiteTHURBO runs regional S-Bahn trains across eastern Switzerland, including cross-border services to Konstanz, Waldshut, Bregenz and Lindau. Tickets in CHF.
Official websiteTMR runs the Mont-Blanc Express from Martigny to Chamonix and Saint-Gervais, and links to the Saint-Bernard Express. CHF only; SNCF runs the French leg.
Official websiteTPF runs the RER Fribourg | Freiburg regional trains with SBB, plus canton buses. Tickets are sold by zone under the shared Frimobil tariff.
Official websitetransN runs Neuchâtel canton's regional trains, including the Littorail and Val-de-Travers lines, on the ONDE VERTE zone fare.
Official websiteTransports Publics du Chablais (TPC)
TPC runs four mountain train lines from Aigle: to Leysin, Les Diablerets, Villars via Bex, and Champéry. Buy tickets before boarding; CHF only.
Official websiteTRAVYS runs trains between Yverdon-les-Bains and Ste-Croix plus local buses across Nord Vaudois. No online ticket sales; use FAIRTIQ, CFF or SwissPass.
Official websiteThe Vigezzina-Centovalli line runs Domodossola to Locarno through the Centovalli. Book online or at station offices; a seat reservation applies.
Official websiteZentralbahn runs the Luzern-Interlaken Express and the line to Engelberg, with hourly panorama trains and optional seat reservations from CHF 12.
Official website
