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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
1

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.

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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.

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