Rigi Kaltbad and Mount Rigi: plan the trip up
Rigi Kaltbad is the mid-mountain village on Mount Rigi above Lake Lucerne. You reach it by a 10-minute cable car from Weggis or by cogwheel train from Vitznau, and the summit, Rigi Kulm, is one more train ride up.
Rigi Bahn pricesRigi from Lucerne
- Independent guide, not Rigi Bahnen AG
- Fares read on rigi.ch, November 2026
- Updated 7 November 2026
Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0
Rigi Kaltbad sits on the shoulder of Mount Rigi, the “Queen of the Mountains”, between Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz. It is not a big town: it is a mountain village with a railway station, a few hotels, short viewpoint walks and the start of the Rigi Panorama Trail. Most people come for one day, ride up one side and down the other, and walk a section in between.
The mountain is served by several lines. The Vitznau–Rigi Kulm cogwheel railway (opened 1871, billed as Europe’s first mountain railway) stops at Rigi Kaltbad. The Weggis–Rigi Kaltbad aerial cable car lands at the same station and connects directly to that train. The Goldau–Rigi Kulm line climbs the other flank. Our getting there guide explains which combination suits you, and the prices page lists every fare we checked on rigi.ch.
What to see around Rigi Kaltbad
- Rigi Kulm, the summit at about 1,797 m, with the long views over lakes and Alps.
- Hiking: the short Känzeli loop, Kaltbad to Kulm, and the Panorama Trail to Scheidegg.
- Things to do in one day, including the Känzeli viewpoint and the Felsenkapelle chapel.
- Rigi in winter: winter trails, snowshoeing and sledging.
- Rigi or Pilatus? The comparison most Lucerne visitors ask for.
- Where to stay on the Rigi or at the lake.
Check the weather and the timetable first. The lake can be clear while the summit sits in cloud, and the Weggis cable car has scheduled maintenance closures (see our getting there page). Look at the live webcams and operating status on rigi.ch the morning you go.
Looking for the history? Read about the Queen of the Mountains and Mark Twain, or see the best time to visit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Rigi Kaltbad?
By aerial cable car from Weggis (about 10 minutes) or by cogwheel train from Vitznau. Coming from Lucerne? See [Rigi from Lucerne](/rigi-from-lucerne/).
How much does the Rigi railway cost?
On rigi.ch (prices from 1 June 2026) Vitznau to Rigi Kulm is CHF 52 one way and CHF 84 return, half that with a Half Fare card. Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad is CHF 36 one way and CHF 58 return.
Is the Rigi free with the Swiss Travel Pass?
Yes. rigi.ch lists the Swiss Travel Pass, GA travelcard and Lucerne Travel Pass as free travel on the Rigi railways. Children up to age 15 travel free with an accompanying adult.
Is this the official Rigi Kaltbad website?
No. Rigikaltbad.com is an independent travel guide. We are not Rigi Bahnen AG, the resort or the tourism office.
Plan your Rigi trip
Getting there
Rigi Kaltbad by cable car from Weggis (10 min), cogwheel train from Vitznau or Goldau, or boat and train from Lucerne. Fares, times and closures checked.
Read guide
Prices
Rigi Bahn fares from rigi.ch: Vitznau to Rigi Kulm CHF 84 return, Weggis to Kaltbad CHF 58. Swiss Travel Pass free, Half Fare half price. Checked November 2026.
Read guide
From Lucerne
Rigi from Lucerne: boat to Vitznau (about 1 hour), cogwheel train up, cable car down to Weggis. Self-guided routes, fares and tours that bundle it all.
Read guide
Rigi Kulm
Rigi Kulm is the 1,797 m summit of Mount Rigi: how to get up from Kaltbad, Vitznau or Goldau, the sunrise ride, the views and what to bring. Fares checked.
Read guide
Hiking
Rigi Kaltbad hikes: the 30-minute Känzeli loop, Kaltbad to Rigi Kulm, the Panorama Trail to Scheidegg and winter trails, with distances from tourism sources.
Read guide
Things to do
Things to do in Rigi Kaltbad: the Känzeli viewpoint, the Felsenkapelle chapel, short walks, the cogwheel train, Rigi Kulm and nearby viewpoints. One-day ideas.
Read guide
Tours & tickets
Mount Rigi day trips from Lucerne and Zurich, day pass and private tour compared. Ratings shown as listed on GetYourGuide in November 2026.
Read guide
Hotels
Where to stay for Mount Rigi: on the mountain at Rigi Kaltbad, in the lake towns of Weggis and Vitznau, or in Lucerne. Live map of stays with prices.
Read guide
Best time
Best time to visit the Rigi: clear summer mornings, autumn fog seas, winter trails. Timetable seasons and closures for 2026/27 checked on rigi.ch.
Read guide
Winter
Rigi in winter: about 35 km of winter trails, the easy Känzeli loop, snowshoe routes to Scheidegg and sledging. Timetables 2026/27 from rigi.ch.
Read guide
Rigi vs Pilatus
Rigi vs Pilatus from Lucerne: price, Swiss Travel Pass, views, crowds and weather compared. Rigi is free with the pass; Pilatus is the dramatic alternative.
Read guide
History
Rigi history: Europe's first mountain railway in 1871, the Arth-Rigi line of 1875, Mark Twain's visit and why Rigi is called the Queen of the Mountains.
Read guide