Switzerland

Pilatus Railway

The steepest cogwheel railway on earth hauls itself out of Alpnachstad at a 48 per cent gradient, tilting past cliff faces and the occasional unbothered ibex to Pilatus Kulm high above Lucerne.

Best forMountain
Approx. flying time~11h 55m from Los Angeles
Nearest airportGeneva (GVA)

Pilatus Railway, Switzerland Open in Google Maps

About this place

The Victorian engineering still feels faintly cheeky. Do the classic Golden Round Trip: paddle steamer across Lake Lucerne, cog railway up, cable cars down the other side to Kriens. Note the railway only runs roughly May to November — the line is simply too steep to clear of snow.

Featured in Ten mountain railways with views you won't believe

When to go

Daytime highs run from about -4°C in January to 14°C in July. Driest in January and April; wettest in June, with rain on about 23 days.

The year at a glance — pick a month for detail

August14° · rain 18 daysCool and often wet.

Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis).

Where to stay

Pick a budget to open live availability in Pilatus Railway. Prices are per night for two people.

Or see everything in Pilatus Railway

Flights

Los Angeles Railway, Switzerland

Flying from

Fly from anywhere — search 4,000+ airports worldwide.

Roughly 11h 55m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.

Check dates and prices

Pick your departure date, then your return.

Search flights