Mount Rigi is one of the easiest Swiss mountain excursions to understand once you know which ticket or pass you have. The cogwheel trains run from Vitznau and Goldau toward Rigi Kulm, the 1,798-metre summit, and the Vitznau line traces its history to 1871, when Europe’s first mountain railway began operating. For most visitors, the main questions are simple: how much does the Rigi cogwheel railway cost, and is it included in the Swiss Travel Pass?
Quick Answer
From June 1, 2026, an adult Vitznau–Rigi Kulm or Goldau–Rigi Kulm ticket costs CHF 52 one-way or CHF 84 return. A valid Swiss Travel Pass includes Mount Rigi Railways, so pass holders generally travel free without buying an additional Rigi ticket.
Key Takeaways
- The published 2026 adult fare from either Vitznau or Goldau to Rigi Kulm is CHF 52 one-way or CHF 84 return.
- With Half-Fare entitlement, those fares are CHF 26 one-way and CHF 42 return.
- A valid Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex on an activated travel day includes the Mount Rigi excursion.
- Children up to and including age 15 currently travel free on Mount Rigi Railways when accompanied by an adult, subject to the operator’s conditions for groups and schools.
- Individual travelers normally do not need a seat reservation on Rigi Railways.
Rigi Cogwheel Railway Ticket Prices in 2026
Rigi Bahnen publishes its current fares on its official Mount Rigi Railways price page. The tariff shown from June 1, 2026 lists the same summit fare whether you start from Vitznau or Goldau.
| Route / Ticket | Adult | Half-Fare |
| Vitznau–Rigi Kulm one-way | CHF 52 | CHF 26 |
| Vitznau–Rigi Kulm return | CHF 84 | CHF 42 |
| Goldau–Rigi Kulm one-way | CHF 52 | CHF 26 |
| Goldau–Rigi Kulm return | CHF 84 | CHF 42 |
The CHF 84 regular day ticket also provides unrestricted travel for one day on the participating Mount Rigi Railways network. This includes the cogwheel railways between Vitznau and Rigi Kulm and between Goldau and Rigi Kulm, plus the Weggis–Rigi Kaltbad and Kräbel–Rigi Scheidegg cable cars.
For the core Vitznau–Rigi Kulm and Goldau–Rigi Kulm routes, the published adult return fare is CHF 84 from June 1, 2026.
Ticket prices can change, so check the official fare page again for your travel date, especially if you are planning well in advance.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass Cover the Rigi Cogwheel Railway?
Yes. If by “Swiss Pass” you mean the Swiss Travel Pass for international visitors, Mount Rigi is one of the mountain excursions included in the pass. Switzerland Tourism lists Rigi among the included mountain excursions, and Rigi Bahnen states that Swiss Travel Pass holders can travel on Mount Rigi Railways free of charge.
Rigi’s official ticket information also says that Swiss Travel Pass holders do not need to purchase or exchange an additional Rigi ticket for the covered journey. You should still carry the valid pass and any identification required by the pass conditions.
The Swiss Travel Pass Flex provides the same Rigi benefit on a travel day that you have activated or validated for use.
Note: “SwissPass” and “Swiss Travel Pass” are not simply two spellings of the same product. The SwissPass is a Swiss public-transport card/carrier for products such as the GA or Half Fare Travelcard. The Swiss Travel Pass is the visitor pass that includes the Mount Rigi excursion.
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Benefits of Using a Swiss Travel Pass for Rigi
| Benefit of Using a Swiss Travel Pass for Rigi | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Included Mount Rigi travel | You do not pay the regular Rigi fare when traveling with a valid Swiss Travel Pass under the applicable coverage rules. |
| Access to wider Swiss public transport | The pass also covers extensive train, bus and boat travel elsewhere in Switzerland. |
| Flexibility on Mount Rigi | You can use the included Rigi network to plan a round trip rather than simply riding up and down the same route. |
| Potential overall savings | The pass can be good value when Rigi is combined with several other covered rail, bus and boat journeys. |
| Simpler travel | You avoid buying a separate Rigi ticket for a journey already included in the pass. |
Whether the Swiss Travel Pass saves you money overall depends on your complete Switzerland itinerary. If Mount Rigi is your only major trip, compare the CHF 84 Rigi fare with the cost of the pass before buying. If you will also use trains, buses and boats extensively, the calculation can change significantly.
The Swiss Travel Pass also includes additional visitor benefits, such as admission to more than 500 museums and discounts on many mountain excursions that are not fully covered. However, do not assume every Swiss mountain railway has the same coverage as Rigi. Check each excursion separately.
How to Purchase Rigi Cogwheel Railway Tickets
If you do not have a travel pass that includes Rigi, the simplest option is to buy through the official Mount Rigi Railways ticket shop. Tickets are also available at Rigi railway stations and through several public-transport sales points in Switzerland.
Rigi states that tickets can be purchased at numerous SBB railway stations, at the Lake Lucerne boat station and at the Tourist Information Office in Lucerne. Buying online is useful when you want to check the latest ticket products before arriving.
Swiss Travel Pass holders normally do not need to buy or exchange an additional Rigi ticket. If you use a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, make sure the day is valid for travel before using the included benefits.
Pro Tip: You do not have to treat Rigi as a simple out-and-back ride. With a Rigi day ticket or eligible Swiss Travel Pass coverage, you can consider traveling up from one side and down another, provided the routes you choose are operating on your travel date.
Comparing Rigi Tickets With the Swiss Travel Pass
If you only need one Mount Rigi excursion, compare the cost of a standalone Rigi ticket against what you would otherwise spend on public transportation during the rest of your trip. An adult Rigi return fare of CHF 84 is much less than the full purchase price of a multi-day Swiss Travel Pass, so buying the pass solely for Rigi would generally not make sense.
The calculation is different when you already need a Swiss Travel Pass for a wider itinerary. Because Rigi is included, the CHF 84 adult Rigi fare becomes one expense you do not have to pay separately.
A Swiss Half Fare Card follows a different model. It does not make the Rigi fare free; instead, eligible Rigi fares are reduced. For the published Vitznau–Rigi Kulm and Goldau–Rigi Kulm fares, the Half-Fare price is CHF 26 one-way or CHF 42 return.
Do not judge the value of a Swiss Travel Pass by assuming that other mountain trips receive the same benefit as Rigi. Switzerland Tourism specifically identifies Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos as included mountain excursions, while many other mountain railways receive a discount instead.
Tips for Getting the Best Value on the Rigi Cogwheel Railway
Check what you already hold. Before paying CHF 84 for a Rigi ticket, verify whether your Swiss Travel Pass, GA travelcard, day pass or another accepted product already covers the trip.
Use the child rule correctly. Rigi Bahnen currently states that children up to and including age 15 travel free on Mount Rigi Railways when accompanied by an adult. Different conditions apply to schools and youth groups, so organized groups should check the operator’s rules.
Compare Half-Fare pricing. If you have valid Half-Fare entitlement, the published summit fare is half the regular adult fare on the main Vitznau and Goldau routes.
Consider a round trip across the mountain. A Rigi day ticket covers more than one cogwheel route, making it possible to build a more varied day instead of returning exactly the way you came.
Check the timetable for your exact date. Rigi publishes season-specific schedules for the Vitznau and Goldau cogwheel railways. Services may also be affected by maintenance or operational changes.
Do not pay for an unnecessary reservation. Seat reservations are not obligatory for normal travel on Mount Rigi Railways. Rigi recommends advance seat arrangements for groups of 10 or more.
Making the Most of Rigi Cogwheel Railway and Swiss Travel Pass Coverage
The Rigi cogwheel railway is both a practical mountain transport system and an important part of Swiss railway history. On May 21, 1871, Europe’s first mountain railway made its inaugural ascent from Vitznau to Rigi Staffelhöhe. The route was later extended to Rigi Kulm.
Today, visitors can approach Rigi from Vitznau or Goldau, while other parts of the network connect through Weggis, Rigi Kaltbad, Kräbel and Rigi Scheidegg. From Rigi Kulm, the summit area offers broad views over Central Switzerland and numerous lakes when visibility is good.
For a traveler without a qualifying pass, the published 2026 adult price to Rigi Kulm is CHF 52 one-way or CHF 84 return from either Vitznau or Goldau. For a traveler with a valid Swiss Travel Pass, the more important figure is CHF 0 for the covered Rigi railway journey because Mount Rigi is included.
Before traveling, check the official timetable, weather conditions and any maintenance notices. That is more useful than relying on an older article or a ticket price saved months in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the Rigi cogwheel railway in 2026?
From June 1, 2026, Rigi Bahnen lists Vitznau–Rigi Kulm and Goldau–Rigi Kulm at CHF 52 one-way or CHF 84 return for adults. The corresponding Half-Fare prices are CHF 26 one-way and CHF 42 return.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Rigi cogwheel railway?
Yes. Mount Rigi is an included mountain excursion with the Swiss Travel Pass. Rigi Bahnen states that holders of a valid Swiss Travel Pass can travel free on Mount Rigi Railways and do not need to exchange the pass for a separate Rigi ticket.
Is the SwissPass the same as the Swiss Travel Pass?
No. The SwissPass is a card and account system used to carry Swiss public-transport products such as the GA and Half Fare Travelcard. The Swiss Travel Pass is a separate visitor travel product. When tourists ask whether the “Swiss Pass” covers Rigi, they usually mean the Swiss Travel Pass.
Do children need a ticket for Mount Rigi Railways?
Rigi Bahnen currently states that children up to and including age 15 travel free when accompanied by an adult. This rule does not apply in the same way to schools and youth groups, so organized groups should check the current conditions.
How much is Rigi with a Half Fare Card?
For the main Vitznau–Rigi Kulm and Goldau–Rigi Kulm routes, the published Half-Fare price is CHF 26 one-way or CHF 42 return from June 1, 2026.
Do I need to reserve a seat on the Rigi cogwheel railway?
Normally, no. Mount Rigi Railways states that seat reservations are not obligatory. For groups of 10 or more, the operator recommends arranging seats before arrival.
Do Swiss Travel Pass holders need another Rigi ticket?
For the covered Mount Rigi journey, Rigi Bahnen says no ticket purchase or exchange is necessary for Swiss Travel Pass holders. Keep your valid pass and required identification available for inspection.
Sources
- Rigi Bahnen — Prices — current one-way, return and Half-Fare tariffs.
- Rigi Bahnen — Discounts — Swiss Travel Pass coverage and accompanied-child rules.
- Rigi Bahnen — Questions & Answers — day-ticket price, ticket validity, sales points and reservation guidance.
- Switzerland Tourism — Swiss Travel Pass — national pass benefits and included mountain excursions.
- SBB — Swiss Travel Pass — visitor-pass validity, use and identification requirements.
- Rigi Bahnen — History of Europe’s First Mountain Railway — historical background on the 1871 Vitznau railway.
