Lucerne Travel Pass 2026 (formerly Tell Pass): Prices, Mountains and Is It Worth It?
+4The Lucerne Travel Pass is the new name of the Tell Pass: since April 1, 2026 it gives you 3, 4, 5 or 10 consecutive days of free travel on trains, buses, boats and the lines of almost 40 mountain railway and cable car companies in Central Switzerland, including Pilatus, Rigi, Titlis, Stoos, Stanserhorn and the Brienz Rothorn steam railway. In 2026 it costs CHF 240 for 3 days and CHF 365 for 10 days (about US$290 to US$442), children aged 6 to 15 pay a flat CHF 30. If you base yourself in Lucerne for at least three days and want to ride two or three of the big mountains, it is the cheapest ticket you can buy, cheaper than single tickets, the Half Fare Card and the Swiss Travel Pass. If you only plan one mountain, it does not pay off. To be clear from the start: we have not used this pass ourselves. Our own trip was a week in the Bernese Oberland by car; this guide is built on the operator’s tariff, the official line network and 2026 prices from the operators and Swiss Activities. It belongs to our overview of Swiss rail passes.
The Lucerne Travel Pass costs from CHF 240 for 3 days (Oct 2026), the same as the operator price, as a mobile ticket with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check Lucerne Travel Pass pricesLucerne Travel Pass 2026 at a glance
| Item | Lucerne Travel Pass (formerly Tell Pass) |
|---|---|
| 3 days | CHF 240 (≈ US$290) |
| 4 days | CHF 265 (≈ US$321) |
| 5 days | CHF 290 (≈ US$351) |
| 10 days | CHF 365 (≈ US$442) |
| Children 6 to 15 | CHF 30 flat with an adult pass, under 6 free |
| Dog | CHF 30 |
| Days | consecutive, all year |
| Included mountains | Pilatus, Rigi, Titlis with Ice Flyer, Stoos, Stanserhorn, Brienz Rothorn, Bürgenstock, Klewenalp and many more |
| Not included | seat reservations, connecting tickets from outside the area, ski passes, bikes |
| Discounts for Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass | none |
Prices valid from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, from the operator Transportunternehmungen Zentralschweiz (lucernetravelpass.ch) and Swiss Travel System. Checked in October 2026. US dollars at 1 CHF = 1.21 USD.
- What the Lucerne Travel Pass is
- From Tell Pass to Lucerne Travel Pass: what changed
- Prices 2026
- Which mountains and boats are included
- Example: three days in Lucerne
- Example: five days with the Brienz Rothorn
- Is it worth it, and for whom?
- Lucerne Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card?
- Honest downsides
- How to buy and use it
- FAQ
What the Lucerne Travel Pass is
The Lucerne Travel Pass is a regional pass for Central Switzerland, the area around Lake Lucerne. For a fixed run of 3, 4, 5 or 10 days you ride trains, buses, the boats of the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company and most mountain railways of the region without buying a single ticket.
It is sold by Transportunternehmungen Zentralschweiz, a group of the region’s transport companies, and anyone can buy it: unlike the Swiss Travel Pass, it is not limited to visitors living abroad. The area reaches from Lucerne and Zug to Engelberg, Stans, the Stoos, Andermatt and, important for anyone heading to the Bernese Oberland, along the Brünig line all the way to Interlaken Ost.
The idea is simple: in Central Switzerland the expensive part of a day is not the train, it is the mountain. A Pilatus Golden Round Trip, a Rigi round trip and a Titlis return together cost more than a three-day pass. Unlike the Swiss Travel Pass, which only makes Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos free and halves most others, this pass makes almost all of them free.
From Tell Pass to Lucerne Travel Pass: what changed
On April 1, 2026 the Tell Pass became the Lucerne Travel Pass. There is now one price all year instead of a summer and a winter tariff, the 2-day option is gone, and the shortest pass costs CHF 240 instead of the CHF 160 of the last Tell Pass Winter.
According to Swiss Travel System, the Tell Pass Winter, valid until March 31, 2026, cost CHF 120 for 2 days, CHF 160 for 3 days, CHF 180 for 4 days, CHF 200 for 5 days and CHF 260 for 10 days. Those prices no longer exist. If you read a blog post or a forum answer that quotes them, it is out of date. The good news: the coverage stayed generous, the child price stayed at CHF 30, and the pass is now sold under a name that tells you where it works.
Some shops and search results still call it the Tell Pass, including the product URL at Swiss Activities. It is the same product.
Prices 2026
An adult Lucerne Travel Pass costs CHF 240 for 3 days, CHF 265 for 4 days, CHF 290 for 5 days and CHF 365 for 10 days. Children from 6 to 15 pay CHF 30 for any length when they travel with an adult pass holder, and children under 6 travel free.
| Lucerne Travel Pass 2026 | Adult | Per day | Child 6 to 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | CHF 240 (≈ US$290) | CHF 80 | CHF 30 |
| 4 days | CHF 265 (≈ US$321) | CHF 66.25 | CHF 30 |
| 5 days | CHF 290 (≈ US$351) | CHF 58 | CHF 30 |
| 10 days | CHF 365 (≈ US$442) | CHF 36.50 | CHF 30 |
The pass is sold in second class. A first class upgrade on boats and trains can be bought on the spot, and Swiss Travel System notes a 50 percent discount on such upgrades. There is no discount for holders of a Half Fare Card, a GA or a Swiss Travel Pass, and no senior or youth price: travellers from 16 pay the adult price. A dog ticket costs CHF 30 for an adult pass holder’s dog.
The steep step from 3 to 10 days is the interesting part. Each day beyond the third costs only CHF 15 to 25 extra. If you are in Lucerne for five days anyway, the 5-day pass costs just CHF 50 more than the 3-day pass and gives you two more days of boats and mountains.
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Which mountains and boats are included
The Lucerne Travel Pass includes the regular trips up Pilatus, Rigi, Titlis, Stanserhorn, Stoos, Bürgenstock, Brienz Rothorn and dozens of smaller cable cars, plus all scheduled boats on Lake Lucerne. You only pay for seat reservations, where they exist, and for special products like restaurants or adventure parks.
The official line network lists, among others:
- Pilatus: Kriens to Pilatus Kulm by gondola and aerial cableway all year, Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm by cogwheel railway in summer. That is the full Golden Round Trip, because the boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad is included too.
- Rigi: Vitznau to Rigi Kulm and Arth-Goldau, Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad, Kräbel to Rigi Scheidegg, all year.
- Titlis: Engelberg via Trübsee to the Titlis including the rotating Rotair, plus the Ice Flyer chairlift and the line to Jochpass and Engstlenalp.
- Stoos: the funicular from Schlattli, the cable car from Morschach and the lifts to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock. For the two summit lifts you exchange the pass for a ticket at the valley station.
- Stanserhorn in summer, Bürgenstock funicular from Kehrsiten and the Hammetschwand lift, Klewenalp, Melchsee-Frutt, Brunni in Engelberg, Fürenalp and many small cable cars in Uri and Nidwalden.
- Brienzer Rothorn: the steam railway from Brienz in summer and the cable car from Sörenberg.
- Boats: Lake Lucerne all year, Lake Zug and Lake Aegeri in summer.
- Trains: Lucerne to Engelberg and to Interlaken Ost (Zentralbahn), Lucerne to Zug, Arth-Goldau and Göschenen, the Göschenen to Andermatt line and the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Realp and Sedrun.
What this means for the Titlis alone: a return from Engelberg including the Ice Flyer costs from CHF 114 at Swiss Activities in October 2026. With the pass it costs nothing. The Horizon Deck on the Titlis is a separate add-on (CHF 19 according to Titlis), and the pass does not cover it.
Example: three days in Lucerne
For three classic days from Lucerne, Rigi, Pilatus and Titlis, the Lucerne Travel Pass costs CHF 240. The same days cost CHF 407.20 with single tickets, CHF 353.60 with the Half Fare Card and CHF 353 with a 3-day Swiss Travel Pass. The pass saves you about CHF 113 against the next best option.
| Day | Trip | Single, CHF | Half Fare Card, CHF | Swiss Travel Pass, CHF | Lucerne Travel Pass, CHF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigi round trip from Lucerne by boat and cogwheel railway | 137.00 | 68.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Pilatus Golden Round Trip from Lucerne | 119.80 | 59.90 | 42.00 | 0 |
| 3 | Lucerne to Engelberg return and Titlis with Ice Flyer | 36.40 + 114.00 | 18.20 + 57.00 | 0 + 57.00 | 0 |
| Price of the card or pass | 0 | 150.00 | 254.00 | 240.00 | |
| Total per adult | 407.20 (≈ US$493) | 353.60 | 353.00 | 240.00 (≈ US$290) | |
How we got there: the Rigi round trip (CHF 137) and the Pilatus Golden Round Trip (CHF 119.80) are the October 2026 prices at Swiss Activities, the Titlis return with Ice Flyer (CHF 114) too. The return train Lucerne to Engelberg costs CHF 36.40 according to the Switzerland Tourism offer. For the Half Fare Card we halved everything, which is generous, because not every combined ticket is exactly halved. For the Swiss Travel Pass we counted Rigi and the boats as free, Pilatus as half of the mountain section (CHF 84) and Titlis as half price.
The result is clear: if you do three big mountains in three days, nothing beats this pass. And if the weather forces you to swap a day, you lose nothing, as long as the three days stay consecutive.
The Lucerne Travel Pass costs from CHF 240 for 3 days (Oct 2026), the same as the operator price, as a mobile ticket with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check Lucerne Travel Pass pricesExample: five days with the Brienz Rothorn
Stretch the plan to five days with a Lake Lucerne boat day and a trip along the Brünig line to Brienz and the Brienz Rothorn, and the 5-day pass for CHF 290 replaces CHF 625.20 of single tickets. That is a saving of CHF 327 per adult, plus CHF 8 for the Rothorn seat guarantee.
| Day | Trip | Single, CHF | Half Fare Card, CHF | Lucerne Travel Pass, CHF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Rigi, Pilatus and Titlis as above | 407.20 | 203.60 | 0 |
| 4 | Lake Lucerne boat day pass | 86.00 | 43.00 | 0 |
| 5 | Lucerne to Interlaken Ost with a stop in Brienz; Rothorn steam train return | 34.00 + 98.00 | 17.00 + 49.00 | 0 (+ 8.00 seat guarantee) |
| Price of the card or pass | 0 | 150.00 | 290.00 | |
| Total per adult | 625.20 (≈ US$756) | 462.60 | 298.00 (≈ US$361) | |
The boat day pass is the official 2026 price of the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (CHF 86 in second class), the Lucerne to Interlaken Ost fare is the SBB full fare we used in our Swiss Travel Pass calculations, and the Rothorn return is the price we paid ourselves.
This is the one part of the pass we know from our own trip: on July 8, 2026 we rode the steam train from Brienz up the Rothorn and paid CHF 98 each, because we had no pass. Had we started our week in Lucerne with this pass, that ride would have been free. The Brienz Rothorn is one of the few mountains that appears both in this pass and in the Bernese Oberland Pass, and the day ends nicely in Interlaken, where the Bernese Oberland part of a trip usually starts. Our Brienzer Rothorn guide has the timetable, the seat guarantee and the view from the top.
Is it worth it, and for whom?
The Lucerne Travel Pass is worth it if you stay in Central Switzerland for at least three days and ride at least two of the big mountains. As a rule of thumb: Pilatus and Titlis alone, with the trips to get there, already cost about CHF 270 at full fare, more than the 3-day pass.
- Worth it: three to five days based in Lucerne with Pilatus, Rigi, Titlis or Stoos; travellers who like to add a boat trip or a small cable car on the way back; families, because children pay only CHF 30 for the whole pass; people who live in Switzerland, because, unlike the Swiss Travel Pass, anyone can buy it.
- Not worth it: a single mountain day (buy that one ticket); short stays of one or two days; a trip where Lucerne is only a stop between Zurich and Interlaken; travellers who already have a Swiss Travel Pass for the whole trip and only add one or two half-price mountains.
- Borderline: three days with only Rigi and one lake trip. Rigi round trip plus boat day pass come to about CHF 223 at full fare, below the CHF 240 of the pass.
The 10-day pass deserves a mention: at CHF 36.50 per day it is very cheap for a slow holiday in one place, for example a week in Engelberg or Weggis with daily hikes that start with a cable car.
Lucerne Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card?
For days spent in Central Switzerland, the Lucerne Travel Pass is usually cheaper than both the Swiss Travel Pass and the Half Fare Card, because it makes the mountains free instead of half price. The Swiss Travel Pass wins only if your trip also includes long train journeys across the country.
- Swiss Travel Pass: CHF 254 for 3 days, valid on the whole Swiss network, Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos free, most other mountains 50 percent. It pays off when you combine Lucerne with Zurich Airport, Interlaken and Zermatt. Our Swiss Travel Pass guide has the break-even rule.
- Swiss Half Fare Card: CHF 150 for one month for visitors living abroad, 50 percent on almost everything. Good for longer trips with few mountain days. Details in our guide to the Half Fare Card.
- Both: a common smart combination is a Half Fare Card for the whole trip plus a Lucerne Travel Pass for the days in Lucerne. Just note that the Half Fare Card gives no discount on the Lucerne Travel Pass itself.
- Bernese Oberland next? The Lucerne Travel Pass ends at Interlaken Ost. For the Jungfrau region compare the Bernese Oberland Pass and the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
If you only want one pass for a whole Swiss loop, the Swiss Travel Pass is the simpler answer. Prices are the same everywhere, but some shops add discount codes on top.
Travelling without a car? The Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, buses and boats across the country and gives discounts on many mountain railways. Our pass guide shows when it pays off. Tip: Klook often shows discount codes at checkout (in October 2026 for example 5% off orders over US$300); whether one applies to the pass you see in the cart.
Check Swiss Travel Pass prices
Honest downsides
The Lucerne Travel Pass has three real weaknesses: the days must be consecutive, bad weather is no reason for a refund, and it does not cover your journey to Lucerne. Plan around these and it is a very good deal.
- Consecutive days only. A rainy day in the middle still counts. On a 3-day pass, one day with clouds on the summits can cost you a third of the value. The 4 or 5-day pass gives you a buffer for CHF 25 to 50 more.
- No refund for weather. The operator states that adverse weather is no valid reason for a refund. Only illness or an accident, with a doctor’s certificate, can lead to a pro rata refund at the point of sale.
- Connecting tickets are extra. Zurich Airport to Lucerne costs CHF 31 at full fare and is not included. You buy it separately in the SBB app.
- Seat reservations cost extra. In high season, June to October, the operator recommends reservations on the Brienz Rothorn, Pilatus and Stanserhorn. The Luzern-Interlaken Express also has optional paid reservations.
- Seasonal lines. The Pilatus cogwheel railway and the Stanserhorn run in summer only. In April, May and November some cable cars close for maintenance, so check before you buy a pass for those months.
- Some lifts need a ticket exchange. At the Stoos summit lifts and at a few other companies you swap the pass for a ticket at the counter.
- No youth or senior price. A 17-year-old pays the full CHF 240, while the Swiss Travel Pass Youth is about 30 percent cheaper.
How to buy and use it
You can buy the Lucerne Travel Pass online, at more than 80 sales points in Central Switzerland, such as boat stations, train stations, tourist offices and hotels, and at selected SBB stations. Online it comes as a print-at-home or mobile ticket.
- Pick your start date. The days run from that date without a break.
- Add children and a dog in the same booking: CHF 30 each.
- Reserve big mountain rides for summer weekends. Pilatus, Stanserhorn and the Rothorn sell out on sunny days.
- Carry your passport. The pass is personal and shows your name; inspectors may ask for ID.
- Exchange where needed. Some mountain railways issue a separate ticket at the counter.
At Swiss Activities the pass is sold as a mobile ticket with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, which helps if the forecast turns. The price matches the operator’s price; we found no extra booking fee on the product page.
3, 4, 5 or 10 consecutive days; Pilatus, Rigi, Titlis, Stoos included; mobile ticket, free cancellation up to 24 h before
Check prices & availabilityBoat, cogwheel railway and cable cars from Lucerne; for travellers without a pass
Check prices & availabilityDay pass from CHF 84, round trip from Lucerne by boat and railway from CHF 137
Check prices & availabilityReturn incl. Ice Flyer from CHF 114; Rotair included
Check prices & availabilityThe Lucerne Travel Pass costs from CHF 240 for 3 days (Oct 2026), the same as the operator price, as a mobile ticket with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check Lucerne Travel Pass pricesFAQ: Lucerne Travel Pass
Is the Tell Pass still available?
No. Since April 1, 2026 the Tell Pass is called the Lucerne Travel Pass. It has one price all year, starting at CHF 240 for 3 days, and the 2-day option no longer exists.
Is Pilatus free with the Lucerne Travel Pass?
Yes. The gondola and aerial cableway from Kriens run all year and the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad in summer, both included, as is the boat from Lucerne. That covers the whole Golden Round Trip.
Is Titlis included in the Lucerne Travel Pass?
Yes, from Engelberg via Trübsee to the summit with the Rotair, and the Ice Flyer chairlift too. Only extras like the Horizon Deck cost extra.
Can I use the Lucerne Travel Pass with a Half Fare Card?
You can carry both, but the Half Fare Card gives no discount on the pass. It still halves tickets outside the pass area, such as the train from Zurich to Lucerne.
Does the Lucerne Travel Pass cover the train to Interlaken?
Yes, the Zentralbahn line from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost is included, so you can use your last pass day to travel on to the Bernese Oberland.
How much do children pay?
Children from 6 to 15 pay CHF 30 for any length when travelling with an adult pass holder. Children under 6 travel free.
Is the Lucerne Travel Pass only for tourists?
No. Unlike the Swiss Travel Pass, anyone can buy it, including people who live in Switzerland.
Check Lucerne Travel Pass prices →
If Lucerne is only one stop on a longer trip, start with our comparison of all Swiss rail passes. Families should also read how the Swiss Family Card lets children ride free on national passes, and if you fly into Zurich, the Zurich Card may cover your first day. For the region we know first hand, the Bernese Oberland, see our Bernese Oberland guide, and more Swiss trips start on the Swiss Detours home page.
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