Mount Titlis in Switzerland makes a very popular day trip destination, especially from Lucerne. Many people choose to visit this mountain instead of the Jungfraujoch, and at almost 3,250 metres above sea level it’s a pretty impressive peak.
Equally remarkable is Titlis Rotair, the first revolving cable car in the world. This affords visitors panoramic 360 degree views over the mountains like never before.
The year 1739 saw the first human ascent of Mount Titlis, and people have been making the trip ever since.
Titlis mountain is also home to the Titlis Cliff Walk, Europe’s highest suspension bridge, and you can venture down an illuminated tunnel carved from blue glacial ice to reach the Titlis Glacier Cave.
Hikers can also take to the trails leading from the Trübsee cable car station.
Another Mount Titlis cable car (or chairlift), known as the Ice Flyer, also operates during summer and winter. This cable car is used for taking scenic journeys across the mountainous landscape as much as it is to reach the ski slopes.
It’s also possible to see the only glacier in the region from the Ice Flyer.
Visitors to Mt Titlis in Switzerland may also hire a boat to row across Trübsee lake, take a thrilling Trübsee Flyer zip line ride or simply relax while enjoying a drink or meal at the restaurants and cafes found on the mountain.
Then there are options like the Trubsee snow park, the Titlis Cliff Walk, mountain biking trails and an Adventure Park. Seasonal activities such as snow shoeing, skiing and tobogganing may also be available.
Whatever you’d like to do when you reach the top of Mount Titlis, this guide can help you plan your ideal mountain day.
Topics covered include how to get there, where to buy your Titlis ticket, whether you can stay at a Mt. Titlis hotel and how the weather may affect your visit.
If you’re interested in visiting Mt. Titlis in summer or winter, read on so you can plan your ideal day in the Swiss mountains.
Not sure whether to visit Titlis, Rigi or Pilatus? This guide can help.
[This post may contain compensated links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.]
Quick Summary of Mt. Titlis Ticket Options
Type of ticket | Price per adult | Where to buy |
Regular ticket ex Engelberg | CHF 96.00 | BUY HERE |
Swiss Half Fare Card holder | CHF 48.00 | BUY HERE |
Swiss Travel Pass holder | CHF 48.00 | BUY HERE |
Berner Oberland Pass holder | CHF 48.00 | BUY HERE |
Tell Pass holder | Free travel | BUY HERE |
Self-guided day trip from Lucerne | CHF 187.00 | BUY HERE |
Guided tour from Lucerne | CHF 137.00 | BUY HERE |
Guided tour from Zurich | CHF 164.00 | BUY HERE |
Where is Mt. Titlis?
Mount Titlis is part of the Uri Alps, and at 3,238 metres above sea level it’s the highest peak to the north of the Susten Pass. It can be found to the south of Lake Lucerne, in the canton of Obwalden.
The peak is often referred to as Titlis Engelberg, and you can reach the summit by taking a cable car from Engelberg. This is a small resort in the Swiss mountains, and is located about 35 kilometres south of Lucerne.
How to get to Mt. Titlis
The efficient Swiss transport network means it’s easy to reach Titlis from Lucerne, and there are frequent trains from the city to Engelberg. You can also drive to the small resort, or take an organised day trip.
Getting from Lucerne to Engelberg
Engelberg – Trübsee – Stand – Titlis
The route from Lucerne to Mt. Titlis involves several sectors. First you can travel to Engelberg by train or car, then from Engelberg you can take the Titlis Express gondola to Trübsee and then Stand.
You can then switch to the Titlis Rotair for the final leg to the summit.
© Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus
The first step is choosing how to travel between Lucerne and Engelberg. You can either take a train trip or drive to the mountain resort.
How to get to Engelberg by train
It’s simple to take the train from Lucerne to Engelberg. The journey takes about 45 minutes, and once you alight at Engelberg station there is a free shuttle bus which will take you to the Titlis valley cable car station nearby.
This complimentary shuttle bus service operates at weekends and during high season. If you need or choose to walk, the route is flat and only takes about 10 minutes.
How to get to Engelberg by car
You can also drive to Engelberg and park at the same lower cable car station. To get here from Lucerne, follow the E35/A2 from the city and head towards the Gotthard Pass. At Stans-Sud, take exit 33 which is about 20 kilometres from Engelberg.
The resort is well signposted from there. Once you arrive in town, look out for signs directing you to Titlis Valley cable car station.
Mt. Titlis Timetable
Trains from Lucerne to Engelberg
If you want to take public transport to Engelberg, trains depart hourly from Lucerne. You need to take the service heading south towards Engleberg, which is operated by Zentralbahn. The trip takes 43 minutes.
Engelberg to Titlis gondolas
The gondola travelling between Engelberg and Stand via Trübsee takes about 15 minutes. Services depart very frequently from the Talstation Titlis in Engelberg – usually every few minutes.
The Titlis Rotair gondola then takes visitors from the station at Stand up to the summit.
This sector forms the last leg of the Engelberg to Titlis journey. It’s a 360 degree cable car on Mount Titlis, and takes around 15 further minutes. The total journey time is therefore around 30 minutes
These services operate between 8.30am and 5pm, with the final ascent at 4pm and the last descent at 5pm. Seasonal closures affect services during November – you can check before you travel here.
Ice Flyer chair lift
The six-seater Ice Flyer operates on the mountain between 9.15am and 4pm. This also closes during November and April, so do check the dates here.
A return trip on the Ice Flyer costs CHF 12.
Mt. Titlis Tickets
If you want to buy tickets for Mount Titlis in advance – and doing this is recommended to avoid disappointment – you need either public transport tickets for the train and gondolas or to book onto a day tour.
Rail and cable car tickets
Standard adult fares from Engelberg to Titlis via the Titlis Xpress cable car cost CHF 69 one way or CHF 96 return. Children under 16 pay half the adult price.
You can pre-purchase your tickets* here. *Ice Flyer tickets are included when purchasing via this link.
Unless you have a Swiss or Tell Pass, you will also need a train ticket for the journey between Lucerne and Engelberg. A standard adult fare is, at the time of writing, around CHF 20 for a single trip or CHF 40 return.
Holders of Half Fare Cards and children get 50% off standard fares. Tell Pass holders also have their cable car trips covered by the pass, so the entire journey is free once you’ve purchased this.
Find out more about the Lake Lucerne region Tell Pass here
Mount Titlis day trips
If you want to let someone else take care of the transport, tickets and general organisation of your visit, why not take a day tour to Mount Titlis? The following are the best options from Lucerne and Zurich.
Organised tour from Lucerne to Mt. Titlis
Another option is to book an organised tour from Lucerne to Titlis. If you’d like to do this, we recommend a half day tour lasting around five to six hours. This will take you by coach to Engelberg and up towards the mountain.
The tour includes a trip on the Ice Flyer gondola as well as the breathtaking Titlis Rotair revolving cable car.
During the day you will also visit the Titlis Glacier Cave, and pass over the highest suspension bridge in Europe. Weather permitting, you may also visit the Glacier Park.
> Click here to book this half day Mount Titlis tour from Lucerne
Organised tour from Zurich to Mt. Titlis
If you’re based in Zurich and want to take a day trip to Mt. Titlis, we recommend a full day tour lasting around nine to ten hours.
As well as the mountain, you’ll visit Lucerne en route, taking a tour of the city to see highlights like the lake and the Lion Monument.
Otherwise the itinerary is the same as that above, so your day will include rides on the Ice Flyer and Titlis Rotair cable cars plus visits to the Glacier Cave and suspension bridge.
Glacier Park may also be included in this Mount Titlis from Zurich trip, if the weather is suitable on the day.
> Click here to book this full day Mount Titlis tour from Zurich
Self-guided trip from Lucerne
Should you prefer to travel at your own pace but still have all your tickets organised in advance, a self-guided day trip from Lucerne could be your best bet.
> Click here to book your self-guided visit to Mt. Titlis from Lucerne
Where to buy Mt. Titlis Tickets
Type of ticket | Price per adult | Where to buy |
Regular ticket ex Engelberg | CHF 96.00 | BUY HERE |
Swiss Half Fare Card holder | CHF 48.00 | BUY HERE |
Swiss Travel Pass holder | CHF 48.00 | BUY HERE |
Regional Pass Berner Oberland holder | CHF 48.00 | BUY HERE |
Tell Pass holder | Free | BUY HERE |
Self-guided day trip from Lucerne | CHF 187.00 | BUY HERE |
Guided tour from Lucerne | CHF 137.00 | BUY HERE |
Guided tour from Zurich | CHF 164.00 | BUY HERE |
Things to do at Mt. Titlis
There is lots to do once you reach the summit of Mount Titlis – as well as along the way.
A stop at the viewing platform is a must, and you can also take a cliff walk, see the Glacier Cave and Glacier Park, or go shopping, hiking or skiing depending on the season.
You can also dine at one of the restaurants.
On the way up or down you may also like to stop at Lake Trübsee, where you can also hike, hire a boat, visit the adventure play park or take a ride on the Trübsee Flyer zip line.
The Titlis Cliff Walk suspension bridge is the highest in Europe. © Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus
Titlis Cliff Walk
As well as taking in the panoramas from the gondola, Ice Flyer and viewing platform, you can take the Cliff Walk at Titlis to soak up the splendid Swiss scenery.
The suspension bridge is over 3,000 metres above sea level, and the highest in Europe.
Crossing the 100 metre bridge isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you do you can also delve into the Glacier Cave and see the views from the south wall across to the Ice Flyer station. It’s a narrow route, as the bridge is just a metre wide.
You can walk the route for free and it’s open all year round, weather permitting.
Titlis Ice Flyer
The six-seater Ice Flyer will whisk half a dozen of you across the snowy landscape, so you can peer into deep, icy crevasses and be swept across vast expanses of untouched, pure white snow.
During summer the Ice Flyer takes visitors to the Glacier Park, while in winter the destination is the ski slopes on the mountain’s summit.
To reach Titlis Glacier Park, a ride on the Ice Flyer is required. © Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus
Titlis Glacier Park
Open between June and September, the Glacier Park is the place to go for some snow-based fun. Snow tubing is very popular, where you’ll slide safely down the run on a rubber tyre. The park is accessed via the Ice Flyer.
There is also a ‘magic carpet’ to take you back to the top, saving you the climb. Guests can also try out the likes of sit-skis and minibobs. During winter, you can visit the Trübsee snow park instead.
Mount Titlis hiking
Whether you stop at the summit or alight at the Trübsee cable car station, hiking the local trails is popular with sightseers as well as keen walkers.
There are hikes in the area to suit all levels, and they include the 3-hour Engelberg-Untertrübsee-Trübsee trail, the 4-hour Four Lakes hike and the 2-hour Trübsee to Stand geology trail.
At the other end of the scale is the 16-hour Alpine Cheese Trail, accessible only during summer.
You can find outlines of all these hikes here.
Mount Titlis winter sports
There are also pistes to suit all levels of skier on Mount Titlis. Between October and May, skiing and snowboarding at a 2,000 metre altitude is available.
Titlis ski options include downhill and cross-country routes.
Other winter activities at Mount Titlis include snowshoeing, a toboggan run and even walking trails suitable for winter.
Mount Titlis dining
If you think all that mountain air and exertion may make you feel peckish, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are various eateries on Titlis and in Trübsee to choose from.
Options include the TITLIS Panorama Restaurant, the Trübsee sun terrace, a Movenpick ice cream bar, the Stand ski hut, Lago Torbido serving pizza and pasta, the Trübsee BBQ hut and more – including après-ski drinks at the Chalet.
Trübsee Adventure
Take a Trübsee Adventure by stopping on your way up or down Titlis – and the best thing is that many of the attractions are free of charge.
It costs nothing to test the Trampoline2Bag, take to the BagJump Tower, use the bouncy castle or try out the slackline.
During good weather the attraction is open daily between 10am and 5pm. If it’s very wet or windy, the BagJump area closes. Parents are responsible for their children’s safety, though a guide is present. Discover more here.
Lake Trübsee
Lake Trübsee lies between Engelberg and the Titlis summit, and is incredibly picturesque. At the middle cable car station of Trübsee you can alight to see the lake, where you can hire a boat.
You can also take a hike around the edge of the lake, with fabulous views of mountain peaks framing the scene. As well as passing Trübsee Adventure there are other kids’ play parks en route.
To access the route, set out at the restaurant by Trübsee cable car station and follow the flat, family friendly path by the water.
Trübsee Flyer zip line
For more of a thrill at Trübsee, take a trip on the Trübsee Flyer. It’s a zip line leading between Trübsee Alpine Lodge and the lake. You’ll set out at 20 metres above the Lodge, ending 40 metres lower by Trübsee Adventure.
Can you stay at Mt. Titlis?
If you’d like to spend longer on this beautiful Swiss mountain packed with fun things to do, there are accommodation options in Engelberg, at the foot of the mountain or in Trübsee near the lake.
Hotel Terrace, Engelberg
The views from the Belle Epoque restaurant are enough of a reason to book into Hotel Terrace. This three star Titlis resort offers free WiFi throughout, plus flatscreen TVs, radio and hairdryer in all rooms.
The 1903 art nouveau style property in Engelberg also offers complimentary parking for guests, so it’s ideal for those who choose to drive to the area.
Access is available from the village via the tunnel-lift system, which is also free of charge and takes just a few minutes.
> Click here to check current prices and book
Overnight guests can stay at the Trubsee Alpine Lodge (pictured) rather than staying in Engelberg. © Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus
Trübsee Alpine Lodge, Trübsee
Berghotel Trübsee is an alpine-style property close to the lake and cable car station at Trübsee. It can only be accessed via the gondola system, and offers direct access to the slopes on Titlis.
The hotel has a restaurant with a sun terrace, a sauna and a kids’ playroom. Free WiFi is available, and there are a range of room types to suit anyone from a solo traveller to a large family.
> Click here to check current prices and book
How long should you spend at Mt. Titlis?
Half a day is the minimum amount of time to spend at Mount Titlis.
A trip of this duration will allow you to take the thrilling rides by gondola, take the Titlis Cliff Walk, admiring the jaw-dropping views and perhaps stopping for a snack and drink at one of the eateries.
A day will allow you to do more – such as hiking around Lake Trübsee, visiting the Glacier Park or enjoying a full meal with panoramic mountain views.
You will also have more time to see both the summit and the Trübsee areas.
Staying overnight at Trübsee or in Engelberg opens up even more options, and is ideal for those who want to take part in winter sports or go on longer hikes.
Planning a trip to Switzerland?
At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers.
Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our 10 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland guide.
Mt. Titlis weather
So when is the best time to visit Mt. Titlis? During winter it’s very popular with winter sports enthusiasts, while walkers flock here in summer to take to the hiking trails.
If you’re heading here to take in the views, then it’s simply stunning at any time of year.
You can check out a Titlis webcam at any time in advance of your visit to get live images from Mt. Titlis. The official Titlis website provides several, at the Cliff Walk, Stand station and Hotel Terrace.
You can view these here, or check out the Bergfex Titlis webcam.
In winter, Mt. Titlis weather temperatures are below zero degrees Celcius both day and night, while between April and October daytime temperatures are usually above zero.
Even in July – the warmest month – daytime highs at the top of the mountain only occasionally reach double figures, though down in Trübsee 15 or 16 degrees is a typical summer high.
Practical advice for visiting Mt. Titlis
If you’re planning to visit Mt. Titlis, here are some of our top tips to bear in mind to make sure your trip goes smoothly.
Check the local webcam and weather forecast
Checking out what the weather’s up to in advance of your visit means being prepared – for the worst if necessary.
As mentioned above in various sections, some activities are closed when there’s bad weather, so if it’s likely to be stormy then it’s best to know about this in advance.
Dress appropriately
As you can see from checking out the weather section above, the temperature varies during the day and night and between Trübsee and Titlis. If you’re taking a day trip, you will also need to dress for the weather in Zurich or Lucerne and Engelberg.
Lots of lightweight layers are the best choice for this reason, so you can adjust your clothing as you go.
Pre-purchase tickets to avoid queuing
Booking your tickets in advance can often save you money and will at least help you avoid wasting time on the day when you have to wait in line.
Some day trip and other tickets can also be cancelled for a full refund, as long as this takes place 24 hours or more before travel.
Is Mt. Titlis worth visiting?
Whether you’re a hiker, a skier or simply want to take in those incredible Alpine views, Mount Titlis is well worth visiting.
There is plenty to see and do at the summit, as well as along the way near the Trübsee gondola station halfway up.
From dining with a once-in-a-lifetime view or conquering your fear on Europe’s highest suspension bridge to seeing inside the Glacial Cave, snow tubing or rowing on the lake, there are lots of relaxing and more active pursuits for everyone to pick from.
Visiting Mount Titlis – FAQs
How do I get from Lucerne to Mt. Titlis?
It’s easy to reach Mount Titlis from Lucerne via Engelberg, and the cable car will take you up the mountain from here. The train trip between Lucerne and Engelberg takes around 45 minutes, then the total gondola travel time to the summit is about 30 minutes more. If you’re driving, it should take 35 minutes or longer to reach Engelberg.
How do I get from Zurich to Mt. Titlis?
As Mount Titlis is further from Zurich than from Lucerne, the best option is to take a day tour. The one we recommend also includes a tour of Lucerne, which gives you a break during the long trip as well as allowing you to see the sights. You can find details of this above.
What is the Mount Titlis ticket price?
What you will pay for a Mount Titlis ticket depends on how you’re getting there. Other factors also come into play – Tell Card holders, for example, can travel by train and cable car for free. You can find out more above regarding the prices for each sector.
What to do in Mount Titlis?
The only problem when visiting Mount Titlis is fitting it all in. Not only do you have attractions like the Cliff Walk, Glacier Cave, Ice Flyer and Glacier Park at the summit, but there is also plenty to see and do close to the Trübsee gondola station halfway up, including the lake, a zip line ride and an impressive free adventure experience.
🇨🇭 If you don’t plan to stay on Mt. Titlis or in nearby Engelberg and would prefer to base yourself in Lucerne, read our Lucerne Hotels Guide to find the perfect place to stay. You can also read more about Lucerne in our Lucerne Travel Guide.
PIN FOR LATER