What the Swiss Travel Pass pays for on Titlis
The split here is simple and slightly annoying. The train to Engelberg is free, so the getting-there part costs you nothing at all. The cable cars above the village are the bit you pay for, at 50% off: CHF 51 return instead of CHF 102.
That half price ticket takes you all the way to the summit station at 3,020m and includes the Rotair revolving gondola, the glacier cave and the Cliff Walk. The Ice Flyer, the open chairlift over the crevasses, is the one thing nobody agrees on. One source lists it at around CHF 12 extra, another says it's covered by a ski pass. Budget CHF 12 and be pleasantly surprised if you don't need it.
Fifty-one francs is real money for a mountain that isn't fully covered. What the pass is worth on Pilatus, Brienzer Rothorn and every other summit is on the mountain coverage page.
Getting from Lucerne to Engelberg, then up three cable cars
From Zurich it's about 1h 45mins via Lucerne, and from Lucerne itself the train is direct and genuinely quick. Here's the order of it:
- Train from Lucerne to Engelberg, 43 to 45 minutes, roughly hourly and more often at busy times.
- Titlis Xpress gondola from Engelberg to Truebsee, 10 minutes.
- Truebsee to Stand, another 10 minutes.
- The Rotair revolving gondola from Stand to the summit, 5 minutes, turning slowly so you get the whole panorama without shuffling around the cabin.
That's 25 to 30 minutes of actual cable car time, plus however long the queues make you wait. In July and August the Rotair queue alone can add 20 to 30 minutes. Allow a full day from Lucerne and don't book anything for the evening.
The free boarding time you can reserve for the Rotair
New from 3 August, you can reserve a boarding time for the Truebsee to Titlis leg, and it costs nothing. This is the answer to the summer queue, and it's free, and it's optional, which is exactly why you should use it.
The other trick is simply being early. Go up by 9am and the lines are shorter.
Swiss Travel Pass vs Lucerne Travel Pass for Titlis
If Titlis is the main reason you're in central Switzerland, the regional pass beats the national one on this particular mountain.
| Swiss Travel Pass | Lucerne Travel Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Train to Engelberg | Free | Free |
| Cable car to the summit | 50% off, CHF 51 | Covered in full |
| Works outside the region | Yes, the whole country | No |
So the Lucerne pass saves you CHF 51 on this one day, and the Swiss Travel Pass saves you everywhere else. If you're spending several days around Lucerne, the maths gets interesting fast, and it's worth reading the full comparison before you buy either.
Cliff Walk, glacier cave and the rest of the summit station
The summit is five floors of things to do, which is either brilliant or absurd depending on your mood.
- The Cliff Walk. Europe's highest suspension bridge, over 100m long at around 3,000m. It sways a bit, takes a minute to cross, has a photo point, and the far end is gated, so it's there and back. Good weather only, and one visitor turned up to find it closed.
- The glacier cave. An ice tunnel through the glacier with floors, walls and carvings all in ice. Cold in a way that feels like the point.
- The Ice Flyer. An open chairlift over the crevasses down to the Glacier Park, running daily except in poor weather.
- The Titlis Tower. A lounge, a bar and exhibition space.
- The Horizon Deck. Reached by lift, so no stairs at altitude.
- A Lindt chocolate shop and a photo studio where you can have your portrait taken in Swiss costume, which is exactly as good an idea as it sounds.
On a clear day you can see four countries from the top, plus a lot of high-alpine rock and snow. The mountain itself is 3,238m, so the summit station isn't quite the peak.
Why Truebsee is worth stopping at on the way down
You can break the journey at Truebsee. There's a lake with rowing boats, scooters, a rope park and hiking trails, plus a snow park in winter. The restaurant there does pizza and pasta at slightly lower prices than the summit, which is a low bar but a real one.
The Cliff Walk, for the record, is not a walk. It's a one-minute crossing and a one-minute return. If you want actual hiking, it starts at Truebsee.
What food costs at 3,020m
Three options at the top, all of them dear.
- A la carte at the summit.
- Self-service at the summit.
- Josephs Restaurant in the Titlis Tower.
Soup runs about CHF 15 and a coffee about CHF 7, and reviewers say the same thing over and over: it's expensive. Eat in Engelberg, or bring a sandwich and buy one coffee for the view.
Things that catch people out on Titlis
A few of these are seasonal and a few are just the mountain being 3,000m high.
- The Glacier Park only runs from late May to mid July, snow permitting, so the Ice Flyer may drop you somewhere with less going on.
- Cold and altitude are hard on children aged 3 to 6. Layers, and don't plan a long day.
- The Cliff Walk closes in bad weather.
- Queues build from mid-morning in summer. Reserve the free boarding time or be up by 9am.
FAQ
How much is Mount Titlis with the Swiss Travel Pass?
CHF 51 return from Engelberg to the summit, instead of the full CHF 102. The train from Lucerne to Engelberg is free with the pass, so CHF 51 is your total transport cost for the day.
Is the Titlis cable car free with any pass?
Yes, the Lucerne Travel Pass covers the cable car in full. The Swiss Travel Pass only gives you 50% off it.
Do you need a reservation for Mount Titlis?
No, it's optional and free. From 3 August you can reserve a boarding time for the Truebsee to Titlis leg, which is the best way to skip the summer queue at the Rotair.
How long does it take to get to Titlis from Lucerne?
The direct train to Engelberg takes 43 to 45 minutes, then the three cable car stages take 25 to 30 minutes of travel time on top. Add queueing in July and August and allow a full day.
Is the Cliff Walk included in the half price ticket?
Yes, along with the Rotair revolving gondola and the glacier cave. It needs good weather though, and it does close.
Is the Ice Flyer included?
Sources disagree. One lists it at around CHF 12 extra, another says it's covered by a ski pass, so budget for the CHF 12 and hope you don't need it.
When is Mount Titlis open?
Year round. The Glacier Park at the bottom of the Ice Flyer is the seasonal bit, running from late May to mid July only, snow permitting.