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A Single Stop for European Rail Travel


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Bargain Travel Europe guide to Europe on a budget for unusual destinations,
holiday travel tips and secret spots missed by travel tours.


A Single Stop for European Rail Travel





MT RIGI RAILWAY
Original Scenic Steam Rail Ride on Lake Lucerne

Mt Rigi in central Switzerland looking over the eastern shore of Lake Lucerne may be one the world’s first international tourist attractions of the age of steam. It was the first mountain destination to have a cog railway, opened in 1871. Mark Twain added to Mt Rigi’s world reknown when he wrote of his visit in his book “A Tramp Abroad”. Twain and his book agent could have ridden in the train, but decided to hike up the mountain. A guide book had reported it was a three hour hike. Mt Rigi Aerial Cable Car Lake Luzern View photophotoIt took Mark Twain three days – either leading one to take what one reads in guidebooks – or on a travel guide website – with a grain of healthy skepticism or begin your hike before 3 in the afternoon as the author apparently found himself waking up well afternoon everyday. Twain reported of the beauty of the views of blue lakes, green valleys and snowy mountains as a “magnificent picture three hundred miles in circumference”. The Mt Rigi Railway or aerial cable car now makes the trip much shorter and far less strenuous.

Belle Epoch Heritage Car Mt Rigi photoThere are two rail routes to the summit of Mt Rigi. By modern cog wheel train from Goldau on the main rail line or the original Mt Rigi bahn cog railway in operation since the days of Mark Twain. Mt Rigi Railway called the Queen of the Mountains (Königen der Berge) departs from the town of Vitznau on the shore of Lake Lucerne where one can arrive by Lucerne lake steamer (see Cruising Lake Lucerne). The ride in vintage 19th Century “Belle Epoch” rail cars wind up the steep slope of the mountain, taking 30 minutes to the first resort of Rigi Kaltbad and another 30 minutes to the Rigi Kulm summit.

Modern Rigi Cog Train Rigi Kaltbad photoIn the summer months, from June to September, and a few months in winter it is possible to entirely recreate the experience of the golden age with the car push by the original steam engine. No. 7. Built in 1873 by the Swiss Locomotive and Engine Works of Winterthur, No 7 began its service in 1873. Once retired and placed on display at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne (see Swiss Transport Museum) the old time unique steam engine has been refurbished to once again puff up the steep hill. If the steam engine isn’t running electric engines push the vintage cars from the Vitznau station turntable to the top.

Vitznau Lake Lucerne Rigi Bahn stop photoMt Rigi is a popular spot for day excursions of hiking with 50 miles of trails and foot paths, in both summer and winter. There is skiing in the winter at Gratalp in Kigi Kaltbad, with night skiing and sledding, and toboggans at the Rigi Kulm top station. Mt. Rigi was well known to international travelers in days past, though perhaps less so today. The majority of visitors to Mt. Rigi are Swiss, with Vitznau reachable from Lucerne by boat (see William Tell Express) or Goldau from Zurich by train in an hour. There are a number of lodging options for a trip up Mt Rigi. The Rigi Kulm Hotel at the summit offers 360 degree views and sun terraces. The Rigi Hostellerie hotel or Edelweiss Hotel at Rigi Kaltbad are modest cost options. The Rigi Hostellerie is of modern construction with swimming pools and recreation opportunities.

Twain's Bar Rigi Hostellerie photoIf following the footsteps of the American humorist, stop for a drink in the Mark Twain's Bar. The Mt Rigi aerial cable station is steps from the hotel, a panoramic cable ride down to the lake at Weggis, called the Riviera of Lake Lucerne for its mild climate and lakeshore lifestyle. There are many hotels in Weggis. Stay where Mark Twain once stayed on Lake Lucerne at the Park Hotel Weggis, now a 5 star luxury hotel. If the luxury Park Hotel is too pricey, in Weggis are a number of lakeshore hotels (see Post Hotel Weggis) ranging in price, though more expensive in the summer high season. In Weggis or Vitznau there is camping, or you can even sleep in a farm barn on straw.

Taking Mt Rigi Railway

Tickets to ride the Mt Rigi Railway range from 18 Euro to 40 Euro (29 chf to 60 chf) depending on how far you ride, one way or return. The route is free with a Swiss Pass or Swiss Flexi Pass (see Swiss Pass Value), and half price with a Eurail Pass, Swiss Half Price Card or European Interrail Pass. Those staying overnight at a hotel on Mt Rigi get a 50% discount on the rail or aerial cable. © Bargain Travel Europe

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SEE ALSO:

MOUNT PILATUS - STEEPEST COG TRAIN

MT. TITLIS ROTAIR - ROTATING AERIAL CABLE

GOLDEN PASS LINE SCENIC TRAIN

SWITZERLAND SCENIC TRAINS

LAKE LUCERNE BOAT DAY CRUISES

BRIENZ ROTHORN STEAM RAILWAY