How to Visit Mount Titlis in Switzerland (& Is It Worth It)
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Are you thinking of visiting Mount Titlis in Engelberg, Switzerland and wondering what to expect, how to do it, and if it’s worth it? This article should answer all your questions and help you decide whether it’s worth your time and money. Find out!
We also included some of the best Mount Titlis tour recommendations and insider tips that will help you make the most of your day trip to Mt Titlis in any season.
Good to know: We’ve been to Engelberg several times, in summer and in winter, and visited Mt Titlis on various occasions. In this article, we share our experience-based tips for your visit to one of the most popular mountain destinations in Switzerland.
First, you can find all the practical information for visiting Mt Titlis. Further below, you can read about what to do at Mount Titlis and also find some additional tips for how to get the most out of your visit. Read on!
What is Mount Titlis
At 3,239 meters above sea level, Mount Titlis is one of the highest mountain peaks that you can easily visit in Switzerland. It’s also one of the most popular day trip destinations in Switzerland, attracting lots of visitors in all seasons.
It’s not very clear to me how high Mt. Titlis actually is. According to Wikipedia, it’s 3,238 meters, whereas the maps of Titlis ski area say 3,239m. When you visit Mt Titlis, there is a sign at the viewing platform at the top saying that it’s 3,020 meters (10,000 ft)… But that’s the height of that place, at the nearby Klein Titlis (3,028 m) and not of Mt Titlis itself.
Whatever the precise height is, the landscape is amazing and it truly feels like you’re standing on top of the world. The 360° views from Mt. Titlis are incredible and if you visit on a clear day, the scenery of countless mountain peaks all around you will take your breath away.
Where is Mt Titlis & How to Get There
Mt Titlis is located near Engelberg, a small mountain resort about 35 km (22 miles) south of Lucerne in central Switzerland. Mt Titlis can be reached by taking a gondola from Engelberg to Stand, followed by a rotating cable car from Stand to Mt Titlis.
Engelberg can be reached by car or by train from Lucerne (see below). Railway connections are very good in Switzerland and so it’s easy to visit Mt Titlis as a day trip from Lucerne, Zurich, or other towns.
You can visit Mt Titlis on your own (you’ll still need to get a Mt Titlis ticket, of course) or with an organized tour (see further below for more information and the best options).
In order to make it easier for you to orient yourself, I created a map of the Mount Titlis area that should give you a much better idea of where everything is and clarify some of the names you’ll see mentioned in this article. Take a look below.
How to Get to Engelberg by Train
Engelberg can only be reached by train from Lucerne. So you’ll need to get there first. From Lucerne, there are regular trains to Engelberg, usually at least once an hour. The train journey from Lucerne to Engelberg takes 43 minutes.
Normally, you don’t have to book a specific train ride and can just take any train, but you may want to double-check that when you buy tickets. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, it’s also valid for your journey to Engelberg (plus, it gives you a 50% discount on Mt Titlis gondola tickets). The Swiss Half Fare Card gives a 50% discount on train and gondola tickets.
The walk from Engelberg train station to the Titlis gondola takes about 10 minutes. It’s an easy and flat walk. In the high season and on weekends in the low season, there are also free shuttle buses available from Engelberg train station to the Titlis cable car station.
How to Get to Engelberg by Car
Engelberg is easy to get to by car. Take highway E35/A2 from Lucerne in the direction of the Gotthard Pass. Take exit #33, at Stans-Süd.
From there, follow the signs to Engelberg. There is just one road going south and it’s well indicated. From the highway, it’s just about 20 km (12 miles) to Engelberg.
The first half of this road is going through a valley and is flat. Only the last 10 km have some hairpin turns, but nothing to worry about. Even in winter, we never experienced any difficulties on this road. You should know, however, that snow chains are obligatory in case of hard snowfall, although we never had to use ours.
Once in Engelberg, take a right turn to Titlis Valley Station. It’s well indicated from the main road, soon after you pass a small lake on the right. There are several big car parking areas here and there is usually plenty of staff if you aren’t sure where to park or have any other questions.
Best Mount Titlis Tours
As already mentioned, Mt Titlis is a popular day trip in Switzerland and there are tours available from some bigger cities nearby.
Here are the best options that have great customer ratings and the best price-quality ratio:
- Mt Titlis tour from Lucerne.
- Mt Titlis tour from Zurich – this tour also includes a guided visit and some free time in Lucerne.
READ ALSO: Best Day Trips & Excursions Near Lucerne
How to Visit Mt Titlis on Your Own
If you want to visit Mt Titlis on your own, it’s perfectly doable (get your tickets here).
In that case, you’ll first have to get to Engelberg (see above for more info). In Engelberg, take a gondola from Titlis Valley Station to Stand. In Stand, take a revolving cable car – TITLIS Rotair – for the last ascent to Mt Titlis.
Both – the gondola and the rotating cable car are included in the same Mt. Titlis ticket – this specific ticket also includes all the attractions at Mount Titlis itself (unless closed due to weather).
You can get Mt Titlis tickets upon arrival or online in advance. I recommend booking online as that will save you some time, especially on busy days. Often, it’s also cheaper online, especially in the winter season when they work with flexible rates. You can find more information about the tickets further below.
TIP: On your way up or down, you can also disembark at Trübsee (it’s a stop located halfway between Engelberg and Stand). It’s a great destination in itself and has a lot to offer in summer and in winter. I recommend visiting Mt Titlis first so that you can then quietly enjoy all the activities at Trübsee before heading back down. Further below, you can find more info about things to do at Trübsee.
Mt Titlis Tickets
At the moment of the last update, visiting Mt Titlis will cost you 108 CHF (96+12 – see below), plus the cost of getting to Engelberg.
The official ticket price for a return ticket to Mt Titlis is 96 CHF. The Ice Flyer (cable car that you can take once you are at Mt Titlis itself) is an additional 12 CHF and it includes all activities of Glacier Park. If you want to experience everything at the top, the best option is this all-in Mt Titlis ticket.
Good to know: Kids age 5 or younger travel free of charge and kids age 6 to 15 get a 50% discount (free with Junior Travelcard). Discounts are also available with the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Half-Fare Card (50%).
For more information about fares and discounts, please consult the official website. On their ‘webshop’ you can also book your Mt Titlis tickets in advance. You can also get the tickets on the spot – there are several ticket machines on the left side before you enter the cable car station. But I’m not sure if it’s the same price there (we always get our tickets in advance), and it’s always so busy. Plus the machine gives you so many ticket options that it might get overwhelming…
PRO TIP: If booking online, make sure to also check prices for Mt Titlis tickets on the GetYourGuide website (if available – this can be seasonal). Normally, ticket prices are the same as on the official site, but sometimes they also offer a seasonal discount that’s not available elsewhere. Plus, if booking with GetYourGuide, you have free cancelation up to 24 hours in advance.
Important! Make sure that you keep your ticket throughout the entire day because you’ll need to scan it multiple times. Also, keep an eye on the indicated times and make sure that you don’t miss the last cable car to get back down to Engelberg. It’ll cost you a small fortune if they have to let it run an additional round especially for you.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Mt Titlis
Mount Titlis is a year-round destination and has something to offer in every season. Weather permitting, you can enjoy all the attractions and great views at any time of the year.
The best time to visit is, of course, on a sunny day when visibility is best, but the time of the year doesn’t matter much.
My personal favorite time to visit is in winter when Mt Titlis itself and all the surrounding peaks are covered in snow. In summer, I prefer the lower green areas around Trübsee or Jochpass. But Mt Titlis is also amazing, especially if you haven’t visited before.
READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe
How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Mt Titlis
While visiting Mt Titlis itself and the main attractions on top of the mountain only require 1 or 2 hours, you should count at least 3-4 hours for a visit.
It takes a long time just to get to Mt Titlis from Engelberg and back, plus the wait times for Titlis Rotair can be quite long at times. You’ll need even more time if you are planning to do anything extra like sledding or tobogganing, hiking, or any of the adventurous activities at Trübsee.
When you add up the time for cable cars, activities, lunch, plus your travel time to Engelberg, you’ll quickly realize that you need the whole day for a visit to Mt. Titlis.
TIP: If you don’t have an entire day and are visiting the area in summer, you could also opt to visit Mount Pilatus near Lucerne instead of Mt Titlis. Pilatus is closer to the city and you can visit it in 4-5 hours in total, so a good half a day.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ: Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip from Lucerne (warm season only)
Things to Do at Mt Titlis
Below is an overview of everything that you can do at Mt. Titlis. Please keep in mind that some views and activities are weather-dependent, while some others can be enjoyed in any weather.
Here’s what you can expect to see and do at Mt Titlis:
Amazing Views
Mt Titlis offers some of the best mountain views in Switzerland. TITLIS Rotair, the cable car that you’ll have to take in order to get to Mt Titlis, offers impressive 360° views of the surroundings. This is the world’s first revolving gondola that slowly turns as it goes up, giving you an opportunity to enjoy some jaw-dropping scenery all around you. However, this is just an introduction of what’s to come…
Once on top of Mt Titlis, you have many more possibilities to enjoy spectacular views in pretty much all directions. There is a viewing platform on the top floor of the Mt Titlis Mountain Station, great views from the mountain top itself, and yet another angle from the Ice Flyer chairlift… But my favorite views are probably those that you get from the TITLIS Cliff Walk. Absolutely dazzling!
If you feel like hiking, you can also take a 40-min Stotzig Egg hike that offers some nice views as well. During winter (October – May), part of this trail is on the ski slope and not really well indicated.
Glacier Cave
Titlis Glacier Cave is a 150-meter-long ice tunnel, located deep under the glacier. The temperature inside the cave is just below freezing point, so the Glacier Cave can be visited the whole year. Just keep in mind that it’s cold and slippery inside, so you need good shoes and warm clothes.
Ice thickness above the cave is between 3 and 20 meters (10-65 ft). The ice inside is said to be up to 5000 years old – incredible, isn’t it!
Every year, the Titlis Glacier Cave is a bit different. Sometimes they have ice sculptures, sometimes it’s lit in different colors. One year we visited, there was an ice sofa standing at the entrance of the cave and Scrat from the movie ‘Ice Age’ was trapped inside the ice. However, the last time we went, the ice tunnel wasn’t nearly as impressive as in previous years. Climate change is clearly visible if you come here every year…
However, if you have never walked inside an ice tunnel, it remains a very special experience. But if you have seen ice tunnels before, I have to admit that the one at Titlis is not that special. We found the ice tunnels at Jungfraujoch and in Zermatt much more impressive.
But then again, it looks different every time we visit and so they may add a few more ice sculptures or other elements and it will be more special again… Either way, it’s definitely a place you have to see when visiting Titlis.
Good to know: Glacier Cave is included in your Titlis ticket. You can access it from Level 1 of the Titlis Mountain Station.
Titlis Cliff Walk
At 3,041 m height and 500 m above the ground, Titlis Cliff Walk is Europe’s highest suspension bridge and one of the best things to do at Mount Titlis.
No matter how many times we walked over this bridge, it remains a special experience. Not to mention that the views are absolutely phenomenal!
The bridge is not wide and stretches over 100 meters. If there are more people walking at the same time, it usually swings quite a bit, adding to the experience and excitement. Don’t worry though, the bridge is well-protected. Also, the sides are properly closed with steel wire, so you can also walk this bridge with young children. Our kids love it!
Good to know: The suspension bridge is also included in your ticket and can be visited free of charge. It can be found next to the Ice Flyer chairlift – both reachable via the exit on the top floor of the Titlis Mountain Station.
TIP: On the bridge, you’ll see stickers in the shape of the feet. If you stand there, you’ll be looking at a camera. Push the button and it takes a really nice picture from an angle that you wouldn’t be able to do yourself.
You can then review your pictures and buy them if you like at the photography studio inside the main building of the Titlis Mountain Station. A picture will cost you about 12 CHF, and it’s a really nice souvenir to take home.
Of course, you can just take your own pictures at no extra cost.
Ice Flyer
Titlis Ice Flyer is a chairlift located at the top of Mt Titlis, right next to the suspension bridge. It connects the summit to the Titlis Glacier Park. In summer, you can do winter activities here (more info below), and in winter you can ski on the summit.
The views from this chairlift are really nice as you ‘fly’ over the glacier and see it up close. For many people who don’t ski, taking a chairlift is an experience in itself. I personally don’t consider this as something you must-do when visiting Titlis in winter, especially if you have to pay separately for it. If you are skiing in Engelberg, this chairlift is included in your ski pass.
However, if you are visiting in summer, then it’s definitely something you should do. It gives you access to Glacier Park – fun for young and old.
Good to know: If you get a regular Mt Titlis ticket, Ice Flyer isn’t included. You’ll have to pay an additional fee for it.
Glacier Park
Accessible via Ice Flyer chairlift, Glacier Park is only open in summer. There is always snow here, even if there is no snow at Mt Titlis itself. In summer, you can go sledding or snow tubing at Titlis Glacier Park.
Good to know: In winter, you can go sledding at another snow park, a bit lower down the mountain, at Trübsee. It’s free of charge and you can sled here as much as you want. It’s not just for kids and you’ll see people of all ages sledding here.
In the past, they used to have sledding and snow tubing at Trübsee, but during our last visit, there were only sleds available. The former snow tubing track is now being used as an exercise slope for beginning skiers. So if you want to go snow tubing, you’ll have to visit Mt Titlis in summer (+- mid-May through July, snow conditions permitting).
Shops, Restaurants & Souvenirs
Just like any other popular place in the Swiss mountains, Mt Titlis has everything a tourist might want. Restaurants, souvenir shops, Swiss chocolate… you’ll find it all at the Titlis Mountain Station.
There is also a photography studio where you can buy pictures that you can take on the Cliff Walk or on the Ice Flyer.
They also have lots of traditional Swiss costumes available. You can dress up and take a ‘typical Swiss’ picture if you want to. It’s not cheap and takes some time. We’ve never done it, but – as touristy as it sounds – the pictures look really nice.
Trübsee Activities
As already mentioned, Trübsee, the middle station on your way to Mt Titlis, is another great place that you definitely have to stop at after visiting Titlis.
Winter
In winter, you can go sledding here (see the Glacier Park info above). Usually, they also have snowmobiling and some other fun activities available here, but they differ every year.
For several years, they had an ice igloo and an ice bar here, but then it was gone for several years. The last time we visited, there was an igloo restaurant at Trübsee again. There is also Trübsee Flyer Zipline, but it’s not always open. So you just have to check what’s available on the day when you visit.
If you are staying longer, you can also go skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or winter hiking. But if you are visiting Mt Titlis for a day, then you won’t have the time (or the equipment) for this.
Sledding and snow tubbing at Trübsee are free of charge, but you have to pay for all the other activities.
Good to know: Trübsee has a nice Italian restaurant, Lago Torbido, that is open in winter. If you are looking for a really nice lunch, check it out!
LEARN MORE: Winter Activities & Skiing in Engelberg
Summer
Also in summer, Trübsee is a great place to visit. There are some really nice hiking trails that start in this area. Our favorite is the Four Lakes Hike, but it requires a whole day. Alternatively, you can hike down to Engelberg.
You can also just walk around the lake, row a boat, or take your kids to a playground.
Trübsee Flyer Zipline is also available in summer and they have a variety of other activities that differ a bit every year. I heard rumors of an even more exciting zipline coming soon, so make sure to check it out on your next visit.
LEARN MORE: Trübsee in Summer
The sledding picture above is taken at the same place. Quite a difference…
Is Mt Titlis Worth It?
With a high price tag and the whole day required in order to properly visit the area, you may be wondering if Mount Titlis is worth a visit. I suppose it depends on how much time you have in Switzerland and what other places are on your itinerary. But if you have the time and the money, yes, it’s absolutely worth it.
Mt Titlis is a really special place that has a lot to offer: incredible views, thrilling experiences, and a big variety of activities to choose from in any season.
And while it might look expensive at first sight, it’s actually one of the more affordable places for a day trip in the Swiss mountains. It’s also a great destination for a longer stay – hiking in summer or skiing in winter.
Good to know: If you are skiing in Engelberg, a ticket to Mt Titlis is included in your ski pass. So if you are looking for a place to go skiing in Switzerland, in combination with sightseeing, Engelberg is a really good choice.
READ ALSO: Switzerland Itinerary for 10 Days (including Mt Titlis)
Additional Tips for Visiting Mt Titlis
- Check the weather forecast. Mt Titlis is not the best destination for a cloudy day. However, if your plans aren’t flexible and the weather isn’t great, I wouldn’t worry too much and still do it. You can still enjoy most of the activities at Titlis and also at Trübsee, no matter the weather.
- Arrive early so that you can make the most of your day in Titlis. Plan at least half a day for the visit, ideally an entire day if you also plan to do any additional activities at Trübsee or visit Engelberg town.
- Dress warm. It’s usually very windy at the top. Even in summer, you may want to wear a jacket, gloves, or even a hat. In winter, it’s a must.
- Wear sturdy closed shoes. You’ll need them inside the Ice Tunnel, but also for walking around on Mt Titlis, the suspension bridge, and any of the additional activities.
- If you don’t have warm clothing or suitable shoes, you can rent them either at Titlis Valley Station or at Titlis Mountain Station. Needless to say, it’s not cheap.
- If you are on a tighter budget, you can save some money by bringing your own picnic. Dining at Mt Titlis or Trübsee is really expensive. Drinks cost 5-8 CHF and a simple warm meal 20-30 CHF. There is a supermarket in Engelberg town where you can get some drinks and small snacks.
- Mt Titlis is located at a very high altitude and not everyone adapts to it very well. It might help to stop at the intermediary stations such as Trübsee or Stand instead of heading straight to Mt Titlis so that your body can adapt to the higher altitude. On the other hand, in most cases, a short visit shouldn’t be a problem. Just make sure that you drink plenty of water – it really helps to adapt to the height. Just in case, you may want to bring something for a headache.
Where to Stay
Most people visit Mt Titlis as a day trip. If you are coming from Lucerne or Zurich, it’s indeed quite easy to do that and there is no need to stay in Engelberg. However, if you have some time to spare, I think you’ll really enjoy staying here for at least one night.
There are lots of nice hotels and accommodation options in Engelberg town. We always stay at Berghotel Trübsee that’s located near Trübsee lake, at the middle gondola station on the way to Mt Titlis.
Staying here allows you to enjoy all the amazing activities and stunning surroundings. We especially love this hotel early in the morning or in the evening. When there are no day tourists around, you can have beautiful mountains all to yourself. Incredible feeling, particularly in summer when you can go rowing on the lake with nobody else around you or watch a sunset above the mountains from the hotel terrace…
LEARN MORE: Berghotel Trübsee Review
FAQ
Mount Titlis is one of the highest mountain peaks that you can easily visit in Switzerland and it’s also one of the most affordable ones. It’s worth a visit in any season: the scenery is incredible, and there are so many fun activities including an ice tunnel under the glacier, Europe’s highest suspension bridge, snow fun the whole year round, and more.
Mt Titlis is a year round destination and is always open. Cable cars run daily from 8.30 AM until 4-5 PM. It can happen that cable cars don’t operate due to very high winds, but it’s very rare. Once a year (usually in November), they close for maintenance for a few days, but you’ll see if there are any unavailable dates when you book your tickets.
Mount Titlis can only be reached by a series of cable cars from Engelberg via Trübsee and Stand. You can get to Engelberg by car or by train from Lucerne. There are regular trains in all seasons and it takes 43 minutes from Lucerne to Engelberg.
Visiting the top of Mt Titlis will only take 1 or 2 hours, but because it also takes some time to get there and back, you need at least 3-4 hours for a visit. If you have more time, make sure to stop at Trübsee mountain station where you can find many activities such as sledding or snowmobiling (winter), zip line (year round), but also playgrounds, rowing boats, and hiking (summer).
With 3,239 m elevation, there is always snow on top of Mount Titlis. It might melt a bit in the places where most people walk in the warmest months of the summer, but there is always snow on the glacier where you can go skiing in winter or snow tubing in summer. So no matter when you visit, wear sturdy hiking boots and dress warm!
So, this is our guide to visiting Mount Titlis. If you are planning a visit and have a question that we forgot to address in this article, feel free to leave a reply below and we’ll try to help.
READ ALSO: Mount Titlis vs Jungfraujoch
Looking for more tips for other Swiss destinations? Check out our other articles below!
Travel guides for the Lucerne area:
- Best Things to Do in Lucerne
- Lucerne Day Trips
- Engelberg 4 Lakes Hike (starts at Trübsee gondola station on the way to Mt Titlis)
- Lucerne to Mt Pilatus (all the transport options and tickets explained)
- Pilatus Golden Day Trip (the best way to visit Mt Pilatus)
- Stoos Ridge Hike (a beautiful hike and a very unique funicular, about 1 hr drive from Lucerne)
More tips for your trip to Switzerland:
- Switzerland Trip Itinerary
- Interlaken Day Trip
- Best Things to Do in Zermatt
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gornergrat (both are must-see in Zermatt)
- Schynige Platte (a hidden gem!)
- Best Things to Do in Grindelwald-First
- Things to Do in Geneva
- Jungfrau Region in Winter
- Skiing in Wengen
- Oeschinen Lake (+ our favorite hike in Switzerland)
- Affordable Places for Skiing in Switzerland
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Sounds like fun! Great article and much appreciated. We are in our 60’s and are no longer skiers but the sledding and tubing sound like a blast. Are the sleds/tubes free for use or are there some for rent (and do you know the cost if you have to rent them)? Thanks!
Hi, yes, snow tubes and sleds are free to use (but you will need a gondola ticket to get there). However, where and when exactly they are available, depends on the season. Please see the article for more details.
Where we will stay in either Zurich or Interlaken
Do you mean where to stay for visiting Mt Titlis? The closest big city is Lucerne, but you can also visit from other places. In that case, coming from Zurich the journey will be much shorter than from Interlaken.
Have a great trip!
Excellent details. Which is useful to ordinary man to understand the things. If this type of explanation available we can easily round the world economically. Thanks 👍
Glad to help!
Hi Jurga. Just a quick one..otw back from Titlis to Engelberg..say i drop at Trubsee. I can hop on again from Trubsee to Engelberg without any additional charges. Am i rite?
Correct. If you get round-trip tickets to Titlis, you can get off at Trübsee and take the gondola back down to the village after your visit there.
Dear Jurga…really appreciate your time, effort, dedication and love you put on this article. Its really helpful, indeed. I have a clear mind what to expect and what to do. Btw, if i may ask..do you happen to know if any snow activity my family and i can enjoy at Titlis/Trubsee during autumn..(my visit in 13 sept)..tq and wish you always have wonderful days
Hi Sham, there won’t be much snow left by September except on the glacier at the very top of Mt Titlis. Normally, they have toboggan there in the summer season.
Hi Jurga,
Thank you so much for such wonderful information, this has been very helpful for us.
We are planning to travel to Mount Titlis in Mid April (16th). Would the Glacier Park be open then? or would we have to go down to the Snow Park near Trubsee if that’s open?
Also, will the Trubsee Lake be completely frozen – can we hike around the lake?
Hi Ayush, the ski season at Mt Titlis Glacier normally lasts until early May so the Glacier Park will likely not be open yet (it typically opens around mid-May, after the ski season ends). However, there may not be enough snow for sledding/toboggan at Trübsee in mid-April anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised they would use artificial snow if needed, but I can’t tell you this for sure. What exactly is open and where in this ‘shoulder’ season, will really depend on snow conditions at that time. You can simply ask what the possibilities are on the day of your visit.
As for Trübsee Lake, it should still be frozen, but I wouldn’t walk on the ice on the lake this late in the season. If you have proper footwear (waterproof hiking boots should be fine), you can always hike around the lake – we have done it in all seasons.
Hope this helps.
@Jurga, thank you so much. Incredibly helpful 🙏
Hi, I will be in Lucerne 2 nights the end of April. Should I book tickets to Titlis mountain now or just wait till we are in Lucerne?
Hi Bernadette, normally, you don’t have to book long in advance and you can also just get the tickets once you get there. The main reason to book earlier is that sometimes they have cheaper rates, but this mostly applies to ski tickets. Also, some people prefer to keep their credit card balance higher during the trip so booking/paying for most of the accommodations/tickets/experiences in advance can help a lot (depending on your specific situation, of course). So it’s really up to you.
If you book in advance, check the cancelation terms in case your plans change or the weather is really bad. We use GetYourGuide for most of our tour/excursion bookings because of the ease of use and the flexibility they offer with their up-to-24-hours free cancelation on most bookings.
Have a great trip!
Hi- I plan to stay two night in Engelberg. From there, we’d do a day trip to Titlis Mountain. I’d like to know if snowboarding is an option there. I saw on their website everything refers to skiing. I also couldn’t find a place to rent googles, helmets, boots, and snowboard. Could you shed some light on this or provide a better recommendation? Nothing has been booked except for the accomodations.
Hi Jenny, normally, everywhere where you can ski, you can also snowboard. That being said, I don’t recall seeing many snowboarders at the top of Mt Titlis itself. But there are plenty on the lower slopes. We personally never ski at the glacier at the very top – just visit Mt Titlis, ice tunnel, suspension bridge, etc. but ski a bit lower (up to Stand or – our favorite – in the Jochpass area). All these places are in the same ski area, reachable via the same gondola from Engelberg. You may also want to read our article about skiing in Engelberg for more info. It has a map and lots of info about the Titlis ski area.
As for equipment rental, yes, there are several shops in town and also one at Trübsee mountain station, but it’s always A LOT cheaper if you can arrange this online in advance. There are many websites where you can rent equipment and choose the shop where you want to pick it up in Engelberg. Just search on the internet. The shops that are closest to the gondola in the village are Intersport Titlis Talstation and Stöckli. See the location of the gondola on Google Maps and you can also see which ski shops there are nearby.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
Hi Jurga,
Great blog. We are visiting Mt Titlis on Monday 7 October from Lucerne. I’m wondering if you know the capacity of the Rotair and how many Rotair gondolas run for the ascent and descent? From the timetable it appears that only one runs every 30 minutes and this could result in long queues/delays going up or down on busy days? Best to get there relatively early, say around 9-10 am? Thanks.
Hi Bruce, I really wouldn’t worry about the Titlis Rotair. When it’s very busy, they just let it run all the time – we never had to wait longer than 5-10 minutes (and we’ve been on it many times).
You are traveling in the low season and on a Monday, so indeed, they may only let it run once every half an hour. But that’s only if it’s not busy. If there are people waiting, they usually just let it go as soon as it’s full.
Hope this helps.
Hello,
Might be visiting in April which mountain day trip would you recomend during the spring season?
Thanks!
Hi Del, the first half of April is normally still ski season, depending on the altitude. In any case, all the highest peak destinations will still have snow.
So which one to choose really depends on your overall travel itinerary.
If you are in the Lucerne area and want a place where you will still find lots of snow, go to Mt Titlis. If you rather try lower altitudes, Mt Pilatus could be a nice alternative. But also there, hiking will likely be impossible at the top at that time of the year, so it’s just for the views.
If you are in the Interlaken area, Jungfraujoch or Grindelwald-First are nice. Jungfraujoch always has snow and First, likely as well in April.
What you can see and do at the lower altitudes (Grindelwald-First, Mt Pilatus) will be very different in April compared to summer visit. Whereas Titlis or Jungfraujoch offer pretty similar experiences no matter the season. If the weather is nice, you can’t go wrong with either of these.
Have a great trip!
Hello.
Is there another way to get up to the summit of Mount Titlis other than the rotating cable car? We have people in our group that gets claustrophobic. Thanks for your help with this.
Hi Sam, no, there is no other way to get to the top of Mt Titlis than by gondola + rotating cable car. The area around the peak is much too steep for hiking.
You could get a ticket up to Trübsee for those people in your group who don’t want to go all the way to the top. The lake is very nice in the summer and in the winter, there is plenty to do there as well.
Hope this helps.
do i need to wear heavy cloths in july when i go to the top
It really depends on the weather and in the summer it can sometimes get really warm at the top (we’ve even seen temperatures reaching 15-20°C on the exceptionally warm days in the last few years).
But yes, normally, you’ll definitely need a sweater and I would also pack a light rain jacket/windbreaker. If it’s colder, you may even want to wear gloves and a hat. After all, the mountain is over 3km high and there is a glacier at the top. Once again, it really depends on the weather on the day when you are visiting.
Does anyone know when and where will the bus stop in Lucerne on the way back from Mt. Titles when taking the bus trip from Zurich. Thank you.
Hi Vika, I’m not sure which bus trip you mean. If it’s this guided tour, then you really have nothing to worry about since they’ll organize everything throughout the day and will tell you where and when exactly you have to be. They actually start with a visit to Lucerne and then visit Mt Titlis in the afternoon. You can find all the details in the tour description.
Hope this helps.
@Jurga, Thank you for your answer. But I guess I didn’t ask correctly. We are taking the 9 hours bus trip from Zurich but on the way back we would like to be allowed to get off the bus in Lucerne as we are planning to take the Golden Pass train. So my question is Do you know what time will we be back in Lucerne from Mt. Titles?
Thank you.
Vika
Hi Vika, if you are talking about the bus tour from Zurich that I linked to in the article and above, I’m not even sure if it stops in Lucerne on the way back.
Also, if you want to take the Golden Round Trip to Mt Pilatus (unless you mean something else by the ‘Golden Pass train’), you really need to plan a separate day for that. There is no way to do both – Mt Titlis and Mt Pilatus – on the same day unless you have a car and are extremely quick in both places. This is mainly because of the opening times of the gondolas.
Hope this helps.
Hi Jurga, Your information is very helpful!
Can I buy tickets from Mt. Titlis directly without going through a tour company? We dont need a tour guide or transportation / train. We will be arriving by rental car and just want to buy our tickets ahead? is this possible, or is it best to buy when we arrive ? We are going in August. Thank you!
Hi Natasha, all this information is already in the article – see ‘Mt Titlis tickets’. Yes, you can also just get your tickets on the spot.
@Jurga, When I click on “Tickets”, it takes me to “Get Your Guide”, which have organized tours, including travel to get there etc. I just wanted to get directly to the Titlis website to buy tickets only – not looking for an intermediary company selling a guided tour or transportation. When searching I kept finding Titlis ski passes which is not what I was looking for. I did find a site that sells just tickets only, without the extras through Get your Guide etc. Thank you
Also, what is the benefit of buying tickets before you go? Do you still have to line up? Does it sell out? Would that be typical for August? Thank you
Hi Natasha, did you see the actual ‘Mt Titlis tickets section’ in our article where I already explained all of this? It’s right after the section ‘how to visit Mt Titlis on your own’.
There, you will find a link to the official titlis site where you can buy tickets on their ‘webshop’ if you want to. We also link to GetYourGuide where we usually buy all our tickets/tours. At this moment, the ticket through GYG is not available. I’m not sure why, maybe because it’s winter. And I’m not even sure if you can now already book tickets for August on the official site (and I really have no time to check it).
As already explained in the article, no, you don’t absolutely have to buy the tickets in advance. The main reason to do this is that sometimes they are cheaper online and/or when booked long in advance. This is usually the case in the ski season; not sure if they will have different pricing for the summer season. Also, the queue at the entrance can be big and all the ticket options on the machines can be overwhelming.
Also, sometimes, GetYourGuide also has some great deals for these tickets, that’s why we keep all these links and information so that people can check themselves and choose the best option for them and available at that moment. It changes all the time and I can’t update all our articles when things like this change.
Anyway, if you want to just make it easy for yourself, stop stressing about it, and buy the tickets when you get there, on the day itself. They do not sell out and there are plenty of gondolas going the whole day, so that’s not a problem. You may have to wait in line a bit longer, but also that is usually not a big deal.
Hope this helps.
Hi I loved your blog and found it super helpful ! Im going to Switzerland on June and this place is definitely on my bucket list. What is the website to buy the tickets for Mount Titlis before we go?
Hi Vanya, you can find all this info and the link to the official site in the article, under the section called ‘Mt Titlis tickets’.
You just helped me , for all my question and saved my money where I was paying for some website who were providing the ticket at high price
Now I can plan accordingly by my own
Glad to help.
Have a great trip!
Sorry to ask but if someone wants to go and just visit one of the restaurants for lunch, and not ski, do you still need to buy the day ski pass?
Hi, visiting Mt Titlis in itself has nothing to do with skiing. In fact, only very few people take their skis to that altitude as there are much better ski runs lower down the mountain.
So you don’t need a ski pass to go there, but you do need a regular round-trip ticket. However, I just checked their new ‘flexible’ prices, and the ‘pedestrian’ ticket for a random day I chose was more expensive than a 1-day ski pass. So you may be better off with a ski pass, or even a half-day ski pass if visiting in the winter.
Keep in mind that this winter they work with flexible rates, so the tickets might be more expensive if bought on the spot, and also pricier on weekends and during school breaks.
Hope this helps!
@Jurga, thank you very much for the response, appreciate it!!
Hi- thanks for this super helpful blog post!! i will be in zurich for a few days in the beggining of april and am considering a day trip to mt titlis. trying to figure out how cold it will be and if we can hike at the lower elevation areas. will there be snow tubing in april? thanks so much!
Hi Sarah, April is a bit of a shoulder season. Typically, it’s still ski season in the Titlis area until Easter.
All the areas above Trübsee are almost certainly covered with snow. You can always walk around the lake at Trübsee (it’s nice to do in the winter too). But I am not sure if I would attempt any hikes from there down to Engelberg in April.
As for the weather, it’s really impossible to say. It can be spring down in the valley already, but it will most likely be well under the freezing point at the top of Mt Titlis.
Snow tubing is usually available at Trübsee during the ski season, but early April is really the end of it, so I guess it depends on the snow conditions. You will pass there anyway, so it’s pretty likely that you can see from your gondola if people are snow tubing there (and then stop on your way back down). You can always simply ask the staff what is possible at that moment.
Have a great trip!
Extremely thankful to chance upon your blog – it is the most comprehensive and easy to understand so far. Such a life saver. I was contemplating whether to visit Mt Titlus as my family and I will be visiting Zermatt on our trip in Dec. But after reading your blog, i guess we’ll make a trip there. I’m just wondering how cold would mid-Dec in Mt Titlus and Zermatt be?
Hi Esther, it’s really difficult to know in advance how the weather will be. Also, Zermatt is located at a much lower elevation than the mountain peaks like Gornergrat or Mt Titlis.
In towns like Zermatt or Engelberg, it will likely be around the freezing point. Whereas at 3,000 meters elevation, it can be -15°C (5F) or even colder.
In any case, you’ll definitely need a warm winter jacket, winter shoes, gloves, and a hat.
PS We once visited Mt Titlis when it was -20°C (-4F) and it was amazing.
ME and my friend will be there on October 7-8 of this year. Thank you for this article, really a big help.
Glad to help. Enjoy your trip!
Thank you for the suberb website.
Booked the trip thru you and everything was prefect.
Ice flyer wasn’t running due to lightning effecting the laptop that ran it!
Very sad to see so little snow.
23 degrees at lunch
We got the train from Stans which we booked in advance
Thanks again
Matt n Jane
Glad to hear you had a great trip! And yes, this summer has been much too warm in the Alps… Hope they get more snow this winter again!
Happy travels.
Hi Jurga,
I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog. This article was really really helpful. Thank you.
Please may I get guidance on understanding whether visiting Switzerland last week of September is ok.
Due to some date issues currently the earliest we can visit Switzerland would be around 23rd/24th September.
I saw your article on Best Times to Visit Europe but specific guidance for Switzerland would be greatly appreciated.
My father is old but really wants to see Switzerland. I am worried that it may be rainy and colder later in Switzerland.
So just want to check visiting sites like Jungfraujoch and Mt Titles end of September will be alright or would it not be advisable?
Thank you.
Hi Benaifar, if there’s one thing you can never know for sure, it’s how the weather in the mountains will be. In general, September (the second half too) is a wonderful time to visit Switzerland. And destinations like Titlis or Jungfraujoch are accessible the whole year too, so you can visit there even on the coldest winter days. Of course, it’s nicer when it’s sunny and there are not too many clouds, but there is really no way to predict this.
It can be rainy and it can be colder in September, but it can just as well be rainy and cold in July. Or you can get beautiful sunny weather. Or even fresh snow already, although that’s not really common in September.
I’d say go for it (and be sure you have layers of clothing so that you can adjust to the weather you get). You’ll love Switzerland! And with a bit of luck, September can be really nice.
Happy travels!
@Jurga, thank you so much for the quick response. I really appreciate it and your advice. Will definitely let you know how to works out. Many thanks again.
Such a well curated info. Your blog is a saviour for me. We are on a 21 days Europe tour and booked 5 nights in Lucerne, but had very little idea what to do. Stumbled upon your blog on the second day at Lucerne and it has been such a saviour. Tomorrow, we will go to Mt Titlis. Thanks again.
Glad to help, Pulkit! Enjoy Mt Titlis and have a great trip!
Thanks for such an amazing post!
I’m planning to visit Switzerland in August. Even that it’s summer, will it be possible to ski and see snow?
thanks
Hi Leonardo, normally, there’s always snow at Mt Titlis. In summer, you can go snow-tubbing on the glacier at Titlis. However, skiing there is normally only possible in the winter season.
If you really want to ski in summer, check out Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in Zermatt. There, you can indeed ski in August.
Another place that I know of where you can always ski in summer as well is Hintertux Glacier in Austria.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for sharing all this info, Jurga. It’s very useful. Just a question since you seem to have been to many places in Switzerland – which ones are the best: Titlis, Pilatus, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc? It’s really expensive to visit all of them, so if we had to choose just two, what do you suggest?
Hi Vera, that’s a tough question because each of these places is quite different. If you just visit two of the ones you mention, I think I’d go for Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe and Gornergrat + Matterhorn in Zermatt (you can visit both – Matterhorn and Gornergrat – in a day). But Mt Titlis is actually more special than just Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on its own. And Mt Titlis is the cheapest and the easiest to visit of them all, so that’s also something to consider. All these places can be visited in any season.
Oh, Mt Pilatus is also very nice, but it’s not really comparable to the rest because it’s much lower.
If you are traveling in summer, try to visit some less-popular places in the Swiss mountains and go hiking – it’s cheaper than visiting these mountain peaks and the scenery in Switzerland is amazing no matter where you go. One of my favorite hikes is Oeschinensee, and we really enjoyed hiking at Schynige Platte as well.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!