Mountain Transportation

A cogwheel train ascends Mt. Pilatus above Lake Lucerne (Switzerland Tourism)

General Information

Funiculars, Aerial Cable Cars, and Cogwheel Railroads switzerlandforvisitors.com
An introduction to mountain transportation in Switzerland and Austria, with photos.

Cogwheel Railways

Gornergrat Bahn switzerlandforvisitors.com
Zermatt's GGB takes you to Matterhorn views and mountain hotels.

Jungfraujoch Railway switzerlandforvisitors.com
This cogwheel railway is high in elevation, popularity, and price. (But you can save up to 50% on tickets by reading my advice.)

Pilatus Kulm switzerlandforvisitors.com
You can ascend this mountain overlook near Lucerne by cablecar, on foot, or via the world's steepest rack-and-pinion railway.

Brienz Rothorn-Bahn
Steam-driven cogwheel trains have been hauling tourists to a scenic overlook above Lake Brienz since 1892.

Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke (DFB)
If you rode the Glacier Express before 1942, you'll recognize the impeccably restored cars and tracks of the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway. You can reach the train's route by car or Swiss Postal Bus.

Rigi Railways
Mt. Rigi is one of Switzerland's classic excursions. You can board a cogwheel train at Vitznau or Goldau, then descend from Rigi-Kaltbad to Weggis via aerial cablecar and travel back to Lucerne by steamer. (Or reverse the journey, if you prefer.)

Funiculars

Niesenbahn switzerlandforvisitors.com
This 90-year-old funicular leads to spectacular views, hikes, and a mountain inn overlooking Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland.

Ski-Lift Fire in Kaprun, Austria austriaforvisitors.com
At least 159 skiers were killed when a car of the Gletscherbahn Kaprun 2 funicular burst into flames after entering a tunnel on the first day of the 2000-2001 ski season.

Funimag
Michael Azéma of Paris offers links to funicular and mountain-railway Web sites in Switzerland and other countries.

Cable Cars

Firstbahnen Grindelwald switzerlandforvisitors.com
Europe's longest gondola lift serves tourists, hikers, and skiers. The upper station offers spectacular mountain views.

Stockhornbahn switzerlandforvisitors.com
Ride a cable car, hike a nature path, or try a 100m bungee jump near Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland.

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