Titlis is a mountain of the Uri Alps, a mountain range in Central Switzerland and part of the Western Alps. It is located on the border between the cantons of Obwalden, which is a canton of Switzerland, and Bern, which is the second-largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. The height of Mount Titlis is 3,239 metres above sea level.
Mount Titlis is mainly accessed from Engelberg on the north side and is famous as the site of the world’s first rotating cable car. The cable car system connects Engelberg to the summit of Klein Titlis through the three stages of Gerschnialp, Trübsee, and Stand.
In all honesty, it doesn’t matter whether you’re visiting Switzerland for business or pleasure. There’s ALWAYS time to think about going on a Mount Titlis tour. It’s one of the most sought-after destinations and for all good reasons.
I had to admit that after experiencing spring for a good 6 months around Europe, I missed smelling the crisp, cold alpine winter air.
At A Glance
Weather in Mount Titlis in Summer
You must have heard about how Mount Titlis is always covered with snow and how it’s a chilly place to be, and you must be wondering,
Does Mount Titlis always have snow?
You can expect to experience snow ALL YEAR ROUND at Mount Titlis, even in summer (May, June and July)! At an elevation of over 3,200 meters high, I witnessed for the first time the untouched Alpine landscape.
The most fundamental thing that you should be expecting from Mount Titlis is the white glaciers and the breathtaking views, no matter the season. Trust me, you’ll be awestruck by the beauty of nature beneath.
Despite all the weather predictions, expect the climate to snap at any time, even in summer. At one moment it can be all warm and cosy. Next, it can be chilly and windy.
Therefore, I really suggest you wear a mixture of layered clothes and also carry gloves and a winter hat if you’re sensitive to cold.
I wrote a guide about packing for winter in Europe which might help you be more adequately dressed for your Mount Titlis visit.
Mount Titlis in June
You’ll be amazed to see snow-capped mountains together with green pastures just like a beautiful painting! The temperature in Engelberg around this time is usually 26°C, but at Mount Titlis, it’s about 5°C.
The best way is thus to wear summer clothing underneath a thick jacket with a scarf as it can get very windy and chilly at the top of the mountain. Rain can also be a bit of a spoiler and if it rains, it becomes even cold at the top. Do carry an umbrella always.
Mount Titlis in July
Up in the mountains, you can expect the temperature to be around 0°C. So pack in layers even if you don’t feel like, as the valley is much warmer than the mountaintop!
Mount Titlis in August
The weirdest feeling will be standing on the summit in a snow blizzard and snow up to your knees even in August! Yes, you can expect that even when you’re visiting Mount Titlis in summer. Again, my best advice would be to pack in layers!
Mount Titlis Tours
1. Lucerne to Mount Titlis day tour
Save on the hassle of figuring out transport from place to place by booking a fuss-free day tour.
2. Zurich to Mount Titlis day tour
If you’re coming from Zurish, you can also do a Mount Titlis day tour from Zurich, passing through most of the attractions of Zurich on the way. A Zurich to Mount Titlis tour will be totally worth your time and give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The bus stops in Zurich are easy to spot, all the tour guides know and speak English, and they even provide information and history that may amaze you.
How to get to Mount Titlis, Switzerland
From Lucerne to Mount Titlis
Car:
Take the A2 to the Stans Süd exit and follow on the main road to Engelberg. You can park your car at the Titlis valley station.
Train:
You can get from Lucerne to Mt Titlis via train. From Lucerne, take the Zentralbahn (train) to Engelberg.
Boat:
Alternatively, from Lucerne, take a boat to Hergiswill and continue by train to Engelberg.
Once you’re at Engelberg, to get to Mount Titlis, this is the journey to take:
Engelberg > Trübsee > Stand > Mount Titlis
1. At Engelberg (1050 metres), take the gondola to the Trübsee station (1800 metres).
TIP: at Trübsee station, walk out of the station towards the lake. You will find a spectacular, unspoilt, picturesque lake with a backdrop of the Swiss alps that’s so peaceful, so serene, it’s as if you’ve walked into a postcard!
2. From Trübsee station, take the Mount Titlis cable car to Stand station (2428m).
TIP: Along the way, hear the iconic Swiss bells chiming in the distance before realising that the sound comes from the bells that the grazing cows are wearing!
3. The last stretch is the Titlis Rotair right up to the top of Mount Titlis (3020m).
Mount Titlis Ticket Prices
- Engelberg to Trübsee – CHF 23 one way
- Truübsee to Mt Titlis – CHF 50 one way
- Engelberg to Mt Titlis – CHF 92 return trip
All in all, the total Mount Titlis ticket price should set you to about CHF 104.
P.S. The return ticket is a better deal than if you were to buy individual one way tickets.
Things to Do at Mount Titlis, Switzerland
My day trip to Mount Titlis was completely different from the regular sightseeing/ touring experiences I’ve had, because the views that I saw here were out of this world.
My vision was filled with nothing but white peaks and blue skies. There was so much beauty in the snow-covered peaks that I could stand there and stare at it for hours! I could never find such views anywhere else in the world.
Edit: Oh yeah, I did, when I went on a helicopter tour on New Zealand’s Fox Glacier!
1. Titlis Rotair
What’s special about the Rotair is that it is the world’s first revolving cable car that transports passengers from the intermediate station to Mount Titlis’ peak! The journey on the Mt Titlis cable car to the summit station is 5 minutes long.
En route, you are greeted with views of sheer cliff faces, deep crevasses and snow-covered mountain peaks all around Mount Titlis.
The cable car ride was very exciting, especially the Rotair, which gives a 360-degree view of the surrounding Swiss Aps.
The Rotair takes you to Mount Titlis’ mountain station. The mountain station offers food options, a panorama terrace, and also acts as a hideout for people to hide from the wintry chill.
2. Titlis cliff walk
At 3,041 metres in altitude atop Mount Titlis, it is Europe’s highest suspension bridge hung by steel cables.
3. Glacier Cave
Walking down the Mount Titlis cliff walk, you will be brought to Mt Titlis glacier cave. Walkthrough a 150 metre-long dark corridor in a cave that is 20 metres below the surface of the glacier.
4. Ice Flyer
This flyer is a chairlift that brings you from Mount Titlis’ mountain station to its glacier park. It sure reminded me of being in a theme park, except this is icy everywhere around. 😀
It costs CHF 12 for a return ticket on the Chair lift Ice Flyer.
5. Glacier Park
Note: This section on Mount Titlis is open only in summer!
This park is literally a snow-covered playground for both the young and old. Everyone had so much fun with balancers, snake glisses, minibobs and snow tubing that summer. It was heaps of fun sliding down the snow on my waterproof butt.
I felt like a little kid all over again, acting silly and rolling around the snow. Don’t mind me – I’m just a city girl living in the tropics, so I don’t get to see snow yearly, much less frolic in them.
Watch how our snow-tubing experience went wrong!
Other Adventure Activities around Mount Titlis
3. Scenic flight in the Swiss Alps
Where to Stay in Titlis, Switzerland
1. Hotel Cathrin
- $$
- Skiing
- Free parking
- Pets allowed
Hotel Cathrin is only a 8-minute walk from the railway station and 100 metres away from the Titlis Cable Car in Engelberg. The rooms at the Cathrin are peaceful and quiet, featuring WiFi, a flat-screen cable TV, a work desk and a safe. This hotel also includes a wellness area with a sauna, steam bath, and a gym.
If you are someone who prefers a quiet and peaceful place, this one is recommended for you.
2. Hotel Waldegg
- $$
- Spa and wellness centre
- Family rooms
- Pets allowed
One of the best hotels in Engelberg, Hotel Waldegg enjoys an elevated south-facing position in Engelberg.
This hotel is all about breath-taking mountain views, a spa area with an indoor pool and a restaurant. The hotel’s spa area can be used free of charge and includes aromatic steam baths, a sauna, and a fitness room.
You can also find a free charging station for your electric vehicles at the hotel.
Free shuttle service to Engelberg Train Station is also available on request.
Explore the area, enjoy the spectacular views and use the free WiFi available here afterwards, and update all your homies back home via sharing what you capture!
3. Alpenclub
- $$
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Family rooms
Alpenclub in Engelberg features delightful Alpine-style rooms combined with up-to-date facilities and oh-so-tasty Swiss food. During wintertime, the Käsestube offers raclette, various cheese fondues and other cheese specialities.
And the summer terrace? Well, that invites you to relax during the warmer months while enjoying the beautiful mountain panorama.
The free ski bus stop is reachable within a 2-minute walk from this hotel. The Gadä bar of the Alpenclub hotel is a traditional Après-Ski meeting point that you will find in Engelberg.
4. Hotel Belmont
- $$
- Spa and wellness centre
- Free parking
- Pets allowed
The best thing about Hotel Belmont is that it just wraps itself around you with the warmest and friendliest of welcomes.
This small family-run hotel is situated only at a 5-minute walk distance from the Titlis cable car station and only 3 minutes walk from the centre of Engelberg.
All the rooms are nicely furnished and feature a balcony, a flat-screen cable TV, a safe and a private bathroom including a hairdryer.
Hotel Belmont also features a spa area with sauna, steam bath and a Kneipp basin. WiFi is also available in the entire hotel free of charge. Truly a great place to explore the Titlis.
5. Hotel Hoheneck
- $$
- Skiing
- Restaurant
- Pets allowed
Hotel Hoheneck is situated on the main street of Engelberg, featuring breath-taking mountain views and cosy areas to meet new people.
The Hoheneck bar offers live music evenings from Wednesday to Sunday during the winter season.
They offer great amenities geared towards skiers, like an equipment room with many types of equipment. A free ski shuttle bus stops right in front of the hotel.
Free WiFi is available 24/7 for you to surf the internet.
6. Hotel Bellevue-Terminus
- $$
- Skiing
- Restaurant
- Pets allowed
If you like things that are all about traditions and culture, this one’s for you! Hotel Bellevue-Terminus is a traditional hotel which is located in the centre of Engelberg, right next to the train station and a bus stop.
All the rooms at the Bellevue-Terminus feature a contemporary design and have a flat-screen with cable channels. The cable cars, as well as the pedestrian zone of Engelberg, can be reached within a short walk.
Tickets for the cable cars are sold at the hotel reception, making it truly convenient to visit Mount Titlis
Creative international cuisine is also served in the restaurant, and various bars are there for you to enjoy after a long day.
Free WiFi and a rich buffet breakfast are also available throughout the stay.
7. Berghotel Trübsee
- $$
- Skiing
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
This one is for nature lovers, if you love to stay in between the mountains and the lake. Berghotel Trübsee is located 1,800 metres above sea level and offers beautiful mountain views and direct access to the slopes. This hotel can only be reached by a cable car with a valid ski pass.
Berghotel Trübsee features a restaurant and a sunny terrace with views of Lake Trübsee. There is also a sauna in here where you can relax. They also provide many facilities for children like a playroom and a snow fun park right in front of the hotel.
It may seem overpriced, however, owing to the location and the activities available in the hotel, it is totally worth it. Free Wi-Fi is also available 24/7.
8. Hotel-Restaurant Bänklialp
- $$
- Skiing
- Free parking
- Pets allowed
Hotel Bänklialp is a perfect place to stay in Engelberg as this place features amazing views of the town. Situated close to the forest, you can also enjoy panoramic views over Engelberg from every room of Bänklialp. All rooms have their respective balconies where you can enjoy your drink or tea/ coffee.
Built in a typical Swiss chalet style, Hotel Bänklialp is just 500 metres from the centre of Engelberg.
The restaurant serves Swiss and international cuisine.
A free ski bus is available, and a free shuttle service is offered to and from the train station on arrival and departure. Free WiFi in public areas and free parking are also available. You can also use the steam bath and the sauna free of any charge daily from 4pm to 7pm. And, in case you run out of local currency, this place offers currency exchange on site!
9. Hotel Krone
- $$
- Swimming pool
- Free wifi
- Complimentary breakfast
Hotel Krone is located in a quiet location, at only a 5-minute drive from Altdorf’s centre. This hotel features a sauna and an outdoor swimming pool.
All rooms are spacious and neat, featuring a cable TV, a radio and a bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer.
Breakfast is also served every morning and you can get packed lunches on special requests, and you can also get your meals served at the pool. Swiss cuisine and a wide range of different wines can also be sampled at the restaurant on site.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the entire building.
Recommended Duration at Mount Titlis
Allocate at least a full day to visit this Mount Titlis glacier mountain.
Set off in the morning and by the time you make your journey there, it should be almost noon. Grab some snacks or bring your own food to save on the touristy food prices there.
By the time you finish with the sights and the rides, it should be mid-afternoon. Spend your evening back in Lucerne, strolling around in search for some cheese fondue to warm your tummy up. 🙂
It’s a great day trip to take from Lucerne, but in case you decide you want to stay in Titlis to make full use of the mountain air up here, it’s worth it staying a couple of days for the million-dollar views!
Mount Titlis, Switzerland is truly a dream place and I totally fell in love with every sight it offered.
As I hope that my experience and recommendations lead you to pick the experiences best for you, I also hope that you live every moment to the fullest when you visit this dream destination and create many happy and unforgettable memories!
Read other useful Switzerland posts!
22 June 2015, Monday
That looks like so much fun! Great photos, too! Would love to go here. 🙂
Amanda – TheFashionToFollow.com
Your pictures are breathtaking! This looks like an incredible place to visit.
Your pictures are incredible! Looks like a lot of fun. I’d love to go to Switzerland one day!
Switzerland has the most gorgeous views. So pretty!
Absolutely amazing! What a wonder land indeed. Thanks so much for sharing your incredible captures. My eyes were not on this part of the world enough!
Um gorgeous! I went to Switzerland once but it was too long ago and we didn’t go here – adding it to my must visit list 😉
I am so jealous!!! It looks absolutely beautiful there! I am hoping to be able to visit Switzerland one day. The cliff walk looks a little bit intimidating. I would probably have a little bit of a freak out, while crossing it.
That looks absolutely amazing! We were in Germany in Fall 2015, and I really wanted to explore in the Swiss Alps, but we just couldn’t make time in the itinerary. Guess it’s time to head back!? 😀
What a gorgeous place!! I’ve never been to Switzerland, but it’s so close and I”d love to go!
Hi! Did you wear special waterproof shoes (and pants) for the trip up? 🙂
Yeah they were waterproof. Very useful if you’re going to be in the snow for a long time and want to frolic around!
This was such a helpful guide for visiting Mt. Titlis! I am such a planner and this was perfect. Thanks for sharing!!
I’m a big planner myself! Glad you find it useful! x
Hi Isabel. I was searching the net for information on Mount Titlis and snow in summer and your blog/vlog appeared. Im a 58 year old Mom who is travelling to Hamburg for the 2019 Rotary International Convention. Travelling with my husband and me are our adult children one aged 30 and the other 26. We plan to go to Switzerland after the convention because my son wants to see snow in June. Your blog/vlog is very informative. I showed my family your photos and video. We would like to know how much the rates are for the different activities you showed. It would be nice to know how much it would cost us to enjoy the different activities in Mount Titlis. I would really appreciate if you could give me a reply. Thanks.