By rail · FUNICULAR & MOUNTAIN RAILWAY RIDES

Where to Ride a Mountain Railway: the 15 Best Cog Trains & Funiculars Worldwide

52 rail days  ·  from $15 a seat

A rack train climbs where an ordinary one cannot, at walking pace, with the valley opening behind you. These 15 compare the cog railways, the water-balanced cliff lifts and the cable-car alternatives on price, climb time and what the weather does to them.

Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch - The Oller del Mas winery and its old stone setting
Barcelona Train Tours, Food & Drink, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Spain, Lunch Experiences, Spain Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Tours, Wine Tours

Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch

1.Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,290 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $81Our pick

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat by air-conditioned bus and cogwheel train, tour the Basilica with an English-speaking guide, then choose wine and tapas or a full lunch at a centuries-old winery. Guides such as Thais, Toni, Mariana, and Lesly are praised for clear explanations and warm humor.

“The tour and our tour guide Vince was absolutely amazing and super knowledgeable!! Beautiful experience!”

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Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise - From Lucerne to Kriens by Coach
Cruises & Boat Tours, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Switzerland, Lucerne Train Tours, Switzerland Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Tours

Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

2.Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,338 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $212

From Lucerne, a guide such as Gaby, Judith, or Dominik leads you by bus, gondola, aerial cable car, cogwheel train, and boat to Mt. Pilatus. You get mountain views, free time for easy walks, and a summer cruise back to Lucerne.

“Great tour w/excellent company and guide. Wonderful way to experience Pilatus. Strongly recommend.”

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From Interlaken: Guided Tour to Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe - The gondola ride to Eiger Glacier
Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Switzerland, Guided, Interlaken Train Tours, Switzerland Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Interlaken: Guided Tour to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

3.Guided Tour to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,649 reviews · 7 hours · from $342

Travel from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch with a multilingual guide, riding the gondola from Grindelwald to Eiger Glacier and the cogwheel train to the summit. You get at least two hours at the top for the Sphinx Terrace, Plateau, Ice Palace, and Alpine Sensation before returning through Lauterbrunnen.

“Great organisation, kudos to Olga who was so motivated despite having a sore throat”

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Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich - A quick stop in Interlaken
1-Day Tours, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Switzerland, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Zurich, Switzerland Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Zurich Train Tours

Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich

4.Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,647 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $380

Travel from Zurich to Jungfraujoch with an English-speaking guide, riding the cogwheel railway, Ice Palace route, Sphinx Observatory, and Eiger Express. Guides such as Kid, Raymond, and Xavier are praised for keeping groups together and taking photos, though the 11.5-hour day can feel rushed.

“This was an exceptional tour. It is a bit rushed because you cover a lot on this day tour but completely worth it if one has limited time to spend in the mountains. Our guide Kid was so fun, organized and he took the best pics and videos which made the whole experience memorable. Our driver was also very good. Completely worth the money!”

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Krakow: Zakopane, Funicular, Cheese, and Highland Day Trip - Chochołów and the wooden highlander houses
1-Day Tours, Cheese, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Krakow Train Tours, Poland Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Tours

Krakow: Zakopane, Funicular, Cheese, and Highland Day Trip

5.Zakopane, Funicular, Cheese, and Highland Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,489 reviews · 9 hours · from $22

Travel from Krakow in a comfortable van with an English-speaking guide such as Dawid, Lucas, or Marcin. Visit Chochołów, taste smoked oscypek and local alcohol, see a wooden chapel and ski jump, then ride the Gubałówka funicular for wide Tatras views before exploring Zakopane.

“Trip was great from start to finish. Our guide was great. very informative.”

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Interlaken: Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm - The 10-minute climb up Harder Kulm
Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Switzerland, Interlaken Train Tours, Switzerland Train Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Tours

Interlaken: Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm

6.Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,469 reviews · 1 day · from $49

Take the 10-minute funicular from Interlaken Harderbahn to Harder Kulm at 1,322 meters. Walk to the Two Lakes Bridge, look toward Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, and enjoy the restaurant or sunset before choosing your return ride. The $49 round-trip ticket is valid for one day.

“lovely lady at reception allowed us specific access due to mothers wheelchair usage very wheelchair friendly with free parking very helpful and friendly staff breathtaking views at the top helpful shops at the top selling merchandise, snacks and drinks as well as a restaurant”

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Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland - The Eiger Express from Grindelwald to the glacier
1-Day Tours, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Switzerland, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Zurich, Switzerland Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Zurich Train Tours

Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland

7.Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,409 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $386

Travel from Zurich to Jungfraujoch with a multilingual guide, riding the Eiger Express gondola and cogwheel train to 11,332 feet. Explore the Sphinx Observatory, Ice Palace, and Alpine Sensation, with stops in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen. Guides may include Lars, Olga, Monica, or Andrea.

“Wonderful. I strongly recommend. Bus was comfortable. The guide was awesome lady. Explain and show the places. Was a wonderful experience.”

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Old Quebec Classique Walking Tour with Funicular - Starting beside the Old Port on Rue Saint-Paul
Canada Train Tours, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Tours, Walking Tours

Old Quebec Classique Walking Tour with Funicular

8.Old Quebec Classique Walking Tour with Funicular

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,317 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $42

Walk through Old Quebec with a licensed guide in a group of up to 12. See Lower Town, Place Royale, Petit Champlain, the fortifications, Château Frontenac, and Notre-Dame Basilica, then ride the funicular to Upper Town. Guides such as Sam, Lynn, Luis, and Pierre bring history to life.

“Two hours of walking in Old Quebec. Minimal stairs. Luis was a fabulous guide - personable, funny, knowledgeable. You would be lucky to have him for your tour.”

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Krakow to Zakopane: Funicular, Tasting and Thermal Baths Day Trip - The early ride from Krakow to Podhale
1-Day Tours, Food & Drink, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Krakow Train Tours, Poland Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Tours

Krakow to Zakopane: Funicular, Tasting and Thermal Baths Day Trip

9.Krakow to Zakopane: Funicular, Tasting and Thermal Baths Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,189 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $53

Travel from Krakow to Zakopane with an English or Spanish guide, taste smoked oscypek and local vodka at a shepherd’s hut, ride the Gubałówka funicular, stroll Krupówki, and spend three hours at Chocholowskie Thermal Baths. Pickup may be available from your hotel.

“Amazing tour to go on and it was a great experience, I felt very comfortable even though I went solo and it was a great opportunity to speak to new people!”

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Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne - The road to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen
1-Day Tours, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Switzerland, Lucerne Train Tours, Switzerland Train Tours, Tour Reviews

Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne

10.Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 840 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $366

Leave central Lucerne by coach for Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Jungfraujoch. Your guide handles the trains and Eiger Express, leaving you to enjoy the Ice Palace, Sphinx Observatory, Aletsch Glacier, and high Alpine views. Guides may include Kid, Hans, Raymond, or Hansruedi.

“A full day adventure. Our tour guide Kid took very good care of us and took lots of pictures for us. Take food as there is not much time to purchase food.”

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Lyon Highlights & Secrets Walking Guided Tour (small group) including Funicular - Starting at Place des Terreaux
France Train Tours, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Tours, Walking Tours

Lyon Highlights & Secrets Walking Guided Tour (small group) including Funicular

11.Lyon Highlights & Secrets Walking Guided Tour (small group) including Funicular

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 831 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $39

Meet Toni or a member of the M&T Lyon Tours team at the Bartholdi Fountain for a three-hour English walking tour through Place des Terreaux, Vieux Lyon, and Fourvière Hill. Expect secret passageways, Roman remains, city views, history, humor, and practical restaurant tips.

“Toni was a fantastic guide and very passionate about his city, He did a great job explaining Lyon - both its past and present. His tour has given me an increased knowledge and appreciation for the city.”

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Naples: Panoramic Walking Tour with Funicular - Vomero shows Naples at its calmest
Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Italy, Italy Train Tours, Naples Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Tours, Walking Tours

Naples: Panoramic Walking Tour with Funicular

12.Panoramic Walking Tour with Funicular

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 828 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Ride Naples’ Funicolare Centrale to Vomero, then walk downhill with a local guide through Via Palizzi, the Petraio stairways, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and the Spanish Quarters. Expect Gulf views, Vesuvius, Capri, local stories, and a finish at Pignasecca Market.

“Virginia was an excellent guide, welcoming, charming and informative.”

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Ljubljana: Castle Entry Ticket with Optional Funicular Ride - First impressions inside the medieval fortress
Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Tours

Ljubljana: Castle Entry Ticket with Optional Funicular Ride

13.Ljubljana: Castle Entry Ticket with Optional Funicular Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 718 reviews · 1 day · from $17

Spend a day exploring Ljubljana Castle at your own pace, with access to the tower, chapel, Slovenian History Exhibition, Museum of Puppetry, Virtual Castle, and grounds. Add the funicular, multilingual audio guide, or theatrical Time Machine tour for more context and less uphill walking.

“The tour was fantastic!!! Simona was amazing!! She was very attentive, knowledgeable, and nice. The sights were beautiful!! Definitely recommend this tour!!”

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Quebec City: Old Quebec Classic Walking Tour with Funicular - Starting at 112 Rue Saint-Paul
Canada Train Tours, City Tours, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Tours, Walking Tours

Quebec City: Old Quebec Classic Walking Tour with Funicular

14.Quebec City: Old Quebec Classic Walking Tour with Funicular

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 695 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $37

Walk through Lower and Upper Old Quebec with guides such as Luis, Sam, Diane, and Murielle. See Place Royale, Petit Champlain, Château Frontenac, and Terrasse Dufferin, then ride the funicular up the hill. Expect two hours of history, views, cobblestones, and local advice.

“Diane our guide was knowledgeable and her sense of humour gave a light touch to the information she imparted to us . We really enjoyed the tour and saw areas we wouldn't have found on our own as we were only in the city for a short time . Diane is very proud to be a guide in her beautiful Quebec City and made us laugh when talking about the English ! We are from England and she was pleased to welcome us even though we'd invaded and beaten the French in years gone by when they thought they were safe from any invasion 😀. A great tour we recommend.”

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Barcelona: Montserrat, Black Madonna, Rack Railway & Liquors - The 70-minute coach ride from Barcelona
Barcelona Train Tours, Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides, Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Spain, Spain Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Tours

Barcelona: Montserrat, Black Madonna, Rack Railway & Liquors

15.Montserrat, Black Madonna, Rack Railway & Liquors

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 679 reviews · 5 hours · from $28

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat by comfortable coach and scenic rack railway. Depending on your option, your English or Spanish guide leads you into the basilica, the Throne of the Virgin, audiovisual rooms, and a monk-made liqueur tasting. Guides have included Laura, Blanca, Enrique, and Anna.

“A gentle, slow-paced tour. Perfect for anyone looking for something more reflective than fast-paced sightseeing.”

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New in Funicular & Mountain Railway Rides

★ 5.0Attraction Ticket: Jungfraujoch self-guided day tripFrom $4713 reviews
★ 4.2Alpine Majesty: Bern to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private TourFrom $9545 reviews
★ 4.8From Zurich or Lucerne: 2-Day Jungfraujoch TourFrom $69813 reviews
★ 4.9Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat TourFrom $76414 reviews
★ 5.0Private Mt. Gornergrat and Zermatt TourFrom $85815 reviews
★ 4.5Zermatt Village Walk and Mt. Gornergrat Private Day TripFrom $64412 reviews
★ 4.5Attraction Ticket: Zermatt to Mount Gornergrat SummitFrom $26523 reviews
★ 3.6Rio: Maracanã Stadium & Christ the Redeemer by Rack RailwayFrom $8954 reviews
★ 4.7Lake Como: Easy Mountain Trek with Funicular & Boat RideFrom $20324 reviews
★ 4.8Genoa: Guided Panoramic City Tour with FunicularFrom $4224 reviews
★ 4.4Jungfraujoch Guided Day Tour with Cogway TrainFrom $36061 reviews
★ 4.5Zermatt & Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Day Trip from BaselFrom $74930 reviews
★ 4.5Zermatt & Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Day Trip from ZürichFrom $75672 reviews
★ 4.6Lugano: 3-Hour Monte San Salvatore Tour with Funicular RideFrom $2677 reviews
★ 4.5Zakopane Tour with Gubalowka Funicular & MuseumFrom $9780 reviews

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