With Swiss trains, you’ll get to your destination, but scenic trains take you through some of the most beautiful scenery. Those Panoramic Switzerland trains have huge windows that let you see every inch of the scenery. Passing through the meadows, you can see the Swiss Alps and cows grazing.
With the Golden Pass Line, you can enjoy many of Switzerland’s delights, including lakes and mountains. From Lucerne to Montreux, it links German-speaking Switzerland to French-speaking Switzerland. It’s an incredibly scenic route.
The Golden Pass Line
The Golden Pass line connects six different Swiss cantons, crosses three mountain passes, and traverses 8 different lakes. Basically, the Golden Pass Line is a marketing umbrella that covers three different train routes.
Here are the three Golden Pass Line train routes:
| Route | Train | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montreux to Zweisimmen | GoldenPass | The train goes through Lake Geneva before going through a tunnel. The tunnel is followed by alpine forests and mountain villages until you reach Zweisimmen. |
| Zweisimmen to Interlaken Ost | GoldenPass Express | The train crosses through the Simmen Valley as it travels along the shores of Lake Thun towards Interlaken. |
| Interlaken Ost to Lucerne | Luzern-Interlaken Express | The train takes you past five lakes, waterfalls, and the Brünig mountain pass. |
In contrast to the Glacier Express, where you stay on the train from Zermatt to St. Moritz, you’ll have to change trains from Lucerne to Montreux. It’s not one continuous ride.
However, as of December 2022, you will be able to travel from Montreux to Interlaken Ost (or vice versa) without having to change trains.
GoldenPass Trains
There are three trains between Zweisimmen and Montreux:
- GoldenPass Belle Epoque
- GoldenPass Panoramic
- GoldenPass Express
You can check sbb.ch to ensure that you will be riding your chosen train.
NOTE: You may reserve your seats at https://journey.mob.ch/en/.
GoldenPass Express
Starting December 2022, a new revolutionary train called GoldenPass Express was introduced. This train ride brings you from the Vaud Riviera to the Bernese Alps without having to change trains in Zweisimmen.
Using variable-gauge bogies, this train can adapt not only to different widths, but also to different heights and electrical voltages of the network. This is truly one-of-a-kind and a must for train fans everywhere.
GoldenPass Belle Epoque or GoldenPass Panoramic
The Belle Epoque carriages on the GoldenPass train are old and romantic, similar to the Orient Express, while the panoramic trains look more like the Bernina Express or Glacier Express trains. You can check the schedule to make sure you’ll take your preferred train.
There’s also the option to travel only part of the GoldenPass, which means you just have to buy tickets for the trains you want to take.
Another interesting option available during Spring to Autumn is the Chocolate Train that goes from Montreux to the Nestlé Cailler chocolate factory in Broc.
How Long Does GoldenPass Train Take?
The following are the anticipated travel times for the GoldenPass route (updated January 2023).
GoldenPass Route: Montreux to Lucerne
| GoldenPass Route (Montreux to Lucerne) | GoldenPass Train | Expected Duration (in hours and minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Montreux – Zweisimmen | GoldenPass Panoramic, GoldenPass Belle Epoque | 2 hours 7 minutes |
| Montreux – Zweisimmen | GoldenPass Express | 1 hour 54 minutes |
| Zweisimmen – Interlaken Ost | GoldenPass Express | 1 hour 11 minutes |
| Montreux – Interlaken Ost | GoldenPass Express | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Interlaken Ost – Lucerne | Luzern-Interlaken Express | 1 hour 51 minutes |
GoldenPass Route: Lucerne to Montreux
| GoldenPass Route (Lucerne to Montreux) | GoldenPass Train | Expected Duration (in hours and minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Lucerne – Interlaken Ost | Luzern-Interlaken Express | 1 hour 49 minutes |
| Interlaken Ost – Zweisimmen | GoldenPass Express | 1 hour 12 minutes |
| Interlaken Ost – Montreux | GoldenPass Express | 3 hours 12 minutes |
| Zweisimmen – Montreux | GoldenPass Express | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Zweisimmen – Montreux | GoldenPass Panoramic, GoldenPass Belle Epoque | 2 hours 9 minutes |
Regular Train vs. GoldenPass
If you have the chance to catch a panoramic train route, whether it’s GoldenPass, Glacier Express, or Bernina Express, I’ll always recommend it. You should definitely try it, especially the Panorama or Belle Epoque trains between Montreux and Zweisimmen.
With the Swiss Travel Pass, the GoldenPass Belle Epoque and Panoramic lines are free. So although the GoldenPass (or any scenic train) might take longer to traverse a certain route than a commuter train, if you have the time, it is definitely worth it.
GoldenPass Express trains require a reservation, which is subject to a fee.
Resources
- Luxury Train Club. Swiss Charter Train on the Golden Pass line. Photograph. Flickr. February 22, 2022. https://flic.kr/p/8cJWAh
- Luxury Train Club. Swiss Charter Train on the Golden Pass line. Photograph. Flickr. February 22, 2022. https://flic.kr/p/8cJWpj
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