GOLDEN PASS LINE SCENIC TRAIN
Central Switzerland’s Panoramic Rail Ride
The Golden Pass Scenic
rail line runs between Lucerne in central Switzerland to Interlaken
over the Brünig Pass, then down to Montreux on Lake
Geneva via Zweisimmen. The journey carries passengers along the shore
of Lake Lucerne and through mountain passes of crisp green pasture of
grazing cows and wild flower festooned ancient Alpine chalets in summer,
and snowy capped Alps peaks in the late season. Enjoy the passing scenery
from the sleek modern train cars of gold and white with large panorama
view windows offering on board dining, salon car and rail bar service.
The front engine car has a special domed seating for front view of the
journey as if driving the train.
The
Golden Pass Route can be taken as a pre-booked tour,
or as the line runs along regular rail routes, can be taken like any
other train
and can be boarded with a Eurail Rail Pass including
Switzerland (see How
Eurail Passes Work) or Swiss Pass (see Swiss
Rail Pass) or
standard purchased ticket. For individual passengers, seat reservations
are not necessary - with a Rail Pass or Swiss Pass, just get on and find
an unreserved seat - but a seat reservation is a good idea in the
high season of summer when the popular train route can get pretty full.
The train operates both first class and second class sections. For groups,
reservations are mandatory. The VIP “Grand Vue” dome seats
at the front of the train require both a reservation and a ticket supplement
extra charge. The section of the Golden Pass line between Montreux and
Zweisimmen was the site of the first panoramic train in the days of the
iconic Orient Express. The “Golden Pass Classic” still operates
the historic Orient Express cars on this section of the route.
A straight-through
journey along the Golden Pass Line route takes about 5 hours, with
train changes at Interlaken and Zweisimmen, but with so
many of Switzerland’s great sights along the way, the Golden Pass
route may best be taken in stages, stopping for an overnight along the
way with some side excursions, including two of Switzerland’s most
spectacular cog wheel trains at Mt Pilatus (see Mt
Pilatus Steepest Cog Train) and Jungfrau (Jungfraujuch
and Eiger Windows) - both require separate tickets – half
price with a Swiss Pass.
The
Golden Pass line makes stops in Meiringen, where the famous fictional
detective Sherlock Holmes met his literary end (for a time) at Reichenbach
Falls (see Sherlock
Holmes Meiringen), Interlaken, the gateway to the
Jungfrau region with the famed Eiger Mountain peak and Schilthorn with
its revolving restaurant (see Schiltorn
James Bond). After the Interlaken
Ost station, the Golden Pass Line stops in the historic Swiss Alps
playground of Gstaad, and passes by Chateau D’Oex where hot air
balloons rise over the peaks every January (see Chateau
D’Oex Balloon Festival).
Then the train makes a thrilling descent, passing through the wine
vineyards and country estates to reach the
shores
of Lake Geneva at Montreux, home of one of Europe’s best Jazz
Festivals (see Montreux
Jazz), and Castle Chillon made world famous
by Lord Byron (see Castle
Chillon).
If you haven’t had enough of trains, from Montreux you can take
the Chocolate Train (see Scenic
Swiss Chocolate Train) tour on Wagons-lit Pullman cars
to the Nestle-Cailler Factory in Gruyeres (see Chocolate
Factory Tour Broc). Other options for continued travel
in Switzerland, take a Lake Geneva Steamer
from
Montreux
to
Lausanne
or Geneva (see Lake
Geneva Steamer Cruises) or regular rail to Zermatt to
take the Glacier Express (see Glacier
Express Zermatt to St Moritz) to the east or the
just to see the glorious Matterhorn (see Gornergrat
Matterhorn Railway). Either way the Golden Pass Panoramic
Scenic Line takes you through some of Switzerland's most beautiful
country. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find best vacation travel deals for Switzerland on TripAdvisor
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
SEE ALSO:
WILLIAM
TELL EXPRESS CRUISE AND SCENIC RAIL
SWISS
TRANSPORT MUSEUM LUCERNE
POST HOTEL WEGGIS ON LAKE LUCERNE
MT. TITLUS ROTAIR AERIAL CABLE
SWITZERLAND
SCENIC TRAIN ROUTES
