The GoldenPass route
The GoldenPass starts in German-speaking Lucerne and ends in French-speaking Montreux. Towns along the way are Meiringen, Interlaken, Spiez, Zweisimmen and Gstaad.
Section 1: Lucerne to Interlaken Ost
The trains on this section are referred to as the "Luzern-Interlaken Express". The train departs from Lucerne and passes the foot of the Pilatus mountain. You can see Lake Lucerne every now and then, but you will soon leave it behind you.
You'll pass two more lakes, the Sarnersee and the Lungernsee, before the train starts climbing the Brünig Pass. The pass has an altitude of 1008 m, which isn't very high for Swiss standards. Next, the train has to descend 413 m to reach Meiringen at 595 m on the valley floor, and it uses the cogwheel track to do so.
The train changes direction in Meiringen. A flat stretch through the Hasli valley follows before the train reaches Brienz along beautiful Lake Brienz. About 20 minutes later the train arrives in Interlaken Ost (East), which is the gateway to the Jungfrau region.
Sit on the right side of the train for the best view of the lakes and the view while descending from the pass down to Meiringen.
Section 2: Interlaken Ost to Zweisimmen
First the train runs along the river Aare to the other side of Interlaken. It continues its way to Spiez, a town at a scenic location along Lake Thun. You can easily see the pyramid shaped Mount Niesen from here.
The GoldenPass line proceeds into the Simmen valley: a typically Swiss green valley with farms, small villages, forests and surrounded by mountains.
You can best sit on the right side for the view on Lake Thun, but this is only a short section.
Section 3: Zweisimmen to Montreux
First the train climbs to the highest point of the entire GoldenPass line, near Saanenmöser, at 1279 m. Next up is the upper-class town of Gstaad, with luxurious shops and hotels. Soon after you will leave the German speaking part of Switzerland and enter the French speaking part.
The train winds its way through the valley, which is quite narrow in some places. The valley ends in a tunnel that leads to Les Avants. From there, Montreux is just 3 km as the crow flies, but there are still 578 metres left to descend. Cogwheel track and many curves are required to complete the last 20 minutes of the journey, and you will have a wonderful view of Lake Geneva along the way.
It does not matter that much on which side of the train you sit. We think the right side provides a slightly...
Read moreDear Sir / Madam,
I am writing to request a full refund and of my order for 3 seat reservation, 2 breakfast boxes, and cheese board, as well as to complain about the experience. I have had a terrible experience with my family during the goldenpass express on 23rd July.
With the operational disruption you claimed, my travel plan is tremendously disrupted. The arrangement is very chaotic and messy. No one, not a single staff has told us what to do and how should we change trains and busses. Some staff literally told us to go to platform 5 for the follow-up train but then suddenly we have to go to platform 8?We, the passengers, are seen as some burden or chores by the staff during the whole transferring process. This is not what I expected when I paid the money and definitely not what you claimed the experience would be on the promotional material and website.
Besides the arrangements of transferral, the breakfast time does not make any sense too, especially with your disruption. The food was served at 10:05, and we were told to got off train at 10:20 straight?I didn't pay around 50chf to stressfully swallow my breakfast and cheeseboard with the wine in 15 mins. The lunch break at work is longer than this. Moreover I didn't even have the chance to finish my breakfast and have to give up the rest as I have to rush for the follow-up train. This is much more than disappointing but is unacceptable.
I fully understand that some disruptions are unpredictable but the consequences should not be beared by us the passengers. That's unacceptable especially as a big company like yours. Not mentioning that the arrival time was also delayed.
I request a full refund along with your thoughtful response to this extremely unpleasant experience. Please look into this and I look forward to your improvement and your...
Read moreI recently had the opportunity to use the Golden Rail Pass in Switzerland to travel from Interlaken to Montreux, and I must say, it was an amazing experience.
First of all, the convenience of the Golden Rail Pass cannot be overstated. With just one pass, I was able to travel on various trains, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland. This made planning my journey incredibly easy, as I didn't have to worry about buying separate tickets for each leg of the trip.
The train ride from Interlaken to Montreux was absolutely breathtaking. As we passed through picturesque Swiss towns and charming countryside, I couldn't help but be in awe of the stunning scenery. The train itself was comfortable and clean, with large windows that offered panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
One of the highlights of the journey was the section between Zweisimmen and Montreux, known as the GoldenPass Line. This part of the route takes you through the beautiful Swiss Alps, offering jaw-dropping views of snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, and charming mountain villages. It truly felt like a magical journey.
In addition to the train ride, the Golden Rail Pass also allowed me to explore the towns of Interlaken and Montreux. Both cities have their own unique charm and offer a range of activities and attractions. From visiting the famous Chillon Castle in Montreux to taking a boat trip on Lake Thun in Interlaken, there was never a dull moment.
Overall, I cannot recommend the Golden Rail Pass enough. It not only offers incredible value for money but also allows you to experience the beauty of Switzerland in a unique and convenient way. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or simply someone looking to relax and enjoy the stunning Swiss landscape, the Golden Rail Pass is...
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