The Golden Pass line allows travelers in Switzerland to experience the beauty of the Alpine country’s landscape in one scenic train journey.
The Golden Pass line starts about three hours away from Zurich Airport and ends about one hour from Geneva Airport. This makes it ideal for travelers to see the best of Switzerland in a limited time.
Along the way, you’ll see the the upscale resort town of Gstaad, the picturesque Simmen Valley, and Lake Geneva.
Note: The route used to include the Lucerne to Interlaken Express, but that is now a separate trip. It connects straight to the GoldenPass in Interlaken, so you can certainly combine the two though.
Table of Contents
Golden Pass Train Ride Duration
- Journey Time: 2.5 hours
- Start: Interlaken Ost
- End: Montreux
The entire trip from Interlaken Ost to Montreux or vice versa will take close to 2.5 hours.
The Golden Pass allows you to connect the high Swiss Alps in the Bernese Oberland with the Lake Geneva area while sitting back and enjoying the view.
The Golden Pass Train Route
You can travel to the Golden Pass Train Route in both directions between Lucern in Central Switzerland and Montreux near Lake Geneva. Lucern is in the German-speaking region, and Montreux is in the French-speaking region.
You can also break your journey up into three separate train legs: Lucerne to Interlaken, Interlaken to Zweisimmen, and Zweisimmen to Montreux.
Lucerne to Interlaken
The Golden Pass used to include the leg from Lucerne to Interlaken, and although that is still possible, it is now considered a separate train ride.
Want To Save This For Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
You can learn more about that here.
Types of Golden Pass Trains
For the journey from Interlaken Ost and Montreux, you can choose between the Golden Pass Panoramic train with huge panoramic windows and the Golden Pass Belle Époque with a luxurious and historical feel. The panoramic trains have a few first-class VIP seats in the front. Sitting here, you’ll have the same view as the driver. Limited catering is available. Regular trains are also available for this route.
Golden Pass also operates a couple of themed trains. For the spectacular scenery, to learn culinary history, to see live demonstrations, and of course, to sample the chocolate and cheese, book a trip on
Getting Tickets to the Golden Pass Line
Bookings for the Golden Pass Line, and all Swiss trains for that matter, can be made in person at the rail stations or on the SBB website.
However, if you wish to book yours ahead on the website, the Golden Pass Express has their own booking page here.
You need to choose the style of carriage and train you wish to take, then you can find any available seats on the dates you require.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About The Golden Pass Line
Is the Golden Pass Included in the Swiss Pass?
Yes, the Golden Pass train is included in the Swiss Pass. However, you must still make a seat reservation and pay the additional fee. It is advised to consider the price of the Swiss Pass about how long you plan to stay in Switzerland and the number of train trips you plan on taking.
How to Reserve a Seat on the Golden Pass Line?
Seat reservations can be made on the Golden Pass website or at an SBB office in Switzerland. However, not all trains allow reservations. Make sure your seat reservation and the train ticket you purchased match the train number, class, and departure time.
Can the Golden Pass Train be taken in both directions?
Yes, you can book all three legs from Interlaken Ost to Montreux and vice versa. There is no specific restriction on directions, so you can choose which way and which legs suit you best.
Which Side Do You Seat on the Golden Pass Train?
From Interlaken to Montreux, the views are slightly better on the right side but not enough to really make a difference since both sides offer stunning views from the panoramic windows.
Golden Pass Line: Is It Worth It?
Yes, the Golden Pass train is definitely worth it, especially for first-time visitors to Switzerland, especially if you are staying in both the Interlaken and Lake Geneva areas. The route was designed to offer travelers the best views in Switzerland in the shortest journey possible. It is totally worth the price, especially with the Swiss Pass. It will be the journey of a lifetime.
Credit to Wikimedia for the photo header.
Plan Your Trip to Switzerland
Accommodation: I always book my hotels via Booking.com. They have some of the best rates, longterm deals, easy cancellation and more 
Transport: Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Switzerland. Buying a Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to save money on travel and museums. 
Car Rental: Having a car gives you flexibility on your travels. I use RentalCars.com and Discover Cars to get the best deals on car rentals in Switzerland. 
Luggage Storage: Find out where you can store your store your luggage while you are visiting various places in Switzerland. 
Trips & Tours:Viator and Get Your Guide are the best places to find local tours and trips for your adventures in Switzerland. 
Packing: Here are my recommendations for what to pack for a trip to Switzerland. As someone who has lived half their life in Switzerland, I have a good idea of what you need to bring! 
Thank you. V.informative n helpful.Pls can u tell me how much does it cost to trvl on Golden pass panoramic Train from Lucern direct train to Montreux. Which is a good, clean, safe n convenient hotel to stay in Montreux. From Montreux, we would like to travel to Inter-laken, stay one night, then to Lauterbrunnen 1 night n to Grindelwald 1 night. From Grindelwald back to Zurich for 2 night and then back home. Pls may I know where can I buy oxygen can in Lucern, Interlaken as we want to go to Jungfraujoch. Thank you.
Interlaken to Zweisimmen on the Golden Pass Express or the Golden Pass Panoramic?
Pros/cons between the two?
We’ll connect in Zweisimmen to get on the Belle Ep. train.