Travel on the luxury MOB Golden Pass Express panoramic, historic Belle Epoque, and express trains from Montreux on Lake Geneva to Interlaken via Château d’Oex, Gstaad, and Zweisimmen in the Swiss Alps with easy onward connections to Lucerne, Bern, and Gruyeres.
The MOB Golden Pass trains connect Montreux with Alpine villages including Gstaad, Zweisimmen, and Interlaken. These luxury trains with large panorama windows have no surcharge or compulsory seat reservations. Three special trains operate daily on this route. The luxury Golden Pass Express trains can travel from Montreux to Interlaken. The older Golden Pass Panoramic and nostalgic Belle Epoque trains are more frequent but travel only from Lake Geneva to Zweisimmen (with easy onward connections). These trains are integrated into the Swiss public transportation network but are excellent choices for panoramic railway journeys or day trips from Lake Geneva to Alpine villages.
→→ See Luxury Golden Pass Panoramic Trains for the different trains and travel classes. Ticket prices vary only for the class of travel, not by the type of train so book the nicest.
Golden Pass Line Panoramic Train Journeys in Switzerland
The Golden Pass Line from Montreux into Alpine valleys is one of the most beautiful railway journeys in Switzerland. The full Golden Pass Line route is from Montreux on Lac Léman to Lucerne on the Vierwaldstättersee via Interlaken on Lake Thun.
The panoramic railway journey from Montreux to Lucerne has been possible since 1916 but requires two or three train changes. Traveling time can be as fast as just over five hours. However, the traditional trip is now rarely done on a single day, as non-leisure travelers prefer alternative routes taking less than three hours.
The three sections of the Golden Pass Line are operated by different railway companies. Although that is not particularly important to travelers, as all tickets are standard Swiss Railway tickets without panorama train surcharges or compulsory reservations, it is worth noting the different names and designs that may appear on the trains.
Golden Pass Line Trains from Montreux to Lucerne
The three sections of the Golden Pass Line in Switzerland are:
Montreux to Zweisimmen (80 km / 2 hours) is traditionally the section most associated with the name Golden Pass. This narrow gauge track (1000 mm), in operation since 1912, is the only section using special, luxury panorama windows trains by MOB Golden Pass on most journeys.
Zweisimmen to Interlaken (60 km / 1h15) is on standard-gauge tracks (1435 mm) and operated by BLS Regio Express trains. A train change is usually required in Zweisimmen but the Golden Pass Express trains (up to four times per day in each direction) adapt for direct Montreux to Interlaken journeys.
Interlaken to Luzern (80 km / 2 hours) is on narrow-gauge tracks but requires a cogwheel for the steep inclines at Brünig-Hasliberg. The Luzern-Interlaken Express trains are operated by Die Zentralbahn (ZB) and travel along Lake Brienz and via Meiringen (Sherlock Holmes Museum and Reichenbach Waterfalls) en route to beautiful Lucerne.
Although the Golden Pass Line from Lucerne to Montreux passes through some of the most spectacular Swiss countryside including eight major lakes and beautiful views of numerous 4,000 m Alpine peaks, only the Golden Pass trains use special luxury carriages with usually large panorama windows. Food and drinks are only served on Golden Pass Express trains and only on the Montreux-Zweisimmen stretch of the journey — picnicking is of course allowed on all trains.
→ See also Best Luxury Panorama Express Trains in Switzerland for an overview of the top Swiss luxury trains that often combine into the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.
Route of the Golden Pass Trains from Montreux to Interlaken
The MOB Golden Pass Line trains from Montreux to Zweisimmen with some services continuing to Interlaken follow one of the most beautiful railway routes in Switzerland. Travelers enjoy marvelous vistas of Lake Geneva, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed vineyards of the Lavaux, before the train passes through a tunnel into Alpine valleys.
Montreux
The Golden Pass panoramic train journey starts from Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva at 395 m above sea level. The train immediately starts climbing the mountain making several full U-turns en route to the Jaman Tunnel (1112 m), after which it emerges in an Alpine Valley. (The wow moment on the return route occurs when the train emerges from the tunnel to reveal the stunning panorama of Lake Geneva with the French Alps in the background before passing through the Lavaux vineyards while descending towards the lake.)
All Golden Pass trains depart from the MOB Golden Pass station directly next to the regular Swiss Railways (CFF / SBB) Montreux train station — the signposting and platform numbering make changing trains here very easy.
Montreux has excellent train connections to all Lake Geneva and Valais Valley destinations. Many CGN lake excursion boats also call at Montreux en route to Vevey, Lausanne, or nearby Chateau de Chillon. For unrushed train connections, depart from Geneva around 90 minutes and Lausanne half an hour before the Golden Pass train leaves from Montreux.
Main Golden Pass Stations from Montreux to Zweisimmen
Golden Pass trains connect Montreux and Zweisimmen mostly hourly. The luxury Golden Pass Express trains travel four times per day all the way to Interlaken and stop less frequently than other trains on this route but the overall traveling times remain roughly the same.
The Golden Pass Express trains always stop at the following stations while other trains stop also at further stations (m above sea level and approximate traveling time from Montreux):
Montboven (797 m / 50 minutes)
Montboven is the first stop after exiting the tunnel and reaching the Alpine valleys. Change at Montboven for trains to beautiful Gruyères (medieval village with castle and several museums — cheese making, HR Giger “Aliens”, Tibet) or Broc (via Bulle) with the Maison Cailler chocolate factory (unlimited sampling!).
The Chocolate Train excursion (Le Train du Chocolat / Der Schokoldenzug) by MOB is worth considering as it makes it easy to combine the sights in a single day. The basic routing is by train from Montreux to Montbovon, bus to Gruyeres (cheese production and medieval village), bus to Broc Cailler chocolate factory, and by bus back to Montreux.
Château d’Oex (967 m / 1 hour)
Château d’Oex is famous for its hot air balloon festival and Espace Ballon Museum.
The Cheese Train excursion (Le Train du Fromage / Der Käsezug) excursion includes a train from Montreux (or Zweisimmen), a cheesemaking demonstration, and a fondue lunch all within easy walking distance of the station.
Gstaad (1049 m / 1h20)
Gstaad remains a very fashionable resort with expensive boutiques but the lack of snow in recent years dented its reputation somewhat. Change here for the Glacier 3000 and the Peak Walk suspension bridge with views of 24 peaks over 4000 m high.
Saanenmöser (1274 m / 1h35)
The highest point on the Golden Pass Line between Montreux and Luzern. The area is popular with hikers, cross-country skiers, and gourmets.
Zweisimmen (941 m / 2 hours)
The Golden Pass railway from Montreux to Zweisimmen is a narrow-gauge track (1000 mm). In Zweisimmen, most travelers (including Golden Pass Panorama or Belle Epoque train passengers) have to make a quick train transfer to a regular Swiss regional train (operated by BLS) if heading for Spiez, Bern, Interlaken, or Luzern.
Only passengers of the special Golden Pass Express (GPX) trains may stay comfortably onboard as the GPX trains automatically change from the narrow-gauge (1000 mm) track to the regular track (1435 mm) to continue the journey directly to Interlaken Ost (via West). The Golden Pass Express (GPX) trains run up to four times per day in each direction — the ticket price is the same as for any other train on this route, so worth selecting if going all the way to Interlaken.
Route of the Golden Pass Trains from Zweisimmen to Interlaken
While the Golden Pass Express (GPX) trains go directly from Montreux to Interlaken, other travelers have a simple train change at Zweisimmen. These regular trains operated by BLS are pleasant enough but not nearly as special as any of the Golden Pass trains.
The regular regional trains from Zweisimmen follows the Simmen Valley with the two main stops:
Spiez (628 m)
Explore beautiful Spiez with Spiez Castle or take the train to Bern or Thun. Explore Lake Thun by boat and don’t miss the romantic Schloss Oberhofen.
Interlaken Ost (567 m)
The final stop of the Golden Pass Express trains is Interlaken Ost, the main train station of Interlaken. (Trains also stop a few minutes earlier at Interlaken West.)
Interlaken is not particularly beautiful or interesting but it is the central transportation and accommodation hub for one of the most beautiful and most popular parts of Switzerland. Trains depart from here to Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe station — an expensive journey but ending at the highest railway station in Europe. (Save time but not money by doing part of the journey on the fast Eiger Express cable car via Grindelwald.)
The 115-km journey from Montreux to Interlaken takes 3:15 on the direct Golden Pass Express trains and around 4 hours if a train change is required in Zweisimmen.
Golden Pass Train Tickets and Prices from Montreux
The price of tickets for traveling on the Golden Pass trains is exactly the same as for traveling on any regular train in Switzerland. Seat reservations on Golden Pass trains, in contrast to many other panoramic trains in Switzerland such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, are not obligatory. Although seat reservations are optional, it is strongly recommended, especially in the high season. Buy tickets before boarding trains in Switzerland.
Trains on the Golden Pass Line are privately operated but part of the regular Swiss public transportation system. As a result, all usual savings deals and passes may be used.
Tickets for traveling from Montreux to Interlaken are around CHF60 (CHF96 First-Class) or to Lucerne CHF92 (CHF160 First-Class). Return is simply double one-way fares but sometimes specials may be on offer.
→→ See Cheapest Tickets and Golden Pass Train Savings Deals for updated information, package deals, and tips for booking the best trains.
Trains of the Golden Pass Line from Montreux
Four kinds of trains operate on the Golden Pass Line from Montreux to offer roughly an hourly service to Zweisimmen. The basic ticket prices are the same on all these trains with reservations highly advisable on the panorama trains but not essential.
The four Golden Pass Line trains are:
- Golden Pass Express trains (GPX) are the newest, most luxurious trains with the largest panorama windows and the best choice. The GPX trains run up to four times directly in each direction from Montreux to Interlaken Ost.
- Golden Pass Panoramic trains are slightly older but still luxurious with large with panorama windows. Up to eight trains run daily in each direction between Montreux and Zweisimmen.
- Golden Pass Belle Epoque are nostalgic trains inspired by the Golden Mountain Pullmann and Orient Express trains from the 1930s. These trains are very comfortable and romantic but without the panorama sky windows of the newer trains. Usually two trains per day in each direction — often fully booked in summer.
- Regular regional trains are mostly used for departures from Montreux (or Zweisimmen) earlier than 7:00 or after 18:00.
→→ See Luxury Golden Pass Trains from Montreux for more on the different trains and services.
More on MOB Golden Pass Trains from Montreux
- Travel on the Golden Pass Line Trains from Montreux for more on the railway routing that connects Montreux with Lucerne via Zweisimmen and Interlaken.
- Luxury Golden Pass Panoramic Trains for the different trains and travel classes.
- Ticket Prices and Booking Tips for Golden Pass Trains — reservations are optional but sensible.
- Book Excursions and Day-Trip Tours from Montreux
- Book Golden Pass Train Tickets at MOB.
- Overview of the Best Luxury Panorama Express Trains in Switzerland