Golden Pass Line In Switzerland: All You Need To Know [2023]

Switzerland is known for its breathtaking views and scenic train routes, and the Golden Pass Line is no exception.

Included in the Swiss Travel Pass, this panoramic train takes you through some of Switzerland’s most scenic landscapes, from Lucerne to Interlaken to Montreux.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what you can expect from the Golden Pass Rail Line, including its timetable, route, cost, and all other important details.

QUICK ANSWERS: GOLDEN PASS LINE

Below you will find some quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Golden Line Pass.

WHAT IS THE GOLDEN PASS LINE?

The Golden Line Pass is a train route that connects central Switzerland with Lake Geneva – from Lucerne to Montreux.

The Golden Pass train consists of 3 sections:

• Luzern to Interlaken Ost
• Interlaken Ost to Zweisimmen
• Zweisimmen to Montreux

You can jump on the train to either Lucern or Montreux, which makes things convenient when traveling around Switzerland.

Needless to say, this train ride is a must-do for anyone visiting Switzerland.

RELATED GUIDE: The Perfect 8-Day Switzerland Itinerary

WHERE TO BUY THE GOLDEN LINE PASS?

Despite the Swiss Travel Pass being pretty easy to understand, the Golden Pass Switzerland is more difficult to understand and you’ll be scratching your head.

So, let me make it as easy as possible to get the system – you have 3 options:

1. The Golden Pass train is made of 3 routes, and each route is managed by different companies and offers different trains.

So you can either buy all 3 routes in one go on the SBB website or buy each route individually:

• Lucerne to Interlaken Ost on the Luzern-Interlaken Express
• Interlaken Ost to Zweisimmen on the train through Spiez
• Zweisimmen to Montreux on the GoldenPass Belle Epoque or GoldenPass Panoramic

2. A new route has been introduced in December 2022 – the Golden Express – which links Interlaken and Montreux – so you’ll take 2 trains instead of 3.

This route is more convenient and has a Prestige Class with rotating seats for better views. In this case, this is how you proceed:

• Buy the Lucerne to Interlaken Ost tickets on the SBB website
• Get your Golden Express tickets on the official website and take the Interlaken and Montreux route.

3. The most convenient option is to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass, which includes the 3 trains and you won’t need to buy extra tickets.

Note that, when taking the Golden Pass train with the Swiss Travel Pass, you won’t even need to book your seats, and that is a massive relief.

However, during peak season, I recommend booking your seats beforehand to guarantee and get the best spot on the train.

READ MORE: Swiss Travel Pass – Ultimate Guide

HOW MUCH IS THE GOLDEN PASS LINE?

The prices slightly vary depending on the season and the time of the day, but generally, these are the average prices for each section:

• Lucerne to Interlaken Ost: CHF 16.50
• Interlaken Ost to Zweisimmen: CHF 13.50
• Zweisimmen to Montreux: CHF 16.50

On top of that, you’ll want to book a seat to make sure you get the best spot on the train.

Reserving a seat on the Golden Pass panoramic train will cost you 9 CHF (about 10 USD) for each booking/leg.

The same cost will apply if you have the Swiss Travel Pass.

DOES THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS INCLUDE THE GOLDEN PASS LINE?

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass includes the train tickets on the Golden Line Pass.

The only element that is not included is the seat reservation, which is recommended during peak season.

While you’re at it, I recommend getting off in Interlaken and visiting Lauterbrunnen, one of the most scenic places in Switzerland!

READ MORE: BEST Things To Do In Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

GOLDEN PASS TRAIN ROUTE

The Golden Pass panoramic train route takes you from central Switzerland’s Lucerne to the glamorous resort town of Montreux on Lake Geneva.

But with 3 legs, there are so many sights you’ll have on the way – let me tell you everything about it.

LUCERNE TO INTERLAKEN OST

Duration: 1 hour and 53 minutes

Change of train: 1 change – in Brünig-Hasliberg

The first leg of the Golden Pass train route takes you from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost, a charming town nestled between two lakes and surrounded by the Swiss Alps.

Along the way, you’ll pass through quaint Swiss villages and witness some of the most stunning natural scenery you’ve ever seen – both in the winter and summer.

There’s a change of train involved, but it’s only a track change, so it’s quick and hassle-free.

INTERLAKEN OST TO ZWEISIMMEN

Duration: 1 hour and 29 minutes

Change of train: 1 change – in Spiez

The second leg of the Golden Pass Line goes from Interlaken Ost to Zweisimmen, a picturesque Swiss village known for its charming wooden chalets and traditional Alpine architecture.

And even if you’re not stopping in Spiez for the day, you’ll still be able to take the views in from the train, and that is such an experience.

The first part of the journey only lasts about 20 minutes, while the train from Spiez to Zweisimmen takes about 50 minutes, plenty of time to enjoy the show!

ZWEISIMMEN TO MONTREUX

Duration: 2 hours and 9 minutes

Direct Train

The last leg of the journey is from Zweisimmen to Montreux, and it’s the most scenic route on the Golden Pass rail by far.

The train ride starts in the charming village of Zweisimmen, where you’ll pass by lush green meadows and rolling hills before climbing up into the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps.

As you descend towards Montreux, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding vineyards – trust me when I say you’ll love the ride!

I would recommend booking your seat on this leg to make sure you get the best views. Plus, this is the best part of the Golden Pass Switzerland train and you expect lots of people onboard.

GOLDEN PASS TRAIN TIMETABLE

The trains run from early in the morning until late in the afternoon, and it’ll be easy for you to find a good time.

The trains leave as follows:

• Lucerne to Interlaken Ost: The first train leaves at 6.06 am and departs each hour until 9.06 pm.
• Interlaken Ost to Zweisimmen: The first train leaves at 5.31 am and departs every 30 minutes to 1 hour until 10 pm.
• Zweisimmen to Montreux: The first train leaves at 8.02 am and departs each hour until 5.02 pm.

And on the other direction, here are the timetables:

• Montreux to Zweisimmen: The first train leaves at 7.50 am and departs each hour until 5.50 pm.
• Zweisimmen to Interlaken Ost: The first train leaves at 4.58 am and departs every hour until 10.04 pm.
• Interlaken Ost to Lucerne: The first train leaves at 5.39 am and departs every 30 minutes until 10 pm.

Check out the available trains on the SBB timetable.

POPULAR DESTINATIONS ALONG THE GOLDEN PASS PANORAMIC TRAIN

The Golden Pass Panoramic Train takes you through some of Switzerland’s most popular and picturesque destinations, including:

• Meiringen
• Interlaken
• Spiez
• Zweisimmen
• Montreux
• Gstaad

All towns and areas along the Golden Pass train route are famous for their natural beauty and outdoor activities.

And while the train system is a little difficult to understand, the multi-leg route allows you to stop on the way to explore the Swiss countryside – how cool!

With so many incredible destinations along the way, it’s no wonder that riding the Golden Pass Panoramic Train is one of Switzerland’s most popular must-dos.

RELATED GUIDE: 15 Most Beautiful Places In Switzerland

GOLDEN PASS RAIL – FAQ

IS THE GOLDEN LINE PASS WORTH IT?

Absolutely!

You should definitely take the Golden Line panoramic train when in Switzerland, as it’s the best way to take in the views and travel from one part of the country to another.

On top of that, it’s included in the Swiss Travel Pass, so there’s no reason to skip it!

CAN I START THE GOLDEN PASS IN MONTREUX?

The Golden Pass Train line starts in Lucerne and Montreux, and you can ride the train in either direction.

You can get off at any stop on the way and take a train back whenever you want if you have the Swiss Travel Pass.

If you do not, you’ll have to make a new reservation for each train you’re taking.

WHAT CLASSES ARE THERE ON THE GOLDEN PASS TRAIN?

There are 2 classes on the Golden Pass train – 1st and 2nd classes, with the former costing a little more and adding more legroom.

On the other hand, in case you go for the Golden Express, you can also choose the Prestige Class, which has rotating seats but costs more.

CAN I TRAVEL WITH A LUGGAGE ON THE GOLDEN LINE TRAIN?

Sure, there is enough room on all trains for your luggage and backpack, and if there’s no space overhead, you’ll be able to store it near the train doors.

WHAT TO PACK FOR SWITZERLAND

When visiting Switzerland, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

SUMMARY – GOLDEN PASS RAIL

This was everything you needed to know about the Golden Pass Switzerland train route and inclusions.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about the Golden Pass Line Switzerland, please leave a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

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