Golden Pass Tickets

What is the GoldenPass Express?

The GoldenPass Express is a panoramic train that runs between Montreux and Interlaken. The journey lasts 3 hours and 15 minutes, during which you can kick back in your seat and soak up spectacular views of the Swiss countryside.

Connecting the shores of Lake Geneva to the alpine valleys surrounding Interlaken, the GoldenPass Express cuts through three prominent Swiss cantons: Vaud, Bern, and Freiburg. So, keep your eyes peeled for the palm fronds of Montreux, the picturesque hamlets dotting Gstaad, and the weeping glaciers of the Bernese Oberland.

The GoldenPass Express: Origins, evolution & groundbreaking engineering

• The GoldenPass Express has been in the works for over a century, dating back to 1873 when the idea to link Lake Geneva, Gstaad, and the lakes of Thun and Brienz was first proposed.
• In the early 20th century, two train tracks were built with different gauges. So, trains from Montreux to Zweisimmen run on a metric track (1m), and trains heading to Interlaken from Zweisimmen run on a standard track (1.435m).
• As a result of the tracks’ differing gauges, passengers would have to switch trains at Zweisimmen, which was not only a big hassle for locals but also for tourists hoping to get a direct connection between two prominent districts of Switzerland.
• However, with the GoldenPass Express, passengers no longer have to switch trains in the middle of their journey. This high-tech luxury train directly connects Montreux and Interlaken, thanks to the revolutionary variable gauge bogie technology.
• This groundbreaking feat of railway engineering, developed after 15 years of research, facilitates seamless transitions between metric and standard gauges within seconds. The carriages also rise from 35 cm on the metric track to 55 cm on the standard track. So the train can jump tracks and rise while still moving, and the passengers onboard would barely feel a thing.

Seat reservation for the GoldenPass Express

• While seat reservations aren’t mandatory for the GoldenPass Express, it is recommended that you purchase one, especially during the peak season (between late May and October).
• The reservation fee is CHF 20 for both first and second class passengers. We recommend reserving your seat as early as possible, preferably three to six months in advance.
• Children under six years old can travel for free on the GoldenPass Express, provided they don’t need a separate seat. If they need their own seat, you have to pay the full seat reservation charge for that seat.

Tips to make the most of your scenic journey

• If you’re a spontaneous traveler who makes last-minute plans or a budget traveler, ride the GoldenPass Express during the off-peak months, between November and April, so you don’t have to reserve a seat.
• While there are luggage racks at the end of each carriage, they cannot accommodate large suitcases. So, travel light. Carry a backpack with only essentials – phone, wallet, keys, water, snacks, regular medication, etc.
• For the best views, take a seat on the right side of the train when traveling from Montreux to Interlaken, and on the left side when heading the other way.
• Ride the GoldenPass Express between late May to August to see the meadows and valleys in full bloom.
• Order food packages in advance and sample a range of local products, from local cheeses to Valais and Lavaux wines. Order a Breakfast Box if you’re traveling in the morning, and an Apero-Plate Package for afternoon travel.
• Don’t want to pay extra for the food packages? Don’t worry! You can also carry your own snacks and drinks along for the ride.
• If you want to see snow-capped mountains, the best time to travel is between mid-December and February. However, there’s no guarantee that you will see snowy landscapes, as most of the ride is at lower altitudes where snow melts quickly, even during winter.