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DAILY DEPARTURES YEAR-ROUND
Launched in 2023, the GoldenPass Express Train is the newest offering on the MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois) rail network, providing a seamless, change-of-train-free journey between the Montreux Riviera and the Bernese Oberland for the first time, with a new locomotive that can change its own gauge to accommodate the narrow-to-standard gauge on the line between the two regions.
In addition, the train offers Prestige Class at an affordable supplement, with large armchair-style seats that can turn to face whichever direction you prefer - face front, face backwards, or even face each other! A unique experience in Switzerland.
With so much to do in both areas, you might want to extend your stays and make this trip longer - just speak to the team and they will be pleased to help you customise your holiday.
If you prefer to take a trip on the GoldenPass Belle Epoque vintage carriages, let us know and we can swap it out for you!
Enhance your experience
Upgrade your rail to First Class from £150 per person
Upgrade the GoldenPass to Prestige Class
Amend the GoldenPass to Belle Epoque vintage carriages (timings will vary)
Upgrade your hotels
Extend your stay in Montreux and/or Interlaken
Add excursions and visits in Montreux area such as Chateau Chillion, Gruyères, Glacier 3000 (including the Peak Walk by Tissot), Cheese or Chocolate Train
Add excursions and visits in Interlaken area such as the Jungfraujoch, Brienzer Rothornbahn, Harder Kulm, or lake activities
The GoldenPass runs through the heart of Switzerland, between Montreux on the east end of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) and Lucerne further north. The full route takes around 5 hours; a journey that will take you through gorgeous Swiss scenery (is there any such thing as Swiss scenery that isn’t gorgeous?), from the lower lands of the French-speaking region, towards the mountainous core of the country; skirting the edges of Lakes Thun and Brienz before heading northwards to Lucerne. You’ll glide past cascading waterfalls, and get some dramatic views of the peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger mountains as you pass through the stunning Bernese Oberland.
This route involves a couple of changes of train but it’s just a quick hop to the opposite platform and on you go.
For part of the journey, between Montreux and Zweisimmen, you can choose to travel in either the classic charm of the Belle Époque carriages or the more modern Panoramic carriages, each offering a different ambience to view the passing undulating landscape.
Introducing a new train to the fleet in 2023, The GoldenPass Express will travel between Interlaken and Montreux directly, using an impressive feat of engineering that allows the train to negotiate the change of gauge on the line – the train lifts and adjusts to fit the width of the narrow 1m gauge track, and resets itself to continue on the standard tracks, without passengers having to change trains (please see below video to see how it’s done!).
In addition to that, the new Prestige Class carriage with its huge panoramic windows and supremely comfortable seating, allows for the seats to change direction, so forward-facing seats will never be a problem. Some seating will also give an up-front view through the driver’s cabin along the line ahead. Watch this space!
There a lots of options to include all, or just part, of this route into a Swiss Rail holiday and we can help guide you on how to best suit your holiday requirements, so give our Travel Specialists a call and we’ll “track down” the best options for you!
