GoldenPass Line
Lake Geneva vineyards to the Bernese Oberland, in Belle Époque style.
Route
Montreux → Interlaken
Duration
~3 hrs
High point
1,000 m
Reservation
Not required
Pass coverage
Swiss Travel Pass & Swiss Half Fare Card
Best months
May, June, July, August
The GoldenPass links Lake Geneva at Montreux to Interlaken and on to Lucerne, threading vineyards, pre-Alpine pastures, and three mountain lakes. The new GoldenPass Express now runs Montreux to Interlaken direct, with prestige carriages whose seats are raised for the view. It's the gentlest and most genteel of the great Swiss panoramic routes.
Is it worth it?
A lovely, lower-altitude alternative to the high-mountain panoramic trains — and an easy, beautiful way to connect Lake Geneva with the Jungfrau region without a car. Splurge on prestige class for the elevated swivel seats.
Insider tips
- The new GoldenPass Express runs Montreux–Interlaken direct, no change of train
- Prestige Class raises the seats for a better view — worth it on this route
- Continue from Interlaken to Lucerne to ride the full historic GoldenPass corridor
Bases on this line
Towns that make a natural start, finish, or overnight on this journey.
Questions, answered
- Do you need a reservation for the GoldenPass?
- Not necessarily — the GoldenPass is covered by Swiss rail passes and you can often just board. Reservations are optional but recommended in high season, especially if you want Prestige or First Class on the GoldenPass Express, whose premium seats are limited.
Not sure where to start?
Take two minutes to find the Alps base that actually fits your trip — then we'll send the route to match.
Or get the free 7-day starter route: