GoldenPass Express: Switzerland's Best-Kept Scenic Train Secret

Most people have heard of the Glacier Express. Plenty know the Bernina Express. Far fewer have heard of the GoldenPass Express, and that's a shame, because it might be one of the most useful scenic trains in Switzerland.

It runs from the palm-lined promenade of Montreux on Lake Geneva, up through vineyards and Alpine pastures, past Gstaad and down towards the lakes at Interlaken. In just over three hours, you cross from French-speaking Switzerland into the German-speaking Bernese Oberland, with the scenery changing almost as often as the language.

What makes it special isn't only the view. It's where the train takes you and how easily it links some of the loveliest corners of the country.

You could spend a few nights beside Lake Geneva, visit a glacier, explore traditional mountain villages and continue to Lucerne on another scenic railway.

This isn't simply a train you ride once and fly home. It's a journey that can bring a whole Swiss holiday together.

What Makes the GoldenPass Express Special?

First, there's the train itself. While Switzerland's famous Glacier Express and Bernina Express are bright red, the GoldenPass Express has a distinctive dark blue and gold exterior that can look almost black.

Inside, large panoramic windows make the most of the passing scenery, whether you're travelling beside the lakes or climbing into the mountains.

Then there's the engineering.

The railway between Montreux and Interlaken uses two different track widths, which traditionally meant changing trains at Zweisimmen. Today, the GoldenPass Express has an ingenious system that adjusts its wheel assemblies, allowing you to travel the entire route without leaving your seat.

The journey takes around three hours and fifteen minutes, travelling through valleys, mountain villages and some beautiful lakeside scenery.

But what I particularly like about this route is that it doesn't need to be the main event of your holiday.

It can connect several destinations you'd love to visit anyway, turning an ordinary travel day into something rather special. You can see the full timetable on the official GoldenPass Express website.

Where Does the GoldenPass Express Go?

The GoldenPass Express travels between Montreux and Interlaken, with several interesting places to explore along the way.

You could travel the whole route in one go, but it's worth knowing what lies beyond the railway stations.

Montreux and Lake Geneva

Montreux makes a lovely starting point, particularly if you enjoy lakeside towns with plenty to explore nearby.

You can stroll along the promenade, visit Château de Chillon, one of Switzerland's most famous castles, or head into the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There's also the mountain railway to Rochers-de-Naye, where you can enjoy spectacular views across Lake Geneva.

If you're interested in food and wine, I'd suggest allowing a little extra time here. The surrounding region has vineyards, traditional restaurants and some beautiful smaller towns.

Château-d'Oex and the Pays-d'Enhaut

Château-d'Oex is a traditional Alpine village surrounded by wooden chalets, meadows and mountains.

It's especially well known for its International Balloon Festival, usually held in January, when colourful hot-air balloons fill the sky above the snowy valley.

Outside the festival, it's a lovely place for walking, discovering local cheese and enjoying a quieter side of Switzerland.

It's somewhere you might not have considered visiting if you weren't travelling on this particular route.

Gstaad and Glacier 3000

Gstaad might be famous for its luxury hotels and glamorous visitors, but there's much more to the area than its reputation suggests.

The village has traditional wooden chalets, beautiful mountain scenery and access to some wonderful walking routes.

Nearby, Glacier 3000 is one of the region's most exciting excursions. A cable car takes you high into the mountains, where the Peak Walk suspension bridge connects two summits. On a clear day, the views across the Alps are extraordinary.

You could stay in Gstaad for a couple of nights or include Glacier 3000 as an excursion while staying in the Lake Geneva region.

Spiez and Lake Thun

As the train approaches Interlaken, you'll reach the beautiful Lake Thun region.

Spiez is a particularly lovely place to stop, with a castle, vineyards, a small harbour and views across the lake towards the mountains.

You could take a boat trip to Thun, visit Oberhofen Castle or spend an afternoon exploring the lakeside villages.

If you'd prefer somewhere quieter than Interlaken, Spiez could make a wonderful base.

Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland

Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, surrounded by some of Switzerland's most famous mountain scenery.

It's a brilliant base for exploring the Bernese Oberland.

From here, you could visit Grindelwald, walk through the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley or travel up to Jungfraujoch, where you'll find glacier views and the highest railway station in Europe.

There are also lake cruises, mountain cable cars, walking routes and traditional villages to discover.

I'd suggest at least three nights in this region, particularly if you want to include a couple of mountain excursions.

And from Interlaken, you can continue towards Lucerne on the beautiful Luzern-Interlaken Express, another scenic train that travels past turquoise lakes and mountain villages.

Five Ways to Experience the GoldenPass Express

One of the best things about the GoldenPass Express is how easily it fits into different Swiss holidays.

You might want to explore lakes and mountains, enjoy local food and wine, travel from the UK without flying or combine several of Switzerland's scenic railways.

Here are five ideas to get you thinking.

1. Three Lakes and Two Glaciers

8 nights | Montreux, Interlaken and Lucerne

This is a wonderful introduction to Switzerland, combining lakeside towns, mountain excursions and two scenic railway journeys without constantly changing hotels.

Start with three nights in Montreux, exploring Lake Geneva, Château de Chillon and the surrounding vineyards.

One of the highlights could be a trip to Glacier 3000, where you'll travel by cable car into the mountains and walk across the spectacular Peak Walk suspension bridge.

Then board the GoldenPass Express for the journey to Interlaken, where you'll spend another three nights.

From here, you could visit Jungfraujoch, explore Grindelwald and, during its opening season, walk through the dramatic Grindelwald Glacier Gorge.

Finally, take the Luzern-Interlaken Express to Lucerne for two nights, giving you time to explore the old town, cross the famous Chapel Bridge and perhaps enjoy a cruise on Lake Lucerne.

Why I like this itinerary: You get a wonderful mix of experiences, but with only three hotel bases. It's a great way to see several sides of Switzerland without feeling as though you're constantly packing your suitcase.

2. A Taste of Switzerland

Cheese, chocolate, traditional villages and mountain scenery

If you enjoy discovering a destination through its food, Switzerland has plenty to tempt you.

You could begin with a few nights around Lake Geneva, exploring the vineyards of Lavaux and enjoying the restaurants of Montreux or Lausanne.

I'd also include a visit to Gruyères, a beautiful medieval village famous for its cheese. Nearby, you can discover how Swiss chocolate is made and, of course, sample some along the way.

Gruyères isn't directly on the GoldenPass Express route, so I'd arrange this as a separate excursion.

From Montreux, board the GoldenPass Express and travel through the mountains towards Interlaken, perhaps stopping in Gstaad for a night or two.

You could finish with lake cruises, traditional Swiss restaurants and a few days in Lucerne.

Why I like this itinerary: It combines the beautiful scenery Switzerland is famous for with opportunities to discover its villages, food and local traditions.

3. Switzerland Without Flying

A scenic rail holiday from the UK

If you enjoy train travel, why not make the journey to Switzerland part of the holiday too?

You could leave London St Pancras on the Eurostar to Paris, then continue by high-speed train into Switzerland.

I'd suggest beginning with a couple of nights in Zurich, exploring the old town and perhaps visiting the Lindt Home of Chocolate.

From there, travel to Lucerne for a few nights beside the lake.

Next comes the Luzern-Interlaken Express, a beautiful journey through mountain scenery towards Interlaken.

Spend a few days exploring the Bernese Oberland before boarding the GoldenPass Express to Montreux, where you could finish with a couple of nights beside Lake Geneva.

Then return to the UK by train, with connections planned around your preferred pace.

Why I like this itinerary: Rather than rushing through airports, you can enjoy the changing scenery as you travel across Europe. With carefully planned connections and comfortable hotels, the journey becomes part of the experience.

4. The GoldenPass and Glacier Express Together

Two famous Swiss railways, one wonderful holiday

If you've been considering the Glacier Express, you could include both trains in a longer Swiss holiday.

The Glacier Express is a leisurely, full-day journey across the Alps between St. Moritz and Zermatt, while the GoldenPass Express connects Lake Geneva with the Bernese Oberland.

You could begin in St. Moritz, spending a couple of nights exploring the Engadin Valley before boarding the Glacier Express.

After arriving in Zermatt, enjoy time beneath the Matterhorn, perhaps taking the Gornergrat railway for spectacular mountain views.

Then continue towards Montreux, where you can explore Lake Geneva before taking the GoldenPass Express to Interlaken.

You could finish with a few nights in the Bernese Oberland or continue on to Lucerne.

Why I like this itinerary: The two trains offer very different scenery, and the journey takes you through some wonderful parts of Switzerland. I'd allow enough time to enjoy Zermatt, Montreux and Interlaken rather than trying to fit everything into a short break.

Discover more ideas in my guide to Glacier Express holidays.

5. Switzerland's Four Scenic Trains

A longer journey through Switzerland's most beautiful landscapes

If scenic rail travel is a big part of what attracts you to Switzerland, you could combine four beautiful journeys into one holiday.

Each offers something different.

The Glacier Express takes you across high mountain passes between Zermatt and St. Moritz.

The Bernina Express travels through dramatic Alpine scenery before descending towards Italy.

The GoldenPass Express connects Lake Geneva with the Bernese Oberland, passing traditional villages and green valleys.

And the Luzern-Interlaken Express takes you past turquoise lakes and waterfalls between Lucerne and Interlaken.

You could build a longer itinerary around these journeys, adding time in places such as Zermatt, St. Moritz, Montreux, Interlaken and Lucerne.

Or perhaps you'd prefer to finish in Italy, spending a few nights beside Lake Como or exploring Milan.

Why I like this itinerary: You get to experience several very different landscapes, but I'd always start with the places you want to visit and then work out which trains fit naturally between them.

You can explore more ideas in my guide to Bernina Express holidays.

Is Prestige Class Worth It on the GoldenPass Express?

The GoldenPass Express offers Second Class, First Class and Prestige Class.

Prestige Class is the most exclusive option, with spacious leather seats, raised seating for better views and a quieter carriage with limited places.

The seats can rotate to face the direction of travel, and onboard food and drink options are available.

If the train journey is one of the highlights of your holiday, Prestige Class could be a lovely treat.

But the panoramic views are beautiful from First and Second Class too, so you certainly don't need to upgrade to enjoy the experience.

Seat reservations are recommended in First and Second Class and required for Prestige Class.

I'd help you choose the option that makes sense for your holiday and budget.

When Is the Best Time to Travel?

The GoldenPass Express operates throughout the year, with each season offering something different.

Spring brings blossoming lakeside gardens, green valleys and snow still covering the higher mountain peaks.

Summer is wonderful for walking, lake cruises and exploring mountain villages, with longer days giving you more time outdoors.

Autumn brings colourful vineyards around Lake Geneva and golden landscapes through the valleys.

Winter transforms the higher villages into snowy Alpine scenes. Château-d'Oex also usually hosts its famous International Balloon Festival in January.

I'd choose your dates around the experiences you'd most like to include, particularly if you're planning mountain excursions or seasonal attractions.

For more information about the route and surrounding region, visit Switzerland Tourism's GoldenPass Express guide.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Book

The GoldenPass Express is relatively straightforward to include in a Swiss holiday, but there are a few things worth considering.

Journey time: The full route between Montreux and Interlaken takes approximately three hours and fifteen minutes.

Direction: You can travel in either direction, so your holiday doesn't need to begin in Montreux.

Seat reservations: Recommended in First and Second Class, and required in Prestige Class.

Rail passes: Some Swiss rail passes cover the journey, although seat reservations and upgrades may cost extra.

Stopovers: You can spend time in places such as Gstaad or Spiez, but you'll need to plan your onward connections.

Connecting trains: At Interlaken, you can continue towards Lucerne on the Luzern-Interlaken Express.

These are all things I'd help you work through when planning your holiday.

GoldenPass Express: Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the GoldenPass Express take?

The journey between Montreux and Interlaken takes approximately three hours and fifteen minutes, making it easy to include as part of a longer Swiss holiday.

Is the GoldenPass Express the same as the Glacier Express?

No. The GoldenPass Express travels between Montreux and Interlaken, while the Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz. They're very different journeys, and you can include both in a longer itinerary.

Can you stop along the GoldenPass Express route?

Yes. You could spend a night or two in places such as Château-d'Oex, Gstaad or Spiez. Your tickets and onward connections would need to be planned accordingly.

Can you combine the GoldenPass Express with other scenic trains?

Absolutely. It connects particularly well with the Luzern-Interlaken Express at Interlaken. You could also include the Glacier Express or Bernina Express as part of a longer Swiss rail holiday.

Can you book a GoldenPass Express holiday from the UK?

Yes. I can help arrange flights or rail travel from the UK, hotels, scenic train journeys, seat reservations, transfers and excursions, bringing everything together into one tailor-made holiday.

Let's Plan Your GoldenPass Express Holiday

The GoldenPass Express might not be Switzerland's most famous train, but it could be one of your favourite parts of the holiday.

Perhaps you'd like to explore the villages along the route, spend time beside Lake Geneva or combine several scenic trains into one wonderful journey.

Tell me what's caught your eye, how long you'd like to travel for and what you enjoy doing when you're away.

I'll work with my trusted travel specialists to plan a holiday around you, from choosing the right train journeys and places to stay to arranging flights, transfers and excursions. I'll also be here before you travel and while you're away, with a personalised travel guide to help you make the most of each stop.

Ready to start planning? Fill in my enquiry form and we'll begin.