Interlaken – Montreux direct: new train journey with the GoldenPass Express

Advertising: Contribution in cooperation with BLS and MOB

Since the timetable change, Switzerland has gained a new rail attraction. Thanks to a technical innovation and the cooperation between BLS and MOB, you can now take the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken via Zweisimmen to Montreux without having to change trains. A really relaxed, three-hour train journey that is worth it in any weather. We can confirm this after a test drive!

In the following lines, you can find out what else awaits you on a trip with the GoldenPass Express apart from the technical refinements and in which class it is particularly comfortable to travel.

New train-free journey thanks to lane changes in seconds

The idea of creating a direct train connection from Lake Geneva to the Bernese Oberland is not new. The first considerations date back to the second half of the 19th century. At that time, a metre-gauge was built from Montreux towards the Pays d’Enhaut. This made it easier to overcome the altitude and rugged terrain than with a standard gauge. Now – more than a hundred years later – the bow stroke is finally accomplished. The solution includes railway wagons with an innovative bogie that enables the changeover from standard gauge to metre gauge in a matter of seconds, as well as an associated gauge changeover system at Zweisimmen station.

It goes without saying that the technology behind it is fascinating and one of the reasons for a train ride with the GoldenPass Express.

Get in & lean back

I, too, am curious about the passage of the gauge changeover. But first of all, I’m looking forward to coffee and croissants. The station clock shows 09:00 a.m. Eight minutes to go until the GoldenPass Express leaves Interlaken Ost station in the direction of Montreux. But where are our reserved “Prestige” seats?

A friendly BLS train attendant shows us the way to the end of the train. The brand-new train composition not only has bogies, but also a level of comfort that tops 1st class with the so-called “Prestige” travel class. The highlight: the high-quality, adjustable seats (incl. footrest). As we know it from Japanese trains, these can also be rotated according to the direction of travel. Nothing else is missing: power connections, plenty of storage space and almost floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.

At our seat, part of the pre-ordered breakfast box is already ready. While snacks and beverages will be served throughout the trip in all three classes, advance booking is highly recommended for the rest of the catering offerings. Sit down, sit back and enjoy.

And that’s exactly what we’re doing. The first stage from Interlaken along Lake Thun to Spiez is a well-known one for us. Nevertheless, the panorama of the mirror-smooth Lake Thun and the surrounding “Höger” fascinates me again and again. Even the high fog grey, which is so persistent this January, hardly bothers me.

Shortly before Spiez, we are served the croissants that belong to the breakfast box as well as a hot coffee at our seats. Perfect! Now we are well prepared for the winding onward journey through the wintry Simmental to Zweisimmen.

Panoramic ride on the GoldenPass line

Well fed and comfortably seated, time passes faster than expected. Soon the pretty historic station building of Zweisimmen with its church tower-like roof appears in front of us. For the lane change, a stop of 10 minutes is planned in Zweisimmen. As a passenger, you hardly notice anything – despite the slight lifting – and can remain comfortably seated during the entire process. The only thing that strikes me is that, in addition to the change from the standard to the metre gauge, there is also a locomotive change between the BLS and the MOB.

For the next 1.5 hours, we continue on one of the most picturesque train routes in Switzerland. Curve after curve, the GoldenPass-Express winds its way up the flanks of the Rinderberg towards Saanenmöser and Schönried. On this section, a window seat on the right in the direction of travel offers particularly wonderful panoramic views of the striking “Rübli” and the Gummenfluh in good weather. We had secretly hoped that the fog would lift in the Saane Valley at the latest. But nothing there! After all, the fir trees in the shady slopes present themselves to us wonderfully wintry white.

When passing through Gstaad, Saanen, Rougemont and Château-d’Oex, there is a lot to discover through the train window. These include the iconic Gstaad Palace, the pretty town centres, Romanesque churches and Rougemont Castle.

As we slowly leave the plateau of the Pays d’Enhaut behind us and drive down to the valley via many hairpin bends towards Lake Geneva, we are served the second snack of this trip. The catering offer also includes an aperitif platter (optionally with regional cheese and meat specialties or vegetarian) with a glass of Lavaux wine. The perfect attunement to the destination of this journey ahead of us.

The only downside: Even here on these mostly sun-drenched slopes of Lake Geneva, the high fog is surprisingly thick on this winter’s day. But that’s not a tragedy. If the weather had been nice, we would probably have gone directly to the waterfront of Montreux and walked towards the Château de Chillon. So there’s a detour to Chaplin’s World in neighbouring Vevey (one of our museum tips).

Our conclusion: The ride on the GoldenPass Express is an entertaining and panoramic experience. Travel is particularly comfortable in the “Prestige” travel class. We definitely enjoyed the legroom, the view through the large panoramic windows and the on-board service to the fullest!

Practical tips for your train journey with the GoldenPass Express

• Currently, there is a direct connection in each direction every day (departures at 09:08 in Interlaken Ost and 09:35 in Montreux). The two trains intersect in Gstaad.
• From June 2023, the offer will be expanded. Four daily departures are planned in each direction.
• The GA travelcard is valid on the route. Seat reservations are recommended for 1st and 2nd class. These can be purchased directly via the GoldenPass Express website two months in advance (cost 20 CHF). Personally, I would definitely reserve a seat in advance – especially if you are planning a trip on the weekends and/or during the holiday season.
• For the “Prestige” travel class, reservation is mandatory (cost 35 CHF). In addition, you need a 1st class ticket. An overview of the reservation fees and ticket costs can be found here: Fares GoldenPass Express
• The current catering offer includes a breakfast box (with croissants, jam, butter, orange juice and hot drink) for 12 CHF, a mountain or veggie aperitif platter with a glass of wine/beer or mineral water for 27 CHF and exclusively for 1st class as well as the “Prestige” seats: 20g Oona caviar from Frutigen, blinis, sour cream and a glass of Duval Leroy Brut champagne for 89 CHF. If you would like to take advantage of the offer, I recommend that you register in advance.
• For the small hunger and thirst in between, there is also a small snack offer and various soft drinks on board.
• Further up-to-date information can be found on the GoldenPass Express website and at BLS.