ROUTE

Montreux-Zweisimmen (travel time 1.50 hours)

Zweisimmen-Interlaken Ost (travel time 1.10 hours)

Interlaken Ost-Lucerne (travel time 2 hours)

Change trains in Zweisimmen and Interlaken Ost.

Going for gold: the GoldenPass Line links two of Switzerland’s contrasting cultures. Enjoy authentic tradition in German-speaking Central Switzerland and French flair on Lake Geneva. All in one delightful day.

Taking a trip on the GoldenPass Line is rather like taking a short vacation. On leaving Lucerne and its enchanting lake and mountains, enjoy more scenic splendour as the brand-new Lucerne-Interlaken Express climbs leisurely up to the Brünig Pass. Then comes the descent to Meiringen, before the train passes Brienz with its same-named lake and the Giessbach Falls en route to Interlaken. Here you change trains to continue along the Lake Thun shoreline. The day’s final connection awaits you in Zweisimmen, from where the train with the golden carriages departs for glamorous Gstaad. Your first glimpse of Lake Geneva comes as the train weaves its way through vineyards to your destination, Montreux.

Highlights

Lucerne and region

Welcome aboard the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, as it sets off for the 48% gradient climb up Mount Pilatus. Soak up the spellbinding views of Lake Lucerne and the Central Swiss Alps before (on the other side of the mountain) an aerial cableway takes you down to the valley deep below.

Interlaken and region

James Bond was a great Schilthorn fan – it was, after all, the spectacular setting for his sixth movie. The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant and new Bond World give visitors a peek behind the scenes of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Easily accessible from Interlaken by train and aerial cableway.

A cogwheel railway huffs and puffs its way to the summit of the Brienzer Rothorn, treating its passengers to a genuine steam experience from yesteryear. The line has never been electrified, and the historic carriages are still pushed by steam locomotives.

Swiss rural tradition comes alive at the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg. You’ll find farm animals, demonstrations of traditional skills and some 100 historic houses.

Montreux

Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva is Switzerland’s most popular historic building. The Counts of Savoy may be long gone, but their wall murals, cavernous underground vaults and great halls never fail to fascinate visitors.