On December 11, after more than 100 years of planning, a new Interlaken to Montreaux train route will connect three beautiful lakes in Switzerland. You’ll likely spend the best 6 hours of your life on this journey. Actually, time might stop as you enjoy some of Europe’s most magnificent vistas.
This long-sought addition to Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway’s (MOB’s) schedule is the first nonstop train between Interlaken and Montreaux. It’s called the GoldenPass Express (GPX), and it will finally tie together Lake Geneva, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz.
Magical Lake And Mountain Views
Lake Geneva, central Europe’s largest lake, is a very deep body of water (1,020 feet at its deepest) in the northern Alps. Prized vineyards — planted during the Roman era — stretch for nearly 19 miles along the banks of the lake.
Lake Thun is a glacial lake with amazing views of Mount Niesen. This part of the journey includes views of Simmen Valley, a lush region dotted with farms and villages and encircled by white-capped mountains.
With its turquoise water, Lake Brienz is the perfect location for a Swiss mountain town. Passengers delight in seeing the classic wooden chalets with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
The GoldenPass route skirts the northern edge of the Bernese Oberland, with its alpine lakes and mountains, timeless villages, and old-fashioned cogwheel trains. On this part of the route, passengers can easily visit several resort towns: Meiringen, Brienz, Interlaken, Spiez, and Gstaad. Along the way, they marvel at views of the beautiful Jungfrau Region, which stretches to the Jungfrau mountain range in the south, a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
A Class Of Service For Every Need
It’s frustrating when you have few choices in types of service. Good news! GoldenPass trains offer three classes of service: Standard, First, and VIP.
VIP seating is offered each day on two trains between Zweisimmen and Montreux. These trains have a designated VIP area with 12 seats that rotate for 360-degree views. You’ll pay an extra 15 Swiss francs for the VIP view.
The Best Leg Of The Route (In Our Opinion)
You’ll enjoy all sections of the GoldenPass route. However, if we had to choose just one, it would be Zweisimmen-Montreux. This narrow part of the route, with a view of Lake Geneva, is one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Near Saanenmöser, at about 4,200 feet in elevation, the train climbs to the peak of the GoldenPass line. It passes through the elegant town of Gstaad, then leaves this German-speaking area for the final, French-speaking portion of the trip. The train winds through the narrow valley into a tunnel leading to Les Avants, then descends steeply on cogwheel track for the last 20 minutes.
Want to learn more about traveling by rail in Europe? Read these TravelAwaits articles:
