Golden Pass side trip

One problem with driving is that you will need a Swiss vignette, which is unlikely to be on a car rented in France. It's 40 CHF for the year (not available for a shorter period). So, you need to figure this added cost if you drive. Another poster, several years ago, complained that this made for a very expensive daytrip.

Golden Pass rail trip just for the scenery (Montreux to Interlaken and
back).

This stretch of the Golden Pass isn't terribly scenic, I wouldn't go out of my way to do it. The highlight is when the train gets to the top of the mountain overlooking Montreux , and you get commanding views of Lake Geneva as you wind your way down to the center of the city. This can be replicated by using the local trams which run on the same tracks.

Thanks Harold. I'd just as soon not drive anyway. This just adds another reason to the list. Getting to Montreux by train will make it adventure for us.
I mentioned departing from Lyon but I'm open to other routes as well. If it doesn't make things insanely complicated, I'm also considering connecting France and Switzerland via lake steamer from Evian les Bains.

Thanks Michael. I'll go back over the things that made me think the trip to Interlaken was worthwhile but I'll certainly consider the shorter tram travel if it provides the best part of the scenery.

Hi Bob,

If you are considering spending the night somewhere in Switzerland, I suggest Interlaken or better yet, Lauterbrunnen. Ideally, you would spend a few days in this area if possible, but if you just want to do the Golden Pass, spending the night at least in Interlaken would break the trip up in two pieces. The trip from Lyon to Montreux is about 3.5 hours with a train change in Geneva, then it's a bit more than 3 hours on the Golden Pass to Interlaken via Zweismmen.

I disagree with Micheal when he says the Golden Pass isn't particularly scenic. I've done all the scenic train rides in Switzerland and the Golden Pass and the Bernina Express are my favorites. It is true that one of the most impressive sections is when you go down toward Lake Geneva, but I think the entire trip is quite nice. See this website for details on the Golden Pass train: www.goldenpass.ch. You can use this website for finding train routes and schedules anywhere in Europe, including the Lyon-Montreux train: www.bahn.com. You can buy the Golden Pass ticket ahead online. The Lyon-Montreux tickes can be purchased at the station in Lyon a day or two ahead.

My wife and I both enjoyed the Interlaken to Montreux leg of the Golden Pass very much, but we didn't do the Luzern to Interlaken bit so can't compare. Hey it's still Switzerland and you're on a train in the Alps, so how wrong can it be?

However, M to I and back on the same day would indeed be quite a frantic trip. And even the vaunted Swiss train system might not accommodate that.

Rome2rio.com

I disagree with Micheal when he says the Golden Pass isn't
particularly scenic.

I didn't say the entire train route wasn't scenic....just the segment from Montreux to Interlaken. The segment from Interlaken to Luzern is stunningly beautiful; that's where the money shots are.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We've decided to go directly from Paris to Lausanne, put the Golden Pass at the front of our itinerary, then begin our car wanderings in eastern France. We always intended this to be a short excursion, not the focal point of our trip.

One thought, if you're doing the Paris/Lausanne TGV run, you might consider upgrading to first class. It's not just a nicer seat with more room, but you will be served a very tasty lunch at your seat including wine (depending on time of day, of course). It was a good way for us to maximize our timing.

Also, the train really hauls ass from Paris to Dijon, then the leg into Switzerland you'll be wondering who fell asleep at the switch. Many of the cars have speedos on the wall so you can see what they're up to.