I will be staying in Montreux for few days mid-September. I had my trip planned until I literally just discovered a long-lost cousin who lives in Saanen (very close to Gstaad). She told me to take the MOB from Montreux to Saanen, then we will hang out for the day in Saanen and Gstaad.
I am extremely confused with this train scheduling. I see I can buy a ticket on the MOB directly to Saanen. But it seems to be different than the Golden Pass VIP panoramic tickets. I know the Golden Pass is just for the reservation. Are these actually different trains all together? Because the Golden Pass train does not stop in Saanen - only Gstaad. I guess I could go all the way to Gstaad and then take a quick train back to Saanen, where she will pick me up.
It also seems as if the ride FROM Gstaad to Montreux is the better direction for the view? Is this right? In that case, I can take a regular train to Saanen, and then as we will end up in Gstaad, I can book the journey back to Montreux in the opposite direction in the early evening. There is a train that leaves at 18:00 (6 PM). Will this give me enough light in mid September?
Is there another way to figure out the optimal train viewing? Should I go all the way to Zweisimmen in the AM and then back to Saanen? If I am going to Saanen, which was not originally planned, trying to figure out the optimal sight-seeing on the way/back.
Thanks for any help.