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Golden Pass vs passenger train

We are traveling to Switzerland in June. I've read online that there are less expensive passenger trains that travel the same route as the Golden Pass (our route is Montreux to Interlaken then change trains for final destination of Lauterbrunnen). You give up the panoramic window but otherwise see the same sights. Does anyone know if this is true?

Posted by
5604 posts

Yep- these are the regional trains that run on the same tracks, are much less crowded, don't require seat reservations, and offer more flexible schedules. I haven't done that route, but we did the Bernini Express route on the regional trains, and would do so again.Have a great time!

Posted by
1 posts

Has anybody done a day trip to Zermatt from Lucerne/Zurich? I'm trying to find the least expensive way to get there and back. Do you suggest buying the Eurorail Pass or just get tickets from the station? Thanks in advance :)

Posted by
2493 posts

Golden Pass is the name of the route. The trains on the route are all normal service trains, used by locals to go about their daily business. There is no special tariff, no compulsory reservation. The new "Golden Pass Express" trains are quite nice, and they do Montreux - Interlaken direct. From June there should be 4 daily returns with these trains.

Posted by
1 posts

I’ve been looking at the Golden Pass route and have not been able to reserve seats on the normal trains that can be booked thru SBB.ch. Does anyone have insight on how far in advance those seats can be reserved or why the seats reservations appear to be greyed out on sub.ch? Thanks.