We see the Golden Pass is for a longer route, but we're headed to Zermatt after Interlaken.
If we purchase the Swiss Pass, can we still ride the "scenic" leg of the Golden Pass between Lucerne and Interlaken?
What are we missing? Tips?
Thanks so much!!
There is only one rail line between Luzern and Interlaken Ost. That train is called, wait for it, the Luzern-Interlaken Express, and it is indeed scenic. Are you going from Zurich to Interlaken? Yes, it is faster to go via Bern because the terrain is flatter, the tracks are straighter and the trains go faster, even though it is actually a longer distance traveled. If you were buying tickets rather than using a pass, the ticket via Luzern is actually cheaper than via Bern because the distance the train travels is less.
At Interlaken Ost, you change to a train to Spiez, then at Spiez you change to a train to Visp, and there you change to a train to Zermatt.
For extra credit, you can also take the "Loetschberger" regional train from Spiez to Brig and change to the train to Zermatt there. It is slower than the regular route, but much more scenic, because regular route uses a new, very long tunnel which goes completely under the mountains unlike the slow route, which is mostly over the mountain with a shorter tunnel.
Yes, thank you for the notes. We are actually going Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Bern, Zurich.
Thanks a million!
Melissa
It looks like you are flying into Zurich. If so, don't spend the night there, take the train to Luzern and spend two nights (or more) there. From the airport to Luzern is just a little farther than stopping in Zurich. The Swiss Travel Pass is wonderful! The Swiss Travel Pass covers everything except some of the high mountain trains/gondolas. Study the Swiss Pass map before you leave, so that you can change your plans if the weather changes. We have been to Switzerland twice. The first time we stayed a week in Thun, the second time we stayed a week in Brienz. I preferred Brienz. Have fun!
Please note: At this time on the trip Luzern to Montreaux when you get to Interlaken Ost you must leave the train and proceed to easily found buses for the half hour trip to Spiez. There are individuals to direct you and several buses. You will take all your luggage with you inside the bus. It's not a big deal. Once you arrive in Spiez you find the platform for your train and board the train. We did this several times on a trip earlier this month. The buses get crowded with people and luggage but is no big deal.
We had Swiss Travel Passes. We've been taking this train for years. The scenery is not to be missed.
Happy Travels!
Traveler Girl
Thanks for the update. We traveled in the area from April 30 to May 5. Good to hear things are back to normal. The bus trip wasn't so bad. But the train is more relaxing and less crowded with luggage.
I see one still needs to take a bus to get to Leissigen. We've stayed there a couple times when a train was stopping there. Choose not to this time due to the need to take a bus.
Traveler Girl
It is indeed so that the local trains between Interlaken and Spiez have been replaced by busses. Much to the disappointment of the locals there. So for Leissigen en Faulensee you now need to take a bus. But the direct ICs are running again. The replacement bus service was just for two weeks while BLS replaced about 10 switches along the line...
Thanks, WengenK! Is the change for a bus to Leissigen expected to be permanent? We have enjoyed two stays at the youth hostel there.
Not sure why we didn't want to take the bus to get there from Thun or Interlaken. Later in the trip we took the bus from Gersau to the Rotschuo stop with all our luggage. Our travel skills were a bit rusty this trip. But it was a wonderful trip. We are already planning our next trip to Switzerland. Date to be determined.
Traveler Girl
