We are traveling from Lauterbrunnen to Montreux in August. I see three different routes. A faster route through Bern, the Golden pass route (1 hr longer), and a 3rd route through Visp. Which is more scenic? Is it worth an extra hour on the train to travel the Golden Pass route vs. through Bern? What is this Visp route? DBbahn says reservations for Golden Pass route only required for groups, do I not need reservations with my railpass?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Brenda,
Last week I took the "classic" Golden Pass train using vintage Pullman coaches and highly recommend it. The "classic" train only runs at 11:05am from Zweissmen to Montreux. It's worth the upgrade to the first class coaches, the opulence was amazing:) Here's a pic of the outside of one of the coaches: http://i45.tinypic.com/b70482.jpg Sadly the photo I took of the interior didn't come out:( An hour later a boat arrives at the dock at Montreux and after an hour of more amazing scenery along Lake Geneva s you off at Lausanne. To check train schedules use the Swiss Rail site at: http://rail.ch The Golden Pass has it's own website: http://www.goldenpass.ch Double check the boat schedules as I believe they just switched to their summer timetable: http://www.cgn.ch/eng
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17446 posts
The Visp route goes through the new-ish Lötschberg Basistunnel-the longest on the Continent. I wouldn't go that way. Between the Bern route and the Golden Pass route, it is a matter of how you like to spend your time. You will be traveling in the "recommended" direction on the Golden Pass route, descending from the mountains with the lake in front of you. This is very scenic, passing through villages like Gstaad and Chateau d'Oex before that point, and then the mountains. You do not have to ride a designated Golden Pass train; the regular regional trains are fine and your railpass will cover it, no reservations necessary. I can't compare with the Bern route as I've never traveled that way. but I will say the Golden Pass route is very scenic and enjoyable.