Hello, Planning on taking the Golden Pass train from Montreux to Luzern over the course of ten days. (Staying in Montreux, Wengen, Luzern) We will have Swiss Passes. My questions are: 1) Why do I keep reading that it is more scenic riding from Luzern to Montreux versus the other direction? Does this really make a difference in terms of the scenery? 2) We will be based in Montreux for our first 3 nights. We are interested in having a half day (lunch) stroll around the town of Gruyere. Does it make sense to do this as a day trip out of Montreaux and then back (I believe it's about 1.25 hrs each way? OR is there an option of getting off the Golden Pass train and spending a few hours in Gruyere? We would like to ride / reserve the panoramic train in first class. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Erica
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
The "better view" comment is often associated with the view from the VIP seats that are located on top of the engine. You sit above the engineers. As noted by both Michael and Lola, the view going down from the top of the mountain is really something as compared to going up. Going down while in the VIP seats adds a bit to the view experience. But, I wouldn't turn down the view going in either direction.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
It's more scenic in the opposite direction because Montreux sits on the side of a mountain all the way down to Lake Geneva. The train arrives at the top of that mountain a winds it's way down to the center of the city very near the shore of the lake. Last may I took the classic Golden Pass train which uses historic Pullman coaches. The restored first class cars are amazing and well worth it!
Posted by
OP
Coppell, TX, United States
4 posts
thanks appreciate your reply
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16325 posts
As Michael said, it is really only the part from the top of the mountains down to Montreux that is "more scenic" going east to west, and that is becuase you have the panorama of the lake spread out before you. But that only works on a clear day. We took that route, starting in Gstaad) on a rainy day and didin't see a thing. The Golden Pass train does not go through Gruyeres so stopping off there is not an option. You are thinking of the Chocolate Train, which is also booked on the Golden Pass website. This would be a separate daytrip. You can see maps and brochures of both on the website: www.goldenpass.ch
Posted by
Rochelle, IL
263 posts
I have done the Chocolate train route to Gruyere and it was a nice trip. There was a stop at a chocolate factory for a tour and sampling in the company store. It is a tourist train, and I am not sure how often it will be running when you are there. It should run Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at least. You might also enjoy a boat ride from Montreux down the lake to Lausanne and then train back. Again, boat schedules change with the seasons. There is also a place above Montreux, Roches de Naye, where they have marmots. It is a good train ride up and a beautiful train ride down. If you check the SBB website, you will find a regular train to Gruyere also in addition to the chocolate train.
Posted by
OP
Coppell, TX, United States
4 posts
Thank you both. This is helpful information. It sounds like it's not a deal breaker if it makes more sense for us to travel from Montreux to Luzern. If I am looking at prices correctly it looks like we would pay a $22.00 surcharge per person for those 1st class upper deck seats you spoke of, if we have already purchased 1st class Swiss Passes. ($614 each)? In regards to my question on a Gruyere day trip - I am assuming there are other trains that travel from Montreux to Gruyere if one was not interested in doing the whole chocolate train, full day tourist tour? Thanks!!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
The $22.00 surcharge is for the VIP seat reservation, your Swiss Pass will cover everything else. There are indeed regularly scheduled trains to Gruyere, and shuttle trains which will take you directly to the chocolate factory.
On the Swiss Rail site it's called "Broc-Fabrique": http://rail.ch
Posted by
OP
Coppell, TX, United States
4 posts
Thank you all very much. Okay, my last question.... If I were trying to decide between these two routes below, by Golden Pass train is there any reason why one direction of travel would be better than the other.(Thank you for those who noted the train into Montreux is more scenic vs going the other way) Option 1 CDG Paris Airport - Zurich - Luzern - Wengen / Interlaken - Montreux - Geneva - CDG Option 2 CDG Paris Airport - Geneva - Montreux - Wengen / Interlaken - Luzern - Zurich - CDG Two to three nights in each place except for Geneva and Zurich being 1 night or less. (not having travelled to Switzerland before maybe I am missing something) Thank you!
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Erica, don't know whether or not you have purchased your passes. If not, you could consider 2nd class pases. On the Golden Pass, you can then purchase two upgrades, one from 2nd to 1st class and the other the premium for the "over engine" seats.
Posted by
Dallas, Texas, USA
501 posts
I would personally choose CDg to Zurich trip.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16325 posts
Paris to Zurich takes an hour longer than Paris to Geneve ( 4 hrs v. 3). Still, I would start in Zurich and make my way across east to west, ending in Geneva. And unless you have a lot of things planned for you Montreux stay, I would take a night from there and add it to the Berner Oberland.