The GoldenPass Line is one of Switzerland's great scenic rail journeys — a route that connects Montreux on Lake Geneva to Lucerne in central Switzerland through some of the country's most varied Alpine and pre-Alpine landscapes. At 230 kilometres, it is not a single train from end to end but a beautifully orchestrated sequence of routes through the Bernese Oberland and the Entlebuch valley, with the option of a direct panorama service linking two of the sections without a change of gauge. Here is how it works and how to plan it.
The three sections
The GoldenPass Line is made up of three distinct sections, operated by different companies on different gauges:
- Montreux to Zweisimmen (MOB: Montreux–Oberland–Bernois Railway): A narrow-gauge metre-gauge line climbing dramatically from Lake Geneva up through the Vaud Alps to the Simmental valley. This is the most dramatic section, with steep gradients, vine terraces above the lake and mountain panoramas. Journey time: about 1h45.
- Zweisimmen to Interlaken Ost (BLS): A standard-gauge section through the Simmental that connects at Spiez. Journey time: about 1h20, including a change at Spiez for most services.
- Interlaken Ost to Lucerne (Zentralbahn): A metre-gauge line through the Brienz valley and over the Brünig Pass. This section runs alongside Lake Brienz and Lake Sarnen, with excellent water views. Journey time: about 2 hours.
Total end-to-end travel time, Montreux to Lucerne, is approximately 5 hours, though the gauge breaks mean changes are needed at certain points depending on your service.
The GoldenPass Express
The most significant recent development is the GoldenPass Express, introduced in 2022. This panorama train runs directly between Montreux and Interlaken Ost without passengers changing trains at Zweisimmen, despite the gauge difference. A unique "variable gauge" bogie system (similar to what Spain uses on its high-speed lines) allows the train to switch between the narrow gauge of the MOB and the standard gauge of BLS — a technical achievement that eliminates what was previously the most inconvenient change for end-to-end travellers.
The GoldenPass Express runs a limited number of times per day (typically one or two services in each direction). It features panorama coaches with extra-large windows and a Vista Dome car at the front of the train, offering spectacular forward-facing views. Reservation is required and recommended — particularly in summer and during Swiss public holidays.
The Brünig section: Interlaken to Lucerne
The Zentralbahn section from Interlaken Ost to Lucerne via the Brünig Pass is the least-known part of the GoldenPass but arguably the most varied in character. The train climbs through the Haslital valley to the Brünig Pass (1,002 m), where the line uses a rack-and-pinion section to manage the steep gradient — one of the few rack railway sections on the Swiss main network. The descent into Lucerne passes through the valley towns of Giswil and Sarnen, with the dramatic limestone cliffs of the Pilatus visible to the south.
The Brünig section can easily be broken at Brienz, a small lakeside town with a famous wood-carving tradition and the base for the rack railway to the Rothorn summit — a worthwhile half-day detour.
Tickets and passes
Individual tickets for each section can be bought through the respective operators (MOB, BLS, Zentralbahn) or through Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), which sells through-tickets for the whole route. The Swiss Travel Pass covers all three sections at no additional charge, making this one of the most appealing routes for pass holders — the entire journey is included, with only the GoldenPass Express panorama reservation fee (a modest supplement) added on top.
Interrail and Eurail passes are also valid on the GoldenPass Line sections. For advice on whether a pass makes sense versus individual tickets for a Swiss journey, see our Interrail vs Eurail guide and the dedicated Swiss Travel Pass guide.
How to travel the route
You can travel the GoldenPass Line in either direction, and it divides naturally into a full day's journey or can be spread across two days with an overnight stop — Gstaad, Grindelwald (near Interlaken) or Lucerne are all appealing options.
A practical approach for most visitors:
- Start in Montreux (easy to reach from Geneva in about 1h, or from Lausanne in 20 minutes).
- Take the morning GoldenPass Express to Interlaken Ost, pausing at Gstaad or Zweisimmen if time allows.
- Continue on the Zentralbahn to Lucerne, arriving in the early to mid afternoon.
- Spend the afternoon in Lucerne before connecting onward to Zurich (about 1 hour by mainline train).
This makes for a superb scenic transit day across Switzerland from the French-speaking lake district to the German-speaking centre — covering enormous variety in landscape and culture without retracing your steps.
The best section if you only have time for one
If you can only travel part of the route, the Montreux to Zweisimmen section (MOB) is the most dramatic and distinctive — the climb from the lakeside vineyards to the mountain plateau is one of the finest train departures in Switzerland. The Brünig section (Interlaken to Lucerne) is a close second, particularly for the rack section and the lake views.
Frequently asked questions
Does the GoldenPass Express go the whole way from Montreux to Lucerne?
The GoldenPass Express runs from Montreux to Interlaken Ost directly, eliminating the gauge change at Zweisimmen. From Interlaken Ost to Lucerne, you take a separate Zentralbahn service. A through-ticket or pass covers the whole route, but the Lucerne leg is a separate train.
Do I need to reserve a seat on the GoldenPass Line?
Reservation is required for the GoldenPass Express panorama train (including the Vista Dome car). Regular regional services on the same route do not require reservation. Book the panorama train well in advance during summer and Swiss school holidays.
Is the GoldenPass Line covered by the Swiss Travel Pass?
Yes. All three sections — MOB, BLS and Zentralbahn — are included in the Swiss Travel Pass at no additional cost. The panorama reservation supplement for the GoldenPass Express is extra.
How long does the full GoldenPass journey take?
Montreux to Lucerne takes approximately 5 hours in total, including the change at Interlaken Ost between the GoldenPass Express and the Zentralbahn service. Build in time to enjoy the views and, if you wish, stops along the way.
Sources and further reading:
- Timetables and GoldenPass Express bookings: MOB (Montreux–Oberland–Bernois) and GoldenPass official website.
- Brünig section: Zentralbahn.
- Swiss Travel Pass details: Switzerland Tourism / Swiss Travel System.