Everything You Need To Know About the GoldenPass Express, A Breathtaking Swiss Panoramic Train Ride

If you're dreaming of a train journey that’s just as stunning as the destination, you’re going to love what this episode has in store. 

Today, I’m joined by Frédéric Delachaux from the MOB Railway to chat about one of the most popular Swiss scenic trains, the GoldenPass Express. We dive into what makes it such a special journey, connecting two must-visit spots, Montreux and Interlaken, in style and comfort.

You'll learn what to expect on board this beautiful Swiss panoramic train, including the differences between the Prestige, First, and Second class options, what kind of local food and drinks are served, and even a few insider tips about where to sit for the best views. 

We also cover everything you need to know about tickets, including the discounts offered for Swiss Travel Pass and Berner Oberland Pass holders, and why you should book your seat reservations in advance. 

But the GoldenPass Express isn’t the only gem MOB Railway has to offer. We also explore other memorable journeys like the nostalgic GoldenPass Belle Époque train, and two delicious experiences: the Chocolate and Cheese Trains. Switzerland’s unique rail journeys even allow you to enjoy a true taste of Swiss culture and culinary delights! 

Whether you're looking to enjoy scenic views, experience vintage charm, or sample local treats, there's something for everyone.

If you’re planning a trip between Montreux and Interlaken, or you’re looking for the perfect way to experience Switzerland train travel with breathtaking views, this episode is packed with helpful information to make your Swiss train adventure unforgettable.

Safe travels,

Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 128

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Transcript

Are you dreaming of visiting Switzerland? Planning a trip to Switzerland is very exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. How do you choose which of the many scenic cities, towns and villages to visit, which mountain top excursions should you take? And what's the best way to get around Switzerland and of course, how much of the country can you realistically see within your time frame? If you've asked yourself any of these questions, this is the podcast for you. This is the holidays to Switzerland travel podcast. And in each episode, your host Carolyn Schönafinger chats with Swiss travel experts to answer your most commonly asked questions, provide practical tips and take you on a virtual visit to the most popular destinations, and, of course, some hidden gems to help you plan your dream trip to Switzerland. And you'll hear plenty of conversations about Swiss cheese and chocolate too. Are you ready to plan your trip to Switzerland? Well, let's get started.

Carolyn Schönafinger

Welcome to this week's episode of the podcast. Traveling by train is a fantastic way to get around Switzerland. It's my preferred mode of transport, for sure. And one of the great things about Swiss train travel is that the journey is almost always as good as the destination, if not better. A shining example is the GoldenPass Express, one of Switzerland's premium panoramic trains. It connects two of Switzerland's most popular destinations, Montreux and Interlaken, and it takes passengers on a scenic journey through the Alps, showcasing breathtaking landscapes along the way. Today, I'm joined by Frédéric Delachaux from the MOB Railway Company to discover what makes the GoldenPass Express a must ride experience. Frédéric has plenty of helpful tips for anyone planning a ride on the GoldenPass Express and on MOB's other unique train experiences like the GoldenPass Belle Époque, the Rochers-de-Naye cogwheel train, and even chocolate and cheese trains. There really is a train ride for everyone in Switzerland, as you'll learn in my chat with Frédéric. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Hello, Frédéric. Thank you very much for agreeing to come onto the podcast to tell us all about the beautiful trains that the MOB Railway Company operate. Would you perhaps like to start and introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your role with the Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway Company. It's quite a mouthful.

Frédéric Delachaux

Hi. Thank you very much. Carolyn, it's a great pleasure to be here today in this podcast. My name is Frédéric, as you said, I worked for the MOB group, and I'm Head of Sales and Marketing for the company, so in charge of the sales and all the markets. And we are delighted to be here today. 

Carolyn Schönafinger

Thank you so much. Now I know that there are quite a number of trains operated by MOB, but there's one particularly famous one, which is the GoldenPass Express, and it's actually one of the premium panoramic trains in Switzerland. So, could you like to tell all our listeners, especially those who aren't familiar with the GoldenPass Express. All about it. 

Frédéric Delachaux Switzerland is the perfect place to travel by train. This is really the first thing I would like to say, and we have the chance to have the GoldenPass Express. It's a brand new train. Actually. We have launched it two years ago, and this train is connecting the German part of Switzerland, from Interlaken to the French, part of Switzerland, the area of Montreux and it's a very scenic and iconic train, because it was like the will of the pioneer of the company 120 years ago to have this train crossing the Alps and making the junction between those two language region. And it took a very long time to do this. But finally, in 2022 we had the chance to launch this train. And we're going to talk about this train because it's very special that, of course, it's a panoramic train, but inside we have three classes, the prestige class, the first class and the second class. I'm sure we're going to talk about it later on. And this train is also very special, because he has the ability, basically, to go everywhere in the world, because he has a variable gauges which is something that is very unique. And we are very proud of our engineers. It's a masterpiece. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Absolutely. So previously, before this train was launched, you had to change trains in Zweisimmen, correct, because the gauges changed in the end of Zweisimmen.

Frédéric Delachaux

Absolutely correct. And I have to say for the tourists they were traveling on this track, this was something which was uncomfortable, because. When you need to change, it's always very stressful and you need to carry on your luggage and everything here with the train. It's really a game changer for us, because you can stay on the train and you just go through Zweisimmen and continue to Interlaken.

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Wonderful. Now it's connecting to very popular destinations in Switzerland, and I know a lot of international tourists have Interlaken and Montreux as part of their Swiss itinerary. So how long does that journey take, and what are some of the highlights of that trip?

Frédéric Delachaux 

So this takes roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is the perfect time duration to enjoy the train ride. And if I take from Montreux to Interlaken, you will start from the Lake Geneva region, go through the vineyards of the Lavaux area, and then we cross the tunnel of Zermatt and you really enter in a new world. You enter into the Alps, and you go to Gstaad, which is very famous place as well in Switzerland. It's a very tiny and nice place. I mean, this is exactly how we think Switzerland should be. You know, chalets, mountains, cows, green places. So this is the area of Gstaad. Actually, I'm living over there, so I'm not very objective. And then if you continue, you go through Spiez Interlaken, and you really reach the Alps. And when you arrive in Interlaken, you see those beautiful mountains from the Jungfrau area. Actually, you can go on the top of the Jungfrau as well, starting from the same station as Interlaken. So this is roughly the places you are going through. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Okay ,so it sounds like it's all quite Scenic. Do you think? Do you have a favorite section or a section of the trip that you think is the most beautiful?

Frédéric Delachaux 

As I said, I'm not objective, because I'm living over there, but yeah, probably for me, the most scenic place is the area of Château d’Oex Gstaad. This is very iconic, because this is the landscape I like. You know, there is like a perfect balance between rocks, forests, places to live. And I really like this kind of place. And I would say also one beautiful sport is, of course, when you are above Montreux, you can see Montreux from, from Les Ormont, for example, and you see the whole landscape with Lake. This is also something very impressive. 

Carolyn Schönafinger

Yeah, very nice. So if someone is starting their duty in Montreux, is there a particular side of the train that they should sit on to get the best views? 

Frédéric Delachaux

That's a good question. Actually, I would say no, because there is lot of curves, and we oftenly get this question. And the only thing is, you can sit on both side. And when you start from Montreux, there is, like, five or six big curves. So anyway, you will see the perfect landscape. So I would say no, both sides are nice. 

Carolyn Schönafinger

Okay, excellent. So what can travelers expect on board the train in terms of facilities and services? 

Frédéric Delachaux 

So first of all, the train is very cool. I mean, when you look at it from outside, when you're on the platform, it's got the colors of the event Express. So it's very impressive, because we used to be in the past, sister company of the event Express. So we decided to talk those colors. The train was designed by Pininfarina, the designer of Ferrari, so he's got a really cool look, something quite futuristic inside the train. As I said before, there is like three classes, of course, the first and the second class, and we have developed only for the GoldenPass Express, the new prestige class. This is a private compartment of nine seats in the front of the train and nine in the back. And the prestige class is about 45 centimeters higher than the first class, and those 45 centimeters make a big difference. Here you've got the window that starts here in the first class, when you're in the prestige class, you're totally into the window. This is what we call the full immersion. And this is something very impressive, especially when you are looking at the landscape of those area. So this is one thing, and we also have, like, special chair on the train, so we can rotate them in order that you are always traveling in the good direction of travel. That was something asked for from our clients. They said, We love to ride trains, but I feel dizzy when I'm not on the right direction. So this is the reason why we have rotating seats on the train the prestige class.

Carolyn Schönafinger

Okay? So you’re never traveling backwards if you don't want to. 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Yeah, exactly.And I have to say, this is something very comfortable. I've been in the prestige class many times with many clients, and all of them were saying, this is very comfortable to be in the good direction of traveling. So. So something important. 

Carolyn Schönafinger

I have seen photos of the prestige class, and I must say, those seats look very, very luxurious. So just like you're riding in a Ferrari, I imagine, 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Kind  of yeah, on, on gorgeous, but kind of Yes, it's very nice experience, I have to say. And we are very happy with the prestige class. It's also nine seats for each compartment. So it gives you also a very nice sense of privacy. I mean, you're, you're like an executive compartment. It's very similar to the business class, for example, on the airplane.

Carolyn Schönafinger

Okay, and what about the first and second class? Then what? What are the differences between those two classes. Because I know visitors coming to Switzerland for the first time are often, you know, wondering, why should I book first class? How does it differ from second class?

Frédéric Delachaux

First of all, both of them are on very high standards. I mean, this is not the normal first or second class. It's a touristic train, so you will feel like anywhere being comfortable on the train. The major difference between the first and the second class is, for sure, the space you have. If you take the seats in the second class, you will have like blocks of force on both side. And when you are in the first class, there is like blocks of two and block of force. So it gives you more space for the seats. The table is bigger as well. And, of course, and this is not something to undermine, you have a lot of space for your luggages, much more in the first class. So my tips is, when you have the chance to travel in Switzerland, of course, it's a bit more expensive to travel in the first class, but you will feel also, I will feel more relaxed, because there is, like, more space, less people on the train, and you will enjoy also the ride.

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Okay, so how about dining facilities on the train? Is it possible to get something to eat and drink?

Frédéric Delachaux 

It is on the GoldenPass Express. So we have, like, a catering service on the train. And of course, we offer beverages, coffee, wine. And we also saw snacks, and this is something we call in Swiss German apparel, plateley. This is like dried meat with cheese and bread and everything. And this is something typical that we use to heat in Switzerland. What is very important for us, we try to be very to have like a sustainable supply chain. So we work with local products. You will find the cheese from the area of Château d’Oex you will find the meat from the area of Gstaad, the wine from the Lavaux winery, the beer from Interlaken, and even the caviar for the prestige girls who have the caviar offer. And we take the caviar from Frutigen, where there is a special place where they are growing caviar. We did only one exception is the champagne, because our clients, they also want to have some champagne on board. So we have a French brand, but otherwise this is a very traditional and local food of Switzerland.

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Oh, excellent. So one more question I have for you, before we talk about ticketing and seat reservations and so forth, if people are traveling with young children and they have a stroller or if someone is using a wheelchair? Is it easy for them to access the GoldenPass Express?

Frédéric Delachaux 

It is in the second class in the middle of the train. We have a special carriage only for where you can put your wheelchair. So it's possible, but it's in the second class. Most of the train in Switzerland are offering this, but in second class, just be aware of this. It's important.

Carolyn Schönafinger

All right, excellent to know, right? So let's talk a bit about the tickets and so forth, because that's a very important thing for people to be familiar with. I know that if they have the Swiss Travel Pass or a Berner Oberland Pass, that they can ride on the train for free. If they don't have one of those passes, where can people buy their tickets for the trip? 

Frédéric Delachaux

So you can buy a ticket online. This is something on the SBB app, or also on the GPX.swiss website or mob.ch website. You can buy the tickets over there. Mostly there. You can buy tickets at the train station as well. If you're in Interlaken, in Gstaad or in Montreux, you can go to any train station, and you can also buy the tickets in other train station and sit. If you arrive in Geneva or in Zurich and you want to buy the ticket ride from Montreux to Interlaken, you can buy it there. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Okay, good thing. So we probably should explain to people that the tickets don't have to be booked in advance. You can just, really, you can just buy a ticket on the day of travel, but you can also make a seat reservation if you want to actually guarantee a seat. Is that compulsory, or is it recommended for the GoldenPass Express? 

Frédéric Delachaux

It's not compulsory, but highly recommended. That I've seen so many times. You know people coming from the SPB train on the platform, and the train is fully booked. And this is a pity, because if you don't have like, a seat reservation, it's going to be uncomfortable for you to ride on the train. So of course, for the first and second class, it's highly recommended to book in advance, just to be sure that you have a seat. I mean, when you're traveling abroad, usually you want to be sure that you want to avoid stress and everything. So I really recommend to book in advance for the prestige class. It's compulsory. That's the only thing you need, a first class tickets and a compulsory reservation seat.

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Okay, and how far in advance can those seat reservations be booked?

Frédéric Delachaux

So usually, for fits, we open the seat reservation roughly 90 days before.

Carolyn Schönafinger

okay? And they can be purchased from your website as well. 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Yeah, okay, exactly. It's quite easy, because you can go on the website, you've got the seat map like an airplane, and you can choose, I want to sit it. I want to sit here with my family. Or just be careful. I give you a small tips. If you are like more than three people, when you book the seats, the system is going to put you maybe in different places, so just check that you are together. That's really important.

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Okay, that's a good tip to know, and I will put a link to your website in the show notes for the episode so people can click through and make those reservations. 

Frédéric Delachaux

Thank you very much. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Okay, so how often does the GoldenPass Express operate every day? Are there multiple services?

Frédéric Delachaux 

Every day, four times from Montreux and four times from Interlaken, and we start at 7: 30 from Montreux, and takes roughly 2 hours and 15 and the last train is starting at six or seven from Interlaken.

Carolyn Schönafinger

Right. Okay.

Frédéric Delachaux 

Uhh 16, excuse me, 16 o seven. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Yep, 4.07pm, yeah. Okay, so services throughout the day, and that is 365 days a year? Is it? 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Yes, every day. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Wonderful. Okay, so before the GoldenPass Express was launched, there were a couple of trains operating on the same track. Oh, well, on the same route, let's say the GoldenPass Panoramic and the GoldenPass Belle Époque. Can you tell us a bit about those and how they differ from the GoldenPass Express. 

Frédéric Delachaux

Actually, I'm very lucky to work for this company, you know, because this is terrific. When you're in Montreux you stay on the platform and you see all those economic trains. I mean, usually in Switzerland, trains are mostly the same with the colors and everything. And this is something very special from our company. We've got now the GPX, which is brand new we used to have, and we still have the panoramic trains. Used to be like the crystal panoramic Express. That was a train also designed by Pininfarina. And this train is particular because in the first class, you can sit in front. We have front view seats. So this is something we have launched in the 90s. And there are still, we are still operating those trains, the panoramic and then we've got a train, which is a legend. This is the Belle Epoque train. It's like, you just sit on this train, and you really feel being part of history. You know, it's the Agatha Christie train. It's really like a copy of the trains we used to have in the 1920s. So those trains are riding every day on the MLB Network. And for me, my favorite one, if I can tell you, is really the Belle Epoque, because everything is in wood. You have beautiful furniture, and it's very classic and romantic at the same time, because you take this train and you go through the mountain with this. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Yeah and both those trains operate between Montreux and Zweisimmen, correct? 

Frédéric Delachaux

Exactly, Montreux that roughly two hours. And the Belle Epoque, for example, is running as well every day, and also the panoramic, so this is something special. And for the reservation, it's the same system. It's not compulsory, but highly recommended. And then if you take the Belle Epoque, especially during the summer or the high season, I really recommend to book in advance, because there is, like many people taking this train.

Carolyn Schönafinger  

Yeah, it is, as you say, such an iconic train. And there aren't many like it elsewhere in the world. It's still operating, so it's a very special experience to ride on it. 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Did you been on it? 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

I have, yes, a couple years ago. 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Nice and how was it? 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Yeah, beautiful. Beautiful. I love this. There's upholstered seats and, yeah, really, as you said, you feel like you're back in history, and you're, you're a part of it. It's great. Okay, so there's quite a few other trains that MOB operate, and another that I was lucky to have a ride on recently was the cogwheel train up to Rochers-de-Naye, just out of Montreux. Right? Can you tell our listeners what to expect on an excursion on that train?

Frédéric Delachaux

So basically, Rochers-de-Naye at the top of Montreux. So this is a cog wheel line. You will start at 400 meters, and you will go up to 200 meters in roughly 50 minutes. So this is it's very steep, actually. That's why we use a cog wheel train to go over there. And when you reach the top, this is probably the best view of the Lake Geneva region you will find because we arrive from one side of the mountain. And just imagine you are on the sides of the Alps. So you've got those beautiful mountains from the Swiss Alps. And then we've got a two nails, about 200 meters. You just cross the mountain completely. Then you arrive and you are at the balcony of the Lake Geneva region. And you see the entire area the French Alps, the Lake Geneva, the flatlands of Switzerland. And as I said, this is a beautiful dew.

Carolyn Schönafinger  

I'll have to believe you on that, because the day I went, unfortunately, it was raining very heavily, and it was, it was all white out when we got to the top, because it was actually snowing. So, yeah. 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Ohh that you have to, you have to come back. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

I will. I will. We actually went and visited Santa's house at the top. And, yeah, it was obviously winter. So it was very, very snowy. And, yes, a white out. But I have seen photos, and I can see that the view would be just amazing. 

Frédéric Delachaux

I have to say, you talk about Santa Claus. This is very iconic product. We have also going over there, you know, in November and December, and many people are coming as well from abroad, just to open the train going to the mountains when it's snowing and everything, and then just arrive over there, you cross the tunnel and you arrive in Santa Claus office. The atmosphere is amazing. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Yeah, the train was fully booked the day we traveled, and all the children on there were so excited. It was, it was great. And the fam, obviously, parents taking their children up there, and it was, it was great. But that train operates all year round, does it? 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Yeah, usually we close in November, because we're doing beginning of November. November, we're doing works on the line. That's maintenance, for example, and otherwise it's the entire it's a very different experience than the other train. First of all, as I said, it's a cogwheel train, so it's very steep, it's very noisy, you know, because you're inside the train, everything is shaking, but it's part of the experience. Definitely, this is something people are looking for?

Carolyn Schönafinger

Yeah, absolutely. Now, no visit to Switzerland is complete without chocolate and cheese. And I know you have a couple of trains that allow people to indulge in those delicious treats and enjoy a train ride at the same time. So can you tell us about those two journeys? 

Frédéric Delachaux 

So as you said, Switzerland is iconic for different things, but for me, one very important things, and I come from the mountain, so it's something that echoes to me, but it's, you know, the cow. The cow are very important in Switzerland. We treat them very well. And with the cow, we are doing the milk. And with the milk, after you can do some cheese, and then you can do some chocolate as well, and milk chocolate. And those two iconic products, we have decided to combine them in different touristic product, and one of them is chocolate train. You start from Montreux with the Belle Epoque on bus Belle Epoque. Then we hop on a bus from a place called Mon Bevan. We go to visit the castle of Gruyere, and afterwards, we go to visit the call Chocolate Factory, and we bring back the people in Montreux at five o'clock in the afternoon. It's a one day trip starting from May to September, but very interesting, if you want to try and feel the Swiss culture, and especially the place of Gruyere. It's an iconic castle in the area, surrounded by mountains, and you can enjoy also little shopping over there. There is also cheese factory. It's a very beautiful place. And the other products we have developed as well, regarding and connecting with the Swiss tradition is a cheese train. The cheese train is heading to Château d'Oex, this beautiful place, also in the Swiss Alps. And from the train station, you just walk down maybe five minutes and you wrap them in a cheese factory where they're gonna repair the cheese in front of you. So you're gonna be part of the process. And you just stay there, sit at the table, hit the fondue, and then go back to Montreux. And this is also very appreciated, because it's a mix between a train ride and immersion in the traditions of Switzerland. And you also try some very good products, local products.

Carolyn Schönafinger

Mm. Okay? And what time of year does the cheese train operate?

Frédéric Delachaux 

Cheese train is like from January to March, then we make a break, and then again in fall. So we have, like, two times every year. 

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Okay, great. 

Frédéric Delachaux

And the Chocolate Factory is during the period of May to September, roughly.

Carolyn Schönafinger

Okay, and so if people have a Swiss Travel Pass, do they get any discounts on those two excursions? 

Frédéric Delachaux

There is a discount, and there is, as well, a special price, because the ticket, of course, is not included when you have a Swiss travel bus in the package.

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Okay, excellent. Well, you've certainly got a wide range of trains there for people to enjoy a ride on. Is there anything else about the GoldenPass Express, or any of those other trains that we haven't talked about that you think people should be aware of? 

Frédéric Delachaux

Just watch out the timetable. This is very important. In Montreux, in Gstaad, or Interlaken, there is a lot of connections. And sometimes people are coming from Geneva or they're coming from Interlaken, and just be sure that you've got a connection. This is something very important. Usually for Montreux, we have a train starting panoramic or Belle Epoque every hour, so even if you if you skip one hours, it's not a big problem. But just check to be sure, because sometimes people are surprised because they need to wait a little bit. So I would say, very important to check. And in Switzerland, you've got the, you can go on the SBB apps and check the timetables, and everything is done to facilitate the travel. So it's very easy.  

Carolyn Schönafinger

Yeah absolutely excellent. Well, thank you so much, Frédéric, for coming onto the show and telling us all that information on I know that a lot of people want to include the GoldenPass Express in their travels, whether they're doing the whole grand tour of Switzerland or whether they're just doing, you know, part of the trip and visiting those iconic destinations Montreux and Interlaken, so that information will be super helpful for them. 

Frédéric Delachaux 

Thank you very much, Carolyn for your help and so for the nice interview. And welcome to everybody on the MOB line.

Carolyn Schönafinger 

Thanks very much. I think you'll agree a ride on the GoldenPass Express is a journey not to be missed when visiting Switzerland, whether it's the stunning scenery, the luxurious amenities or the seamless connections between the German and French speaking parts of the country that appeal to you. This train ride offers a truly memorable experience, and with additional options, like the nostalgic Belle Epoque train or the cogwheel train up to Rochers-de-Naye, the MOB Railway Company offer a unique rail experience for every traveler to help you plan your journey on the GoldenPass Express or any of the other trains that we've discussed today, I'll include links to all the resources Frédéric mentioned, including timetables and seat reservation info in the show notes For this episode, you can find the show notes at holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode128. Thank you so much for joining me today. If you've enjoyed the podcast, please consider sharing it with your friends and family and colleagues who are planning a trip to Switzerland. And if you enjoy the show, I'd be super grateful if you could leave a five star rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks so much. Until next week. Tschüss!