Swiss chocolate train reservations?
May 1st, 2014, 09:10 PM
#1
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Swiss chocolate train reservations?
My wife and I will be heading to Switzerland in July. We will likely be buying a Swiss Pass for our 9 day trip (I know it will only cover the first 8 days). My wife is very eager to take the Chocolate Train for a day. I know that you must make a reservation for this train, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do so. Also, do I need to have already purchased the Swiss Pass to get the discounted rate? We have not done so yet. Can anyone guide me through how to do this?
PS - I know I have heard from some that this train is overrated, but my wife very much wants to go on it. Happy wife, happy life!
PS - I know I have heard from some that this train is overrated, but my wife very much wants to go on it. Happy wife, happy life!
May 1st, 2014, 09:33 PM
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Hi mjknycmjk,
Here's the website for the Chocolate Train:
http://www.goldenpass.ch/CMS/default.asp?ID=414
Just under the bold "Chocolate Train" at the top of the page, you'll see the buttons in yellow for "Booking," "Video," "Brochure," etc. Just click on the "Booking" button.
You should get the discount when you buy the tickets -- it is 40 or 59 chf with the Swiss Pass. You can get this information if you download the pdf brochure.
Have fun!
s
Here's the website for the Chocolate Train:
http://www.goldenpass.ch/CMS/default.asp?ID=414
Just under the bold "Chocolate Train" at the top of the page, you'll see the buttons in yellow for "Booking," "Video," "Brochure," etc. Just click on the "Booking" button.
You should get the discount when you buy the tickets -- it is 40 or 59 chf with the Swiss Pass. You can get this information if you download the pdf brochure.
Have fun!
s
May 2nd, 2014, 02:50 AM
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You definitely don't need to have your pass. You will need to show it, I guess, along with your reservation presumably when you board. I booked this for May. And hey, it's not really overrated, folks here just recommend doing it independently because it's cheaper. But my DH and I decided to go because we liked the idea of the Belle Époque train, and we liked having the day all planned out instead of trying to work out the connections. Sometimes it's just fun to do touristy things.
May 2nd, 2014, 04:05 AM
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Hi again,
I've visited Montreux around 20 times since 1996, and I've visited Gruyeres maybe 5 or 6 times.
I've never been tempted to go on the Chocolate Train, china_cat, and it's not because it's cheaper to go independently. It's because it's just more enjoyable that way, imo.
I like to linger and pop in and out of corners, so I wouldn't much enjoy being on the schedule that the tour sets. Trains run frequently along that line, so I can linger over berries in double cream as long as I like. I don't think it's difficult to work out the train connections -- just know the time and the track number.
If the op's wife wants to do it that way, then that's fine for them. But please don't put words in our mouths about why some folks don't choose to use the CT --
s
I've visited Montreux around 20 times since 1996, and I've visited Gruyeres maybe 5 or 6 times.
I've never been tempted to go on the Chocolate Train, china_cat, and it's not because it's cheaper to go independently. It's because it's just more enjoyable that way, imo.
I like to linger and pop in and out of corners, so I wouldn't much enjoy being on the schedule that the tour sets. Trains run frequently along that line, so I can linger over berries in double cream as long as I like. I don't think it's difficult to work out the train connections -- just know the time and the track number.
If the op's wife wants to do it that way, then that's fine for them. But please don't put words in our mouths about why some folks don't choose to use the CT --
s
May 2nd, 2014, 04:29 AM
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Chocolate Train demands a first-class ticket or pass I believe so with a 2nd-class pass you have to pay the difference between first and second class fares - I think. Anyway check these superb sites for more info on that train and Swiss trains in general - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (I've bought passes from Bryon there for years and he IME will answer any phone question even if you are not buying) and www.seat61.com.
I'm with swandav2000 about taking the same rail route via local trains that you can just hop on and off with a pass at least - but the Chocolate Train is a luxury train - vintage Pullman rail cars, wine and cheese served en route, a hostess and commentary (I think - most of these trains do given recorded spiels, etc. - so for a splurge you may want to take the official Chocolate Train.)
I'm with swandav2000 about taking the same rail route via local trains that you can just hop on and off with a pass at least - but the Chocolate Train is a luxury train - vintage Pullman rail cars, wine and cheese served en route, a hostess and commentary (I think - most of these trains do given recorded spiels, etc. - so for a splurge you may want to take the official Chocolate Train.)
May 2nd, 2014, 04:36 AM
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Yes, it is a splurge, but -- you can take a Pullman car on this route without taking the CT. You'd just have to check the schedule to see when those trains depart.
There is no wine & cheese served enroute, just coffee & croissant.
s
There is no wine & cheese served enroute, just coffee & croissant.
s
May 2nd, 2014, 07:31 AM
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http://www.goldenpass.ch/goldenpass_chocolate_train
Yes it seems the former cheese and wine tastings that were once offered are no longer!
This is a 'Belle-Epoque' Pullman car!
Yes it seems the former cheese and wine tastings that were once offered are no longer!
This is a 'Belle-Epoque' Pullman car!
May 2nd, 2014, 07:51 AM
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sorry swandav, didn't mean to put words in your mouth (or on your keyboard, as it were 
. Also, I didn't realize you could get the pullman train without the tickets so thats good to know. .
I do understand why you recommend doing it independently and that's quite understandable. i just didn't want the OP to feel he had to be defensive about his wife wanting to do the train even though its touristy. Sometimes its more relaxing to have someone else do the planning and timing, even if that means you have to stick to their schedule. At least, that's how I feel about it.
but different strokes for different folks, for sure. And its great to have all the different points of view and specific information so the OP can make an educated decision.
. Also, I didn't realize you could get the pullman train without the tickets so thats good to know. .I do understand why you recommend doing it independently and that's quite understandable. i just didn't want the OP to feel he had to be defensive about his wife wanting to do the train even though its touristy. Sometimes its more relaxing to have someone else do the planning and timing, even if that means you have to stick to their schedule. At least, that's how I feel about it.
but different strokes for different folks, for sure. And its great to have all the different points of view and specific information so the OP can make an educated decision.
May 2nd, 2014, 09:03 AM
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to do both Gruyeres and Broc Factory on the same day on one's own yes takes careful planning and at least 2 or more changes of train and I'd want to know if the chocolate tour - to me the highlight of the thing - is always offered so check official site if going on your own about that so you don't show up and have no more tours available.
The cheese factory in Gruyeres is if I recall near the train station and is a self-done thing, at least when I went thru it several years ago.
Gruyeres is a neat walled town where you could linger for much of the day.
I may go to Broc Factory train station if doing it on my own - get that over and spend a leisurely rest of the day in Gruyeres.
The train when it leaves Montreux soon goes up and up and up thru vineyards - lovely views of the lake far below too.
The cheese factory in Gruyeres is if I recall near the train station and is a self-done thing, at least when I went thru it several years ago.
Gruyeres is a neat walled town where you could linger for much of the day.
I may go to Broc Factory train station if doing it on my own - get that over and spend a leisurely rest of the day in Gruyeres.
The train when it leaves Montreux soon goes up and up and up thru vineyards - lovely views of the lake far below too.
May 2nd, 2014, 11:58 AM
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. Sometimes its more relaxing to have someone else do the planning and timing, even if that means you have to stick to their schedule. At least, that's how I feel about it.>
I agree - on the trip of a lifetime sometimes folks are willing to pay more and just sit back and have it all done - folks like me and swandav2000 who always do things on our own prefer it that way but we have traveled for year on Swiss trains, etc.
Plus the trappings of luxury that are on the Chocolate train and not I think on regular trains even if they have the odd Belle-Epoque Pullman cars I do not think they are quite the same in what they offer than the official one.
I would always take the local trains because I strongly prefer them but folks not so familiar with it all may be more comfy just getting on in Montreux and getting off back in Montreux and having the rest taken care of.
I agree - on the trip of a lifetime sometimes folks are willing to pay more and just sit back and have it all done - folks like me and swandav2000 who always do things on our own prefer it that way but we have traveled for year on Swiss trains, etc.
Plus the trappings of luxury that are on the Chocolate train and not I think on regular trains even if they have the odd Belle-Epoque Pullman cars I do not think they are quite the same in what they offer than the official one.
I would always take the local trains because I strongly prefer them but folks not so familiar with it all may be more comfy just getting on in Montreux and getting off back in Montreux and having the rest taken care of.
May 3rd, 2014, 07:41 AM
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https://www.google.com/search?q=choc...=1600&bih=1075
Images of the Chocolate Train - you can see the huge windows - like sitting in a glass cage - regular local trains I think do not offer these spectacular windows with seats that seem to swivel. The official train does indeed seem like a much more luxurious train.
Images of the Chocolate Train - you can see the huge windows - like sitting in a glass cage - regular local trains I think do not offer these spectacular windows with seats that seem to swivel. The official train does indeed seem like a much more luxurious train.
