RobinBinNYC

Hello there, I've been looking at the Golden Pass website and at the former posts here on the subject, but am still confused! I will be starting in Lausanne (in mid June, travelling solo, coming from a stint in Paris), and ending in Zurich, with a possible stop in Interlaken to stay a night up in the mountains somewhere (still trying to decide where!). Because I have so few stops, I have not opted to purchase a Swiss or Eurail pass. What is the difference between taking a "regular" train between those points and the Golden Pass train? If there is a price difference, do you think it's worth taking the Golden Pass instead (what is the benefit? besides the panoramic view, of course) With the Golden Pass, can one get off and on the train at various points? Also, in looking at the prices, I was further confused. Here is the site that lists rates: http://www.mob.ch/GPS/voyages/prix.asp? ligne=mob
It mentions what looks like two rates for a one way pass - one is designated 1/1, and the other 1/2 - does anyone know what this means? Also, none of the rates mention Luzern or Zurich as an ending point. Finally, I know that Europe and US differ on the use of the comma and the period in numbering...I'm not understanding how the prices are running here. Finally, any benefit to booking ahead in the US vs. just doing it upon arrival in Lausanne at the train station? Help!! Thank you endlessly in advance if you can clear this up for me.

kappa

I have not checked the site you mentioned but generally speaking about Swiss railways :
-1/2 means half-fare that is 1) for children & 2) for adults with half fare card.
- You buy a ticket e.g. Montreux-Interlaken and can get off at as many stations as you want (e.g.Zweisimmen, Spiez)provided you don't do the the same route twice.
- With Panorama trains, cars are nicer, windows are larger (esp.1st class panoramic car), otherwise the scenery you will see is the same on the ordinary trains. With Panorama trains, you usually pay about CHF5 supplement.
- The name MOB is from Monetreux(this i'm sure) & maybe Oberland and as I can rememebe the Golden Pass did not include Interlaken-Lucerne part till recently. Now Montreux-Interlaken Ost and INT O.-Lucerne are marketed together under the name the Golden Pass. Lucerne-Zurich is not included in the Golden Pass since there is no pass and the route is pretty flat.

I hope I answered some of your questions.

Intrepid1

Go here; click on the English version.

http://www.goldenpass.ch/404.asp

Intrepid1

Sorry..use this one:

http://www.goldenpass.ch/GPL/main.asp

RobinBinNYC

Kappa, thanks so much, your information is very helpful in clearing things up. Now I'm trying to decipher the pricing so I can decide between the pass and the "regular" train. On the Golden Pass website (http://www.mob.ch/GPS/voyages/prix.asp?ligne=mob ), the fare rates for the "GoldenPass Panoramic" are listed as 3 options:
Montreux - Château-d'Oex
Montreux - Gstaad
Montreux - Zweisimmen
On the map showing the route from Montreux to Lucerne (http://www.mob.ch/GPL/societes/carte.asp), the only town mentioned is Zweisimmen, which looks like is only 1/4 of the journey. Does anyone know the price (or where I might find it) for the full journey? Also, in trying to figure out the price, for example to Château-d'Oex, it is quoted as 29.20. Is this format-wise like $29.20US (except in CHF), or is it a different placement of the period/comma that I'm supposed to be interpreting/translating? Thanks, Robin

kappa

Hi Robin, if you read e.g.CHF29.50, that means 29 Swiss Francs 50 centimes (cents).

For the general time table, use the following Swiss Railway site.

http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en?

For a ticket price, get any train timing you want, e.g. Montreux to Zweisimmen and click on "book". That will give you a whole list of prices for the route (adult full fare, 1st cls, 2nd cls, return (round trip), 1/2 fare) and those are the prices for the ordinary trains so do not include Panorama - Golden Pass train supplements.

PalQ

There are hourly regular trains over the whole Golden Pass route that of course have the same scenery. Golden Pass does have recorded commentary i believe and panoramic dome cars in 1st class. Actually in Interlaken last summer i saw several Golden Pass trains and asked the station and they said reservations were not required but were advised to get a seat in the dome car. But since they are not required i think you could use a regular ticket on the train at no extra cost. I may have got misinformation however and the reservation fee is small - that would be the only difference i think. Golden Pass is an optimal link because of coordination changes of train in Zweissimmen and Interlaken Ost (East) because of difference in track widths - narrow gauge Montreux-Zweissimmen, broad gauge to Interlaken Ost and narrow gauge to Lucerne, neccessitating changes of train. Plans are to duplicate narrow gauge rail along the broad gauge portion to allow more seemless conveyance of Golden Pass trains. The Brunig Pass portion Interlaken Ost-Lucerne supposedly is the only narrow-gauge "cog" rail line of the Swiss Federal Railways, and it's a lovely ride. The whole route is valid with Eurail and Swiss passes for those who have them.

kappa

Also you might want to note there are 1)Goldenpass "Classic" trains which are nicer than ordinary trains but without panoramic cars on 1st cls (> no larger windows till the ceiling) or 2) Goldenpass "Panoramic" trains with panoramic cars (larger windows)on 1st cls. The railway site I posted above will probably will tell you these names.

DeeDee

Robin,

Rick Steves has very detailed information on the Golden Pass scenic trains. It is a fairly complicated arrangement between a few train companies to cover the different segments of this journey. Check out this link for all the details:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...srailjourn.htm

DeeDee

metlc

Robin,

The Golden Pass is a great ride, regardless. You'll get great views, panoramic cars or otherwise.

The best thing about the panoramic cars is (a) they have a nice bar in the front car and (b) there are eight rather unique seats in the front car that sit BELOW the engineer and look directly out the front of the train. I took some nice videos taken that way.

PalQ

Another novelty with the Golden Pass trains from Zweissimmen to Montreux is that some 1st class seats actually revolve as the train turns!

RobinBinNYC

Thanks, all, so much! This really clears it up for me. For some reason it just wasn't so clear cut from what I was reading. I tend to be a bit more particular in getting the details down when I'll be travelling on my own I'm now counting down the days...13 to go!!!