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Riding the Golden Pass Line from Lucerne to Interlaken

Home » DESTINATIONS » Europe » Switzerland » Riding the Golden Pass Line from Lucerne to Interlaken

Last Modified: December 4, 2024 //  by Anda //  21 Comments

Did you ever dream about riding a Swiss scenic train through the Alps? We did! So we planned our 10-day itinerary in Switzerland in a way that we could experience three different scenic trains in three very different regions of the country. One of the most beautiful train rides through Switzerland is from Lucerne to Interlaken via the Golden Pass Line.

What You Should Know About the Swiss Scenic Trains

Riding a Swiss scenic train is an experience in itself. The trains are clean, safe and efficient. Their timetable is planned to the second. But then what else can you expect from a country that makes the best time keeping devices and knives for the military equipment?  

They say that in Switzerland trains don’t run by the clock, but rather the clocks are set by the arrival and departures of the trains! 

train from Lucerne to Interlaken via the Golden Pass Line
Riding the trai from Lucerne to Interlaken

Trains are by far the greenest way to explore the country. In Switzerland they have two kinds of trains: the regular and the scenic trains. A regular train is meant to take you from point A to point B. You may see some scenic views on the way, but the main purpose of these trains is transportation, not sightseeing. 

Scenic trains on the other hand will also take you from point A to point B, but their itinerary is designed to pass through incredibly picturesque landscapes. On the scenic trains like Glacier Express or Bernina Express, the journey is as rewarding as the destination.

car in the Golden Pass Line
Inside the Golden Pass scenic train

Traveling by train in Switzerland is easy and does not require a lot of planning. If you buy a Swiss Rail Pass you are covered for most means of transportation.

READ NEXT: Riding the Cogwheel Train to Jungfraujoch

You can hop on and off the train, bus, boat, cogwheel train, or funicular. Inter-city trains do not require seat reservations, but the scenic trains do.

scenery from Lucerne to Interlaken aboard the Golden Pass Line
Scenic landscape seen from the train

Aboard the Golden Pass Panoramic Express

The Golden Pass Line stretches from Lucerne to Lake Geneva, but we only took it to Interlaken. When I made the reservations for the Panoramic GoldenPass Line I was hoping to get aboard the Classic Belle-Epoque train, with its romantic luxurious cars.

Unfortunately, the classic cars run only between Montreux and Zweisimmen. So riding from Lucerne to Interlaken via the Golden Pass Line will not offer you that experience. Nonetheless, the Golden Pass Panoramic Express is really beautiful.

The cars feature huge windows that stretch up to the ceiling and very comfortable seats both in first and second class. You also have access to a well-stocked “Rail Bar.”

Riding from Lucerne to Interlaken via the Golden Pass Line

The 2-hour ride from Lucerne to Interlaken is so enthralling that you would wonder if you are not in heaven. The journey right into the heart of Switzerland, into one of the most exhilarating scenery that you will ever see.

Right after we started off, the train began passing through towns and villages scattered through green pastures. The ride continued through the spectacular Brunig mountain pass, passing by five blue lakes, waterfalls, and white mountain peaks. 

Throughout the scenic ride, the Swiss landscape kept our noses glued to the window. I was in a photo shooting frenzy for the entire trip, trying to immortalize the bucolic landscape while fighting the window glare. This is actually the only downside of the scenic trains: their panoramic windows don’t open, so photography is a real challenge.

I didn’t feel like getting off this train as we arrived in Interlaken, but the thought of riding the cogwheel train to Jungfraujock was reassuring. So we said good-bye to the GoldenPass Line, but with a sigh of regret.

Planning a trip to Switzerland? You may find these posts useful:

  • 10 Amazing Days in Switzerland – Itinerary by Scenic Trains
  • One Day in Lucerne, Switzerland – 10 Amazing Things to Do
  • Aboard the Glacier Express (Zermatt to St. Moritz Route)
  • 5 Best Things to Do in Interlaken for Couples
  • How to Visit Harder Kulm, Interlaken’s Local Mountain
THE GOLDEN PASS LINE

Category: DESTINATIONS, Europe, SwitzerlandTag: Destination Guides, Scenic Train Rides

About Anda

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Previous Post: « One Day in Lucerne, Switzerland – 10 Amazing Things to Do
Next Post: Class and Elegance at Lindner Beau Rivage Hotel in Interlaken »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tatiana

    March 19, 2025 at 7:09 pm

    What a fantastic overview of the Golden Pass Line! Your descriptions of the scenic views really captured the beauty of the journey. I can’t wait to experience that breathtaking ride from Lucerne to Interlaken myself! Thank you for sharing tips on the best spots to take photos!

    Reply
  2. Carmen

    March 14, 2025 at 9:35 am

    What an incredible journey! The views along the Golden Pass Line are absolutely breathtaking. I can’t wait to experience this for myself. Thanks for sharing your insights and tips!

    Reply
  3. Marcelino Ignacio Sarmiento

    December 17, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    The Swiss countryside is just so postcard pretty it’s almost a crime not to go back after your first visit. We were so thrilled seeing alpine meadows, the Swiss Alps, grazing cows especially during our train ride from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen & a side trip to Wengen. We also were pleasantly surprised to feel the friendly & accommodating nature of the Swiss folks. Nature at its best. We’ll definitely return.

    Reply
  4. SPC

    July 4, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    Anda

    I enjoyed reading your posts You took wonderful pictures
    we plan to go to Lucerne and Interlaken in April after a river cruise that disembark in Basel.Is it better to go from Basel-Lucerne -Interlaken to Zurich to fly back to the States, or the other way Basel-Interlaken-Lucerne -Zurich we will be taking the train as well. Does the panoramic train goes both directions?
    Any suggestions will be most appreciated
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      July 4, 2018 at 8:23 pm

      Lucerne is the ideal starting point because The GoldenPass Line starts in there. The GoldenPass Line runs through the popular town of Interlaken, which a perfect destination for breaking your journey. Interlaken also gives you easy access to the cogwheel train which will take you to Europe’s highest railway station at Jungfraujoch (you can read more about this train here: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/riding-the-cogwheel-train-to-the-top-of-europe/
      The most impressive scenic train in Switzerland is however the Glacier Express, that goes Zermatt to St. Moritz. But from all I understand you are want to return to Zurich from Interlaken. At any rate, if you can spend a day in Interlaken, make it a point to ride the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch. It’s quite an experience! I hope this helps.

      Reply
  5. Victoria @celebratetheweekend

    May 31, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    Anda, I want to try visiting Mount Pilatus when in Lucerne this summer- a different kind of train. There is also a transportation museum in Lucerne that may be of interest to visitors. As always- amazing photos.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 31, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      Thank you, Victoria. I hope to go back to Lucerne too.

      Reply
  6. Suze the Luxury Columnist

    May 31, 2015 at 11:12 am

    The Belle Epoque train would have been amazing but these panoramic trains look fantastic too – I loved Interlaken when I visited

    Reply
  7. Esther

    May 31, 2015 at 2:11 am

    Aww, I love Switzerland. So expensive, but so pretty. Have to go back someday!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 31, 2015 at 3:07 pm

      Yea, it’s expensive indeed, Esther, but lovely!

      Reply
  8. Karilyn Owen

    May 30, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    We did a train journey through Switzerland a couple of years ago and the trains were amazing! We got off in Interlaken like you, but I can’t recall where we started from, sounds like it was probably Lucerne as well! Anyway, we were in the kid cars on the trains which meant there were actual playgrounds! My son had a ball. That won him over on train travel for sure!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 31, 2015 at 3:09 pm

      I bet kids enjoy trains even more than us, the adults, Karilyn. I wish I took my son on a train trip like this when he was younger.

      Reply
  9. Shere

    May 30, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Switzerland is such a scenic country! I agree that the scenic trains are a great (if not the best) way to travel.

    Reply
  10. Marisol@TravelingSolemates

    May 30, 2015 at 11:50 am

    Hi Anda,
    Wow, what a great way to see a beautiful country. I love train rides, especially the scenic ones, and which make the journey as rewarding as the destination. Thanks for sharing your incredible photos. I’m deeply inspired to do this train journey myself.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 31, 2015 at 3:13 pm

      I think you’d enjoy the scenic train trips in Switzerland, Marisol. They are a very comfortable and rewarding way of traveling.

      Reply
  11. RamblinLove

    May 30, 2015 at 9:24 am

    Wow, beautiful pictures! Everything is so vibrant next to the white of the mountains and the clouds.

    Reply
  12. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    May 30, 2015 at 1:21 am

    Wow! What a great collection of scenic photos, Anda. This train ride is absolutely beautiful. I’d love to go on a train ride like this in Switzerland and I may have a hard time getting off too. Thank you for this visual treat!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 31, 2015 at 3:17 pm

      Your kids would have a blast on these scenic trains, Mary.

      Reply
  13. Ruth

    May 29, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    Those areas of Switzerland are so beautiful. I visited Lucerne several years ago and I remember the mountains, lakes and trees. I will go back in a second.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 31, 2015 at 3:19 pm

      I’d go back in a second too, Ruth! I loved Switzerland.

      Reply
  14. Laz

    May 29, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    Great job with the pictures!

    Reply

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