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 the trains in Switzerland don’t run by the clock. The clocks are set by the arrival and departures of the trains!
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. The scenic trains, on the other hand, will take you from point A to point B, but their itinerary is designed to pass through the most picturesque landscapes you could ever imagine. On the scenic trains the journey is as rewarding as the destination.
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. 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.
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.
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Marcelino Ignacio Sarmiento
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.
SPC
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
Anda Galffy
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.
Victoria @celebratetheweekend
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.
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Victoria. I hope to go back to Lucerne too.
Suze the Luxury Columnist
The Belle Epoque train would have been amazing but these panoramic trains look fantastic too – I loved Interlaken when I visited
Esther
Aww, I love Switzerland. So expensive, but so pretty. Have to go back someday!
Anda Galffy
Yea, it’s expensive indeed, Esther, but lovely!
Karilyn Owen
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!
Anda Galffy
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.
Shere
Switzerland is such a scenic country! I agree that the scenic trains are a great (if not the best) way to travel.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates
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.
Anda Galffy
I think you’d enjoy the scenic train trips in Switzerland, Marisol. They are a very comfortable and rewarding way of traveling.
RamblinLove
Wow, beautiful pictures! Everything is so vibrant next to the white of the mountains and the clouds.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
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!
Anda Galffy
Your kids would have a blast on these scenic trains, Mary.
Ruth
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.
Anda Galffy
I’d go back in a second too, Ruth! I loved Switzerland.
Laz
Great job with the pictures!