[Anonymous]

25 February 2019 at 14:06:09 #820104

Hi there.

Hoping for some advise on this route I am planning for Sat and Sun March 9 & 10. On Saturday 3/9 we plan to leave Zermatt on the 8:52am Glacier Express train into Andermatt at 11:46am, then take the 12:40pm train to Luzern arriving 2:40pm. I had thought of staying in this region overnight, but with limited time this weekend, I am thinking it may be best to go ahead and take the Golden Pass line into Interlaken Ost (or open to other places) for that night so that we can enjoy the Jungfraujoch region Sunday March 10.

After exploring Jungfraujoch Sunday morning we plan to ride the Golden Pass to the south end of Montreux and ultimately back to Geneva Sunday night, as we have the high speed train to Paris Monday morning.

We will have a Swiss Travel Pass and are big on scenery and mountain adventures, so I am open to any and all advice. I have wondered if we would have time to go farther on the Glacier Express beyond Andermott, but worried of time since we want to have time to explore Jungfraujoch the next day and any other notable stops on the Golden Pass railway that I haven’t figured out yet.

Thanks in advance for any advice/assistance!

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[User]

Reply 1 of 6 • 26 February 2019 at 1:48:11 #904954

You won’t have time to ‘do Jungfraujoch‘ in the morning and get to Geneva via the GoldenPass (Zweisimmen Montreux) ‘with any notable stops on the GoldenPass’

[User]

Reply 2 of 6 • 26 February 2019 at 2:00:03 #904955

It is possible to get the 08.52 Glacier Express from Zermatt to Chur, then travel Chur – Thalwil – Luzern – Interlaken, arriving at 19.55.

This has advantages as you would traverse three of the four most spectacular sections of the ‘Glacier Express route‘ – rather than only one of the four if you alight at Andermatt.

To understand the above, it is worth taking a moment to understand the Glacier Express and its history:

It was created (as one train each way daily) with the notion that well-healed travellers taking long holidays in Switzerland in the ‘Belle Epoque’ era (1930s) would stay in Zermatt and then also go and stay in the other fashionable resort of the time, St Moritz. The train was named (mainly) after the Rhone Glacier which has now melted so much that you don’t see it from the train and in any case the train runs under the Rhone Glacier in a base tunnel which replaced the Furka mountain section in 1982.

Points to bear in mind about the Glacier Express:

Although the whole journey is in the mountains, a lot of it is in valleys – where you get some good views of bubbling rivers but not all the time – there are some mundane sections.

In truth there are only 4 really spectacular sections – in order West to East: the loops around Grengiols and Fiesch; Andermatt – Oberalppass – Disentis; Ruinaulta (Rheinschlucht aka Rhein gorge); Albula north ramp loops and spirals Tiefencastel – Filisur – Preda

The trip is a long one – tourists can frequently be seen sleeping rather than watching the view and missing the spectacular bits anyway!

the same railway lines can be travelled using ordinary local trains which are no slower in practice due to the single track infrastructure

[User]

Reply 3 of 6 • 26 February 2019 at 2:32:27 #904956

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply. I think I will move a few things beforehand around to make the Jungfraujoch visit work out, even if it is a brief one just taking in the views more than anything. Where is the best place to overnight before a Jung. morning visit? We probably will be coming from the north (Golden Pass). Thanks!

[Arno]

Reply 4 of 6 • 26 February 2019 at 6:29:33 #904957

Hi Lowens311,

Welcome to MySwissAlps! Logistically, a hotel near the Interlaken Ost station would be best. That allows you to leave your luggage at the hotel, take an early train to Jungfraujoch, collect your luggage early afternoon and then take the Golden Pass line. You’ll find hotel suggestions here: http://www.myswissalps.com/in terlaken/hotels.

I don’t think there are any stops on the Golden Pass line that can’t be missed. If you want to stretch your legs then the lakefront in Montreux is a good option, and close to the train station.

What’s included in the Swiss Travel Pass can be found here: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity.

[User]

Reply 5 of 6 • 27 February 2019 at 15:09:45 #904958

Thanks! Quick question about the logistics since I already booked seats on the below:

I have this booked with seat reservations: On Saturday 3/9 we leave Zermatt on the 8:52am Glacier Express train into Andermatt at 11:46am.

I had thought about a route taking us from Andermatt to Luzern then down to Interlaken for the night via the Golden Pass, but perhaps the earlier suggested extension of the Glacier route via: Zermatt to Chur, then travel Chur – Thalwil – Luzern – Interlaken, arriving at 19.55 would be best? I am thinking so, but not sure if I mucked that up with the seat reservations already being just from Zermatt to Andermatt or if that is easy to add on seat reservations for the next legs? We will have a 4 day Swiss travel pass (I plan to buy that there, that ok or should I prebuy?), so no worries on train costs etc for additions. We are fine with just sightseeing from the train or some on and off if time, no matter.

Any advice much appreciated! Trying to nail down this last route and then I think I have the trip all planned 🙂

[User]

Reply 6 of 6 • 1 March 2019 at 13:59:30 #904959

Hi,

You will need reservations on the Glacier Express, as you can see on this link: http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress/tickets

The best scenery can be seen via Chur so I would choose that one.

Perhaps there is a way of modifying your existing reservation? I would recommend doing that at a staffed station in Switzerland before you travel.

Regarding the Swiss Travel Pass, you can buy it in Switzerland or you can pre-purchase it (with immediate delivery), options can be found here: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/price

We would recommend purchasing it in advance to save time, have a backup, and possibly a slightly lower price or promotion.

Hope that helps!

Maria.