GoldenPass Express: are seat reservations compulsory for all classes?
A traveler and his wife are planning to take the GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken and then possibly continue to Gstaad. They want to know if seat reservations are mandatory for the 11:08am train from Interlaken, particularly since they are flexible and may travel without luggage.
- You do not need a seat reservation for the GoldenPass train if you're traveling in 1st or 2nd class, as long as you have a valid ticket.
- It's acceptable to stand if the train is full and you don’t mind saving time.
- Reserved seats are usually marked; look for signage indicating which seats are reserved between stops.
AI-generated summary-
My wife and I am intending to purchase the Goldenpass express from Montreux to Interlaken taking the very first train 7:35am and arrive Interlaken at 10:50am in Prestige class (we hold Day Saver Pass 1st class) which will be additional cost of CHF20 seat reservation + CHF29 prestige class seat reservation. This part, no problem
One other issue is, there is a possibility that we may take Interlaken to Gstaad golden pass train that departs at 11:08am (of the same train after we finish at Interlaken @ 10:50am). Therefore, I am wondering is it 100% compulsory that we need to book the seat reservation (whether it is 2nd, 1st or prestige class)? If it is not compulsory and is full, can we just stand (in which we are ok with it since we have no luggage and are flexible)? The reason why I ask is that we may stay around the Lauterbrunnen area or keep going for this train should we decide at the last minute.
I am aware that we can take the normal SBB train from Interlaken to Gstaad but it requires 2 changes and takes half hour longer and also starts at 11:30am instead of 11:08am, so if we can take this Golden Pass train would be suitable even if we have to stand.
So yeah, I just want to confirm whether the seat reservation is compulsory and if not, do we get to sit on 3 classes? Or only 2nd and 1st class free while for Prestige class we need to pay additional CHF29 even there is seat available etc
Would be appreciated for this clarification. Thank you
-
Hi TravelGuy,
That’s great you will be enjoying the GoldenPass with your Saver Day Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/).
Generally you won’t need reservations for a ride on the GoldenPass. A reservation is only necessary if you choose to travel in Prestige Class on the GoldenPass Express train. That said reservations are recommended, if traveling in a large group or if it’s high season.
More reservation details for the GoldenPass can be found in the below link:
I hope this helps, do reach out if you have any additional questions.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Yolanda
Thank you for the reply
I know the Goldenpass procedure since I have booked before (the old yellow train ). But given I said the plan may change, I just want to make sure I can still travel WITHOUT seat reservation should we decide to go to Gstaad in last minute without hopping off the train after we arrive in Interlaken.
So just to confirm, you mean if the train is still full, we can still take this train (11:08am) but stand is no problem right? (in which we are fine to save time than changing 2 SBB train), its just that I am not sure if this is regarded as special train, so seat reservation is a must
And finally, if we can sit anywhere provided if the seats are empty, like you said, we can ONLY sit in 2nd class OR 1st class (since we hold 1st class Day Saver) and NOT prestige class, correct?
Thank you again
Hi TravelGuy,
Yes, correct as long as you have a valid ticket, you can board the train and sit in 1st or 2nd class. (As you have a Saver Day Pass 1st, of course your first option would be 1st :-)). It’s unlikely you will need to stand but yes, it’s acceptable.
You may want to take look on the Swiss timetable nearer the time (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/). You can also view the anticipated capacity for your journey. If the little figures are red, then they are expecting it to be busy, if they are ‘grey’, then it’s unlikely to be busy.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Yolanda
Thank you for the reply again as well as confirmation! =)
Yes, I am aware you can look at the swiss timetable in mob website i.e.https://shop.gpx.swiss/gpx_en/specials/daytrips/goldenpass-express-prestige
As far as I am aware, the cut off date for booking in advance is 1 day, so basically if you are travelling tomorrow, I cannot book but that should give me a good idea how full the train if I check like 2 days in advance!
All I wanted to make sure that I do not get fined for NOT getting a seat reservation, that’s all so whether we sit in 1st or 2nd or even stand, is not a problem =)
PS: Sorry just 1 more thing, if say Interlaken GoldenExpress train departs at 11:08am right, prior departing, does the seat (for 2nd or 1st class) have sort of mini dim light signage saying “reserved” or “reserved from Interlaken to Gastaad section” so that we do not have to move around in case someone comes in and out of each station?
Hi Travel Guy,
Generally if a train is full, you are still allowed to board if you don’t mind standing.
If a seat is reserved, it is usually indicated by a sign overhead or on the side of the windows. For example, it could just be as simple as: ‘reserved Interlaken – Spiez’. After Spiez, the seat is free.
Regards,
Anna
Thank you for confirming!
As much as I would like to reserve in advance, we do not know whether we will go to Gastaad or get off the train, so since you confirm that we can still take on the train without seat reservation (whether it is sitting in first class, 2nd class or stand), we will then go for this option. Otherwise, if the answer was “No, seat reservation is a MUST or you cannot get on this train” and that we want to go to Gstaad, we would been more troublesome in changing 2 SBB trains and taking a bit longer to get there
- The thread ‘GoldenPass Express: are seat reservations compulsory for all classes?’ is closed to new replies.
