how to do chocolate train excursion on your own

Short summary – read this first

A family of 6 adults is planning their visit to Switzerland at the end of July and has an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass. They want to know if they can independently visit the Cailler chocolate factory, the Gruyère cheese factory, and Château de Chillon and what the expected waiting times are, as well as details about the Golden Pass route, particularly if reservations are needed due to the tourist season.

Key takeaways:
  • Entry to the Cailler chocolate factory and Gruyère cheese factory is free with your Swiss Travel Pass.
  • The Golden Pass line is also free with the Swiss Travel Pass, and no reservations are required for a group of 6.
  • Expect long queues at popular attractions in late July, so plan your visits accordingly.
  • It's wise to prioritize your favorite attractions, as fitting all three into one day may be challenging.
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InfoAI-generated summary
  • Anonymous
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    13 July 2014 at 22:23:37 #806511

    Hi

    We are a family of 6 adults and have a swiss saver 8 day pass for our visit to switzerland in end of july. The chocolate train ride is turning out to be too expensive so I wanted to know whether I can do it on my own. We will be starting from interlaken to cover this trip in 1 day so wanted to know whether the entry into the cailler chocolate factory, guyere cheese factory and chateu de chillon free with our swiss pass. Also I wanted to know how much time(including waiting time) would be required for these 3 trips and also wanted to know whether the golden pass line is free with the swiss pass and whether we need a reservation for 6 ppl on it since it being a tourist season.

    Would really appreciate your help.Thank You

  • Arno
    Moderator
    15730 posts
    Reply 1 of 13 • 14 July 2014 at 5:32:46 #840610

    Hi ankit21j,

    The entrance is free with your pass. The Golden Pass line is free (see here) and you don’t need reservations. This will take a full day I recommend to leave early. This topic may be useful for you too.

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    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 2 of 13 • 14 July 2014 at 6:00:15 #840611

    Hi Arno,

    Thanks for your prompt reply, it has helped a lot. Although I wanted to know one more thing whether, it being end of july will there be long queues for the chocolate ,cheese factory and the chillon castle?

    Arno
    Moderator
    15730 posts
    Reply 3 of 13 • 14 July 2014 at 6:05:59 #840612

    Hi ankit21j,

    I can’t say for your specific day and time, but in general this is high season and it will be busy. Queues are very well possible. You may want to plan you favorite attractions first in case you decide to skip one of the three. It’s quite a lot for one day.

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 4 of 13 • 14 July 2014 at 6:17:58 #840613

    Hi Arno,

    Thanks for the advice. I think I may skip the cheese factory. Wise choice? Which one would you suggest

    Arno
    Moderator
    15730 posts
    Reply 5 of 13 • 14 July 2014 at 12:18:39 #840614

    Hi ankit21j,

    That would be my choice too I guess. But it’s a personal preference; other people may choose differently.

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 6 of 13 • 14 July 2014 at 16:43:33 #840615

    Hi Arno

    Thanks a lot for all your help..I have my trip all figured out now.

    andrew
    Participant
    201 posts
    Reply 7 of 13 • 16 July 2014 at 12:57:02 #840616

    Hi, I’d be interested to know your reaction to the chocolate factory. It’s an excellent opportunity for them to advertise to you, to purchase chocolates and people watch. Otherwise, and this very much is a personal opinion, we thought it a waste of time. Had we been shown the chocolates being made and told more about the manufacturing process, I think we would have been a bit more impressed. Otherwise … sorry. Andrew

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 8 of 13 • 16 July 2014 at 13:15:10 #840617

    Hi Andrew,

    I was earlier planning to do the golden pass line from interlaken at 0908 to reach montreaux at 1213 to cover the chocolate factory and the chateau di chillon and then bak to interlaken..but I just realized that I would be running a marathon to cover these two places so was contemplating to skip the chocolate factory and rather explore montreux and your post just made my decision easier..so thx

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 9 of 13 • 16 July 2014 at 13:23:38 #840618

    Hi Arno,

    Could you help me with another question whether you are allowed to carry luggage on the golden pass line from interlaken to lucerne

    Annika
    Moderator
    7328 posts
    Reply 10 of 13 • 17 July 2014 at 5:54:38 #840619

    Hi ankit21j,

    Luggage is no problem, it is allowed in all trains.

    Kind regards,

    Annika

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 11 of 13 • 17 July 2014 at 7:31:06 #840620

    Hi Annika,

    Thanks a lot for all your help..You guys are doing a great job..

    Beauty
    Participant
    10 posts
    Reply 12 of 13 • 17 July 2014 at 21:25:43 #840621

    Hi,

    You can watch a chocolate show in the Grand Restaurant Schuh (pronounced as ‘shoe’ ) in Interlaken if you are planning to stay nearby. There’s a show time everyday @ 5 pm.We paid 44 chf for 2 adults and 1 child but at the end of the show we got voucher worth 24chf (i.e, 8 chf each) which could be used in the shop to by some chocolate. You also get to taste some good chocolates during the show. It was a nice show.

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 13 of 13 • 17 July 2014 at 21:29:02 #840622

    Hi Beauty,

    Thanks for the tip. I think we will definately go there.

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