Reservation GoldenPass Express Interlaken-Montreux
A traveler named hgarg is planning a trip on the Golden Pass Express from Interlaken OST on April 5th and has several questions about seat reservations, ticket options, and return journeys. They want to know about refund policies and whether they can stop in Gstaad on their way back.
- To reserve your seat on the Golden Pass Express while using the Swiss Travel Pass, choose 'Reservation Only' when booking.
- Seat reservations on GoldenPass Express are not mandatory but recommended during busy times; for Prestige Class, they are required.
- You can stop in Gstaad during your return trip without issue, as the Swiss Travel Pass allows hopping on and off trains freely.
- While the seat reservation fee is CHF 20 regardless of distance, it's common practice throughout Europe.
AI-generated summary-
Hello –
I am planning to take Golden Pass Express on April 5th, 2023 from Interlaken OST. I have few questions:
1. Can the seat reservations on Golden Pass Express that departs at 9:08 am from Interlaken OST canceled for a refund?
2. I see two options – Own ticket and Only reservation – when making a reservation. What’s the difference between the two as either option only costs CHF20.00. Which option do I need to select if I am traveling with Swiss Travel Pass?
3. I will be returning from back to Interlaken OST later that day. My only option is to take train from Montreux to Zweisimmen and then second leg from Zweisimmen to Interlaken OST?
4. Is it possible to stop in Gstaad during the return journey for few hours and take the train from Gstaad to Zweisimmen and then again from Zweisimmen to Interlaken OST?
Thanks!
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Hi hgarg,
For your information, seat reservation for 1st and 2nd Class on the GoldenPass Express is not compulsory, however strongly recommended if you’re travelling in peak season. Seat reservation in Prestige Class is mandatory.
To answer your questions:
1. According to the terms and conditions, online seat reservations on the GoldenPass Express generally cannot be refunded. However reimbursement is possible if you have valid reasons such as illness and accident. You can contact the MOB (GoldenPass operator) for further clarification.
2. The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on on the GoldenPass Express: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity. You don’t need additional ticket. To reserve seat, choose ‘Reservation Only’ under reduction. You can find more details here: http://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass/tickets
3. For your return journey Montreux – Interlaken, you can either take the GoldenPass train via Zweisimmen or travel on the regular train via Lausanne or Brig. The choice is entirely up to you. Travelling on the regular train is slightly faster but may require you to change trains two or three times. You can use the SBB timetable to check train schedules: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
4. Yes, if you’re taking the GoldenPass train from Montreux to Zweisimmen, you can stop at Gstaad and continue your journey on the next train later. With a Swiss Travel Pass you can hop on and hop off as you wish.
Let us know if you need more info.
Regards,
Anna
Thank you Anna. For the Golden Pass Express, is the reservation required or recommended? I will be traveling first week of April which is probably not a peak season.
Until June 2023, there is only one GoldenPass Express train each way, which is why you can not travel Eastbound direct to Interlaken later in the afternoon.
Reservations are not obligatory on any trains except the Prestige class on the GPX (due to limited seats)
Thank you. Are there are any places recommended to visit once in Montreux? Also will a day trip give us enough time to spend couple of hours in Gstaad upon the return journey from Montreux to Interlaken?
Hello hgarg,
I am unsure what your interests are but a few suggestions on activities in and around Montreux can be found here, perhaps a chocolate factory visit or cheese factory visit or a visit to the Charlie Chaplin museum?
I think a visit to Gstaad is doable, of course, starting the day early will allow you more time to explore Gstaad and returning in a timely manner.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thanks Yolanda. Can you please share the names or locations of the Cheese and Chocolate factories?
HI hgarg,
From Montreux, it’s possible to combine a day trip to the chocolate factory in Broc and the cheese factory in Gruyeres. Details in the following links:
- Chocolate factory Maison Cailler: http://www.myswissalps.com/maisoncailler/gettingthere
- Cheese factory La Maison du Gruyere: http://www.myswissalps.com/lamaisondugruyere/gettingthere
Regards,
Anna
Hi Anna,
I reached out to Golden Pass Express and they are willing to offer a refund due to service interruption between Interlaken and Zweisimmen. But I noticed this message on their site “Traffic restriction GoldenPass Express until 14 March 2023.”. So I am going to wait until then before I request for a refund since my travel is not until first week of April.
But I do have another question. I was checking for a reservation on the express from Zweisimmen to Montreux and noticed the seat reservation is CHF 20 as well. So the price doesn’t change for a shorter distance?
Seat reservation fees are hardly ever related to distance anywhere in Europe.
Is there a train service from Gruyere to Gstaad, Saanen without having to come back to Montreux?
Hello hgarg,
Just so I am clear, you are wanting to reserve which section of the GoldenPass Express, indeed for Zweisimmen to Montreux, the fee is CHF20.
In regard to your train service question. Do use the timetable link to check your options. Simply insert Gruyères to Gstaad and add Saanen in the via option. There is no need to travel to Montreux on this route. https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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