Geneva to Lucerne by Golden Pass trains

Hi,

We will be going from Geneve to Luzern by train and would like to take a "regular" train on the Golden Pass train route. We need to be in Luzern by 4p at the latest. Please assist with the times we need to catch the various trains. thank you!

Claire

Hi Claire, welcome to MySwissAlps,

Train schedules may differ according to date and time. You can find all details in the timetable and our Golden Pass page. This thread is also useful: myswissalps.com/forum/ topic/geneva-to-lucerne-by-golen-pass-train-in-may.

thanks Arno,

I have already checked these resources and places you sent. I am unclear how to use the timetable for the times. There are no details or options when I enter Geneva to Lucerne in the table and it doesn't give the right info when I enter Golden Pass. What do you suggest I enter in the table and how do you know whether it's a Golden Pass train or regular?

Claire

Hi Claire,

The timetable shows the quickest option to get from A to B by default. The Golden Pass route is a detour one would normally not take to quickly get from Geneva to Lucerne, but only to enjoy the scenery. So you either look for each leg individually (Geneva - Montreux, Montreux - Interlaken, etc)., or you force the timetable to use the preferred route by entering via-stations (Montreux , Zweisimmen, Meiringen). It's explained on the Golden Pass page I linked to. Click "Route" and look under "Timetable".

Thanks for all your help Arno,

our plans got a little off due to not being able to book a CERN tour on the day we planned. Is it possible to take part of the scenic route from Montreux to Zweisimmen and then take a faster train straight to Lucerne? and how long might that take? we will have the CERN tour 11a -1p in Geneva and then try to go to Montreal -Zwiesimmen - Lucerne. Hoping to get there before 8p. I really tried my best to enter those stops in the timetable but for some reason it wouldn't work for me. thank you.

CN

You're welcome CN! Once you have reached Zweisimmen you can best continue on the Golden Pass line to Spiez. From there you can reach Lucerne via Bern (quicker) or continue on the Golden Pass line. The second option takes about 45 minutes more, depending on the exact time of the day. If you have that time I would say it's worth it.

Hi Arno,

Thanks for that tip! I finally figured out how to work the timetable correctly. One of the routes I'm considering has 4 platform changes! Is it very easy to change platforms, we will have our luggage with us. I'm also confused by the "choic of ticket" showing various stops, how do you select which one? Also on the route, there will be a Golden Pass train with VIP seat possibility. How do you find out if they are available and how do you reserve those? I didn't see a way to select them as I clicked through the booking site.

CN

Will you travel with a rail pass, and which one?

Hi Arno,

It looks like we will get a 3 day Swiss travel pass, since we plan to go from Geneva to Lucerne (part or all Scenic route), Seelisberg to Mt. Pilates and Lucerne to Basel, then out of Switzerland. I was trying today to work out the Pilatus visit. One of the routes I chose says "For the desired stretch, there are no connections available in the ticket shop". What does that mean, sold out? Thanks as always for your help.

CN

I had a similar query

i am reaching Geneva from Paris on 8th June by early morning TGV Lyria train and leaving Switzerland on 14th June afternoon from Zurich.

We plan to spend 1 night at Geneva , two nights each at Lucerne and Interlaken and then one night and one and half day at Zurich.

On 9th June we want to take Golden Pass train to Lucerne. For this do we need to go to Montreux or it can be done from Geneva.

Also only entry and exit from Switzerland is fixed. What is the best intinery for doing most with minimum charge.

Hi Saumya12,

I'm just a fellow traveler, Responding to the Golden Pass train question: It's my understanding that the Golden Pass train starts in Montreux. You have to train from Geneva to Montreux first, about an hour ride. Happy travels!

Hi Saumya12,

As CN rightly points out, the Golden Pass route starts in Montreux so you'll have to get there first. There are lots of options for your itinerary. You'd best start off by checking the "Activities" sections at our pages on Geneva, Interlaken, Lucerne and Zurich. Our planning and budget tips may be of help too. If you have follow-up questions that aren't closely related to CN's original questions on the Golden Pass, would you please post them in a new topic? Thanks :-)!

Thanks

Hi again,

I think maybe my post on March 20 330am was not seen, may someone please assist, I still have the question. Thank you!

CN

Hi CN,

Don't worry, such routes don't sell out. I can't trace the exact comment you saw, as I don't know what date and travel time you've entered and what exact route you tried. It may just be a temporary problem in the timetable. Alternatively, you may have tried to find the cogwheel ride from Alpnachstad to Pilatus, but that won't be available until mid or late May. If you entered an earlier date, that might well be the problem.

Hi Annika,

I think Pilatus is now taken care of, whew! Back to Golden Pass Geneva to Luzern. One of the routes on the timetable I'm considering has 4 platform changes! Is it very easy to change platforms, we will have our luggage with us. I'm also confused by the "choice of ticket" showing two different sets of stops, how do you select which one? Also on the route, there will be a Golden Pass train with VIP seat possibility. How do you find out if the VIP seats are available and how do you reserve those? I didn't see a way to select them as I clicked through the booking site and on the Golden Pass section.

CN

Hi CN,

3 - 4 changes are normal on this route. They're easy if you can handle your own luggage, but you can send the luggage ahead too if you wish: myswissalps.com/ train/practical/ luggage.

Apart from the VIP seats between Montreux and Zweisimmen there's nothing to book in advance. It's all covered in your Swiss Travel Pass. Please see myswissalps.com/ goldenpass/tickets for how to book the VIP seats, specifically the link under "More on other websites". The seats are the more expensive ones in the head of the train.

Hi CN-

If you work the timetable,as you learned recently, you can find out which track numbers the trains arrive and depart on. For popular routes, there is often an arrangement where all you have to do is cross from one side of a platform to another.

Maps of major stations are available at the SBB web site:

www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/am-bahnhof.html#?lang=en&baselayer=ch.s bb.netzkarte.relief&zo om=1&x=665550.00&y=183 192.49

Hope this helps.

Slowpoke