Golden Pass with my wife and a 10 month old baby

Hi all.

I will be visiting Switzerland next July (2017) with my wife and a 10 month old baby. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to take the Golden pass route from Luzern to Montreux. If yes I have got some questions which I would appreciate if you could answer them.

Do they let me come onboard with the luggages and a push chair on the golden pass train? Is there enough space since it is a scenic train?

Do you suggest that I stop in every location where the train stops and have a look around?

Do I need to book each and every leg from Luzern to Montreux individually?

If I have the Swiss travel card would I still pay for this train?

Do you suggest that I book online since it will be in July? If yes do I need to reserve the seats as well?

Thanks a lot,

Matthew

Hi Matthew -

Welcome to My Swiss Alps

The Golden Pass route is one of many excellent scenic rain rides -

www.myswissalps.com/go ldenpass

www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities/scenictrips/t rain

You can take luggage on board. You can also ship it, depending on your schedule. More on that if you let us know you are interested.

Don't know about a push chair...is that the same as what we call a wheel chair in the USA?

There are different types of rail cars on the Golden Pass trains, on certain segments of the line, some with special windows or seating arrangements on some of those trains. That might influence the transport of a wheelchair.

Perhaps Arno can suggest a link to help clarify that point.

<<"Do you suggest that I stop in every location where the train stops and have a look around?">>

No.

Check the timetable:

www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

and after you select a particular journey , click on the "+" to the left. Then, click on "intermediate stops." There a can be a lot, on some trains.

The train stops will be brief.. a small number of minutes. You could wait for the next train, typically one hour later...

<<"Do I need to book each and every leg from Luzern to Montreux individually?">>

To travel on that route, or most Swiss trains with the country, you do not need to book or make reservations. However, see the Golden Pass link above....the special scenic and panoramic cars probably need booking.

I don't comment on rail passes...I leave it to the experts, Arno and Annika.

Slowpoke

Hi Matthew,

You'll find detailed rail pass information here (I am not sure which one you have in mind):

• Swiss Travel Pass
• Swiss Half Fare Card
• How to pick a pass

You can best pick one once you have an itinerary for your entire stay in Switzerland. Just let us know if any questions remain!

Hello,

We did the Golden Pass this fall. It is not an off and on kind of ride (though you could if you wanted to wait for the next one). I would recommend the SBB app if you think you might want to jump off and on. You can easily see the next train, platform etc on your phone.

From Lucerne you will change a couple of times before you can get get on the scenic train. If you are just putting Lucerne and Montreux into the timetable you will not get the Golden Pass route, you need to use the "via" feature. It is explained on the Golden Pass pages. It is easy once you get the hang of it. We had Swiss travel passes and upgraded to first class for the panoramic portion. We did that by stopping at the window in any train station and asking for the upgrade to 1st class just for that portion. I believe is was 12 cf each. We also reserved the front seats in the car (in advance) and really enjoyed the ride. Other than that if you have the travel pass you jump on any train you like in the whole country.

There was a lot of room for storage of luggage etc in first class. In second class there is room but you might have to look for it depending on how busy it is. Also there were plenty of people with strollers when I was there using the trains.

Happy planning,

Ellen

Hi all and thanks for your helpful replies.

@ellenS

When you said you also reserved the front seats of the car, does it mean that you had to choose the front seats for each and every train in the golden pass?

Many Thanks, Matthew

Hi Matthew-

I have not checked this out, but I think those seats are only available on the run from Zweisimmen to Montreux.

Lets see what Ellen says.

This link might be helpful:

www.myswissalps.com/go ldenpass/gettingthere

Slowpoke

Hello

Slowpoke is correct. Only the last section is in the special panoramic cars.

You reserve those seats independent of the train ticket.

If you have a travel pass you do not buy a ticket only the upgrade to first class for that section only. And then you reserve the front seating.