MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial GoldenPass Express vs Gotthard Panorama Express
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Hello
I visit this site almost every day to learn about our travel in July!! Truly helpful!!
We got the Swiss travel pass (2nd class) and want to take at least 1 and at the most 2 scenic train routes. Few of them are a little time consuming and out of our way or doesn’t fit my schedule. Wanted to know out of the following which will be a better option?
Golden pass express – from Montreux to Interlaken. Is it required to have the reservation on this? And is it same route as other regional trains?
Luzern- Interlaken Express – from Interlaken to Luzern. Will it be same as other regional trains? or is it more scenic? And since I have 2nd class pass, how do I get the reservation to 1st class? On their website I see option for reservation only.
Gotthard Panorama express – I understand this is one of the popular one, but it also takes almost 6 hours for Luzerne to Lugano. Also, they run about 4 times a day in July?
TIA
Aarti
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Hello Aarti,
That’s so nice to hear, you are making good use of the MySwissAlps website. You must be getting quite excited, soon it will be July!
In regard to your questions. Did you manage to read up on the pages regarding the GoldenPass?
If you scroll to “Regular trains versus GoldenPass trains”, here you can read all about the other regional trains that travel on the GoldenPass route too.
Seat reservations on the Golden Pass Line are not compulsory but should you wish to do so, you can. (July is peak season and depending how large your group is, if you definitely wanted to be seated together a reservation would be a good idea). You can read all about reservations in the “tickets” tab in the above link.
If you click on the “route” tab, here it will explain the 3 sections of the GoldenPass. If you are short on time, you could perhaps integrate a section or two into your itinerary – depending where you will be staying whilst here.
For upgrading to first class with your second class Swiss Travel Pass. Yes, this can be done at any rail station that is staffed, over the telephone or even at the ticket machines.
The Gotthard Panorama is another very beautiful scenic train journey. All is explained here:
You can research the departure times via the timetable, trains labeled PE (Panorama Express) are the Gotthard Panorama Express.
Many thanks, I hope this all helps.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Golden pass express – from Montreux to Interlaken. Is it required to have the reservation on this? And is it same route as other regional trains?
The Golden Pass Express (GPEX) is currently not running throughout : it was launched with great fanfare but it was soon discovered that the new technology variable gauge wheelsets were wrecking track between Zweisimmen and Interlaken!
If the GPEX is not running just use to older version of the service which is a separate narrow gauge train Montreux – Zweisimmen, and normal gauge train Zweisimmen – Spiez – Interlaken
Luzern- Interlaken Express – from Interlaken to Luzern. Will it be same as other regional trains? or is it more scenic? And since I have 2nd class pass, how do I get the reservation to 1st class? On their website I see option for reservation only.
Interlaken – Luzern is the Brunig pass railway. It is pleasantly scenic rather than spectacular ( the Brunig pass is a low altitude pass) but there are very good lake views. All trains are branded Luzern – Interlaken Express. They run every hour throughout the day and have a high seating capacity so reservation isn’t really required.
Gotthard Panorama express – I understand this is one of the popular one, but it also takes almost 6 hours for Luzerne to Lugano. Also, they run about 4 times a day in July?
In my opinion it is obsolete (once a day only on some days, first class only , reservation obligatory) since the Treno Gottardo runs frequently and is a walk on service, and you can take any boat on Lake Luzern.
If you don’t need the boat ride, just take the Treno Gottardo train all the way from Luzern to Bellinzona
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