On the Golden Pass Panoramic along Lake Brienz from Interlaken to Luzern in Switzerland

This video is from a stretch along the banks of Brienzersee (Lake Brienz) while on the Golden Pass Panoramic, returning to Luzern (Lucerne) after spending the day in Interlaken.

According to Rick Steves' Switzerland's Scenic Rail Journeys...

The exceptionally picturesque Golden Pass train route cuts a swath diagonally across the pristine center of Switzerland, connecting Zürich with Lake Geneva. Of all the rail journeys in this article, its central location — lacing together many of Switzerland's top sights — makes the Golden Pass the one you're most likely to take.

The Golden Pass officially runs between Luzern and Lake Geneva's Montreux, though you could easily connect onward to Zürich or Geneva with standard trains. With less time, you could hone in even more on the very best stretch, from Interlaken to Montreux.

Because the tracks change from narrow to standard gauge to narrow again, two train changes are required (at Interlaken Ost and Zweisimmen). On each stretch, you can choose between the official Golden Pass tourist train with panoramic cars (on the last stretch, you can also opt for a Golden Pass train with vintage rail cars) and more frequent standard trains without panoramic cars.

Because it connects so many knockout Swiss destinations (Luzern, Interlaken, and Lake Geneva), and because it goes in both directions, the Golden Pass can be spliced into your itinerary in many different ways. I'd focus on the best stretch, using it to connect Interlaken and Lake Geneva (3 hours total, including the lovely 2-hour segment from Zweisimmen to Montreux). However you use it, check schedules along the way and plan your layovers strategically to maximize time on the panoramic cars.

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Travel & Events

Tags:

• Golden
• Pass
• Panoramic
• Interlaken
• Luzern
• Brienzersee
• Switzerland