Golden Pass Express: Montreux to Interlaken
The Golden Pass Express is the direct panoramic train from Montreux to Interlaken Ost. It climbs from the lake through the hills and runs via Gstaad, and the operator gives a journey time of 3 hours 15 minutes. Three classes are offered: Prestige, 1st and 2nd class.
Groups of more than 9 people have to book through the reservation centre of the operator, instead of splitting into single bookings in the web shop. That rule is about groups, so it does not mean that every single traveller must reserve. Check the conditions of your own ticket and class before you travel.
None of the day trips on this page goes as far as Interlaken. They use other sections of the same panoramic line around Montreux and Gruyères. Montreux itself is described on the Montreux page, which is a good place to look at the town before you board.
Our picks: day trips with the panoramic train
Both trips go to Gruyères and use the panoramic section only. The bus day from Geneva adds a chocolate factory and fondue, while the trip from Montreux adds a cheese dairy and the castle.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Gruyères day trip by Golden Pass train from Montreux
- GoldenPass panoramic train journey
- Cheese tasting
- Visit to Château de Gruyères
Starts in Montreux and includes a visit to the cheese dairy, La Maison du Gruyère. There is no chocolate visit, and the train covers the panoramic section only.
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Gruyères day trip with chocolate, cheese and panoramic train
- Chocolate factory and tasting
- Fondue tasting
- Panoramic Golden Pass train ticket
The train ticket covers the panoramic stretch from Montbovon to Montreux, with only a short stop in Montreux. The cheese museum in Gruyère is part of the day.
Check availability →Panoramic train day trips from Geneva and Montreux
Two day trips to Gruyères that use the panoramic line, with live prices and availability.
Rochers-de-Naye cog railway
The mountain train above Montreux is a separate trip from the Golden Pass Express.
The cog railway takes about 50 minutes from Montreux to the summit station at 2,042 m. These figures come from the operator's brochure of 2024, so use them as a guide and look up the current timetable before you plan the day. This page does not give a 2026 timetable or a regular return fare.
Passes and discounts
The Half Fare Card gives 50 percent on the line. The Swiss Travel Pass also gives 50 percent on the stretch from Haut-de-Caux to Rochers-de-Naye, so it is not a free ride to the summit.
Christmas offer
From 20 November to 24 December 2026 the operator runs a Christmas offer on Wednesdays to Sundays and on some extra days. The adult price is CHF 49. This is the Christmas offer and not the regular fare for the rest of the year.
Planning a mountain day
Mountain weather changes quickly, so keep the day flexible. If you are comparing seasons, the best time to visit Lake Geneva page shows the monthly climate.
Panoramic train to Gruyères
Two offers combine the panoramic railway with Gruyères, and they differ in what you visit.
From Geneva with chocolate and cheese
This day trip leaves Geneva by coach with a driver guide and includes a panoramic train ticket from Montbovon to Montreux. On the way you visit a chocolate factory with a tasting, the Gruyère cheese museum and a fondue tasting. Montreux is only a short stop. Drinks and tips are extra.
From Montreux without chocolate
This excursion starts in Montreux and includes the panoramic train journey, a visit to the Maison du Gruyère with a cheese tasting and a visit to the castle of Gruyères. It has no chocolate factory visit, and meals other than the cheese tasting are not included.
If chocolate is the main reason for the trip, read the Lake Geneva chocolate page first. If you prefer to start on the lake, choose the Montreux departure, and if you sleep in Geneva the coach trip saves the transfer to Montreux.
Going further into the Alps
Interlaken, the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express and the Swiss Travel Pass are topics for a longer trip across the country. Our sister guide to the Swiss Alps covers those routes, so this page stays with the lake and its hills.
For the way to Montreux itself, see getting to Lake Geneva.
Golden Pass Express: frequently asked questions
How long does the Golden Pass Express take from Montreux to Interlaken?
The operator gives 3 hours 15 minutes for the direct train from Montreux to Interlaken Ost via Gstaad.
Which classes does the Golden Pass Express have?
Prestige, 1st class and 2nd class. Check the conditions of the class you want before you book.
Do I have to reserve a seat?
Groups of more than 9 people must book through the reservation centre. For individual travellers, read the conditions of your ticket.
Do the Gruyères day trips go to Interlaken?
No. They use the panoramic line around Montreux and Gruyères, not the route to Interlaken.
Is the Rochers-de-Naye train free with the Swiss Travel Pass?
No. The pass gives 50 percent on the section from Haut-de-Caux to Rochers-de-Naye, and the Half Fare Card gives 50 percent on the line.