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Ask any seasoned traveller to Switzerland about the best way to see this picturesque country and you’re almost always likely to hear the same response. Switzerland’s train system isn’t just one of the most efficient in the world; it crisscrosses some of the most photogenic spots across the country.
In 2021 alone the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) operated 11,260 trains a day with typical Swiss hallmarks like punctuality. The GoldenPass Express is the newest train experience to join a long list of fairy-tale Swiss train journeys that can sometimes overshadow some of the country’s iconic tourist destinations. It marks the culmination of a long-standing dream of Swiss train pioneers who envisioned a direct link between three of Switzerland’s most scenic destinations – Montreux, Gstaad and Interlaken.
Beyond Yash Chopra’s Interlaken
Indians are no strangers to Interlaken. Yash Chopra can take some credit for that. He fell in love with this destination long before his movie stars romanced in Interlaken. It was love at first sight for Chopra during his honeymoon in 1970. He returned in 1985 to film ‘Faasle’. But it was movies like ‘Chandni’ and ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ that truly captivated Indian audiences and began a love affair with a country that continues to this day. A larger-than-life statue in the heart of Interlaken pays tribute to Yash Chopra; that’s a great spot to begin your discovery of this charming town.
I’d suggest reserving a couple of hours to walk around this town. Check into a hotel like the Carlton-Europe Vintage Adult hotel that is walking distance from the station and most of Interlaken’s photo spots. This quaint boutique hotel was established in 1898 and also offers local Swiss signature dishes. Discover historic churches and gardens as you walk through Interlaken; you could also make a couple of shopping stops along the way – Heimatwerk Interlaken is a great option for local art and handicrafts.
A bird’s-eye view
If you like to discover destinations from a different perspective, a short hang-gliding expedition over Interlaken awaits. The 10–20-minute flight with a professional tandem pilot gives you sweeping views of the lakes and the Bernese Alps including the famous Jungfrau. Interlaken is one of Europe’s best spots for adrenaline highs. A trip to Schilthorn near town doesn’t just offer 360-degree panoramic views of peaks like the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau but also takes you to one of the most famous James Bond movie locations where ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ was filmed. You can experience your James Bond fan moments at the Bond World Museum. The area around Schilthorn is full of winter hiking and skiing trails that work for beginners and pros alike.
The journey to Interlaken begins at Montreux, a charming town that is full of Freddie Mercury legends. The GoldenPass Express goes one up on the first-class Swiss train experience with a new Prestige Class enclosure. The seats will remind you a luxury car experience. The seats are raised by 40 centimetres to allow you to completely immerse yourself in the landscape. These elevated leather seats are heated and also offer a unique 180-degree option allowing you to always be in the direction of travel. The menu showcases the finest Swiss regional produce including fine wines from Vaud. The surprise element is Swiss Caviar - Oona Caviar from the heart of the Swiss Alps that’s served with a glass of Champagne.
Beauty everywhere
Even as I enjoyed the stunning landscapes and sipped on a glass of champagne, I didn’t realise that the real, seamless magic happened under my feet at Zweisimmen, a charming small town along the route. This is where the train switches almost magically from metric track to a standard track thanks to a new technological advancement – a variable gauge bogie. It also allows the carriage to rise 20 cm to reach the platforms of the standard track line.
The panoramic views started even before I boarded the GoldenPass Express. The views of the Lake Geneva (aka Lac Léman) from the balcony of my room at the historic Fairmont Le Montreux Palace are among the best in this historic town. Freddie Mercury first came to Montreux in the 1970s and never fell out of love with this town; Queen recorded six albums here. The Freddie Mercury Statue (commissioned in 1996) is a testament to his special relationship with Montreux. It continues to bring Queen fans from across the world who make a stop at the statue located on the edge of Lake Geneva and also head to ‘Queen – The Studio Experience’ located within the Casino Barrière de Montreux, home to the legendary “Mountain Studio.
The Freddie Mercury statue is one of the many stops along a scenic 13 km-long trail along Lake Geneva. One section of the lakeshore also transforms into Montreux Noël – the second largest Christmas Market in Switzerland, during the last few weeks of the year. The Wooden stalls along the lakeshore with fairy lights showcase everything from Christmas decorations, clothes, crafts and jewellery. It’s one more reason to experience Switzerland’s newest train journey and the enchanting destinations like Montreux, Interlaken and Gstaad that it connects.
Photo: GoldenPass; Switzerland Tourism; Ashwin Rajagopalan