Travelling from Lucerne to Interlaken whilst riding on the GoldenPass Train Line offers much more than just transportation.
It is an experience that offers some of the most scenic views possible on a Swiss train journey.
Travel through Swiss towns and villages scattered in green pastures, along many lakes and over some mountain passes.
Depending on the season you are travelling on the GoldenPass Line from Lucerne to Interlaken, the mountains may still be covered in snowy peaks whilst the villages are showcasing their spring flowers. In short, this train journey is a hit during any Swiss Season.
Needless to say that this train ride belongs to some of the nicest experiences when travelling in Switzerland. You could add this stretch when planning a multi-day Switzerland train itinerary.
Do not confuse this train ride with the GoldenPass Express train from Montreux to Interlaken. This is a separate experience, never the less as spectacular and unique. And if you liked the train journey from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost, why not do them both.
You Amy also like to read Where to find the Best Hotels in Lucerne
From Lucerne to Interlaken Ost, on the GoldenPass Line
The whole journey takes two hours and offers uninterrupted stunning vistas in a spectacular setting.
Leaving Lucerne, you will pass by the base of Mount Pilatus, whilst following the shoreline of the beautiful Lake Lucerne.
Soon it is time to gain some altitude and travel over the Brünig pass at 1008m above sea level.
I would probably say try to sit on the left side (direction of travel) of the train. This way you always have the lakes on your left side.
Check out the pretty village of Lungern and its Lake – Lungernsee. This is also a great place to stop should you want to experience Lungern a bit more.
The GoldenPass Line then enters the Bernese Oberland, passing through the Meiringen and Haslital before it reaches the famous and picturesque Swiss village Brienz.
One of Switzerland’s bluest lakes lies in front of you. The Lake Brienz – Brienzersee.
It is now not far to your end destination and it is time to disembark the GoldenPass Train at Interlaken Ost.
As Interlaken is a great place to explore, we suggest you stay here for a few days. Here are some suggestions on what to do in Interlaken.
Also check out what to do in Lauterbrunnen, and maybe you even have the chance to travel to Kandersteg and visit Lake Blausee. Interlaken is also a great base to explore Grindelwald and its famous First Cliff walk, and hike to Bachalpsee.
Lucerne to Interlaken GoldenPass Line tickets
The standard train fares from Lucerne to Interlaken are Chf 33.- one way in 2nd class and Chf 53.- one way for a 1st class ticket. When travelling on the GoldenPass line you may also want to make a seat reservation. This is NOT included in your train ticket.
Discounted fares
If you have any of the general GA or half-tax fares these will count towards your journey as usual. Meaning a GA cardholder travels at no extra cost and a 50% discount is given for the 1/2 tax fare.
Holders of a Swiss Travel Pass and/or the Regional-Pass Berner Oberland are riding without any extra cost on this line. Seat reservations (Chf 14.-) are not included.
Seat reservation Lucerne to Interlaken GoldenPass line
Although it is highly recommended to make a seat reservation especially if you are travelling during peak times or with a large group, this cannot be done ONLINE.
You can phone them or go directly to a train station counter in Switzerland. This may change later on.
GoldenPass Line Time table
As the Lucerne to Interlaken GoldenPass line is already well established there are several options for you to depart Lucerne. Starting at 06.06h and then every hour until 21.06h. Check the SBB time table to get the exact schedule. And book your ticket here
Classes available on the Lucerne – Interlaken GoldenPass line
As on any Swiss train, you can purchase a 1st or a 2nd class train ticket. The classes differentiate in their seat quality, legroom and ambience.
In first-class trains your seat is mostly larger and, in some trains, even stand alone. Normally these wagons are not full of travelling passengers, they have a much quieter ambience.
Panoramic windows are available in both classes, and the Bistro also serves both classes.
Seat reservations are possible and recommended at an extra cost of Chf 14.- per seat. This is not possible online and needs to be done on-site or by phone.
You may have heard of the “Prestige” class on the GoldenPass Lines. This class is superior to the first class but only available on the GoldenPass Express line from Montreux to Interlaken Ost.
Frequently asked questions – Lucerne to Interlaken Ost on the GoldenPass Line
To make it as easy as possible we have tried to answer all the questions you may have when travelling on the GoldenPass Line from Lucerne to Interlaken.
How much is the GoldenPass Line Train from Lucerne to Interlaken?
The good thing is that holders of a Swiss Travel Pass and/or the Regional-Pass Berner Oberland have this train journey included and only pay for the seat reservation (Chf 14.-).
The standard train fare is Chf 35.- one way for an adult travelling in 2nd class.
Is the GoldenPass Line worth travelling on?
Definitely! You can either make it a great day trip from Lucerne, but also include it on your Swiss travel itinerary.
You will not be disappointed.
How frequent is the GoldenPass Line train from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost?
As this is a well-established train line it is running very frequently, to be precise it runs every hour and takes just over two hours from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost or vice versa.
Which side to sit on the train from Lucerne to Interlaken?
This has been a bit of a debate. Some say feft other right. If you travel from Lucerne to Interlaken most of our readers say sit on the right side to get the best views along the way and of Lake Brienz.
Here is the statement from the train station.
Lucerne – Interlaken Ost: The most beautiful view (lake view) is in the direction of travel on the right hand side.
Interlaken Ost – Lucerne: The most beautiful view (lake view) is in the direction of travel on the right-hand side.
Things to do in Lucerne
We strongly suggest you spend some time in Lucerne and discover this most beautiful area in the heart of Central Switzerland. If you have the time check out our 3 Days in Lucerne itinerary. Or browse through the list below, where we have selected a few of our favourite things to do in Lucerne.
- Visit Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
- Head up Mount Rigi – by Boat and Cogwheel train
- Self Guided Walking tour in Lucerne City
If you need to find some great accommodation either in Lucerne or Interlaken check out the map below.
Booking.com
Things to do in Interlaken
When you have arrived in Interlaken Ost and disembark the GoldenPass Line train we hope you do have some time there to explore. Check out a few suggestions of things to do in Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region below.
- Head to Grindelwald and visit Grindelwald-First Cliff walk
- +17 things to do in Lauterbrunnen
- Visit Lake Blausee in Kandersteg
I hope that the information provided here will prove useful when planning to ride from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost on the GoldenPass line train.
If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask your questions in the comments below. This way other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries also.
Thank you & Never Forget to Explore
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17 thoughts on “Lucerne to Interlaken on the GoldenPass Train Line”
Hello Corina,
Thank you for all the details for the Golden pass line. I have a question, just to make sure… 🙂
We will be traveling from Montreux to Interlaken West, is it better to get the reservations for seats on the left side of the train, going forward?
And 4 days later, we will take the other part from Interlaken Ost up to Luzern… on the right side for the view of the lakes?
We want to make the best decisions, so thank you in advance for your response
Hy
Glad you find our guide useful.
There are actually two sides.
I would say from Montreux to Zweisimmen the best side to sit on is the right hand side, in the direction of travel. From Zweissimmen to Interlaken the best side to sit on is the left hand side, in the direction of travel.
After Interlaken to Lucerne best to sit along the lake side on your Left.
Hope this helps.
Regards Corina
I would like to correct your comment on the side to sit in train during travel from Lucerne to Interlaken ost. One should sit on right side of the train while heading from Lucerne to interlaken to see most of the lakes. Sitting on left side of travel was not a sound recommendation. Please correct it.
Hi, I feel sitting on the left side definitely gives you more of a view. You have the full length of Lake Brienz and at the beginning when leaving Lucerne, left is definitely the nicer side.
I still hope you have a great trip
regards Corina
Hi Corina,
Love to read all your posts. Read the first one about Grindelwald First, now this stories excited me more. I’ll visit Swiss this mid Sept, and would love to ride this GoldenPass Train Line from Luzern to Interlaken. Is there any specific counter to buy the seat reservation on site? I already checked the sbb timetable, and it didn’t describe which train is GoldenPass Train and Luzern-Interlaken Express. Or is it the same?
Can you help what’s the meaning of IR, PE, EC, and IC code for the train? Thank you in advance.
Rgds,
Hi Eva
I am glad you enjoy our blog posts and that they give you plenty of ideas to plan your trip.
You can book it differ with the train company https://shop.mob.ch//en/goldenpass/ seat reservations are recommended.
what the codes say: You will mainly find EC (Eurocity) , IC (InterCity, also ICE for InterCityExpress, mainly for Germany), IR(InterRegio), RE(RegioExpress), R(Regio) and s trains. In short, IR RE stops at also smaller stations, R and S will also stops at commuter stations. Special category is the PE, it means Panorama trains,
You can buy Swiss Train Ticket and get some discount on the Golden pass ticket. https://gyg.me/R2lsT41h
Hope this helps enjoy your trip to Switzerland
Corina
Hello Corina,
We will be traveling to Luzern on October 7-9, I am planning to do a day trip to Lauterbrunnen on October 8,I will be staying Grand Europe Hotel. Can you please help me navigate the direction on how to get to Lauterbrunnen riding the Golden pass please. I am not sure which train station to get into and the best time to start traveling if I want to maximize my trip. I appreciate you and your vlog, it’s very helpful and am very excited to see more of Switzerland in the future. This trip I am in seems to be very short and but I would love to see more of it someday. Thank you so much.. Ed
Dear Ed
Great you find our blog useful.
The best for you is to use SBB time table . There you see exactly where to change, whether it is a bus or a train that brings you to Lauterbrunnen und the best connections.
Hope this helps
Kindest Corina
Complete BS. Do NOT sit on the left, but on the right. The ENTIRE journey is way better on the right. It’s so mean to give the wrong information
Dear Paul
It is a 100% not our intention of giving mean informations on our family blog. remember most of this work is free and only cost my time.I apologise if you found it is not the ideal seating side.
I still hope you had an amazing journey.
Regards Corina
What’s the train station name from Lucerne as I couldn’t find in from station list in the booking link you have provided.
HI, I answered your second message ☺️
I don’t see the train station name for Lucern in ticket booking form. Can you help out?
Hi Sahu
Thanks for getting in touch.I have just checked and you are right. The link was for the Golden Train line To Montreux. I have updated it. It is just from the Main station in Lucerne to Interlaken Ost. Have a great trip you are going to Love this journey. Kindest Corina
Thanks Corina.
Is it included with Swiss Travel Pass as what I am reading is it included in Swiss Travel Pass(Flex)? See below note.
– This route is fully included in the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) / GA and in the Tell Pass and others.
– To reserve a seat only, please select “Reservation only” in the booking process.
Thank you for the information!
You are welcome!