Montreux lives by the lake, but one of its quietest marketing assets runs on rails: the GoldenPass Express, the panoramic train that pulls in direct from Interlaken, Gstaad and everything beyond the Bernese Alps — and drops your guests at the station a few minutes from the RivieraHost apartments. For a short-term rental owner, it is a guest magnet on arrival and a spectacular day-trip story the whole year round.
Short answer: the GoldenPass Express runs Montreux ↔ Interlaken Ost direct, without changing trains, in roughly three and a quarter hours through the Vaud Riviera, the Pays-d’Enhaut and Gstaad to the Bernese Alps.1 A unique variable-gauge technology lets the panoramic coaches sail clean across two track gauges,1 so guests arrive car-free — and have a lakes-and-Alps panorama for the price of a normal seat.
A direct line, 100 years in the making
This direct link between the Lake Geneva shore and the Bernese Oberland was “awaited for more than 100 years”.1 The GoldenPass Express finally delivers it: direct from Montreux to Interlaken Ost without changing<'+'S1' if False else S1+''>, climbing from the lake through the Pays-d’Enhaut for an exceptional 3h15 panorama to the majestic peaks of the Bernese Alps.1 The engineering story is just as good for storytelling: the train runs on unique variable-gauge bogies,1 so it transitions between the metre-gauge MOB line and the standard-gauge network at Zweisimmen with no switching — a sight in itself. BLS, which co-operates the service, confirms the direct, no-change run with extra-large panoramic windows that turn the passing landscape into a living "landscape cinema".2
What guests get on board
- A live panorama. Extra-large windows across lakes, mountains and idyllic villages, whatever the weather.2
- Three classes. 2nd, 1st and Prestige — the Prestige a touch of luxury with fine onboard catering and champagne.2
- A real day trip. Hop on in Montreux, watch the world change from lakeside quays to high-Alpine passes, spend time in Gstaad or Interlaken, and return the same day.
- Car-free arrival. Guests from Geneva (and its airport) or from the Bernese Oberland reach your door directly by rail.
| GoldenPass Express — at a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Montreux ↔ Interlaken Ost, direct, no change1 |
| Journey time | approx. 3h15 (full panorama route)2 |
| Classes | 2nd, 1st and Prestige2 |
| Panoramic view | extra-large panoramic windows2 |
| Reservation | recommended; compulsory in Prestige2 |
Why it matters for a Riviera rental
- It widens your guest market. Car-free travellers from Geneva and from the Interlaken/Bernese region become your guests, and "by panoramic train from the station" is a booking line that sells.
- It creates repeat day-trip demand. The train itself is the attraction — guests who come for a night often ride it for a day, and rail-round-trip travellers base a night or two in your apartment.
- It works all year. Lakeside in summer, high Alps in winter — the route boosts shoulder months too.2
- Premium angle. Panorama and Prestige pull couples and travellers who pay well.2
The revenue picture
Mentioning the train costs nothing and prices nothing down: "2 minutes from the station — direct panoramic train to Interlaken, Gstaad and the Bernese Alps" lines up day-trippers, car-free couples and rail enthusiasts who otherwise might not stop. It is one of the simplest differentiators a Riviera listing can carry.
How to turn it into bookings
- Name the train in the listing. "Steps from the GoldenPass Express station" signals effortless arrival before the guest clicks.
- Hand guests a ready-made day trip. A short plan — board in Montreux, stop in Gstaad, return for a lakeside dinner — converts an enquiry into a booking.
- Target rail-intent searches. Add "GoldenPass Express", "Montreux Interlaken train panorama" and "Swiss rail day trip" to your titles, description and tags.
- Price the day-trip weeks. If shoulder weekends fill thanks to the rail view, let a projection set the price rather than a guess — exactly the exercise we run for owners below.
Own a rental near the station?
Tell us where your property is on the Riviera and we will send you a projection that prices the rail-and-day-trip demand into your calendar.
Request a free income projectionSources
Route, times and service details above are from the GoldenPass Express official page and BLS, retrieved August 2026.
Base yourself in Montreux
RivieraHost’s apartments sit steps from the lake — with kitchens, more space and better value than a hotel for families and groups. Every one is right on this guide’s doorstep.