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Round the World Travel Guide

The Golden Pass Train Rides To Lake Geneva

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Taking advantage of 30 minutes of free wifi at the posh Interlaken McDonald's

I checked out of Balmer's after two nights, resupplied myself with a new bag of assorted chocolate truffles, and checked my e-mail at a posh McDonald's before going back to the train station for the 11:06am panorama train. The Golden Pass scenic route runs from Luzern to Geneva via Interlaken and lots of little towns in between. It was another good suggestion from Stefan.

Snowy Switzerland

Taking in the snowy landscape

Within the first two hours of leaving Interlaken, I had already switched trains twice, but barely had to wait ten minutes at each changeover. The Swiss run a tight rail operation.

Swiss chocolate truffles

It was hard to take photos with the glare on the windows, and lack of sunlight or color. The sky was grey and overcast almost the whole way, and snow covered everything until we descended to Lake Geneva.

The Classic train car (1st class)

The train winds it way toward Geneva

I had my laptop and book with me, but I decided to spend the whole trip staring out the window at the passing landscape. The cost of living and travel is so high in Switzerland, it is almost hard to enjoy the experience.  So I savored the snowiest views of my trip, for the chances of me returning in the future on my own dime were slim to none.

Ski resort area

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About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking. For more of his adventures, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

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  1. crambox says

    January 19, 2009 at 10:44 pm

    Dave the picture of you on the train is a instant classic like the one you would see on a cover of a book!!! Is life good? Sure does seem expensive these last few months? Are you planing any travel in the us as the coins run low? stay safe

    • Dave says

      January 20, 2009 at 1:06 pm

      Yep, Europe was easy to travel around but costly. The couchsurfs made it doable for me though. I’m afraid my entry back into the USA will be more of a whimper than a roar, as I’ve come to terms with my lack of funds to continue!

  2. crambox says

    January 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    Dave the picture of you on the train is a instant classic like the one you would see on a cover of a book!!! Is life good? Sure does seem expensive these last few months? Are you planing any travel in the us as the coins run low? stay safe

    • Dave says

      January 20, 2009 at 8:06 am

      Yep, Europe was easy to travel around but costly. The couchsurfs made it doable for me though. I’m afraid my entry back into the USA will be more of a whimper than a roar, as I’ve come to terms with my lack of funds to continue!