SWISS CHOCOLATE TRAIN - Montreux to Gruyeres
Castle, Cheese and Chocolate Factory Tour
The
Swiss Chocolate Train is one of the premiere tourist scenic train journey
excursions in Switzerland. Operated as a joint venture between
GoldenPass Line Rail Services and Cailler-Nestlé chocolate company.
Board your choice of a sleek panorama view coach or a 1915 era Pullman
Coach (as once traveled along the romantic Orient Express route through
the Alps), depart the Lake Geneva Riviera coast at Montreux with its
grand „La Belle Epoch“ hotels, and climb beyond the stunning
views of the vineyard clad hills above the lake, through high mountain
meadows, and on to the medieval town of Gruyères, a village
seemingly frozen in time. The package tour includes a visit to the
famous Gruyères cheese factory where the prime ingredient of
Swiss fondue is made, a visit to the castle of the Savoy dukes of Gruyeres,
then a bus ride on to the sweet treats of the Cailler-Nestlé chocolate
factory. Gruyeres and the Chocolate train are on the same route as the Golden Pass Line.
The
twisty rail journey up into the mountains takes a full day, leaving the
Montreux station at 9:36 am, heading up through the
wine grape vineyards
of the Vaud region and returning to Montreux about 5:30 pm. There is
a snack service on the route and time for lunch in the town of Gruyeres.
At the historic Caillier
Chocolate Factory with its new million dollar
visitor exhibit, you’ll learn the history of the making of milk
chocolate pioneered by Nestle and Callier, with the end of the tour in
the chocolate sampling room, where you can exercise your sweet tooth,
before heading to the shop to buy some more Swiss sweets to send home.
The bus ride back to the station takes 10 minutes, and
then enjoy more scenery on the way back down to Montreux.
The
Chocolate Train is all first class and with a Swiss Rail Pass only a
reservation fee is needed. There
are a few special view seats located
in the engine car with a forward view out the front windows, though the
train switches directions half-way through the trip. Without a rail pass
you can purchase a ticket for about $35 (39 CHF). Without a Swiss
Pass, a visit to Gruyeres Castle is not included, though you can pay
the entrance fee to the castle separately. If you have a chance while
in Gruyeres, stop for a drink at the Giger Bar, or the "Alien" artist’s
museum (it’s not included in the tour). A Swiss Pass gets you into
most all Switzerland museums for free.
The Chocolate Train only runs from May to October, five days during the week in July and August, three days a week in spring and autumn. It does not run in the winter, on weekends or national holidays (when the factory is closed).