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Explore the Alps in First Class Rail via the Legendary Mountain Railways of Switzerland.

Courtesy of Switzerland Toursim

Testimonials

Each day's traveling, the excursions we did, the places we stayed, the food we ate, and the people we were around were all so special and will give us memories of a lifetime!!! - J.R. and M.R. - FL

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The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Imagine the spectacular alpine scenery through the panoramic "vista" windows that run from your elbow to the ceiling while you sit comfortably in your first-class Swiss rail seat. Your eyes gazing effortlessly on the beautiful Swiss Alp peaks, the sparkling lakes, lush flowered meadows, historic castles, the iconic profile of the Matterhorn, deep-cut glacial valleys, vineyards, gushing white water streams, magic mountains flanked by enormous glaciers. You'll enjoy this all in first class comfort. We will cap out with 14-15 guests on each tour. Be sure to check out our Scenic Alps by Rail FAQ  which also includes the activity level expected for this tour.   

Europe's Finest Rail System

The legendary trains of Switzerland are among the finest in the world and the Swiss have perfected making mountains accessible. Their ingenious network of trains, rack railways, trams, and funiculars easily puts you in the midst of the most spectacular glaciers in the Alps and the highest peaks in Europe.

Mountaintop Excursions

You will also get to ascend the Gornergrat above Zermatt to arrive at an alpine panorama, where you are surrounded by more 4,000-meter peaks than anywhere else in the Alps. Then you will get to ride through a tunnel in the Eiger to arrive at the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.

All in First-Class Comfort

Enjoy the Swiss Alps in the comfort of your first-class rail car, and in the company of Swiss rail experts. You'll discover the scenery, history, and engineering that have made Switzerland's rail system the finest and most popular in the world. We do our best to book 1st class seat reservations but please note that at times due to availabilty it is possible to ride in 2nd class.

Glacier Express and Other Scenic Journeys

You'll ride on the most legendary of alpine railway journeys— The Glacier Express —and discover the charms of other scenic routes such as the Bernina Express and the GoldenPass Line.

Trip Videos

Overview Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Lucerne -- Mt. Pilatus

Day 2 – Through the Historic Heart of Switzerland on the Gotthard Route

Day 3 – Bernina Route - Lugano past northern Lake Como to St Moritz

Day 4 – Beautiful Swiss Alps, Lakes and Vistas

Day 5 – Mountains, Meadows, and Breathtaking Scenery on the Glacier Express

Day 6 – The Matterhorn and The Surrounding Majestic Highest Peaks in Europe -- Gornergrat Cogwheel train

Day 7 – Lake Geneva and the manicured Préalps - GoldenPass Rail

Day 8 – Picture-postcard Swiss Alps scenery on the GoldenPass Rail

Day 9 – Magnificent Mountains with Aletsch Glacier Experience -- Jungfraujoch

Day 10 – Depart Zurich for onward travel

$6,295 USD per person, double occupancy

$995 single supplement

Reserve your place on this tour with a $500 per person deposit

05 September 2024 - 14 September 2024 Sold Out

12 September 2024 - 21 September 2024 Sold Out

26 September 2024 - 05 October 2024 Sold Out

29 May 2025 - 07 June 2025

05 June 2025 - 14 June 2025

12 June 2025 - 21 June 2025

26 June 2025 - 05 July 2025

03 July 2025 - 12 July 2025

17 July 2025 - 26 July 2025

31 July 2025 - 10 August 2025 Sold Out

21 August 2025 - 30 August 2025

04 September 2025 - 13 September 2025

11 September 2025 - 20 September 2025 Sold Out

18 September 2025 - 27 September 2025

25 September 2025 - 04 October 2025

Or, book a private departure

Trip Highlights

• Ride the most legendary alpine railway journeys such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, the GoldenPass Line, and along the Gotthard route
• Travel in first-class comfort in panoramic cars that are air-cushioned and air-conditioned, and on all of Switzerland top scenic rail journeys
• Experience the legendary Glacier Express as it crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels on an unforgettable journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt
• Ascend snowy Jungfrau by cog railway to Europe’s highest railway station and overlooking the Alps’ longest glacier

You May Also Enjoy

Most Scenic Trains in Europe.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

FAQ - Scenic Alps by Rail Tour

Train Travel in Switzerland

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Glacier Express

Railservice Glacier Express Bahnhofstrasse 25 7000 Chur glacierexpress.ch

The journey in what has been dubbed the world’s slowest express train takes travellers across the Alps within roughly eight hours, passing through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges.

The Glacier Express offers a journey for the senses – from Engadine right to the Matterhorn. On its relaxing drive from dazzling St. Moritz to equally sophisticated Zermatt, the Glacier Express delights travellers with scenic attractions and technical state-of-the-art achievements. With its overhight panoramic windows, the Glacier Express opens up unobstructed views of unique landscapes.

Excellence Class

A rail journey through the Swiss Alps has never been so luxurious. With guaranteed window seats, an exclusive bar, on-board entertainment, a concierge service and personal travel guides, the Glacier Express Excellence Class is setting new standards. The journey between St. Moritz and Zermatt is a feast for the senses: while the spectacular landscape passes by outside, guests are served champagne and amuse-bouches – followed by an exquisite five-course meal with accompanying wine.

With this new service, the Glacier Express offers one of the most exclusive rolling touristic highlights in Switzerland. Reservations for the most sought-after seats in Switzerland can be booked at glacierexpress.ch .

Facts Glacier Express

Excursion tips.

• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – a view of French, Italian and Swiss mountain giants from a vantage point of almost 4000 m
• Gornergrat – a view onto the Matterhorn and 28 other four-thousand-meter-peaks from a vantage point of 3131 m
• Rhine Gorge – Exploring the «Grand Canyon» of Switzerland between Ilanz and Reichenau on foot, by bike or by rafting boat
• Lake Sils – at 1800 m, Europe’s highest altitude regular scheduled passenger boat service
• Corvatsch – the eastern Alpine region’s highest altitude summit station at 3303 m. A paradise for skiers and hikers

Food & Beverages

• 1st and 2nd class: lunch served at the seat, three-course meal CHF 49, daily menu CHF 36, à la carte options
• Excellence Class: Champagne and aperitif platter, 5-course-menu with wine accompaniment, soft drinks, mineral and coffee included

Summer and winter timetable panoramic trains

This route is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) and GA travel card. Book Swiss Travel System tickets

Reservation

Apart from a valid ticket, a seat reservation is required (max. 90 days in advance). In addition, the train is subject to surcharge:

• Long section: CHF 49
• Short section*: CHF 44
• Excellence Class: CHF 470 on 1st class ticket

*short sections are: 

• St. Moritz – Chur – St. Moritz
• Chur – Andermatt – Chur
• Andermatt – Brig – Andermatt
• Brig – Zermatt – Brig

Go to reservations

Please note that no dogs are permettied onboard the Glacier Express and that only one piece of luggage is allowed per person.

Fascinating and comprehensive information around the Glacier Express, featuring highlights and relevant facts and figures, can be downloaded here: PDF brochure

Discover the surroundings

Railservice Glacier Express Bahnhofstrasse 25 7000  Chur Switzerland

[email protected] glacierexpress.ch Show Route

Railservice Glacier Express Bahnhofstrasse 25 7000 Chur glacierexpress.ch Show Route

Bernina Express

Advertisement, current offers, andermatt alpine bike: berner oberland.

Price per person in double room valid: 25.08.2024 - 31.12.2024

Brig Hidden treasures at Upper Valais – Goms & Gotthard variant

valid: 25.08.2024 - 29.09.2024

St. Moritz Mountain Railways included

Andermatt safety equipment - freeride days, andermatt iceage light - glacier trekking rhone glacier, andermatt steep skiing, zermatt zermatt tapas tour.

valid: 25.08.2024 - 28.09.2024

Brig Hut hike on the Alpenpässeweg between Brig, Rosswald and Simplon

valid: 25.08.2024 - 21.09.2024

Rhätische Bahn RhB AG, Chur “graubündenPASS“ - at your leisure

Andermatt the favourite places of molly the marmot.

valid: 26.08.2024 - 13.10.2024