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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Classic Glacier and Bernina Express

5-day independent rail loop from Interlaken over the Glacier and Bernina Express

Illustration of Classic Glacier and Bernina Express

Railbookers runs Classic Glacier and Bernina Express as a 5-day, 4-night independent rail vacation based in two Swiss towns, Interlaken and Chur. The trip opens with two nights in Interlaken, where a four-day Swiss Pass covers a day trip up the Jungfrau Mountain to the Jungfraujoch, near the start of the Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps. From there, the Glacier Express carries travelers on a panoramic ride from Brig to Chur for a two-night stay. The following day is built around the Bernina Express, which climbs to 7,391 feet at the Bernina Pass on its way to the Italian border town of Tirano before returning to Chur. Because it is sold as an independent package rather than an escorted tour, the days in Interlaken and Chur are unstructured, with the two named trains as the centerpiece. It suits travelers who want two of Switzerland's scenic rail routes without a longer multi-city itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotels listed are a set of 9 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than a fixed list of stays; which hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The evidence available does not list current departure dates for this trip; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Interlaken

    Your Journey Begins in Zurich

    Welcome to Interlaken. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel for a two-night stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    Interlaken

    Today, use your Swiss Pass to take a trip up the famous Jungfrau Mountain and journey to one of the highest train stations in Europe, arriving at the Jungfraujoch. The Great Aletsch Glacier, at 22km the longest in the Alps, begins on the Jungfrau Mountain.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Chur

    Glacier Express to Chur

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast and make your way to the train station for the journey to Brig. On arrival, board the Glacier Express and take a panoramic tour of the Swiss Alps from Brig through to Chur.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    Bernina Express

    After an early breakfast, depart from Chur on the Bernina Express to Tirano via St. Moritz. The train climbs up the 7,391 feet high Bernina Pass. The line finishes in the Italian border town of Tirano and you board the train back to Chur.

  5. Day 5

    Your Journey Ends in Zurich

    After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A trip up the Jungfrau Mountain on the Swiss Pass to the Jungfraujoch, one of the highest train stations in Europe, near the start of the Great Aletsch Glacier.
  • Day 3The Glacier Express carries a panoramic tour of the Swiss Alps from Brig through to Chur.
  • Day 4The Bernina Express climbs to 7,391 feet at the Bernina Pass en route from Chur to Tirano on the Italian border, before returning to Chur.

Included

  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Interlaken
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Chur
  • Four-day Swiss Pass in standard class
  • Day trip to Jungfraujoch
  • Roundtrip reservations on the Glacier Express between Brig and Chur
  • Roundtrip reservations on the Bernina Express between Chur and Tirano

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Yes. A four-day Swiss Pass, roundtrip Glacier Express reservations between Brig and Chur, and roundtrip Bernina Express reservations between Chur and Tirano are all included.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is sold as an independent rail vacation; Railbookers arranges the hotels, Swiss Pass, and train reservations, and travelers explore Interlaken and Chur on their own.
Which trains does the trip use?
The Glacier Express between Brig and Chur, and the Bernina Express between Chur and Tirano via St. Moritz.
What hotels are used?
The trip draws from a set of 9 accommodation options across Interlaken and Chur, including The Hey Hotel and Lindner Grand Beau Rivage in Interlaken, and Hotel Stern Chur in Chur.
How long is the trip and what is the starting price?
5 days and 4 nights, from 1,589 US dollars per person, about 318 US dollars per day.

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