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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier Express

Nine-day Swiss Alps rail tour from London via Glacier and Bernina Express trains

Illustration of Classic Glacier Express

Great Rail Journeys' Classic Glacier Express is a nine-day escorted journey through the Swiss Alps, departing from London and returning there via Eurostar. The tour runs April to October 2027 and combines two of Europe's most celebrated train routes with multi-night stays in four-star alpine hotels. You'll travel on the Bernina Express through UNESCO-listed valleys and viaducts, lunch aboard the Glacier Express as it descends through the Rhine Gorge, and cruise Lake Thun after touring a tenth-century castle. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group throughout, meals are largely included, and days in Chur and Brig offer freedom to explore independently or venture farther using a Swiss Half Fare Card. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking guided comfort with authentic moments, and history enthusiasts drawn to medieval castles and centuries-old Alpine towns.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement from the operator is GBP 200 above half the double rate (GBP 1,599.50 vs. stated GBP 3,199), a material premium.
  • Day 4 and Day 7 are free days with optional self-guided excursions; they are not fully guided.
  • The Spiez Castle tour is replaced by free time in Interlaken on departures before May and on Mondays; confirm the exact itinerary variant when booking your departure date.
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included; they must be purchased separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg

    London to Strasbourg overnight

    Meeting the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar to Paris travelling in Plus Class with a light meal. Continue east to Strasbourg for an overnight stop. Check in to a central four-star hotel and walk to a local restaurant for dinner.

    Meals: Eurostar light meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Chur

    A warm alpine arrival in historic Chur

    Free morning to explore Strasbourg independently including Place Kléber and La Petite France (UNESCO World Heritage site). Leave Strasbourg around noon travelling First Class to Switzerland, then Standard Class from Basel through Lake Zurich and into the Swiss Alps to Chur. Welcome drink and dinner at the 360-year-old central hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Chur

    A superb journey on the Bernina Express

    Board the Bernina Express in panoramic carriages from Chur. The UNESCO-listed route twists through the Engadine Valley, across the Landwasser Viaduct, through tunnels on the Albula Line, past Lago Bianco and over the Bernina Pass. Pause to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm, then wind down to Poschiavo. Stop in St Moritz on the return before arriving back in Chur for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    A free day in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town

    Leisurely breakfast then a free day. Explore Chur's colourful Old Town, Martinsplatz, the 800-year-old cathedral and Bishop's Palace. Optional cable car up Brambrüesch mountain. Use Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on rail journeys, options include the Arosa Line, Davos or Klosters. Dine independently tonight.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Brig

    An epic journey on the Glacier Express

    Board the Glacier Express to Brig. The route delves into the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon') in panoramic carriages. A two-course lunch is served at seats. Pass serene lakes and snowy peaks, climb to Andermatt, emerge from the nine-mile Furka Tunnel and follow the Rhône to Brig. Check in to the family-run hotel near the station for a four-night stay, then dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Brig

    Savouring Matterhorn views from Zermatt

    Travel by local train through the Matter Valley past wildflower meadows, alpine forests and waterfalls to car-free Zermatt. Free time to explore, options include the Gornergrat Mountain Railway or cable car to Schwarzsee. Later, guided tour of Zermatt with a local guide. Return to Brig for a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Brig

    Uncovering Brig or venturing further afield

    Day at leisure. Explore Brig's historic centre and 17th-century Stockalper Palace. Use Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts, options include the Swiss Riviera (Montreux, Vevey), Bern, the Aletsch Glacier by cable car, or Domodossola in Italy through the Simplon tunnel.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: Brig

    Spiez Castle and a cruise on Lake Thun

    Travel by rail through the 21.5-mile Lötschberg Base Tunnel to Spiez. Tour the 10th-century Spiez Castle and its medieval exhibits, then enjoy a private aperitif on the terrace. Cruise along turquoise Lake Thun to the historic town of Thun, then train back to Brig for the final dinner. Note: On departures before May and on Mondays, the Spiez Castle excursion is replaced with free time in Interlaken followed by the lake cruise.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, board the train to Geneva down the Rhône Valley past mountains, vineyards and Lake Geneva, passing Chillon Castle and the Swiss Riviera towns of Montreux and Vevey. Depart Geneva in First Class on the TGV to Paris, then join the Eurostar in Plus Class with a light meal back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar light meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Board the Bernina Express in panoramic carriages from Chur, crossing the UNESCO-listed Landwasser Viaduct and the Bernina Pass, pausing to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm.
  • Day 5Day 5: Ride the Glacier Express to Brig through the Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon) in panoramic carriages with a two-course lunch served at your seat.
  • Day 6Day 6: Travel by local train through the Matter Valley to car-free Zermatt and take a guided tour of the mountain resort below the Matterhorn.
  • Day 8Day 8: Visit the 10th-century Spiez Castle, enjoy a private aperitif on its terrace, and cruise turquoise Lake Thun to the historic town of Thun.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus Class travel
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch (onboard Glacier Express)
  • 6 dinners
  • Eurostar light meal (outbound and return)
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Chur to Brig
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price includes Eurostar Plus Class, all Swiss rail journeys (First and Standard Class), the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, boat cruise, and coach transfers.
Which trains are featured?
Eurostar (London to Paris), TGV (Paris to Geneva), Bernina Express (Chur to Poschiavo with return), Glacier Express (Chur to Brig), local train (Brig to Zermatt), and regional Swiss rail connecting the major stops.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, guides in Zermatt and at Spiez Castle, and coordinates all transport and meals.
How many nights is the tour?
Eight nights: one in Strasbourg, three in Chur, and four in Brig. Hotel accommodation is four-star throughout.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch (onboard the Glacier Express), six dinners, and light meals on Eurostar outbound and return. Two dinners (Day 4 and part of Day 8) are independent.
How much free time is there?
Day 4 in Chur and Day 7 in or near Brig are entirely free. You receive a Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on rail, boat, and mountain railway options on those days.

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