How much does it cost?

From £2,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,051 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

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.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier & Bernina Express: Chur to Brig

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

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.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £2,999 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

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

Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg
London to Strasbourg overnight
Meeting our Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras, we begin our Swiss holiday by boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Travelling in Plus Class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats. From the French capital, we continue east to Strasbourg for an overnight stop. This historic Alsatian city has a compact but captivating centre, with grand squares and narrow waterways, dominated by the Gothic cathedral. After checking in to our central four-star hotel, we take a short walk to a local restaurant for dinner, a flavour of the Alsace.
Meals: Eurostar light meal, Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Chur
A warm alpine arrival in historic Chur
With a free morning after breakfast you could explore the sights of Strasbourg independently. Leaving Strasbourg around noon, we travel First Class to Switzerland. In Basel, we join the efficient Swiss rail network in Standard Class and witness the scenery quickly increasing in beauty and altitude. As the country's oldest town, Chur is full of history - as is our central hotel. After a welcome drink and dinner, we settle down to spend the first of three nights in a 360-year-old hotel, a favourite of our customers.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Chur
A superb journey on the Bernina Express
Dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret, a journey on the Bernina Express in panoramic carriages is a highlight of this holiday. After breakfast in our hotel, we join this amazing train. The UNESCO-listed route twists and spirals its way south through the rugged landscape of the Engadine Valley, across the curved Landwasser Viaduct and looping through tunnels as it climbs the Albula Line. Reaching the summit at more than 7,300 feet above sea level, we pass the turquoise waters of Lago Bianco before crossing the Bernina Pass, pausing to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm, then winding down to the Italian-speaking town of Poschiavo. On the return journey, we stop briefly in the sophisticated resort of St Moritz before arriving back in Chur for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4railovernight: Chur
A free day in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town
A leisurely breakfast begins a free day, and there are plenty of lovely destinations to explore. Chur itself is backed by mountains and its colourful Old Town is a delightful place to wander. For a panoramic view of Chur, take the cable car up Brambrüesch mountain. Alternatively, use your Swiss Travel Card for 50% discounts on all rail journeys, with the scenic Arosa Line or the mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters both easily reachable. Dining independently tonight, you could opt for the local speciality of pizzoccheri.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5railovernight: Brig
An epic journey on the Glacier Express
Today, one of Europe's most iconic train journeys awaits. After breakfast in our hotel, we board the incredible Glacier Express to Brig. The scenic route of the 'slowest express train in the world' delves into the Rhine Gorge, where panoramic carriages provide front-row seats to the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. Travelling at an average speed of 24mph, we are served a two-course lunch in our seats. We emerge from the nine-mile Furka Tunnel and follow the Rhône to the valley town of Brig. We check in to our family-run hotel near the station for a four-night stay, before dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Brig
Savouring Matterhorn views from Zermatt
A dramatic journey greets us after breakfast in Brig. Travelling by local train, we zigzag past the lush wildflower meadows, dense alpine forests and thundering waterfalls of the Matter Valley, arriving in beautiful Zermatt, only accessible on foot or by train. On arrival, there is free time to explore this idyllic mountain resort at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn - you could take the Gornergrat Mountain Railway or a cable car past Schwarzsee. Later, we tour Zermatt with a local guide, before returning to Brig for a three-course dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7railovernight: Brig
Uncovering Brig or venturing further afield
A day at leisure provides an opportunity to see more of this beautiful part of Switzerland after breakfast. Besides its charming historic centre, Brig also boasts the 17th-century Stockalper Palace. Using your Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on rail travel, the glamorous Swiss Riviera towns of Montreux and Vevey can be reached in under 90 minutes, the Swiss capital of Bern is around an hour away, and the Aletsch Glacier can be reached by cable car.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8railovernight: Brig
Spiez Castle and a cruise on Lake Thun
Travelling by rail through the 21.5-mile Lötschberg Base Tunnel after breakfast, we arrive in the quaint town of Spiez. Set beside the crystal-clear waters of Lake Thun is Spiez Castle, a fairytale fortress dating from the 10th century. After a tour of the fortress, we relax on the terrace for an exclusive private aperitif. Leaving Spiez by boat, we cruise along the turquoise Lake Thun to the historic town of Thun, then catch the train back to Brig for our final dinner together. Please note: on departures before May and on Mondays, the excursion to Spiez Castle is replaced with free time in Interlaken followed by the lake cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9rail
Homeward bound
We leave the stunning Swiss Alps after breakfast this morning as we board the train to Geneva, down the Rhône Valley past Lake Geneva and through the Swiss Riviera towns of Montreux and Vevey. Departing Geneva in First Class seats on the high-speed TGV, we pass the southern Jura mountains on our way to Paris, where we join the Eurostar service in Eurostar Plus Class. On arrival in London St Pancras, your holiday draws to a close.
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

Tour Manager: Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Accommodation: 8 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Transportation: Eurostar Plus; First & Standard Class rail travel; all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Food & Drink: Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 6 dinners
Luggage: Group luggage transfers between hotels from Chur to Brig
Excursions & Entertainment: Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys; all guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,051 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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.