Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier Express at Christmas

Classic Glacier Express at Christmas, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

A 9-day festive journey through the winter landscapes of Switzerland, including first class Swiss Travel Card and two scenic rail excursions: Glacier Express and Bernina Express

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Brig

    Arrival in Brig, nestled in Switzerland's Rhône Valley

    Land at Zürich airport and travel independently to Brig (rail ticket included). Check in to a family-run four-star hotel near the station for a three-night stay; meet the Tour Manager and group for a three-course dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Brig

    Admiring Matterhorn views from scenic Zermatt

    Train along the Matter Valley to car-free Zermatt, with the Matterhorn coming into view. Option to ride the Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the summit. Return by rail to Brig for dinner.

  3. Day 3overnight: Brig

    Free time in Brig or further afield

    Day at leisure to explore Brig (Stockalper Palace) or use the Swiss Half Fare Card to reach Montreux (GoldenPass Line to Gstaad, Château de Chillon), the Aletsch Glacier by cable car, or Domodossola, Italy.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    Experiencing the Glacier Express with lunch

    Board the Glacier Express from Brig, climbing through the Furka Tunnel and Oberalp Pass through the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' to Chur, lunch served at your seat. Check in for the first of four nights in a 360-year-old hotel.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Chur

    Christmas Eve in Lucerne, the 'City of Lights'

    Rail journey to Lucerne to explore its Christmas markets and the Kapellbrücke, or take the Rigi mountain railroad / a paddle steamer cruise on the Swiss Half Fare Card. Special Christmas Eve dinner and carols in Chur that evening.

  6. Day 6overnight: Chur

    Christmas Day in historic Chur

    Free day to relax or explore Chur's Old Town, Martinsplatz, the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Bishop's Palace. Three-course Christmas dinner with wine at the hotel.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Chur

    Across the Alps on the beautiful Bernina Express

    Board the Bernina Express along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, climbing to 7,392 feet past Lago Bianco to Poschiavo, Italy, with free time to explore, then return to Chur via a stop in St Moritz.

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Adventure ends after breakfast; rail ticket included to travel independently from Chur to Zürich airport for the flight home.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Brig to Chur
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
  • All tour excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers

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