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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier Express at Christmas

Eight-day Swiss Alpine rail journey at Christmas on Glacier and Bernina Express

Illustration of Classic Glacier Express at Christmas

Vacations By Rail's Classic Glacier Express at Christmas is an 8-day escorted tour through the Swiss Alps and into Italy, departing Zürich in December and ending in St Moritz. You stay in four-star hotels in Brig and Chur, travel under the guidance of a Tour Manager, and ride two of Europe's most celebrated scenic trains: the Glacier Express climbs through the Furka Tunnel and Oberalp Pass over the Swiss Grand Canyon, and the Bernina Express crosses the UNESCO-listed Albula Line past Lago Bianco and the Palü Glacier into Poschiavo. Days are a mix of guided rail excursions and leisure time: you visit car-free Zermatt for Matterhorn views, explore Lucerne's Christmas markets, and have free time in Chur's Old Town. The itinerary centers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, featuring festive dinners with carols and three-course holiday meals. A Tour Manager joins the group throughout, and a Swiss Half Fare Card allows you to add optional mountain railways and boat journeys on unguided days.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights from your home country and airport transfers are not included; you must arrange these separately and meet the group at Brig on Day 1.
  • The tour departs Zürich on a fixed Christmas schedule; confirm availability before planning around this specific holiday week.
  • Day 3 is unguided leisure time; the Swiss Half Fare Card allows independent exploration but you arrange your own excursions.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Train to car-free Zermatt and see the Matterhorn come into view, with an optional ride up the Gornergrat Mountain Railway.
  • Day 4Board the Glacier Express from Brig, climbing through the Furka Tunnel and Oberalp Pass over the Swiss Grand Canyon to Chur, with lunch served at your seat.
  • Day 5Rail journey to Lucerne to visit Christmas markets and the Kapellbrücke, returning to Chur for a special Christmas Eve dinner with carols.
  • Day 7Travel the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express along the Albula Line, climbing to 7,392 feet past Lago Bianco and the Palü Glacier to Poschiavo, Italy, and onward to St Moritz.

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

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. Standard Class rail travel on the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and all local rail networks is included. The Swiss Half Fare Card gives 50% discounts on optional mountain railways and boat journeys on free days.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an escorted tour. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish who leads group activities and handles luggage transfers between hotels.
What hotels are included?
The tour includes 7 nights in four-star hotels: 3 nights at Hotel Ambassador in Brig and 4 nights at Romantik Hotel Stern, a 360-year-old hotel in Chur.
When does this tour run?
The Classic Glacier Express at Christmas is scheduled for December. Check with Vacations By Rail for exact departure dates.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day, plus 1 lunch (on the Glacier Express) and 5 dinners (including Christmas Eve dinner with carols and a three-course Christmas Day dinner with wine).
What is not included in the price?
International flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, and meals not listed above are not included.

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