Is this tour escorted or independent?

It is fully escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the nine days, and guided tours are included in the destinations visited.

What trains are featured?

The Glacier Express (Brig to Chur on New Year's Eve with lunch) and the Bernina Express (Chur to Poschiavo and St Moritz, UNESCO-listed Albula Line). You also travel on Eurostar, TGV/intercity rail, Swiss rail, and optional mountain railways including the Gornergrat and Rigi.

What is included in meals?

Breakfast is included every day, lunch on the Glacier Express (New Year's Eve), and six dinners including a New Year's Eve gala dinner at the hotel in Chur. Eurostar light meals are also provided outbound and on the return journey.

When does the tour run?

Great Rail Journeys offers departures over the New Year period (late December to early January); confirm exact dates and availability directly with the operator.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier Express at New Year

Nine-day New Year rail journey through Swiss Alps on Glacier and Bernina Express

Great Rail Journeys operates this nine-day New Year rail holiday departing from London and ending in St Moritz. The tour combines Eurostar travel through Paris and rail journeys into the Swiss Alps, centred on two celebrated train routes: the Glacier Express from Brig to Chur on New Year's Eve with lunch served in panoramic carriages, and the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express climbing toward the Palü Glacier. You stay eight nights in four-star hotels in Strasbourg, Brig, and Chur, with a UK Tour Manager accompanying the group throughout. Days include guided exploration of the Chur Old Town and Lucerne's medieval centre, a day trip to car-free Zermatt to view the Matterhorn, and substantial free time to explore at your own pace or use the included Swiss Half Fare Card for optional mountain railways and excursions. The tour suits repeat rail travellers keen to experience two signature Swiss trains, couples seeking a New Year celebration, and photographers drawn to snow-covered Alpine scenery and historic mountain villages.

What to know before you look closer

The from-price is not stated in the operator's published material; confirm current rates and availability for your New Year travel dates with Great Rail Journeys directly.
Day 4 and Day 7 include substantial unguided free time; Day 4 offers optional excursions like the Aletsch Glacier or Domodossola trip, and Day 7 requires independent travel to Lucerne by rail.
Hotel accommodation is described by type and nights but with one entry listed as 'Central four-star hotel' for Strasbourg and one as '360-year-old hotel' for Chur; confirm exact names before booking.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg
From London to Strasbourg
Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris, then rail to Strasbourg for the first overnight.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Brig
Arrival in Brig, nestled in Switzerland's Rhône Valley
Free morning in Strasbourg, then rail via Basel to Brig for a three-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Brig
Admiring Matterhorn views from scenic Zermatt
Rail along the Matter Valley to Zermatt for Matterhorn views.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Brig
Free time in Brig or further afield
Day at leisure, with options including Montreux, the Aletsch Glacier, or Domodossola using the Swiss Half Fare Card.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5railovernight: Chur
Experiencing the Glacier Express with lunch on New Year's Eve
Glacier Express to Chur via the Furka Tunnel and Oberalp Pass, with a New Year's Eve gala dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6overnight: Chur
New Year's Day in historic Chur
A full free day to explore Chur's Old Town, with a traditional dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7railovernight: Chur
Visiting Lucerne, the 'City of Lights'
Rail to Lucerne to see the Kapellbrücke and Old Town, returning to Chur for an evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8railovernight: Chur
Crossing the Alps on the Bernina Express
Bernina Express over the Albula Line to Poschiavo, returning via St Moritz.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9rail
Homeward bound
Rail to Basel, Paris, then Eurostar Plus back to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Day 3: Train journey through the Matter Valley reveals the Matterhorn as you approach car-free Zermatt, with optional 125-year-old Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the summit.
Day 5Day 5: Glacier Express departs Brig on New Year's Eve with lunch served at your seat while panoramic carriages pass snowy meadows, frozen streams and white mountaintops; ascent through the Furka Tunnel and Oberalp Pass, then descent through the Swiss Grand Canyon to Chur.
Day 8Day 8: Bernina Express climbs the UNESCO-listed Albula Line to 7,392 feet with views of frosted forests, frozen lakes and ancient castles, descending to Poschiavo in Italian-speaking Ticino before returning via St Moritz.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
8 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Eurostar Plus, First & Standard Class rail travel
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Eurostar Light Meal, breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 6 dinners
Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days
Group luggage transfers between hotels from Brig to Chur
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

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

Vacations By Rail

Questions travellers ask

Is this tour escorted or independent?: It is fully escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the nine days, and guided tours are included in the destinations visited.
What trains are featured?: The Glacier Express (Brig to Chur on New Year's Eve with lunch) and the Bernina Express (Chur to Poschiavo and St Moritz, UNESCO-listed Albula Line). You also travel on Eurostar, TGV/intercity rail, Swiss rail, and optional mountain railways including the Gornergrat and Rigi.
What is included in meals?: Breakfast is included every day, lunch on the Glacier Express (New Year's Eve), and six dinners including a New Year's Eve gala dinner at the hotel in Chur. Eurostar light meals are also provided outbound and on the return journey.
When does the tour run?: Great Rail Journeys offers departures over the New Year period (late December to early January); confirm exact dates and availability directly with the operator.