Search

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale.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 New Year

Eight-day Swiss rail loop on Glacier and Bernina Express at New Year

Illustration of Classic Glacier Express at New Year

Vacations By Rail's Classic Glacier Express at New Year is an eight-day escorted tour through Switzerland and into Italy, operating during the winter holiday season. The journey begins with arrival in Brig, a base for three nights where you board a train to car-free Zermatt to view the Matterhorn, then spend New Year's Eve aboard the legendary Glacier Express as it climbs through the Furka Tunnel and Oberalp Pass, skirting the Swiss Grand Canyon toward Chur. There you remain for four nights, with New Year's Day free to explore the historic Old Town and evenings in the hotel. On Day 7, the Bernina Express carries the group across the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, past Lago Bianco and the Palü Glacier, dropping into Poschiavo, Italy, before returning to Chur via St Moritz. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, hotels are four-star, and all rail, coach, breakfast, and most dinners are included. The pace is relaxed, with free days offset by guided rail experiences on two of Europe's most celebrated scenic trains.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a New Year-specific departure; confirm current availability with Vacations By Rail
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; only the rail ticket from Zürich to Brig and return are covered
  • Hotels are marked four-star; amenities and views vary by room; confirm your specific accommodation before booking

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 on New Year's Eve

    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; welcome drink and New Year's Eve gala dinner.

  5. Day 5overnight: Chur

    New Year's Day in historic Chur

    Full free day to explore Chur's Old Town, Martinsplatz, the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Bishop's Palace. Traditional dinner with all the trimmings at the hotel.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Chur

    Visiting Lucerne, the 'City of Lights'

    Rail journey to Lucerne to see the Kapellbrücke, Old Town frescoed houses and the Jesuit church, or take the Rigi mountain railroad / a paddle steamer cruise on the Swiss Half Fare Card. Evening at leisure back in Chur.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Chur

    Crossing the Alps on the Bernina Express

    Board the Bernina Express along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, climbing to 7,392 feet past Lago Bianco to Poschiavo, Italy (time for lunch, e.g. pizzoccheri), 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 2Day 2: Train journey along the Matter Valley to car-free Zermatt with Matterhorn views; optional Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the summit
  • Day 4Day 4: Board the Glacier Express on New Year's Eve, climbing through the Furka Tunnel and Oberalp Pass past the Swiss Grand Canyon, with lunch served at your seat
  • Day 7Day 7: Bernina Express along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, climbing past Lago Bianco to Poschiavo, Italy, passing Palü Glacier
  • Day 6Day 6: Rail journey to Lucerne with the option to ride the Rigi mountain railroad or take a paddle steamer cruise on the Swiss Half Fare Card

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 train travel included?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes all rail and coach travel throughout the tour, plus the rail ticket from Zürich airport to Brig and return. You book your own flights.
Which trains are featured?
The Glacier Express from Brig to Chur on New Year's Eve, with lunch at your seat, and the Bernina Express from Chur to Poschiavo and St Moritz on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line.
What is included for meals?
Breakfast each day, one lunch on the Glacier Express, five dinners including a New Year's Eve gala and New Year's Day traditional dinner at the hotel.
How much time is free?
Day 3 is entirely free in Brig or beyond; Day 5 is free in Chur; Day 6 afternoon and evening are free in Chur. A Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discount) is provided for optional excursions on these days.
How many people are in the group?
The pack does not specify group size limits; confirm with Vacations By Rail if this matters to you.
Is there a Tour Manager?
Yes, a Tour Manager provides expertise from start to finish.

Similar journeys