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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier Express: Brig to Chur

Swiss Alps rail circle: Glacier Express and Bernina Express from London

Illustration of Classic Glacier Express: Brig to Chur

Great Rail Journeys' 9-day escorted journey chains two of the Swiss Alps' most celebrated scenic trains: the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Starting in London, you travel via Eurostar and high-speed TGV to Geneva, then onward to the mountain resort of Brig for a three-night base. Day 2 takes you by local train to car-free Zermatt for views of the Matterhorn; Day 3 includes the 21.5-mile Lötschberg Base Tunnel to Spiez Castle, where you sip an exclusive aperitif on the terrace before cruising turquoise Lake Thun. Day 4 is the centrepiece: the Glacier Express travels at 24 miles per hour through panoramic carriages past the Rhine Gorge and over the 6,670-foot Oberalp Pass, with lunch at your seat. After four nights in Chur (including a guided walk through its Old Town and a free day to explore the Bernina Express route to Poschiavo), you return to London via Strasbourg, TGV and Eurostar. The tour suits repeat rail travellers and couples who enjoy guided structure, hotel comfort and unhurried multi-night stays in Alpine towns.

What to know before you look closer

  • Spiez Castle closes from late March to late April; the itinerary substitutes an alternate activity on those departures.
  • Two dinners in Chur are independent (you choose your restaurant), and the final evening in Strasbourg is a group dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Single supplement is GBP 200 (GBP 2,899 vs. GBP 2,699 double), a notably high premium on a GBP 2,699 base fare.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Brig

    London to Brig in the Swiss Alps

    Meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar Plus to Paris, enjoying a light meal at your seat. On arrival in Paris, board the high-speed TGV First Class east to Switzerland, joining the Swiss rail network in Geneva and climbing into the mountains. Arrive in Brig, check in to the four-star hotel for a three-night stay and enjoy a three-course dinner together.

    Meals: Eurostar light meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Brig

    Savouring Matterhorn views from Zermatt

    After breakfast, take a local train to Zermatt, a tranquil mountain resort accessible only by foot or train. Pass lush wildflower meadows, alpine forests and waterfalls. Visit Air Zermatt Heliport to learn about mountain rescue, then enjoy a free afternoon to explore. Options include the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, cable cars past Schwarzsee, or relaxing in a café with views of the Matterhorn. Return to Brig for a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Brig

    Spiez Castle and a cruise on Lake Thun

    Travel by rail through the 21.5-mile Lötschberg Base Tunnel to Spiez. Tour the 10th-century Spiez Castle with its conical turrets, central keep and rustic church, then enjoy an exclusive private aperitif on the terrace. Cruise along turquoise Lake Thun to the historic town of Thun, then catch the train back to Brig for dinner. Note: on departures from 24th March to 28th April, Spiez Castle is closed and an alternative excursion by rail to Interlaken takes place.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    An epic journey on the Glacier Express

    Board the iconic Glacier Express from Brig to Chur. The 'slowest express train in the world' travels at an average speed of 24mph through the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon'), past serene lakes and snowy peaks in panoramic carriages. A two-course lunch is served at your seat. Traverse the nine-mile Furka Tunnel, pass through Andermatt and reach the Oberalp Pass at nearly 6,670 feet above sea level. Arrive in Chur, check in to the hotel near the station for a four-night stay, and enjoy dinner together.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Chur

    A guided tour of Switzerland's oldest town

    After a leisurely breakfast, meet a local guide for a walking tour of Chur's Old Town, strolling through the colourful town centre to Martinsplatz (St Martin's Square) with its 18th-century zodiac fountain, the 800-year-old Cathedral of the Assumption and the Bishop's Palace. Free afternoon to explore independently, options include the cable car to the high plateau of Brambüesch. Dine independently this evening; try the local speciality pizzoccheri.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Chur

    A superb journey on the Bernina Express

    Board the Bernina Express in panoramic carriages from Chur. The UNESCO-listed route twists south through the Engadine Valley, across the curved Landwasser Viaduct, through tunnels on the Albula Line, past the turquoise Lago Bianco and over the Bernina Pass (summit over 7,300 feet). Pause to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm, then wind down to the Italian-speaking town of Poschiavo with its pastel-coloured buildings. Lunch independently in Poschiavo. Stop briefly in St Moritz on the return journey before arriving back in Chur for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Chur

    A free day to explore in and around Chur

    A leisurely breakfast followed by a free day to explore independently. Use the Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on rail journeys. Popular options include the scenic Arosa Line (climbing over 3,000 feet in less than 17 miles), or the mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters. Dine independently this evening at Chur's gourmet restaurants or traditional pubs.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Strasbourg

    Travel to Strasbourg

    After breakfast in Chur, journey to Strasbourg for an overnight stay. Check in to the four-star hotel in the city centre, then enjoy a free afternoon exploring Strasbourg's grand squares, half-timbered houses, narrow waterways and the Gothic cathedral (dating from the 13th century). In the evening, walk to a local restaurant for the final group dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, depart Strasbourg on the high-speed TGV to Paris, then join the Eurostar Plus service back to London St Pancras, where the holiday concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Take a local train to Zermatt through wildflower meadows, alpine forests and waterfalls, with free time to view the Matterhorn from a café or ride the Gornergrat Mountain Railway.
  • Day 3Day 3: Tour the 10th-century Spiez Castle with its conical turrets and central keep, then enjoy a private aperitif on the terrace overlooking Lake Thun before cruising its turquoise waters to Thun.
  • Day 4Day 4: Board the Glacier Express from Brig to Chur, averaging 24 mph through panoramic carriages past the Rhine Gorge, serene lakes and snowy peaks, with a two-course lunch served at your seat.
  • Day 6Day 6: Travel the Bernina Express from Chur across the curved Landwasser Viaduct, through the Albula Line tunnels, past turquoise Lago Bianco and over the 7,300-foot Bernina Pass to Poschiavo.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel (outbound and return)
  • First and Standard Class rail travel options available
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 6 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 railways
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Some dinners (independent dining on guided tour day in Chur, free day in Chur)
  • Optional excursions on free days (e.g. Gornergrat Mountain Railway, cable cars)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus to and from London, TGV First Class between Paris and Geneva, Swiss rail networks, the Glacier Express in panoramic class from Brig to Chur, and the Bernina Express in panoramic class from Chur to Poschiavo. You also receive a Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on rail journeys, boat trips and most mountain railways on free days.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies you from London throughout the journey. Most sightseeing is guided, including walks in Zermatt, Chur's Old Town and the tour of Spiez Castle. You have two free afternoons in Chur (days 5 and 7) to explore independently with your Half Fare Card.
What hotels are included?
Great Rail Journeys books a four-star hotel in Brig for three nights, a four-star hotel in Chur for four nights and a four-star hotel in Strasbourg for one night. Luggage transfers between hotels from Brig to Chur are included.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is served daily. You receive a light meal on Eurostar, lunch on the Glacier Express, and six dinners (one in Brig after arrival, one each night in Brig, one in Strasbourg, and one in Chur on the guided day). You dine independently on two evenings in Chur and one evening in Strasbourg.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates eight departures across 2027, running in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
How much walking is involved?
The pace is relaxed with multiple multi-night stays. Walking includes a guided tour through Chur's Old Town to Martinsplatz and the Cathedral of the Assumption, and strolling around Zermatt and Strasbourg. Luggage transfers and included coach transport reduce physical demand. Optional cable cars and mountain railways on free days require additional effort if chosen.

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