Great Rail Journeys
Classic Glacier Express: Brig to Chur
9 daysfrom $3,605
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Classic Glacier Express in Winter
This magnificent winter rail holiday in Switzerland is a fantastic way to experience exciting train journeys on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg (or Basel on selected departures)
London to Strasbourg overnight
Meeting the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar to Paris in Plus class with a light meal at your seat. Continue east to Strasbourg for an overnight stop. After checking in to the central four-star hotel, take a short walk to a local restaurant for the first dinner together. Note: on the 5th & 19th December departures, the overnight stop is in Basel instead of Strasbourg.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Chur
A warm alpine welcome in historic Chur
Free morning to explore Strasbourg, Place Kléber, La Petite France (UNESCO World Heritage site). In the afternoon, travel First Class to Basel, then Standard Class through Switzerland past Lake Zurich and into the Alps to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town. Welcome drink and dinner at the 360-year-old central hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Chur
A superb journey on the Bernina Express
Board the Bernina Express in panoramic carriages from Chur station. The UNESCO-listed route twists south through the Engadine Valley, across the Landwasser Viaduct, up the Albula Line to over 7,300 feet, past Lago Bianco and the Bernina Pass, pausing at Alp Grüm to view the Palü Glacier, then down to Poschiavo. Brief stop in St Moritz on the return journey before arriving back in Chur for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Chur
A free day in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town
Leisurely breakfast then free day to explore Chur. Options include a stroll through the car-free town centre to Martinsplatz, visiting the 800-year-old Cathedral of the Assumption and Bishop's Palace, taking the cable car up Brambrüesch mountain, or using the Swiss Half Fare Card to visit Arosa, Davos or Klosters. Dine independently tonight.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5railovernight: Brig
A magical journey on the Glacier Express
Board the iconic Glacier Express to Brig. The route delves into the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon'), travelling at an average speed of 24mph through snowy meadows, frozen streams and white mountaintops, climbing to Andermatt, then through the nine-mile Furka Tunnel and following the Rhône to Brig. Two-course lunch served at your seat in panoramic carriages. Check in to the family-run hotel near the station for a four-night stay, then dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Brig
Savouring Matterhorn views from Zermatt
Take a local train from Brig to Zermatt, a car-free mountain resort accessible only by foot or train. Free afternoon to explore, visit Hinterdorfstrasse historic chalets, take the Gornergrat Mountain Railway up to the glacier, or take a cable car past Schwarzsee for views of the Matterhorn. Return to Brig for a three-course dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Brig
Uncovering Brig or venturing further afield
Day at leisure. Options include exploring Brig's historic centre and the 17th-century Stockalper Palace, or using the Swiss Half Fare Card to travel to Montreux on Lake Geneva (GoldenPass Line to Gstaad, Château de Chillon), reach the Aletsch Glacier by cable car, or visit Domodossola in Italy through the Simplon tunnel.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8railovernight: Brig
Grindelwald mountain views and Lake Thun cruise
Travel by train to Grindelwald, one of Europe's oldest mountain resorts, with views of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. Option to take the cable car to Grindelwald-First summit or stroll through the village. Continue to Interlaken to cruise across Lake Thun, with views of Spiez Castle. Return to Brig by train for the final group dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, depart Brig down the Rhône Valley past Lake Geneva, through Montreux and Vevey. Depart Geneva in First Class on the high-speed TGV to Paris, then join the Eurostar in Plus class back to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 8 nights 4-star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus class travel (London to Paris and return)
- First Class rail travel (Strasbourg/Basel to Switzerland)
- Standard Class rail travel within Switzerland
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
- Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch (on the Glacier Express)
- 6 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between hotels from Chur to Brig
- 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
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Vacations By Railfrom $2,999
