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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier Express in Winter

Nine-day Swiss winter rail loop from London on Glacier and Bernina Express trains

Illustration of Classic Glacier Express in Winter

Great Rail Journeys operates this nine-day escorted winter tour from London to Geneva, combining two of Europe's most celebrated scenic trains with bases in the Swiss mountain towns of Chur and Brig. A UK Tour Manager guides the group throughout, handling hotel logistics and group meals so you can focus on the journey. The Bernina Express crosses the UNESCO-listed Albula Line and the Landwasser Viaduct en route to Poschiavo; the Glacier Express descends the Rhine Gorge and passes through the nine-mile Furka Tunnel, with a two-course lunch served at your seat in panoramic carriages. Between train journeys, the itinerary includes free days in Chur and Brig where you can explore historic town centres, visit museums, or use the Swiss Half Fare Card to take optional rail excursions to Zermatt (for Matterhorn views), Grindelwald (with views of the Jungfrau and Eiger), or nearby resorts. The final day includes a Lake Thun cruise before the high-speed TGV and Eurostar return you to London. Eight nights in four-star hotels, breakfast daily, and six dinners are included; accommodation, trains, and cruises reflect a premium comfort standard suited to repeat rail travellers and those seeking guided exploration of Alpine scenery in winter.

What to know before you look closer

  • The group size may reach 30 passengers; confirm the departure cohort size when booking if you prefer a smaller group.
  • Day 4 and Day 7 in Chur and Brig are unguided; the itinerary suggests optional activities, but dining on Day 4 is independent.
  • The single supplement from GBP 3,199 is GBP 200 above half the double price (half of GBP 2,999 is GBP 1,499.50); solo travellers should budget accordingly.

Day by day

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the Bernina Express in panoramic carriages from Chur, crossing the UNESCO-listed Landwasser Viaduct and climbing the Albula Line to over 7,300 feet, passing the Palü Glacier before descending to Poschiavo.
  • Day 5Travel the Glacier Express through the Rhine Gorge at an average speed of 24 mph, climbing to Andermatt and passing through the nine-mile Furka Tunnel with a two-course lunch served at your seat in panoramic carriages.
  • Day 6Take a local train to Zermatt, a car-free mountain resort, with the option to ride the Gornergrat Mountain Railway up to the glacier or take a cable car for Matterhorn views.
  • Day 8Travel by train to Grindelwald to view the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger, then cruise across Lake Thun with views of Spiez Castle before returning to Brig by train.

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

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus class (London to Paris and return), First Class rail from Strasbourg or Basel through Switzerland, Standard Class local trains within Switzerland, the Bernina Express in panoramic class, the Glacier Express in panoramic class, and a Lake Thun cruise.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is fully escorted. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London St Pancras through the entire nine days, including all hotel check-ins and group meals.
Which trains feature on this tour?
The signature trains are the Bernina Express (Chur to Poschiavo to St Moritz and return) and the Glacier Express (Chur to Brig), both in panoramic carriages. Additional trains include Eurostar, TGV, Swiss intercity rail, and local trains to Zermatt and Grindelwald.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. Dinners are included on Days 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 (six total). A two-course lunch is served on the Glacier Express (Day 5). Eurostar light meals are included on Days 1 and 9. Other meals are not included.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included. Meals not listed above, optional upgrades (such as a Deluxe Double room in Brig), and any activities beyond those listed in the itinerary are at your own cost.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates four departures in winter and early spring: December 2026, January 2027, February 2027, and March 2027.

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