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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier Express in Winter: Brig to Chur

Eight-day Swiss alpine rail loop on Glacier and Bernina Express from Brig

Illustration of Classic Glacier Express in Winter: Brig to Chur

Vacations By Rail's eight-day Classic Glacier Express in Winter tour is an escorted journey through the snow-covered Swiss Alps, based in the valley towns of Brig and Chur. Departing from Zürich, the tour features two of Europe's most celebrated scenic trains: the Glacier Express from Brig to Chur through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, and the Bernina Express through the Engadine Valley and over the Albula Line to Poschiavo. You stay in four-star hotels, travel with a dedicated tour manager, and enjoy guided walks of Chur's medieval Old Town and cathedral. Days include visits to the carless resort of Zermatt for Matterhorn views, Grindelwald with its mountain vistas, and a Lake Thun cruise. A Swiss Half Fare Card lets you explore independently on your free day. This pace is relaxed, with most nights spent in one place, making it well suited to repeat rail travellers and couples seeking comfort and guided structure.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary includes one independent lunch (Day 6 in Poschiavo) and two independent dinners (Days 5 and 7 in Chur); confirm dining options with the operator
  • Several activities are optional and cost extra: the Gornergrat Mountain Railway in Zermatt, cable car to Grindelwald-First, and cable car to Brambüesch near Chur
  • Day 7 is unguided; you have a Swiss Half Fare Card to explore independently on the Arosa Line, Davos, or Klosters

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Brig

    Arrival in Brig in the Swiss Alps

    Land at Zürich airport and travel independently to Brig (rail ticket included). Check in to a four-star hotel for a three-night stay; three-course meal together.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Brig

    Savoring Matterhorn views from Zermatt

    Local train through the Matter Valley to Zermatt (car- and train-only access). Free afternoon; optional Gornergrat Mountain Railway or cable car past Schwarzsee. Return to Brig for a three-course dinner.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Brig

    Grindelwald mountain views and Lake Thun cruise

    Train to Grindelwald with free time (optional cable car to Grindelwald-First for the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger), then on to Interlaken for a cruise across Lake Thun past Spiez Castle, returning to Brig by train for a final group dinner.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    A magical journey on the Glacier Express

    Board the Glacier Express from Brig through the Furka Tunnel and the Rhine Gorge ("Swiss Grand Canyon") to Chur, two-course lunch at your seat. Check in to a 360-year-old hotel for a four-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Chur

    A guided tour of Switzerland's oldest town

    Guided walking tour of Chur's Old Town, Martinsplatz and the 800-year-old cathedral and Bishop's Palace. Free time after; optional cable car to Brambüesch. Dine independently.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Chur

    A superb journey on the Bernina Express

    Board the Bernina Express from Chur through the Engadine Valley, Landwasser Viaduct and Albula Line, past Lago Bianco over the Bernina Pass to Poschiavo (independent lunch), returning via St Moritz to Chur for dinner.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Chur

    A free day to explore in and around Chur

    Free day using the Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% off rail journeys, e.g. the Arosa Line or Davos/Klosters. Dine independently.

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Vacation 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: Travel by local train through the Matter Valley to car-free Zermatt for views of the Matterhorn
  • Day 3Day 3: Cruise across Lake Thun past Spiez Castle after visiting Grindelwald
  • Day 4Day 4: Board the Glacier Express from Brig through the Furka Tunnel and Rhine Gorge (called the Swiss Grand Canyon) to Chur, with two-course lunch at your seat
  • Day 6Day 6: Travel the Bernina Express through the Engadine Valley and over the Landwasser Viaduct and Albula Line past Lago Bianco and the Bernina Pass to Poschiavo

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 1st & Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 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 railway journeys
  • All guided tours and 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 all rail travel included?
Yes. The tour includes first and standard class rail travel on local networks, the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, and coach transfers. Your ticket to and from Zürich airport is also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is escorted. A tour manager travels with the group from start to finish and leads a guided walking tour of Chur's Old Town and cathedral. Most days offer free time for optional activities.
What trains are featured?
The Glacier Express travels from Brig to Chur via the Furka Tunnel and Rhine Gorge, with a two-course lunch at your seat. The Bernina Express runs from Chur through the Engadine Valley and Albula Line to Poschiavo and St Moritz.
What hotels are included?
The Hotel Ambassador in Brig for three nights and the Romantik Hotel Stern in Chur (a 360-year-old property) for four nights. Both are four-star.
When does this tour run?
The pack lists this as a winter tour but does not specify exact departure dates. Contact Vacations By Rail to confirm availability and dates.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch (on the Glacier Express, Day 4), and six dinners. Some dinners are group meals; Days 5 and 7 in Chur are dined independently.

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