Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Classic Glacier Express in Winter

Classic Glacier Express in Winter, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

A 9-day escorted train vacation to Switzerland in winter. Traveling between cities of the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chur

    Arrival in Chur in the heart of the Swiss Alps

    Land at Zürich airport and travel independently to Chur (rail ticket included). Check in to a central hotel, meet the Tour Manager and group, welcome drink and three-course dinner in the 360-year-old hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Chur

    Crossing the Alps 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 (lunch, e.g. pizzoccheri), returning via St Moritz to Chur for dinner.

  3. Day 3overnight: Chur

    A free day in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town

    Free day to explore Chur's Martinsplatz, the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Bishop's Palace, or take the cable car up Brambrüesch, or use the Swiss Half Fare Card for the Arosa Line or Davos/Klosters. Dine independently.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Brig

    A magical journey on the Glacier Express

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

  5. Day 5railovernight: 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.

  6. Day 6overnight: 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.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Brig

    Grindelwald mountain views and Lake Thun cruise

    Train to Grindelwald with free time (optional cable car to Grindelwald-First for views of 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.

  8. Day 8rail

    Traveling home

    Vacation ends after breakfast; rail ticket included to travel independently from Brig to Zürich airport for the flight home.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 5 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 railway journeys
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers

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