Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Essential Switzerland: Glacier Express & Zermatt

Essential Switzerland: Glacier Express & Zermatt, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

Uncover Switzerland's most spectacular panoramas by rail on this roundtrip vacation from Zürich featuring the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zürich

    Arriving in Switzerland's financial center, Zürich

    Arrive in Zürich and transfer to the city center for a two-night stay. Free time to explore Old Town and the Bahnhofstrasse. Meet the Tour Manager and group for the first dinner in Switzerland.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zürich

    A day in the fairytale city of St. Gallen

    Short train journey to St. Gallen for a walking tour of Old Town and its UNESCO-listed Baroque cathedral (8th-century abbey grounds). Free time, optionally visiting the abbey library with the Swiss Half Fare Card. Return to Zürich by train; no group dinner.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Into the Swiss Alps to car-free Zermatt

    Rail journey (under four hours) via Bern and Lake Thun to Zermatt, the car-free Matterhorn Village. Free time to explore, with an optional horse-drawn carriage ride (payable locally). Dinner at the hotel.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Zermatt

    Exploring Zermatt under the Matterhorn

    Ride the Gornergrat Mountain Railway (opened 1898), climbing six miles to the summit at over 10,000 feet for views of up to 29 peaks, including the Matterhorn. Guided walking tour of Zermatt's 17th-century wooden chalets on Hinterdorfstrasse. Dinner on your own.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Engadine Valley (St. Moritz)

    The full route of the legendary Glacier Express

    All-day journey on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz, crossing the Furka Pass, a nine-mile tunnel, the Oberalp Pass, the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, and the Landwasser Viaduct, with a two-course lunch served at your seat. Free evening in the Engadine Valley.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Engadine Valley (St. Moritz)

    To Italy aboard the Bernina Express

    The Bernina Express follows the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway from St. Moritz, crossing Lago Bianco, the Bernina Pass, the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm, and the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio, to Tirano, Italy. Free time before the return journey and dinner at the hotel.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zürich

    Returning to Zürich

    Rail journey back to Zürich via the Albula Line and Chur. Free time to explore the Opera House, National Museum or Grossmünster before dinner at the hotel.

  8. Day 8

    Tour conclusion

    Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and begin the journey home.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers throughout
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
  • All guided tours and excursions

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