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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Essential Switzerland: Glacier Express & Zermatt

Swiss rail circle from Zürich on Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and mountain railways

Illustration of Essential Switzerland: Glacier Express & Zermatt

Vacations By Rail operates this eight-day escorted tour showcasing Switzerland's most celebrated rail routes and Alpine scenery. The journey departs from Zürich, visits St. Gallen, Zermatt, the Engadine Valley, and Italian Tirano before returning to Zürich. A Tour Manager leads the group throughout. Day 1 and Day 2 establish the tour in Zürich and historic St. Gallen, with its UNESCO-listed Baroque cathedral on ancient abbey grounds. Days 3 and 4 base the group in car-free Zermatt below the Matterhorn, including a ride on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, opened in 1898, ascending 10,135 feet for views of 29 peaks. Day 5 is devoted to the full-length Glacier Express journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz across nine passes, tunnels, and the Landwasser Viaduct, with lunch served onboard. Day 6 travels the Bernina Express route to Tirano along the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, crossing the Brusio corkscrew viaduct and the Palü Glacier. The tour suits repeat rail travellers, guided-tour enthusiasts, photographers, and history buffs.

What to know before you look closer

  • One guest review noted poor accommodation standards; confirm hotel expectations with the operator.
  • Mobility Rating 3 indicates substantial walking and elevation gain; not suitable for those with mobility limitations.
  • The tour includes one lunch and four dinners; most other meals are not included.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Short train journey to St. Gallen to tour its UNESCO-listed Baroque cathedral and abbey grounds dating to the 8th century.
  • Day 4Gornergrat Mountain Railway, opened in 1898, climbs six miles to 10,135 feet with views of up to 29 peaks including the Matterhorn.
  • Day 5All-day Glacier Express journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz crosses the Furka Pass, nine-mile tunnel, Oberalp Pass, the Swiss Grand Canyon, and the UNESCO-listed Albula Line with a two-course lunch served at your seat.
  • Day 6Bernina Express follows the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway from St. Moritz across Lago Bianco, Bernina Pass, the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm, and the Brusio corkscrew viaduct to Tirano, Italy.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes, the from-price of $3,999 USD includes Standard Class rail travel on all local rail networks and the named trains: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gornergrat Mountain Railway. A Swiss Half Fare Card offering 50% discounts on free days is also included.
Is the tour guided or independent?
It is a fully escorted tour. A Tour Manager from Vacations By Rail accompanies the group from start to finish and leads all guided excursions.
How many nights are spent in each location?
Three nights in Zürich (two at the start, one on Day 7), two nights in Zermatt, and two nights in the Engadine Valley (St. Moritz area).
What hotels are used?
The operator lists Glockenhof Hotel or Mercure Zürich City in Zürich and Hotel Sonne in Zermatt. Both are four-star properties.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating 3. It includes walking tours of St. Gallen's Old Town and Zermatt's 17th-century chalets, the Gornergrat Railway climb to 10,135 feet, and daily exploration on free time.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day, one lunch on the Glacier Express, and four dinners at hotels or arranged by the operator. Other meals are on your own, though free time is given to explore.

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