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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

First Class Glacier Express, Zermatt & Matterhorn

Seven-day First Class rail loop through Swiss Alps from St Moritz to Zermatt

Illustration of First Class Glacier Express, Zermatt & Matterhorn

Vacations By Rail operates this seven-night escorted tour of the Swiss Alps and Italy, beginning in St Moritz and concluding in Zermatt. You travel in First Class throughout, riding two of Europe's most celebrated scenic trains: the Bernina Express, which crosses the Alps to Italy at over 7,300 feet and stops at Alp Grüm for views of the Palü Glacier, and the Glacier Express, which traverses the full route from St Moritz to Zermatt via the Rhine Gorge and Furka Tunnel with a two-course lunch served at your seat. In Zermatt, a car-free mountain village, you ascend the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, opened in 1898, to above 10,000 feet for views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks, and visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest cable car station in Europe, where a lift descends into an ice palace. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and all guided excursions, luggage transfers, and most meals are included. The pace is relaxed, with three nights each in St Moritz and Zermatt. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, photographers seeking mountain vistas, and those who value guided comfort and First Class amenities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; you arrange independent rail travel from Zürich to St Moritz on Day 1 and from Zermatt to Zürich on Day 7.
  • Day 3 is free; dinner is not included that evening.
  • Two departure dates (18th May and 16th July) stay at Hotel Laudinella in St Moritz instead of Hotel Schweizerhof.
  • The activity level is rated Mobility 3 due to high-altitude excursions; those with relevant medical conditions should seek advice before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: St Moritz

    Arriving in the mountainous nation of Switzerland

    Land at Zürich airport and travel independently by rail via Chur to St. Moritz in the Engadine Valley; check in and meet the Tour Manager and group for the first dinner. Note: departures 18th May and 16th July stay at the Hotel Laudinella in St Moritz.

  2. Day 2railovernight: St Moritz (Engadine Valley)

    Crossing the Alps in First-Class on the Bernina Express

    UNESCO-listed Bernina Express route to over 7,300 feet, past Lago Bianco, stepping off at Alp Grüm for views of the Palü Glacier, spiraling down to Tirano, Italy, with free time, returning to St Moritz by local train.

  3. Day 3overnight: St Moritz (Engadine Valley)

    A free day amidst the Engadine Valley

    Free day in St. Moritz; Via Serlas shopping street, resort card for cable cars/funiculars, or use the Swiss Travel Card to visit Davos or Klosters. Dine independently.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Zermatt

    Awe-inspiring scenery in First Class on the Glacier Express

    Full route of the Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt via the Albula Line and the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon'), a two-course lunch at the seats, through the Furka Tunnel and Matter Valley to Zermatt.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Viewing the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat Mountain Railway

    Heritage Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Switzerland's original electric rack railway (opened 1898), to over 10,000 feet for views of up to 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn; guided tour of Zermatt.

  6. Day 6overnight: Zermatt

    The wonderland of the Matterhorn Glacier

    Gondola to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe's highest cable car station at over 12,700 feet, and a lift into the glacier's ice palace to view ice sculptures; free afternoon in Zermatt.

  7. Day 7rail

    Tour conclusion

    Travel independently by rail from Zermatt via the Matter Valley and Lake Thun to Zürich, where the vacation concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Bernina Express climbs past Lago Bianco to Alp Grüm, where you step off to view the Palü Glacier before spiraling down into Italy.
  • Day 4The Glacier Express travels the full route from St Moritz to Zermatt through the Albula Line, Rhine Gorge, and Furka Tunnel, with a two-course lunch at your seat.
  • Day 5The Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Switzerland's original 1898 electric rack railway, carries you above 10,000 feet for views of the Matterhorn and up to 29 mountaintops.
  • Day 6A gondola reaches Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at over 12,700 feet, Europe's highest cable car station, where a lift descends into the glacier's ice palace.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel; all rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between St. Moritz and Zermatt
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All rail travel is included in First Class, including the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Gornergrat Mountain Railway, and the Centovalli Railway. You also travel independently by rail from Zürich to St Moritz on arrival and from Zermatt to Zürich at the end.
Is this escorted or independent?
This is an escorted tour. A Tour Manager from Vacations By Rail travels with the group from start to finish and leads all guided tours and excursions.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Schweizerhof in St Moritz for three nights and Hotel Sonne in Zermatt for three nights, both four-star properties. Two departures (18th May and 16th July) use Hotel Laudinella in St Moritz instead.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, one lunch (the two-course meal on the Glacier Express), and four dinners. Day 3 dinner is not included.
When does the tour depart?
The pack does not list specific departure dates; contact Vacations By Rail to confirm the schedule.
How much walking and altitude exposure should I expect?
The tour includes cable car and mountain railway excursions. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise reaches over 12,700 feet. The operator rates the activity level Mobility 3 and recommends medical advice for those with relevant health conditions.

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