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Magic Switzerland · Individual rail tour

Glacier and Bernina Express Classic

Swiss alpine rail loop: Glacier and Bernina Express trains, three cities, four days

Illustration of Glacier and Bernina Express Classic

Magic Switzerland offers a 4-day, 3-night independent rail tour linking three alpine towns via two of Switzerland's most renowned scenic trains. The journey begins in Zermatt, the car-free mountain village anchored by the Matterhorn. Day 2 features the Glacier Express, a panoramic train that traverses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels through the Alpine heartland to St. Moritz. Day 3 boards the Bernina Express, which climbs the Bernina pass to over 2,253 metres and descends into Italy before continuing by coach to Lugano. The package includes second-class rail tickets with reserved seats, three nights in quality Swiss hotels with breakfast, and a 50% discount on local mountain excursions. Departures run April through October 2026. This tour suits independent explorers and first-time rail travellers who want guided train travel without daily group activities, as well as seasoned rail enthusiasts seeking to experience two classic Alpine routes.

Price history

Across 4 checks, this price has held at CHF 1,058 every time.

CHF 1,0584 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 1 of 4 point is a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

2 readings are held out of the price above and this history: a unknown. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary shows a day 4 departure; there is no guided activity or excursion on the final day.
  • The Bernina Express leg includes a coach segment (bus from Tirano to Lugano) alongside the train portion.
  • Single supplements are substantial: CHF 247 above half the double rate in lowest season (3-star tier).

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zermatt

    Arrival in Zermatt

    Arrival in the charming car-free town of Zermatt, popular for the Matterhorn, the world's most famous mountain.

  2. Day 2railovernight: St. Moritz

    Glacier Express to St. Moritz

    Board the world-famous Glacier Express for a scenic panoramic rail journey through the Alpine heartland of Switzerland.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lugano

    Bernina Express to Lugano

    Board the Bernina Express, climbing over the spectacular Bernina pass to more than 2,253 m towards Poschiavo and Brusio, reaching Tirano in Italy (end of the Bernina line). Change to the Bernina Express bus onwards to Lugano.

  4. Day 4

    Departure

    Day at leisure. Return to Swiss border or individual onward journey. Itinerary bookable in reverse; Open Jaw possible (starting in Lugano and ending in Zermatt or vice versa).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Glacier Express for a panoramic rail journey through the Alpine heartland, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.
  • Day 3Travel the Bernina Express as it climbs over the Bernina pass to 2,253 metres, descending through Poschiavo and Brusio to Tirano, then continue by Bernina Express bus to Lugano.

Included

  • Rail ticket in 2nd class for rail travel per itinerary
  • 1 night each in Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lugano, quality hotels, standard rooms with private facilities and breakfast
  • Seat Reservation on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz
  • Seat Reservation on the Bernina Express train from St. Moritz to Tirano
  • Seat Reservation on the Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano
  • 50% discount on additional rail tickets (local transport) and some mountain excursions

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From CHF 1,058 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,298 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is an individual rail tour. Seat reservations are arranged on the trains, but you travel and explore at your own pace. Days 1, 3, and 4 are unguided.
Which hotels are used?
One night each in Zermatt, St. Moritz, and Lugano. You choose between 3-star or 4-star quality hotels at the time of booking.
When does it run?
The tour operates from 24 February 2026 to 8 October 2026. Pricing varies by season; April 1 to October 8 is the lowest season.
Can I book it in reverse?
Yes. The itinerary is bookable in reverse (starting in Lugano, ending in Zermatt). Open jaw options are also available.

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