How much does it cost?

From £2,595 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,505 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Standard Class rail travel in Switzerland and Italy, panoramic carriage journeys on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, and flights between London and Zurich and Venice and London.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

It is an independent rail tour. You travel on your own schedule between cities. Four of the eight days are free days in Zermatt, St Moritz, and Venice, with optional guided excursions available.

Which trains do I travel on?

You travel on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz and the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano in Italy, both in panoramic Standard Class carriages. First Class upgrades are available.

What hotels are included?

You have hotel choices in each city: Zermatt (Parkhotel Beau-Site or Hotel Mont Cervin Palace, 2 nights); St Moritz (Hotel Schweizerhof or Kempinski Hotel, 2 nights); Venice (Hotel Kette, Hotel American Dinesen, or Monaco & Grand Canal, 2 nights).

What is not included?

Meals other than breakfast, lunch aboard the Glacier Express, cancellation and travel insurance, optional excursions, and First Class rail upgrades.

Great Rail Journeys · Independent Rail holiday

Glacier & Bernina Express to Venice

Two famous Alpine trains, then Venice: Glacier and Bernina Express from Zermatt

Great Rail Journeys' eight-day Glacier and Bernina Express to Venice is an independent rail journey pairing two of Europe's most celebrated train routes. The trip begins with flights from London to Zurich and a train transfer to Zermatt, the car-free village set beneath the Matterhorn. After a free day to explore or hike, you board the Glacier Express, the world's slowest express train, for a full-day panoramic journey descending through the Rhone Valley and climbing the Rhine Valley to St Moritz, a glamorous Alpine resort. Day 4 gives you leisure time in St Moritz before you embark on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bernina Express, which ascends the Bernina Pass at over 7,300 feet, passes turquoise glacial lakes, and crosses the famous corkscrew viaduct at Brusio as it spirals into Italy. You then travel to Venice, where two free days allow you to explore the city's canals, bridges, and gothic architecture by gondola and on foot. The journey ends with your choice of a return flight or a two-day train route home via Milan and Paris. This trip suits independent travellers who want the structure of included rail and flights with the freedom to explore each destination at their own pace.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £2,595 every time.

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. 2 of 5 points are 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.

What to know before you look closer

The from-price covers the package (flights, hotels, Standard Class rail, breakfast); lunch aboard the Glacier Express is optional at supplement.
Hotels in each city are offered in two tiers (4-star and 5-star options); final accommodation depends on the tier and location you select.
Day 8 return offers two choices: a flight from Venice or a two-day train journey back via Milan and Paris with an overnight; plan accordingly.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Zermatt
Getting to Zermatt
Your journey begins with a flight from the UK to Zurich, then a train from Zurich airport to Visp and on into the mountains to car-free Zermatt, where the Matterhorn reveals itself on arrival.
Day 2overnight: Zermatt
Zermatt
A free day in the charming, car-free village of Zermatt, with mountain views and hiking trails, or optional excursions bookable at a supplement.
Day 3railovernight: St Moritz
Glacier Express
A panoramic journey aboard the Glacier Express descends into the upper Rhône Valley, climbs to the route's highest point, and follows the Rhine Valley via Chur to St Moritz.
Day 4overnight: St Moritz
St Moritz
A free day to explore the glamorous resort town of St Moritz, its lakes and scenic walking trails, or choose an optional excursion.
Day 5railovernight: Venice
Bernina Express to Italy
Travelling in panoramic carriages aboard the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express, we ascend the Bernina Pass, pass Lago Bianco and the Palü Glacier, descend to Poschiavo, cross into Italy via the Brusio spiral viaduct, and continue by rail via Milan to Venice.
Day 6overnight: Venice
Venice
Free time to explore Venice's streets, galleries and gondola rides, or choose an optional excursion.
Day 7
Free Day in Venice
A second free day in Venice to dig deeper into its history, relax by the water, or choose an optional excursion.
Day 8
Getting to London
Transfer by water taxi to Venice airport for your flight back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Arrival in car-free Zermatt with views of the Matterhorn as you step from the train.
Day 3The Glacier Express descends through the Rhone Valley and Rhine Valley, crossing viaducts and passing through tunnels in panoramic carriage.
Day 5The Bernina Express spirals around the famous corkscrew viaduct at Brusio and ascends the Bernina Pass at over 7,300 feet, passing turquoise Lago Bianco and glaciers.
Day 6Arrival in Venice; explore gondola rides, gothic architecture, and historic cafes over two free days.

Included

6 nights hotel accommodation (Bed and Breakfast)
Standard Class Rail in Switzerland & Italy
First Class Rail upgrades available
Panoramic carriage journeys on the Glacier & Bernina Express
Flights between London and Zurich, Venice and London

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,595 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,505 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Standard Class rail travel in Switzerland and Italy, panoramic carriage journeys on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, and flights between London and Zurich and Venice and London.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: It is an independent rail tour. You travel on your own schedule between cities. Four of the eight days are free days in Zermatt, St Moritz, and Venice, with optional guided excursions available.
Which trains do I travel on?: You travel on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz and the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano in Italy, both in panoramic Standard Class carriages. First Class upgrades are available.
What hotels are included?: You have hotel choices in each city: Zermatt (Parkhotel Beau-Site or Hotel Mont Cervin Palace, 2 nights); St Moritz (Hotel Schweizerhof or Kempinski Hotel, 2 nights); Venice (Hotel Kette, Hotel American Dinesen, or Monaco & Grand Canal, 2 nights).
What is not included?: Meals other than breakfast, lunch aboard the Glacier Express, cancellation and travel insurance, optional excursions, and First Class rail upgrades.