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Tailor Made Rail · Independent luxury rail holiday

Glacier Express Excellence Class

Seven-day London to Strasbourg luxury rail circle via Glacier Express Excellence Class

Illustration of Glacier Express Excellence Class

Tailor Made Rail's Glacier Express Excellence Class is a 7-day independent luxury rail holiday from London to Strasbourg, centred on a journey through the Swiss Alps. You depart London via Eurostar and TGV Lyria First Class, spending a night in Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva before taking the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn single-track mountain railway to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. The signature experience is Day 3, when you board the famous Glacier Express in Excellence Class from Zermatt to St Moritz, welcomed with a red carpet, champagne aperitif, and a gourmet multi-course menu served throughout the 8-hour journey. You stay two nights in St Moritz, followed by First Class travel through eastern Switzerland to Strasbourg, with a return to London via Paris and Eurostar. All six nights are in five-star or luxury four-star hotels with breakfast included. This trip suits luxury-seeking repeat rail travellers and couples who value fine dining and scenic Alpine travel without a daily guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • Final hotel accommodation depends on availability; all hotel names list 'or similar' alternatives, so confirm your exact properties with Tailor Made Rail before departure.
  • Single supplements apply for sole occupancy; pricing shown is for two people sharing a twin or double room.
  • No current departure dates are listed in the operator's published schedule; confirm availability with Tailor Made Rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lausanne

    London to Lausanne

    Eurostar to Paris where a private transfer driver takes you to the Gare de Lyon for a high-speed TGV Lyria service to Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva.

  2. Day 2overnight: Zermatt

    Lausanne to Zermatt

    A regional Swiss service along Lake Geneva past vineyards and castles to Visp, transferring onto the single-track Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn up to Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn.

  3. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

    One of the most exclusive resorts in the Alps, popular with skiers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts; optional Gornergrat Mountain Railway.

  4. Day 3railovernight: St Moritz

    Zermatt to St Moritz with the Glacier Express

    Board the new Excellence Class on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz, with a red carpet welcome, champagne aperitif and a multiple-course menu served throughout the journey, for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 4overnight: St Moritz

    St Moritz

    Known worldwide for its glitz, glamour and winter sports in the Upper Engadine Valley, with over 300 days of sunshine per year; shopping, a horse and carriage ride, or hotel facilities at leisure.

  6. Day 5overnight: Strasbourg

    St Moritz to Strasbourg

    First Class travel through the stunning landscape of eastern Switzerland to Basel, connecting onto a regional French service to Strasbourg.

  7. Day 5rail

    Strasbourg to London

    Free time to explore Strasbourg's Petite France district before returning to the station for the high-speed line to Paris and the Eurostar back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London to Paris, then TGV Lyria First Class to Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva.
  • Day 2The Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn single-track mountain railway climbs from Visp to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 3Board the Glacier Express in Excellence Class from Zermatt, with a red carpet welcome, champagne aperitif, and multi-course menu served throughout the journey to St Moritz.
  • Day 4Free time in St Moritz in the Upper Engadine Valley; optional Gornergrat Mountain Railway from Zermatt available on Day 2.
  • Day 5First Class rail travel through eastern Switzerland to Basel, connecting to France and arriving in Strasbourg.

Included

  • First class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 6 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Private transfers between stations in Paris on your outbound journey
  • Excellence Class service on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz
  • Station to hotel transfers in Zermatt & St Moritz
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. First Class rail travel is included: Eurostar London to Paris, TGV Lyria Paris to Lausanne, the Glacier Express Excellence Class Zermatt to St Moritz, and First Class return via Basel and Paris to London. Seat reservations are included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
This is an independent luxury rail holiday. You travel between stations and hotels on your own schedule; Tailor Made Rail provides private transfers in Paris on your outbound journey and station-to-hotel transfers in Zermatt and St Moritz.
What is included in the price?
Six nights hotel accommodation with breakfast, First Class rail travel with seat reservations, private transfers in Paris and station transfers in Zermatt and St Moritz, Excellence Class service on the Glacier Express, travel documentation, ticket despatch by email, and proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions.
Which hotels are used?
Tailor Made Rail books Hotel Angleterre (or similar) in Lausanne for 1 night, Mont Cervin Palace (or similar) in Zermatt for 1 night, Grace La Margna (or similar) in St Moritz for 2 nights, and Regent Petite France Hotel & Spa (or similar) in Strasbourg for 1 night.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary is based on rail travel and hotel stays with minimal mandatory walking. A optional Gornergrat Mountain Railway excursion is available from Zermatt on Day 2, and free time in St Moritz and Strasbourg allows for optional exploration.
What is not included?
Meals other than hotel breakfast, the optional Gornergrat Mountain Railway, local sightseeing activities, and travel insurance are not included.

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