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Glacier Express St. Moritz - Zermatt

Alpine rail journey on the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt

Illustration of Glacier Express St. Moritz - Zermatt

Railtour Suisse operates this 3-day, 2-night Alpine crossing on the Glacier Express, a celebrated scenic train linking St. Moritz and Zermatt in Switzerland. The centrepiece is the 8.5-hour main journey, during which the train crosses 291 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels, and climbs to the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters, revealing snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls and forests along UNESCO-listed rail heritage lines. Day 1 gives you time in St. Moritz, once the birthplace of Alpine winter sports and today known for exclusive shopping on Via Serlas. Day 3 in Zermatt is at leisure, though Railtour Suisse offers optional excursions by cog railway to Gornergrat or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, both providing views of the Matterhorn and peaks above 4,000 meters. Stays are in 3-star hotels with breakfast included. This suits repeat rail travellers and photographers seeking a canonical Swiss Alpine experience at an accessible pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers the package and assumes the Half Fare Travelcard basis; verify the final cost includes your train fare to St. Moritz or factor in that separately.
  • Day 3 in Zermatt is largely unstructured; the Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise trips are optional extras and cost additional.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: St. Moritz

    Arrival in St. Moritz

    Train journey to St. Moritz, the birthplace of alpine winter sports. Enjoy the mountain landscape with its fantastic views or stroll through Via Serlas, one of Switzerland's most exclusive shopping streets. Overnight in St. Moritz.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Glacier Express (8h30)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel from St. Moritz to Zermatt with the Glacier Express. The train journey takes you over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp Pass at 2'033 m. All along the way, the great spectacle of nature alternates between snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls and forests, lush meadows and picturesque villages. Overnight in Zermatt.

  3. Day 3rail

    Zermatt and return journey

    Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the day in Zermatt or make a trip to the Gornergrat. Europe's highest open-air cog railway takes you from Zermatt to the Gornergrat. On the summit you will have a superb panoramic view of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and many other snow-capped peaks rising to above 4'000 m. If you want to go even higher, you should include the excursion Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in your programme. Individual return journey. This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Glacier Express climbs the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels while revealing snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls and forests.
  • Day 3Optional cog railway excursion to Gornergrat offers panoramic views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and peaks above 4,000 meters.

Included

  • Train journey in 2nd class from/to domicile, Half Fare Travelcard basis
  • Seat reservation in the Glacier Express
  • 1 night in St. Moritz, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Zermatt, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast

Questions travellers ask

Which train is this journey on?
The Glacier Express, a 2nd class journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt taking 8 hours and 30 minutes.
What is included in the price?
Train travel to St. Moritz and the Glacier Express with seat reservation, one night in a 3-star hotel in St. Moritz, one night in a 3-star hotel in Zermatt, and breakfasts at both hotels.
What UNESCO sites are on the route?
The Albula and Bernina lines of the Rhaetian Railway are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Landwasser Viaduct is also highlighted.
Is this trip guided or independent?
This is an independent rail journey; you travel on your own schedule between accommodations, though the train and hotels are arranged by Railtour Suisse.
How much walking is involved?
Day 1 includes a stroll through St. Moritz if desired. Day 3 is flexible; optional excursions such as the Gornergrat cog railway involve additional travel and walking at altitude.

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