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Grand Glacier Express- Excellence Class

Zurich to St. Moritz on the Glacier Express in Excellence Class

Illustration of Grand Glacier Express- Excellence Class

Railbookers operates this 6-day, 5-night rail vacation through the Swiss Alps, from Zurich to St. Moritz by way of Zermatt. After a night in Zurich beside the River Limmat, the trip travels by train through Visp to Zermatt, passing vineyards, lakes, and mountains. A day trip on the Gornergrat Cog Railway climbs more than 10,000 feet for panoramic views of the Matterhorn and nearby glaciers, with free time back in town. The centerpiece is the Glacier Express to St. Moritz in Excellence Class, with a personal concierge, a five-course meal with wine, and a route crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Two nights in St. Moritz close the trip, with an optional cable car to the mountain peak of Piz Nair or time to relax by the lake. With First Class rail throughout and a 4-day Swiss Flexi Pass included, this trip suits travelers who want a compact, high-comfort tour of the Swiss Alps built around one of its most celebrated train journeys.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence lists 17 accommodation options across price tiers and cities rather than one fixed hotel per city; sample hotels range from the 25hours Hotel Zurich to the Baur Au Lac, so the hotel you get depends on the tier you choose.
  • The Piz Nair funicular and cable car in St. Moritz only operates from May through October.
  • Only breakfast is included with the hotel stays; the five-course meal with wine on day 4 is part of the Glacier Express Excellence Class experience, but other lunches and dinners throughout are on your own.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates or months; confirm scheduling directly with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Welcome to Zurich, Switzerland's most cosmopolitan and elegant city, situated on the banks of the River Limmat. After checking into your hotel, spend the evening by the lake in the old town district of Niederdorf, famous for its bars, restaurants, lounges and boutique shops.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Zurich to Zermatt

    Catch a train from Zurich to Visp then change onto the mountain train in Visp direct to Zermatt. The entire trip to Zermatt is very scenic, passing by vineyards, lakes and mountains.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Gornergrat Day Trip

    Take the Gornergrat Cog Railway, which climbs more than 10,000 feet in just 33 minutes! From the top, enjoy expansive panoramic views of the landscapes below, including Matterhorn and glaciers. Back in town, explore on your own.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St. Moritz

    Glacier Express to St. Moritz

    Prepare for one of the most luxurious train journeys in Switzerland, if not the world. In Excellence Class you'll enjoy a personal concierge, luggage service, comfortable seating, in-depth knowledge of the route, a five-course menu including accompanying wines, and the Glacier Bar for an aperitif. Traveling across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels en route to St Moritz. On check-in at your hotel if staying between May and Oct collect your Engadin Card from the front desk for free use of the local cable-cars and mountain railways throughout your stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: St. Moritz

    St. Moritz

    Why not enhance your stay in St Moritz with a ride on the local funicular and cable-car to Piz Nair (May-Oct only). This mountain peak rewards all visitors with some spectacular views of Graubunden and beyond. If you'd rather simply relax and enjoy the town, spend some time strolling around the gorgeous lake or dining in one of the many restaurants or grabbing high tea in the lobby at Badrutt's Palace Hotel, visit the Kulm Country Club and Segantini Museum, shop along Via Serlas, or try your luck at the St Moritz Casino.

  6. Day 6

    Your Journey Ends in St. Moritz

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The train from Zurich to Zermatt, changing at Visp, passes vineyards, lakes, and mountains.
  • Day 3The Gornergrat Cog Railway climbs more than 10,000 feet in 33 minutes to panoramic views of the Matterhorn and glaciers.
  • Day 4The Glacier Express to St. Moritz runs in Excellence Class, with a personal concierge and a five-course meal with wine, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.
  • Day 5An optional funicular and cable car ride to Piz Nair reaches a mountain peak with views of Graubunden.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary in First Class
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in St. Moritz
  • 4-day Swiss Flexi Pass in First Class
  • Day trip to Gornergrat
  • Seat reservations in Excellence Class on the Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
Yes. Railbookers includes First Class rail travel throughout, plus a 4-day Swiss Flexi Pass in First Class and Excellence Class seat reservations on the Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz.
What is Excellence Class on the Glacier Express?
The top tier of service on the Glacier Express, including a personal concierge, luggage service, comfortable seating, a five-course meal with wine, and the Glacier Bar for an aperitif.
How much free time is there to explore on your own?
Zermatt on day 3 and St. Moritz on day 5 both include time to explore or relax independently.
What hotels does the trip use?
The evidence lists 17 accommodation options across tiers and cities; sample hotels include the Baur Au Lac and Park Hyatt Zurich in Zurich and the Beausite Zermatt in Zermatt.
Is the Piz Nair cable car included?
It is offered as an optional way to enhance the St. Moritz stay and only runs from May through October; it is not listed among the trip's core inclusions.
How much does this trip cost?
Railbookers prices this trip from $3,169.

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