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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

GRJ All Inclusive Glacier Express at New Year

Swiss Alps rail loop from London, New Year Bernina and Glacier Express journeys

Illustration of GRJ All Inclusive Glacier Express at New Year

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day New Year escorted tour from London to Switzerland and back. The journey opens with Eurostar to Paris and a high-speed TGV to Basel, followed by five nights based in the Tiefencastel hotel on the Albula Valley. From this location, the tour features four UNESCO-listed or world-famous train lines: the Albula Line to St Moritz, the Bernina Express on New Year's Eve crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and Brusio spiral viaduct into Italy, a free day in the region with a Swiss Half Fare Card, the Arosa Line climbing 3,000 feet through wintry valleys, and the Glacier Express with panoramic carriages across the Swiss Grand Canyon and Oberalp Pass. The final night returns to Basel before Eurostar home. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and all meals, drinks with dinner, and rail travel are included. This trip suits couples and repeat rail travellers seeking relaxed stays with daily excursions, as well as groups who value guided comfort and included dining experiences.

What to know before you look closer

  • New Year's Eve and New Year's Day dates mean this is a seasonal departure only; confirm current availability with Great Rail Journeys.
  • Maximum group size is 40 passengers; the tour is fully escorted rather than independent.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    London to Basel in Switzerland

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. In Paris, change to the high-speed TGV for the final leg to Basel. Check in to the hotel near the station and explore the attractive Old Town with its festive lights, half-timbered houses and historic squares. Short stroll to a local restaurant for the first group dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Tiefencastel

    Onwards into the idyllic Swiss Alps

    Free morning to explore Basel's Old Town, twin-spired Gothic minster and the red Rathaus in Marktplatz. Later, transfer to the train station and travel to Tiefencastel via Chur along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line. Check in for a five-night stay at the family-run riverside hotel. Three-course dinner with wine, beer and soft drinks included from 7pm–9pm.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Tiefencastel

    Along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line to St Moritz

    Travel on the Albula Line from Tiefencastel to St Moritz, crossing deep ravines and scenic viaducts. Free time in St Moritz to stroll by the lake, walk Via Serlas, enjoy an apéritif, or ride the Diavolezza cable car for views over the Morteratsch Glacier. Picnic lunch provided. Return by train to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Tiefencastel

    New Year's Eve on the Bernina Express

    Board the Bernina Express at Tiefencastel station for a journey along the UNESCO-listed route, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct, passing frozen waterfalls, climbing to Ospizio Bernina at 7,400ft, marvelling at the Palü Glacier and spiralling round the Brusio viaduct. Free time and picnic lunch in the Italian town of Tirano. Return to Tiefencastel for a New Year's Eve gala dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Tiefencastel

    At leisure on New Year's Day

    Free day to explore the region at leisure with a picnic lunch provided by the hotel. Visit the 14th-century Church of St Stefan in Tiefencastel, or use the Swiss Half Fare Card to travel the Albula Line to Filisur, Bergün (Albula Railway Museum), or through the Zügen Gorge to Davos and Klosters. Dinner with selected drinks at the hotel in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Tiefencastel

    Ascending the Arosa Line from historic Chur

    Board the train to Chur then continue on the Arosa Line for an hour-long journey to the lakeside resort of Arosa, climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles through wintry valleys and across the Langwieser Viaduct. Free time in Arosa with picnic lunch and optional cable car. Time to explore historic Chur's cobblestone centre, Martinsplatz and St Martin's Church before returning to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Basel

    The incredible Glacier Express and on to Basel

    Board the Glacier Express at Tiefencastel station. Panoramic carriages pass through the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', over the Oberalp Pass, beside glacial lakes, through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel and arrive in Brig. Change trains to head north through the mountains to Basel, passing Lake Thun and Spiez Castle. Luggage transferred to tonight's hotel. Final group dinner in Basel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, make way to Basel train station. Board the high-speed TGV to Paris, then change to the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where the holiday concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras, travel via Paris on the high-speed TGV to Basel, then explore the Old Town's half-timbered houses and festive lights before the first group dinner.
  • Day 3Travel the UNESCO-listed Albula Line from Tiefencastel to St Moritz, crossing deep ravines and scenic viaducts with free time to walk the lake shore or ride the Diavolezza cable car overlooking the Morteratsch Glacier.
  • Day 4Board the Bernina Express on New Year's Eve, cross the Landwasser Viaduct, climb to Ospizio Bernina at 7,400 feet, view the Palü Glacier, and spiral around the Brusio viaduct before returning to a New Year's Eve gala dinner at the hotel.
  • Day 6Ride the Arosa Line from historic Chur, climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles through wintry valleys and across the Langwieser Viaduct to the lakeside resort of Arosa.
  • Day 7Board the Glacier Express at Tiefencastel in panoramic carriages, pass through the Swiss Grand Canyon, cross the Oberalp Pass and glacial lakes, traverse the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel, and arrive in Brig before heading north to Basel via Lake Thun and Spiez Castle.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Standard Class travel
  • Standard Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • 5 picnic lunches
  • Drinks including beer, wine and soft drinks each day from 7pm–9pm with dinner in Tiefencastel
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Tiefencastel to Basel
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Standard Class, TGV, Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Albula Line, and Arosa Line travel, plus coach transfers and all rail connections throughout.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Escorted. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London St Pancras through to the end. Great Rail Journeys operates the tour.
Which trains are featured?
Eurostar (London to Paris), TGV (Paris to Basel and return), Albula Line (Tiefencastel to St Moritz), Bernina Express (Tiefencastel to Tirano), Arosa Line (Chur to Arosa), and Glacier Express (Tiefencastel to Brig).
What hotels are included?
Hotel near Basel train station for two nights, and Hotel Albula & Julier (family-run, 3-star) in Tiefencastel for five nights.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day. Five picnic lunches are provided. Drinks including beer, wine and soft drinks are included each evening from 7pm to 9pm with dinner at Tiefencastel. A seven-course New Year's Eve gala dinner is included.
How much walking is involved?
Mostly short strolls in town centres (Basel Old Town, Chur, St Moritz). A Swiss Half Fare Card allows optional cable car rides and rail exploration on free days. No demanding hikes are described.

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