How much does it cost?

From £2,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,105 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager who accompanies the group from London throughout the journey to Lausanne. Certain days, such as Day 3 in Chur and Day 7 in Täsch, are free to explore independently.

Which hotels are used?

The tour stays three nights in Chur (Ambiente Hotel Freieck or Central Hotel Post depending on departure date), three nights in Täsch (Porta Cervino) or Kandersteg (Seiler's Vintage Hotel) on certain departures, and one night in Kandersteg or Strasbourg (Seiler's Vintage Hotel or similar). The operator notes hotel changes based on the specific departure.

When does the tour run?

Departures run in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October 2027. Nine departure dates are scheduled across these months.

What is the physical demand?

Most days involve city walking tours with stairs and luggage handling. Free days allow you to choose your own pace. Optional outings include mountain railways to Gornergrat and day trips accessible by rail and boat. The Swiss Half Fare Card on free days enables exploration at your own speed.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Essence of Switzerland: Glacier & Bernina

Eight-day escorted rail journey through Swiss Alps on Glacier and Bernina Express trains

Great Rail Journeys' Highlights of the Glacier Express is an eight-day escorted tour for travellers seeking two of Europe's most celebrated mountain train routes. Departing from London St Pancras, the journey crosses the Channel on Eurostar and proceeds through France to Strasbourg, where guests explore the UNESCO-listed medieval city before heading south into the Swiss Alps. The itinerary centres on the Bernina Express, a UNESCO World Heritage route that climbs to over 7,300 feet and descends through the Engadine Valley to Poschiavo, and the Glacier Express, averaging 24 miles per hour through panoramic alpine scenery from Chur to Brig. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group throughout, arranging hotels, most meals, and guided excursions. The tour bases itself for three nights each in historic Chur and the mountain resort of Täsch, giving travellers time to visit Zermatt, explore lakeside towns, or take optional mountain railways. The package appeals to rail enthusiasts, couples, and photographers drawn to the Alps and well-organized group travel with flexibility built in on free days.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £100 since 4 Jul, to £2,299.

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. 3 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

Single supplement is 1,999 GBP compared to the from-price of 2,399 GBP for a double room; singles pay a significant premium
The group size can reach 40 travellers, so this is not an intimate small-group experience
Day 3 in Chur is free and unguided; dinner on that evening is not included and must be arranged independently

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg
London to Strasbourg by rail
We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar, changing trains in Paris to continue by rail to Strasbourg, checking in to our central hotel before dinner.
Day 2railovernight: Chur
Travelling into the Alps to Chur
A free morning in Strasbourg before we board a train to the alpine city of Chur, Switzerland's oldest city, for the first of three nights.
Day 3railovernight: Chur
To St Gallen, home of the UNESCO-listed cathedral
A train to St Gallen to explore the Old Town and UNESCO-listed Abbey District using the Swiss Travel Pass, before returning to Chur by rail.
Day 4railovernight: Chur
Breathtaking views of the Alps on the Bernina Express
We join the Bernina Express from Chur through the Engadine Valley, pausing to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm, before free time in Poschiavo and returning to Chur for dinner.
Day 5railovernight: Täsch
Experiencing the incredible route of the Glacier Express
We board the Glacier Express to Brig through the Rhine Gorge and the Furka Base Tunnel, then switch trains to Täsch via the Matter Valley, checking in for the first of three nights.
Day 6overnight: Täsch
Free day to explore Zermatt
A day at leisure with options to use the Swiss Travel Pass to visit Zermatt and the Matterhorn, or travel to Lake Geneva towns such as Montreux or Vevey.
Day 7railovernight: Täsch
Exploring Bern, the beautiful capital of Switzerland
A train to Bern for a day at leisure exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town, Bear Park and Zytglogge clock tower using the Swiss Travel Card, before returning to Täsch for a final dinner.
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast we board the train to Brig and continue to Lausanne and Paris, boarding the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar through French countryside, arriving in Strasbourg to explore the Gothic cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage site La Petite France
Day 4Board the Bernina Express, crossing the curved Landwasser Viaduct and climbing to Ospizio Bernina summit station at over 7,300 feet, then pause to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm
Day 5Travel on the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig in panoramic carriages, passing through the Rhine Gorge, snow-dusted peaks, and the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel
Day 6Travel by rail to Zermatt and enjoy views of snow-covered meadows and the Matter Valley; visit Bäckerei Fuchs for breads and chocolates, then take the expert-led tour of Zermatt

Included

Tour Manager: expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Accommodation: 7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Transportation: Eurostar Plus (Standard Class on the 4th April, 14th April, 16th May, 26th July & 2nd October departures); First & Standard Class rail travel; all rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Food & Drink: Eurostar light meals (Eurostar Plus departures only); breakfast each day, 5 dinners
Luggage: group luggage transfers between hotels from Chur to Täsch
Excursions & Entertainment: Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys; all guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,105 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager who accompanies the group from London throughout the journey to Lausanne. Certain days, such as Day 3 in Chur and Day 7 in Täsch, are free to explore independently.
Which hotels are used?: The tour stays three nights in Chur (Ambiente Hotel Freieck or Central Hotel Post depending on departure date), three nights in Täsch (Porta Cervino) or Kandersteg (Seiler's Vintage Hotel) on certain departures, and one night in Kandersteg or Strasbourg (Seiler's Vintage Hotel or similar). The operator notes hotel changes based on the specific departure.
When does the tour run?: Departures run in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October 2027. Nine departure dates are scheduled across these months.
What is the physical demand?: Most days involve city walking tours with stairs and luggage handling. Free days allow you to choose your own pace. Optional outings include mountain railways to Gornergrat and day trips accessible by rail and boat. The Swiss Half Fare Card on free days enables exploration at your own speed.