Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. The package includes Eurostar Standard Class, the Glacier Express in Panoramic Standard Class, the Bernina Express in Standard Class, and InterCity and TGV trains on domestic Swiss routes. The price does not cover optional Eurostar Plus Class upgrades.

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.

What is included in the price?

Seven nights in three and four-star hotels, breakfast daily, five dinners, Eurostar and all domestic rail travel, coach transfers, a Swiss Half Fare Card, and all guided tours and excursions. Travel insurance and pre-tour London accommodation are not included.

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

Highlights of the Glacier Express

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.

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 the Alsace city of Strasbourg
Meet the Tour Manager and travel group at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar through scenic French countryside to Paris, then continue to Strasbourg for an overnight stay. The historic centre features grand squares, narrow waterways, and the incredible Gothic cathedral. Enjoy a first dinner together at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Chur
Travelling into the Alps to Chur
Free morning after breakfast to explore Strasbourg, including Place Kléber or La Petite France (UNESCO World Heritage site). This afternoon, board a train down the Rhine to Basel and switch trains to reach Chur. Enjoy a three-course dinner on arrival. First of three nights in Chur. Note: For departures 6th, 13th & 20th May and 16th & 30th September, stay at the Central Hotel Post in Chur.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3overnight: Chur
At leisure in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town
Free day to explore Chur and surroundings. Options include the Bündner Art Museum, Cathedral Treasury Museum, Rätisches Museum, or the scenic Arosa Line (climbing 3,000+ feet to Arosa). Davos and Klosters are also reachable. Swiss Half Fare Card provides 50% discounts. Dine independently this evening. Note: on the 12th April departure, Day 3 and Day 4 will be swapped.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4railovernight: Chur
Breathtaking views of the Alps on the Bernina Express
Board the Bernina Express after breakfast. The UNESCO World Heritage route twists south through the Engadine Valley, crossing the curved Landwasser Viaduct and climbing nearly 2,300 feet to Preda. Ospizio Bernina summit station sits at over 7,300 feet. The train pauses to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm before descending to Poschiavo. Free time to explore Poschiavo's pastel-coloured buildings and pretty squares before returning to Chur for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Täsch (or Kandersteg for certain departures)
Experiencing the incredible route of the Glacier Express
Board the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig after breakfast. At an average speed of 24mph, the 'world's slowest express train' travels through the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon') in panoramic carriages, passing snow-dusted peaks and Swiss villages, ascending to Andermatt and through the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel to Brig. Switch trains to Täsch via the beautiful Matter Valley. Check in for a three-night stay and enjoy a three-course dinner in the on-site restaurant. Note: certain departures stay in Kandersteg days 5–8.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Täsch (or Kandersteg for certain departures)
The sights and flavours of Zermatt
Travel by rail to Zermatt after breakfast, enjoying views of snow-covered meadows and the dramatic Matter Valley. Visit Bäckerei Fuchs for a tasting of breads, chocolates, coffee or hot chocolate. Free time to explore the car-free resort, including the Matterhorn Museum or the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. Reconvene at Gornergrat Station for an expert-led tour of Zermatt, uncovering its connections to the UK including the story of Edward Whymper. Return to Täsch independently; dine at leisure in Zermatt.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7overnight: Täsch (or Kandersteg for certain departures)
Free day to uncover Täsch or further afield
Day at leisure from the base in Täsch. With the Swiss Half Fare Card, explore Brig (Stockalper Palace), Spiez (fairytale castle on Lake Thun), or travel along the Rhône Valley to Lake Geneva and the Swiss Riviera towns of Montreux or Vevey. Final group dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After final breakfast in Täsch, board the train to Brig, continue to Lausanne, change trains to Paris, then board the Eurostar to London St Pancras where the holiday concludes.
Meals: Breakfast

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

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
7 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
Eurostar Standard Class rail travel
Standard Class rail travel throughout
All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
Breakfast each day
5 dinners
Group luggage transfers between hotels from Chur to Täsch
Swiss Half Fare Card (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

Is train travel included in the price?: Yes. The package includes Eurostar Standard Class, the Glacier Express in Panoramic Standard Class, the Bernina Express in Standard Class, and InterCity and TGV trains on domestic Swiss routes. The price does not cover optional Eurostar Plus Class upgrades.
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.
What is included in the price?: Seven nights in three and four-star hotels, breakfast daily, five dinners, Eurostar and all domestic rail travel, coach transfers, a Swiss Half Fare Card, and all guided tours and excursions. Travel insurance and pre-tour London accommodation are not included.
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.

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