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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Highlights of the Glacier Express in Winter

Eight-day winter rail journey from London through the Swiss Alps on two famous trains

Illustration of Highlights of the Glacier Express in Winter

Great Rail Journeys operates this 8-day winter escorted tour from London to the Swiss Alps, departing January and March 2027. You travel via Eurostar and high-speed TGV through France to Strasbourg, then by train into Switzerland to the alpine town of Chur, where you spend three nights. The core experience centres on two world-renowned scenic trains: the Bernina Express, which crosses the UNESCO-listed Albula Line past the Palü Glacier and frozen lakes, and the Glacier Express, described as the world's slowest express train, which descends from Chur through the Rhine Valley and Furka Base Tunnel to Brig, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and wintry forests. From your second base in Täsch, you visit Zermatt near the Matterhorn and taste local specialities at a historic bakery. A UK Tour Manager guides the group throughout, and you receive a Swiss Half Fare Card for 50 percent discounts on free-day rail journeys. The itinerary balances train time with unhurried days to explore medieval town centres and mountain resorts on foot.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 400 (from GBP 2,699 versus GBP 2,299 for double), a notable premium.
  • Only two winter departures listed: January and March 2027; confirm availability before booking.
  • The final leg home includes travel from Täsch to Paris and Eurostar to London, arriving the same evening.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg

    London to the Alsace city of Strasbourg

    Your wonderful winter journey begins this morning at London St Pancras as you meet the Tour Manager and your travelling group. Boarding the Eurostar, we make our way under the English Channel and into France towards its capital. In Paris, we switch to the high-speed service to Strasbourg. A stunning blend of traditional French and picture-book, half-timbered German architecture greet us as we arrive in this attractive Alsace city this evening. Admire the grand squares and pretty walkways as we walk from the station to our conveniently located hotel for check-in. There is time to freshen up after our day of travel before we head out once more and walk to a local restaurant to enjoy our first dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Chur

    A wintry welcome in alpine Chur

    There's a leisurely morning after breakfast to explore Strasbourg. You could wander amongst the cobbled streets and half-timbered houses of La Petite France, a charming UNESCO World Heritage site. In the early afternoon, we board the train to Basel and then continue along the superb Swiss railway network to Chur. On arrival, we check in to our hotel in Chur's delightful Old Town, a 16th-century building reflecting traditional Swiss architecture. After settling in, we enjoy a three-course dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Chur

    Exploring Switzerland's oldest town at leisure

    Your day is free to explore historic Chur and the surrounding region. With more than 5,000 years of history, Chur is Switzerland's oldest town. Take time to stroll through the medieval cobbled alleyways and squares of the Old Town to visit the 12th-century cathedral. Today is also a superb chance to discover the area by mountain railway using your included Swiss Half Fare Card. Options include the Arosa Line to lakeside Arosa, or mountain resorts of Davos, Klosters or St Moritz. Dining independently tonight.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    Riding the Bernina Express through a mountainous wonderland

    After breakfast, we board the Bernina Express at Chur station for a spellbinding journey. This 100-year-old route twists and spirals south through the Engadine Valley, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and looping through tunnels as it climbs the UNESCO-listed Albula Line. At the summit at Ospizio Bernina, admire views of snow-blanketed lakes and alpine peaks. After pausing to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm, we wind down to Poschiavo for free time. An encore of the striking scenery awaits on the return journey to Chur, where we have a three-course dinner tonight.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Täsch

    An incredible experience aboard the Glacier Express

    We leave Chur after breakfast, enjoying an unforgettable trip on the iconic Glacier Express - the 'slowest express train in the world'. Our journey features snow-covered pastures, wintry forests, and towering sugar-frosted peaks. We travel along the Rhine Valley, climbing over the Oberalp Pass, then descend through sleepy villages before entering the Furka Base Tunnel and the Rhône Valley. Passing expansive vineyards, we approach Brig, then travel the short distance to Täsch via the beautiful Matter Valley. We check in to our hotel and enjoy a three-course dinner in the on-site restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Täsch

    The sights and flavours of Zermatt

    After breakfast, we travel by rail to Zermatt, nestled below the Matterhorn. We first visit Bäckerei Fuchs for a tasting of specialities from breads to chocolates with coffee or hot chocolate. You're then free to explore the car-free resort, perhaps visiting the Matterhorn Museum or riding the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. Later, an expert-led tour of Zermatt unveils its surprising connections to the UK, including the story of English mountaineer Edward Whymper. You are free to return to Täsch independently; Zermatt has many inviting restaurants for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Täsch

    Free day in Täsch and further afield

    From our picture-perfect base in Täsch, you have many ways to spend a day at leisure. With the Swiss Half Fare Card, enjoy 50% discounts on train journeys. Within easy reach is Brig with its pretty Old Town and the Baroque Stockalper Palace. Alternatively, journey along the Rhône Valley to Lake Geneva, exploring Montreux or Vevey on the Swiss Riviera. On returning to the hotel this evening, we gather for our final dinner as a group.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast this morning, we begin the journey home. From Täsch to Brig and on to Lausanne, we enjoy final glimpses of the spectacular scenery. Continuing on to Paris, we board the Eurostar back to London, where your tour comes to a conclusion on arrival this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Day 4: boarding the Bernina Express at Chur, crossing the UNESCO-listed Albula Line with its Landwasser Viaduct and spiral loops, reaching Ospizio Bernina and viewing the snow-blanketed Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm.
  • Day 5Day 5: riding the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig, traveling through the Rhine Valley, over the Oberalp Pass, and through the Furka Base Tunnel past snow-covered pastures and frosted peaks.
  • Day 6Day 6: visiting Zermatt below the Matterhorn and tasting breads and chocolates at Bäckerei Fuchs, followed by an expert-led tour of the resort's historic connections.

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 railways)
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 2,299 includes Eurostar Standard Class, TGV travel to Switzerland, and journeys on the Bernina Express and Glacier Express, plus all other rail and coach travel.
Which famous trains are featured?
The tour includes the Bernina Express from Chur to Poschiavo and return, crossing the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, and the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig through the Swiss Alps.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from the start in London through the final return to London on Day 8.
What hotels are included?
The tour stays at Hotel Boma in Strasbourg (1 night), Ambiente Hotel Freieck in Chur (3 nights), and Porta Cervino in Täsch (3 nights), all 3 or 4-star properties.
What meals are provided?
Breakfast is included daily. Five dinners are included: on Days 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7. Other meals are at your own expense.
How much walking is involved?
Days include leisurely exploration of Strasbourg's cobbled streets and Chur's medieval Old Town on foot, and a self-guided or expert-led day in Zermatt. Luggage transfers are arranged between hotels from Chur to Täsch.

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