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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Premium Glacier Express: Switzerland’s Alpine Icons

Eight-day Alpine rail circle from Zürich via Bernina Express and Glacier Express

Illustration of Premium Glacier Express: Switzerland’s Alpine Icons

Vacations By Rail's Premium Glacier Express tour is an eight-day escorted journey through Switzerland and Italy, starting in Zürich and ending in Bern. The itinerary combines stays at three five-star hotels with travel on two of Europe's most celebrated trains: the Bernina Express, which crosses the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway and the Brusio spiral viaduct on its route to Tirano, Italy, and the Glacier Express, where travelers ride in exclusive Excellence Class with a five-course lunch and wine while crossing alpine passes. Days blend guided city experiences, such as Old Town Zürich and Bern by vintage tram, with mountain experiences, including a Gornergrat summit railway journey with views of the Matterhorn and up to 29 other peaks. A tour manager travels throughout, and all rail, coach, and boat travel is included. The group size is capped at 20 travelers.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; arrange these separately
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included but can be arranged through Vacations By Rail

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zürich

    Arriving in Zürich, the diverse financial capital of Switzerland

    Make your own way from Zürich Airport to the centrally located hotel. Check in for two nights, with the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening, meet the Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Zürich

    Impressive views and a Lindt chocolate experience in Zürich

    Guided tour of Old Town Zürich by motorcoach, including the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, then a visit to Lindt Home of Chocolate. Travel to Schaffhausen for a guided cruise to the Rhine Falls before returning to Zürich.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: St. Moritz

    To St. Moritz via the old-world city of Chur

    Rail journey in First Class to Chur, Switzerland's oldest city, with free time to sightsee. Continue by train along the Albula Line through the Engadin Valley to St. Moritz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: St. Moritz

    Enjoying a First Class journey on the Bernina Express

    First Class journey on the Bernina Express along the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, crossing the Bernina Pass and the Brusio spiral viaduct to Tirano, Italy, with free time before returning to St. Moritz.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Across the Alps in Excellence Class on the Glacier Express

    Exclusive use of the Excellence Class car on the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt, including a five-course lunch with wine, crossing the Oberalp and Furka passes and the Rhône Valley with Matterhorn views.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zermatt

    A look at the stately Matterhorn from the Gornergrat

    Ride the Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the summit for views of up to 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn, with lunch at the summit. Free afternoon and evening in Zermatt.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zürich

    Returning to Zürich via Bern

    First Class train from Zermatt toward Zürich, stopping in Bern for a guided vintage tram tour of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, then continuing to Zürich for a farewell dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Traveling home

    After breakfast at the hotel, check out and begin onward travel home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided motorcoach tour of Old Town Zürich, visiting the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, followed by Lindt Home of Chocolate and a Rhine Falls cruise from Schaffhausen
  • Day 4First Class journey on the Bernina Express along the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, crossing the Bernina Pass and Brusio spiral viaduct to Tirano, Italy
  • Day 5Glacier Express Excellence Class car with exclusive use, five-course lunch with wine, crossing the Oberalp and Furka passes and the Rhône Valley with Matterhorn views
  • Day 6Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the summit for views of up to 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn, with lunch at the summit
  • Day 7Guided vintage tram tour of Bern's UNESCO-listed Old Town before returning to Zürich for a farewell dinner

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • First & Excellence Class rail travel where possible
  • All rail, boat and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • Max group size of 20
  • First Class Swiss Travel Pass, offering unlimited travel by train, boat, bus and tram with no additional cost
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First and Excellence Class rail travel throughout, plus all coach and boat travel. A First Class Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited train, boat, bus and tram travel is provided.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A tour manager travels with the group from start to finish. All guided tours and excursions are included.
Which trains are featured?
The itinerary includes the Bernina Express in First Class from Chur to Tirano, the Glacier Express in exclusive Excellence Class from St. Moritz to Zermatt, and the Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the summit.
What hotels are included?
Renaissance Zürich Tower Hotel (5-star, 3 nights), Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, St. Moritz (5-star, 2 nights), and Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Zermatt (5-star, 2 nights).
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, plus 2 lunches and 3 dinners. Day 5 includes a five-course lunch with wine aboard the Glacier Express; Day 6 includes lunch at the Gornergrat summit.
How much walking is involved?
The activity level is rated Mobility Rating 3, reflecting guided walking tours in Old Town Zürich and Bern, and the Gornergrat summit experience.

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