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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Simply Glacier & Bernina Express

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

Illustration of Simply Glacier & Bernina Express

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted rail holiday from London to Brig, starting with Eurostar and finishing with the world-famous Glacier Express. The tour centers on five nights at Hotel Albula & Julier, a family-run riverside hotel in Tiefencastel in the heart of the forested Albula Valley, which allows time to explore the surrounding alpine scenery while returning each evening. The itinerary includes a day trip on the Albula Line to St Moritz in the Engadine Valley, a journey on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express across the Alps to Tirano in Italy where you see the Palü Glacier and the Brusio spiral viaduct, a day on the Arosa Line climbing to the lakeside village of Arosa, and an excursion to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout. Breakfast and dinner are included each day, along with five picnic lunches and evening drinks in Tiefencastel. The package suits repeat rail travellers seeking panoramic-carriage journeys and guided comfort with all logistics arranged.

What to know before you look closer

  • The maximum group size is 40 people, which is large for an escorted tour.
  • Drinks are included only between 7pm and 9pm with dinner at Tiefencastel; other meals and drinks are not included.
  • Lunch on free days (Day 3 and parts of Days 4 and 6) are picnic-only; no restaurant meal options are mentioned.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg

    London to Strasbourg by rail

    Holiday begins at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Walk to Gare de l'Est for a two-hour train journey through the Champagne region and Lorraine to Strasbourg. Check in to the hotel then explore the city including the Grande Île, Place Kléber and the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. Dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Tiefencastel

    A scenic journey to Switzerland

    Free time to explore Strasbourg including La Petite France quarter. Transfer to the station for a rail journey to Tiefencastel via Basel and Chur, passing Lake Zürich and entering the UNESCO-listed Albula Line. Arrive early evening and check in for a five-night stay at the family-run riverside hotel. Three-course dinner with wine, beer and soft drinks included.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Tiefencastel

    A free day amid alpine scenery

    A day at leisure with a picnic lunch provided. Options include exploring Tiefencastel's Church of St Stefan and woodland walks, or using 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. The historic 'Crocodile' train runs between Filisur and Davos (May–October). Dinner with drinks in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Tiefencastel

    To St Moritz in the idyllic Engadine Valley

    Travel on the Albula Line from Tiefencastel to St Moritz, crossing deep ravines and scenic viaducts. Free time in St Moritz to explore the lakeside, Via Serlas shopping street, cafés, bars or the Diavolezza cable car. Picnic lunch by the lake. Return by train to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Tiefencastel

    Crossing the Alps to Italy on the Bernina Express

    Travel on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express route, climbing to Lago Bianco and Ospizio Bernina at 7,400ft, admiring the Palü Glacier and the 360-degree Brusio spiral viaduct. Free time in Tirano to explore the cobbled streets, Collegiate Church of St Martin and the 16th-century Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin. Picnic lunch included. Return to Tiefencastel by local train for dinner and drinks. Note: on certain departures the outward journey is by local train and the return is on the Bernina Express.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Tiefencastel

    Historic Chur and the Arosa Line

    Board the train to Chur then continue on the Arosa Line, climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles through verdant valleys, crossing the Langwieser Viaduct to the lakeside resort of Arosa beside Obersee. Free time in Arosa with picnic lunch; optional cable car for higher views. Free time to explore Chur's historic cobblestone centre, Martinsplatz, St Martin's Church, Rätisches Museum and Cathedral Treasure Museum before returning to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Basel

    The legendary Glacier Express and on to Basel

    Board the Glacier Express at Tiefencastel, travelling west through the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon'), over the Oberalp Pass, beside glacial lakes and through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel to Brig. Luggage transfer and picnic lunch included. Change trains at Brig to head north to Basel, passing Lake Thun and Spiez Castle. Check in to the hotel near Basel station for the final dinner of the tour.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, travel from Basel by high-speed TGV to Paris, then change to the Eurostar back to London St Pancras. Holiday concludes on arrival at London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5The Bernina Express climbs to Ospizio Bernina at 7,400 feet, crossing the Palü Glacier and the 360-degree Brusio spiral viaduct before descending to Tirano in Italy
  • Day 7The Glacier Express travels west through the Rhine Gorge, known as the Swiss Grand Canyon, over the Oberalp Pass and through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel to Brig
  • Day 4The Albula Line from Tiefencastel to St Moritz crosses deep ravines and scenic viaducts, including the Landwasser Viaduct, through the Engadine Valley
  • Day 6The Arosa Line climbs more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles through verdant valleys, crossing the Langwieser Viaduct to the lakeside resort of Arosa

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 package of beer, wine and soft drinks each day between 7pm and 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 package includes Eurostar Standard Class from London to Paris, TGV from Basel to Paris on the return, and all Swiss train travel including the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Albula Line, and Arosa Line in Standard or Panoramic class.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the eight days. The tour is escorted, though there are free-time days to explore independently in St Moritz, Tirano, Arosa, and Chur.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights' 3-star hotel accommodation, all rail and coach travel, breakfast and dinner each day, five picnic lunches, a drinks package (beer, wine, soft drinks) from 7pm to 9pm with dinner in Tiefencastel, group luggage transfers between hotels, a Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on free days, and all guided tours and excursions.
What hotels are used?
One night each in 3-star hotels in Strasbourg and Basel, and five nights at Hotel Albula & Julier, a family-run riverside hotel in Tiefencastel.
When does the tour run?
The operator does not publish a departure schedule in the available information; contact Great Rail Journeys to confirm dates.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate walking is expected, including city exploration in Strasbourg, Chur, and Arosa on cobblestone streets, plus optional woodland walks and cable car ascents on free days. No strenuous mountain hiking is required.

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