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Wexas Travel · Tailor-made rail holiday

Swiss Alps by Rail: Glacier Express St.Moritz & Zermatt

Seven-day Alpine rail loop: Zurich, St. Moritz, Zermatt on Glacier Express

Illustration of Swiss Alps by Rail: Glacier Express St.Moritz & Zermatt

Wexas Travel operates this seven-day tailor-made rail holiday through the heart of the Swiss Alps, starting from Zurich and ending in Zermatt. The journey pivots on two return trips aboard the Glacier Express, the world's slowest express train, which travels at an average of 22 miles per hour between St. Moritz and Zermatt in a first-class panoramic carriage. Passengers see snow-dusted peaks, dense mountain forests, rushing rivers, and Alpine meadows before arriving at the foot of the Matterhorn. A full day in Zermatt includes a cogwheel railway ascent to Gornergrat at 3089 metres, where views encompass the Matterhorn and 29 other four-thousand-metre summits. The itinerary also features two nights each in Zurich, St. Moritz, and Zermatt in superior hotels, with the option of an optional guided tour in Zurich. This package suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking mountain romance, photographers drawn to Alpine scenery, and those who value premium accommodation and air travel included in one booking.

What to know before you look closer

  • Two of the three hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning the final accommodation may differ from the named properties depending on availability and tier selected.
  • The regional train from Zurich to St. Moritz is in second class, while the Glacier Express journeys are first class; this is a mixed service split.
  • Day 6 offers a free morning in St. Moritz before the return train to Zurich; activities and meals during free time are not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Hotel Marktgasse, Zurich

    UK/Zurich

    After complimentary airport lounge access, fly to Zurich and transfer to the Hotel Marktgasse, a 15th century building in the old town near the river Limmat, Lake Zurich and the main train station. Spend the rest of the day admiring the views, or take an optional sightseeing tour with a private guide and driver.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Hotel Steffani, St. Moritz or similar

    Zurich/St. Moritz

    Transfer to the train station and travel by train to chic, exclusive St. Moritz, at 1856 metres above sea level, surrounded by the lake landscape of the Upper Engadine.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Hotel Alpenhof, Zermatt or similar

    Glacier Express: St. Moritz/Zermatt

    Board the Glacier Express for the 179-mile journey to Zermatt, past snow-dusted peaks, dense forests, rushing rivers, Alpine meadows and Swiss mountain villages, from the comfort of your Panorama Car. Arrive in Zermatt, at the foot of Mount Matterhorn.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Hotel Alpenhof, Zermatt or similar

    Zermatt/Gornergrat/Zermatt

    Spend the morning in traffic-free Zermatt, beneath the Matterhorn. Enjoy an included excursion on the Gornergrat cogwheel train, operating since 1898, up to an altitude of 3089 metres for a view dominated by the Matterhorn and 29 other four-thousand-metre peaks, with hiking and walking trails along the way.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Hotel Steffani, St. Moritz or similar

    Glacier Express: Zermatt/St. Moritz

    Board the Glacier Express for the return 179-mile journey to St. Moritz, again enjoying the ever-changing scenery from the Panorama Car.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Hotel Marktgasse, Zurich

    St. Moritz/Zurich

    A free morning, then board your train on the scenic route past three lakes, spending your final night in Zurich.

  7. Day 7

    Zurich/UK

    Transfer to the airport in time for your flight back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the Glacier Express for the 179-mile journey to Zermatt in a first-class Panorama Car, passing snow-dusted peaks, dense forests, rushing rivers, and Alpine meadows.
  • Day 4Ride the Gornergrat cogwheel railway, operating since 1898, to 3089 metres for views dominated by the Matterhorn and 29 other four-thousand-metre peaks.
  • Day 5Return on the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, enjoying the ever-changing Alpine scenery from the Panorama Car.

Included

  • Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
  • Return flights from UK to Zurich
  • 6 nights accommodation B&B (2 nights Zurich / 2 nights St Moritz / 2 nights Zermatt) in Superior grade accommodation
  • Regional train ticket Zurich-St. Moritz-Zurich in 2nd class inc. seat reservation
  • Gornergrat railway independent Mountain Excursion including ZOOOM the Matterhorn - a multimedia experience
  • Return Glacier Express with seat reservation in panoramic carriage 1st class St. Moritz>Zermatt>St. Moritz
  • Transfers in St Moritz and Zermatt (train station-hotel and vv)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes the regional train ticket from Zurich to St. Moritz and return in second class, plus two return journeys on the Glacier Express in first-class panoramic carriages, and the Gornergrat cogwheel railway.
What trains are featured?
The regional train from Zurich to St. Moritz, the Glacier Express (St. Moritz to Zermatt return) in the panoramic carriage, and the Gornergrat cogwheel railway.
Is the package guided or independent?
It is largely independent, though Wexas Travel arranges all rail tickets, accommodation, and transfers. An optional private guided sightseeing tour is available in Zurich for an extra cost.
What is included in the price?
Return flights from the UK to Zurich, six nights in superior accommodation (bed and breakfast), all named train journeys with seat reservations, the Gornergrat excursion including ZOOOM the Matterhorn multimedia experience, airport lounge access, and transfers in St. Moritz and Zermatt.
How much walking is involved?
Days include walking in Zurich, St. Moritz, and Zermatt, plus optional hiking and walking trails around Gornergrat. Most travel is by train or cable railway.
What is not included?
Meals beyond bed and breakfast, activities during free time, the optional private guided sightseeing tour in Zurich, and travel on non-specified days such as Day 6 morning in St. Moritz.

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