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Authentic Europe · Self-guided

The Glacier & Bernina Express Tour

Self-guided 6-day Swiss rail trip on the Glacier and Bernina Express

Illustration of The Glacier & Bernina Express Tour

Authentic Europe runs this self-guided, 6-day, 5-night rail trip through Switzerland and into Italy, built around two named panoramic trains. It starts in Zurich, with a full day at leisure before the rail journey begins on day 3 with the trip to Zermatt. Day 4 covers the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz, and day 5 continues on the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Lugano, with a connecting bus from Tirano. The trip then returns to Zurich for departure on day 6. There is no guide traveling with you; Authentic Europe provides 24/7 phone support instead, and travelers handle each hotel and station transfer themselves using the electronic itinerary and vouchers provided. This suits travelers who want the structure of fixed hotels and pre-booked, reserved train seats without joining a group, and who are drawn to the Glacier Express and Bernina Express specifically rather than a broader multi-city sightseeing plan. Hotels are named only for the Zermatt and St. Moritz nights in the evidence available to us.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence names hotels only for the Zermatt (Hotel BEAUSite) and St. Moritz (Hauser Hotel) nights; hotels for the Zurich and Lugano nights are not specified. Confirm these before booking.
  • Part of day 5's journey from St. Moritz to Lugano runs on the Bernina Express bus between Tirano and Lugano rather than on the train itself.
  • This is a self-guided trip with 24/7 phone support rather than an escorted tour; there is no guide traveling with you between stops.
  • No current departure dates are listed in the evidence available to us; confirm availability with Authentic Europe.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Zurich - Welcome to Switzerland!

  2. Day 2overnight: Zurich

    Day at leisure in Zurich

  3. Day 3overnight: Zermatt

    Travel from Zurich to Zermatt

  4. Day 4railovernight: St.Moritz

    Travel on the world famous Glacier Express

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lugano

    Travel on the Bernina Express to Lugano

  6. Day 6

    Return and departure from Zurich

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The trip travels from Zurich to Zermatt to begin the rail journey.
  • Day 4The Glacier Express carries travelers from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
  • Day 5The Bernina Express continues from St. Moritz to Lugano, with a connecting bus from Tirano.

Included

  • 5 nights hotel accommodation in a standard room with private shower/WC, including breakfast
  • Rail journeys as per day-to-day itinerary
  • Seat reservation on the Glacier Express (Zermatt-St.Moritz)
  • Seat reservation on the Bernina Express (St.Moritz-Tirano)
  • Seat reservation on the Bernina Express bus (Tirano-Lugano)
  • Electronic travel documentation, including a detailed travel itinerary and travel vouchers
  • 24/7 emergency phone service while travelling

Not included

  • Tourist taxes (paid locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip guided or independent?
It is self-guided, with 24/7 phone support if you need help, rather than an escorted tour.
Which trains are included?
The Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz and the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano, with a connecting bus from Tirano to Lugano. Seat reservations are included on all three legs.
Where does the trip start and end?
It starts in Zurich and travels to Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lugano, then returns to Zurich for departure on day 6.
What hotels are included?
The evidence names Hauser Hotel St. Moritz and Hotel BEAUSite Zermatt. Hotels for the Zurich and Lugano nights are not specified.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from 1,505 EUR per person, about $1,723 USD, roughly $287 per day.
What is not included?
Tourist taxes are not included and are paid locally.

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