Great Rail Journeys
Classic Glacier Express: Brig to Chur
9 daysfrom $3,605
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Walking Tour
Walk & Tour: Glacier Express, Zermatt & Engadine
Combine glorious Swiss walks with an iconic rail journey. Savour jaw-dropping Matterhorn views, ride the renowned Glacier Express and explore the idyllic Engadine Valley.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Dijon
London to Dijon by First Class rail
Holiday begins at London St Pancras. Eurostar Plus class to Paris with a light meal, then coach transfer to Gare de Lyon and First Class rail to Dijon. Check in to hotel near the station, followed by first dinner together at a local restaurant.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Täsch
Arrival at our first base, Täsch
After breakfast, rail journey from Dijon to Lausanne crossing the Jura region and Mont-d'Or tunnel, then along Lake Geneva shores via Montreux and Martigny through the Rhône Valley to Visp. Short breathtaking rail journey to Täsch through the Matter Valley with wildflower meadows, alpine forests and waterfalls. Check in to four-star hotel surrounded by mountain peaks, dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Täsch
Matter Valley views on beautiful hikes
Guided walks in the Zermatt area with a choice of two grades. Option A (3mi/4.8km): train to Zermatt then cable car to avoid hard ascent. Option B (5.3mi/8.5km): travel to Zermatt, ascend by funicular and cable car to Blauherd at 8,664 feet. Both routes end in Zermatt with time to soak up views before returning to hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Täsch
At leisure in the Matter Valley
Free day to explore using the included Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounts on mountain railways and cable cars). Options include the Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the Alps' second largest glacier, cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gorner Gorge walk, or the Matterhorn Museum. Dinner independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5railovernight: Celerina
Aboard the iconic Glacier Express to the Engadine Valley
Board the Glacier Express from Täsch for a scenic day of first-class travel. Two-course lunch served at seats while admiring dramatic landscapes including the Oberalp Pass, serene lakes, the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', Chur, the Albula Valley (UNESCO-listed), the curved Landwasser Viaduct, and on to the Engadine Valley. Arrive at Celerina, check in to historic four-star spa hotel beside a river, dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Celerina
A choice of walks in the beautiful Engadine
Guided walks in the Engadine Valley with expert local guides. Option A (5.2mi/8.3km): walk to Lei Gravatscha and into the Albula Valley, starting with a bus ride from hotel to Samedan. Option B (8mi/13.3km): level path beside the River Inn to Samedan. After returning to hotel, time to relax and use spa facilities. Dinner at the riverside hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7railovernight: Celerina
A day at leisure in the Engadine
Free day using the Engadine Guest Pass for free travel on local mountain railways, cable cars, buses and trains. Options include visiting Zuoz, Samedan, Lavin, Muottas Moragl by funicular for views of St Moritz and Upper Engadine lakes, or cable car via Marguns and Corviglia to Piz Nair (nearly 10,000 feet). Alternatively, use Swiss Half Fare Card on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express route to Poschiavo or Tirano.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8railovernight: Colmar
By rail to Colmar
After breakfast, travel back along the Albula Line to Landquart, change to Basel, then First Class rail across the French border to Colmar in Alsace. Hotel is right outside the railway station. Dinner at a local restaurant in this charming town of colourful half-timbered houses and flower-lined waterways.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, board the train from Colmar to Paris in First Class, then Eurostar Plus class with a light meal back to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus class travel (London to Paris and return)
- First and Standard Class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Expert walking guides with recognised qualifications
- Carefully planned walking routes (3.0–8.3 miles / 4.8–13.3 km per day)
- Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch (aboard the Glacier Express)
- 6 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between hotels from Täsch to Celerina
- Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
- Engadine Guest Pass (free travel on mountain railways, cable cars, local buses and trains in the valley)
- All guided tours and excursions
- Transfers, local transport (including cable cars), entrance fees and permits for guided walks
Not included
- Cancellation and travel insurance
- Lunches on non-included days
- Dinners on free evenings (e.g. Day 4 in Täsch)
- Optional attractions and additional excursions at own cost
- Personal spending money
