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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Zermatt & St. Moritz featuring Glacier Express

Swiss alpine rail loop on three scenic trains from Zurich through Zermatt.

Illustration of Zermatt & St. Moritz featuring Glacier Express

Vacations By Rail offers a 6-day, 5-night independent rail vacation through the Swiss Alps and into Italy, starting in Zurich and ending in Tirano. You travel on three celebrated mountain trains: the Gornergrat Railway, Europe's highest open-air cog railway; the Glacier Express, which crosses the Alpine divide at a leisurely 24 miles per hour; and the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express, descending from Swiss peaks to Mediterranean palm trees. The itinerary is self-guided; you follow Vacations By Rail's day-by-day plan, moving between centrally located hotels in Zermatt and St. Moritz with five included breakfasts and a Swiss Half Fare Card for extra mountain railways. On Day 2, your train from Zurich winds through pastoral terrain and small towns before the Matterhorn emerges as you enter car-free Zermatt. Day 3 takes you aboard the cog railway for unmatched summit views. Day 4 is the all-day Glacier Express crossing. Day 5 brings the Bernina Express journey through tunnels and viaducts to Tirano. This trip suits first-time and returning rail travellers, couples seeking a flexible Alpine escape, and photographers drawn to mountain scenery and heritage rail lines.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of $2,095 USD covers the package (hotels, meals, and rail travel); flights and airport transfers are not included and must be arranged separately.
  • Day 1 in Zurich and Day 6 return to Zurich are travel days; the core active itinerary spans four full days.
  • The trip is independent, meaning you navigate stations and transfers on your own with a provided itinerary; no tour guide accompanies the group.
  • Hotels are described as 'centrally located' but no star ratings or specific names are published; confirm accommodations with Vacations By Rail before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Arrive in Zurich

    With gorgeous views of the Alps in the backdrop and the glittering blue water of the Limmat River running through the heart of the city, Zurich is a destination that is as scenic as it is enticing. This cosmopolitan city is steeped in modern amenities yet has centuries of history to ground it. Find yourself amid it all as you arrive today and make your way to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the offerings of this dynamic city. You may wish to wander through Old Town on foot or explore the high-end shops.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

    Venture south from Zurich to Zermatt aboard one of Switzerland's fast and efficient trains. The three-hour route sweeps through the Swiss interior, passing through gorgeous pastoral terrain, small mountain towns, and even big cities like Bern and Visp. Once the distinctive, pyramid-shaped peak of the Matterhorn comes into view, you have arrived. Transfer to your centrally located hotel for check-in, then begin getting acquainted with your new destination. With your Swiss Travel Card, you enjoy reduced fares for bus transportation, local train rides, and boat expeditions. This makes it easy to confidently go from place to place and opens up a new realm of possibilities for your day. Staying in Zermatt brings plenty of adventures, too. There are endless options for hiking trails throughout the region, all of which boast idyllic views of the surrounding mountains. Mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and glacier explorations are just a sampling of the other ways you can enjoy the great outdoors. Staying in Zermatt, you may wish to pop into the shops that line Bahnoffstrasse, a premier pedestrian-only shopping area. The Old Village, called Hinterdorf, has over 30 preserved buildings that date as far back as the 16th century and is a joy to discover.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Gornergrat Railway

    Today is your chance to soak in the full glory of the Matterhorn, and you do so from aboard the Gornergrat Railway, the highest open-air cog railway in Europe. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before walking to the station, conveniently located across from the central train station in Zermatt. The ride takes just over half an hour to complete and showcases the incredible beauty of the Matterhorn. As you climb to a final elevation of 10,134 feet above sea level, enjoy fantastic alpine vistas from both sides of the train, including mountainside lakes, deep ravines, evergreen forests, and the Gorner Glacier. The ride also offers sweeping panoramas over the mountains as you climb in your rust-colored carriage. If you are feeling adventurous, hop off the train at one of the midpoint stations and continue to the top along one of the hiking trails. The views on the way up are impressive, but those from the top are breathtaking. Soak in the wonders from one of the viewing platforms or while hiking the 360-degree Scenic Loop at the top. Do not forget to visit the Matterhorn Photo Point to take your picture with the behemoth in the backdrop. The summit houses a hotel, the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, which is the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps. Unique offerings at this sky-high lodge include a space observatory, a restaurant, and Europe's highest shopping mall. Back out on the peak, wander past the summit chapel, seek out the shaggy black nose sheep that live on the mountainside (some are trackable via GPS and a website), or try out a virtual reality experience at Zooom the Matterhorn. Revel in another perspective on the gorgeous scenery as you descend the mountain and return to the base in Zermatt.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St. Moritz

    Glacier Express

    Moving at a slow and steady pace of no more than 24 miles per hour, marvel at the endless beauty of the Swiss Alps aboard Europe's slowest express train today, the one and only Glacier Express. Transfer on your own to Zermatt's train station after breakfast at your hotel to join the train, and settle into the comfortable seat of your carriage with the promise of some of Switzerland's most dramatic scenery just down the tracks. Your destination is the charming town of St. Moritz. Begin your 7 1/2-hour train journey by crossing the Mattertal Valley alongside the Mattervispa River. Pass through Brig and the picturesque Rhone Valley, laden with idyllic Swiss villages that seem to be plucked right from a storybook. Look over sparking mountain peaks, gentle foothills, sweeping valleys, and lush evergreen forests. The train passes through the Furka Base Tunnel before beginning its climb up the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the line. Because of the elevation, it is primarily wide-open wilderness at this point, giving the landscape a timeless appearance. From this point, the Glacier Express begins its descent toward the beautiful Rhine Gorge. While following the river through steep-sided valleys, it will be easy to see why this region is called the Swiss Grand Canyon. Continue through pretty towns, past an ancient castle perched upon a hill, and over the instantly recognizable Landwasser Viaduct before reaching St. Moritz, a world-class resort town tucked on the southern slopes of the Albula Alps. Transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure to soak in the opulent atmosphere.

  5. Day 5railovernight: St. Moritz

    Bernina Express

    Another beloved rail line hosts your adventures today as you join the Bernina Express for a route that travels from the snowy peaks and glaciers of Switzerland to the palm trees of Tirano, Italy. Impressively, the journey takes just a few hours to complete. Soak in the changing views while crossing numerous bridges and viaducts and passing through carved mountain tunnels. The train winds through valleys and passes by glaciers and beautiful mountain panoramas. Some stretches of the route have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to their masterful engineering and scenic delights. A true highlight of the course comes as the Bernina Express crosses the Brusio Spiral Viaduct just before crossing the Italian border. You have a chance to get out and explore Tirano for a bit once the train has stationed amongst the town's historic buildings. You may wish to pop into one of the local shops or grab a bite to eat at one of the sidewalk cafés. There is a beautiful 16th-century cathedral in Tirano and plenty of interesting architecture to behold. Enjoy an encore of the views as the Bernina Express travels back to St. Moritz. Please note that during the winter, the Bernina Express route begins in Pontresina instead of St. Moritz. Travelers must utilize the local rail lines to travel to Pontresina, where the bright red Bernina Express awaits.

  6. Day 6rail

    St. Moritz to Zurich by Train

    After breakfast at the hotel, depart St. Moritz by train and make your way back to Zurich. On arrival, your memorable journey through the Swiss Alps concludes, and you are free to return home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Arrive in Zermatt by Swiss train through pastoral terrain and mountain towns, with the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn coming into view as you descend into the car-free village.
  • Day 3Day 3: Ride the Gornergrat Railway, the highest open-air cog railway in Europe, from the station across from Zermatt's central train depot, gaining unmatched views of the Matterhorn over half an hour.
  • Day 4Day 4: Travel all day on the Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz at a deliberate pace of 24 miles per hour, watching Swiss Alpine scenery unfold continuously.
  • Day 5Day 5: Join the Bernina Express, a UNESCO World Heritage line, crossing numerous bridges and viaducts through mountain tunnels as you descend from snowy Swiss peaks to the palm trees of Tirano, Italy, in a few hours.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 5 nights
  • Rail travel aboard the Gornergrat Railway, Glacier Express & Bernina Express
  • 5 breakfasts
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys

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 the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of $2,095 USD includes rail travel aboard the Gornergrat Railway, Glacier Express, and Bernina Express, plus five nights of hotel accommodation and five breakfasts.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is independent. Vacations By Rail provides a well-planned itinerary that you follow on your own, navigating stations and transfers without a tour guide.
What are the three main trains on this trip?
The Gornergrat Railway, the highest open-air cog railway in Europe, climbs from Zermatt; the Glacier Express travels from Zermatt to St. Moritz at 24 miles per hour; the Bernina Express descends from St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy, on UNESCO World Heritage lines.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate walking: you walk from your centrally located hotel to stations and move through train carriages, but the Gornergrat Railway is a cog railway that carries you uphill.
What is included in the price besides the trains?
Hotel accommodations for five nights, five breakfasts, and a Swiss Half Fare Card that provides 50% discounts on free days for additional rail, boat, and mountain railway journeys.
Are flights and airport transfers included?
No. Flights and airport transfers are not included and must be arranged separately.

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