Call to book01904 521 936
Tour Search
#Favourites

Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is undoubtedly Switzerland's best known train.

Departing from Chur, we board the magnificent Glacier Express for a spectacular journey offering unparalleled views of the most awe-inspiring mountain ranges in the world. We spiral up the mountains, crossing enormous viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds on our way to Zermatt, under the mighty Matterhorn.

 

video placeholder

Holiday Ideas for Glacier Express

First Class Glacier Express in Winter (Brig-Chur) 2016
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.7 stars(75 reviews)
2024JanFebMar
9 days from
£2,495 pp £2,395 pp
View Details
Classic Glacier Express
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(206 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£2,195 pp £2,145 pp
View Details
Glacier Express
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(215 reviews)
2024MarAprMayJunJul...
8 days from
£1,695 pp £1,645 pp
View Details
Glacier Express & St Moritz
Save up to £150pp
4.4 stars(66 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£2,795 pp £2,745 pp
View Details

Highlights of the journey

Highlights of the route include the ascent of the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the line at 2,033 metres above sea level, the stunning Rhine Gorge through which the train travels alongside the river and the remarkable - and famous - Landwasser Viaduct, a vast and curving limestone structure of six arches which spans the Landwasser River sixty-five metres below and leads the Glacier Express directly into the adjoining Landwasser Tunnel. 

The only times at which there is little of interest to observe from the Glacier Expressis when the train is passing through one of the ninety-one tunnels which lie along its route. Otherwise, passengers enjoy a constantly-changing vista of Switzerland's most breath-taking landscapes as they traverse imposing snow-clad mountain ranges, skirt the shores of vast lakes and pass through rolling Alpine wildflower meadows.

Read on below...

 

 

Glacier Express and the Oberalp Pass

26 results matching: The Glacier Express

Filters
Filter by
Clear All
Holiday type
Reset
Holiday length
Reset
Theme
Reset
Transport type
Reset
Additional options
Reset

Don’t see the tour you want?

Contact us to create a tailor made tour.

Find out more
First Class Glacier Express in Winter (Brig-Chur) 2016
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.7 stars(75 reviews)
2024JanFebMar
9 days from
£2,495 pp £2,395 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
9 days from
£2,495
£2,395
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Classic Glacier Express
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(206 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£2,195 pp £2,145 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
9 days from
£2,195
£2,145
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Glacier Express
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(215 reviews)
2024MarAprMayJunJul...
8 days from
£1,695 pp £1,645 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
8 days from
£1,695
£1,645
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation

Don’t see the tour you want?

Contact us to create a tailor made tour.

Find out more
Glacier Express & St Moritz
Save up to £150pp
4.4 stars(66 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£2,795 pp £2,745 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
9 days from
£2,795
£2,745
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Save up to £300pp
9 days from
£2,495
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationGermany, Switzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Glacier Express
River Cruise
Save up to £300pp
4.5 stars(33 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
12 days from
£3,195 pp
View Details
Save up to £300pp
12 days from
£3,195
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationGermany, Switzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Save up to £300pp
11 days from
£3,395
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationGermany, Switzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise, Hotel
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Engadine Valley
Save up to £150pp
4.4 stars(32 reviews)
2024MayAugSepOct
9 days from
£2,995 pp £2,895 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
9 days from
£2,995
£2,895
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Glacier Express in Winter (Chur-Kandersteg) 2016
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(59 reviews)
2024JanFebMar
8 days from
£1,895 pp £1,795 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
8 days from
£1,895
£1,795
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Glacier Express All Inclusive
Rail Discoveries
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
8 days from
£1,749 pp £1,699 pp
View Details
Rail Discoveries
8 days from
£1,749
£1,699
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Grand Alpine Explorer
Save up to £150pp
4.5 stars(15 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSep
14 days from
£3,995 pp £3,945 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
14 days from
£3,995
£3,945
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationAustria, Germany, Switzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International / London Heathrow
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Save up to £300pp
10 days from
£2,995
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationGermany, Luxembourg, Switzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise, Coach
Map and accommodation
Our customers love our Glacier Express tours
Traditional Glacier Express
24/Sep
Terry Dillon
5 stars
“Wonderful scenery and superbly organised.
Collected by Trustpilot
Glacier Express & The Majestic Rhine
24/Sep
J Summers
5 stars
“Wonderful experiences on this trip. My only reservations were some very tight connections on the railway journeys, and the heat which you can do nothing about! I think the information about the trip should say what the demands on the traveller are. Our tour manager for the rail parts of the trip, Steve, was absolutely outstanding in his kindness and consideration as well as his efficiency in managing the trip and dealing with any contretemps.
Collected by Trustpilot
Mountaintops of Switzerland
20/Sep
Mrs L Parker
5 stars
“Excellent holiday and tour manager. Fantastic hotels and trains.
Collected by Trustpilot
First-Class Glacier Express, Zermatt and Matterhorn
19/Sep
Ian Darnbrook
5 stars
“Excellent trip, well organised, super tour leader, lovely group, nice hotels, incredible scenery, fabulous trains. All in all a magnificent holiday
Collected by Trustpilot
Grand Alpine Explorer
5/Sep
Kevin Price
5 stars
“It’s a great tour and Ivan our Tour Director was exceptional. Reasonably relaxing without too many early mornings, would definitely recommend this tour and tore company.
Collected by Trustpilot
Glacier Express & The Romantic Rhine
12/Aug
Archie Westwood
5 stars
“A great relaxing and interesting tour, with excellent food, accommodation and service throughout. The scenery from the Glacier Express was stunning.
Collected by Trustpilot
Classic Glacier Express in Winter
19/Apr
cherry Tedd
5 stars
“Absolutely First Class!!
Collected by Trustpilot
Traditional Glacier Express in Winter
1/Apr
Nick
5 stars
“A wonderful holiday made especially good by our tour guide Lydia. She was fantastic.
Collected by Trustpilot
Classic Glacier Express at Christmas
16/Jan
David Rose
5 stars
“As ever with Great Rail, this was a super trip with a very good tour manager - Linda. The hotels were very nice with some excellent meals. Glacier Express and Bernina Express were wonderful ways to see Switzerland. We really enjoyed the experience but a note to anyone going on a rail trip across Europe - you will have to change trains at various cities and be able to manage yourself and your bags across busy stations. We enjoy the excitement of rail travel but some folks seem surprised that a good level of mobility is required.
Collected by Trustpilot

CLASSES OF RAIL

Those making the spectacular journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz on the Glacier Express benefit from a wide range of Great Rail Journeys itineraries. Second Class carriages are comfortable, light and spacious and are designed to carry a maximum of forty-eight passengers via a configuration of twelve tables, six on either side of the carriage, each seating four passengers. Second-class carriages benefit from large panorama windows which extend into the ceiling of the carriage.

Each Glacier Express train consists of two First Class carriages, a carriage containing a bar and toilets, and three Second Class carriages. Between 2006 and 2009, every item of the Glacier Express's rolling stock was renewed to ensure that travellers enjoyed comfort and facilities of the highest standards.

 

 

Glacier Express Interior

The more expensive First-class carriages carry a maximum of thirty-six passengers, offering six four-seat tables and six two-seat tables. As a result, First Class carriages are more spacious and offer larger seats with greater leg room. The panoramic windows in First Class carriages are also larger. Travellers in both classes can enjoy a two or three-course lunch with at-seat service. First Class carriages are served before Second Class carriages. Additional snacks and drinks can be ordered in The Panorama Bar carriage at the centre of the train for delivery to your seat in either class. Carriages in both classes are air-conditioned.

Since 2005 the Glacier Express has carried around a quarter of a million passengers each year. Although the train began operation in 1930 it only ran during the summer months until as recently as 1982 when construction work was completed to ensure that the train could safely negotiate the Furka Pass and the Oberalp Pass in winter.