The Glacier Express

The Glacier Express

  • Region : Europe
  • Type : Scenic Day Trips
  • Traveller Interest : Panoramic Vistas
  • Introduction / History
  • Accommodation
  • Dining / Lounge
The Glacier Express is undoubtedly Switzerland's best known train. The 181 mile (290km) trip from Zermatt to St Moritz (and vice versa) lasts around eight hours winding its way through some of Europe's most dramatic and beautiful scenery. Whether summer or winter, the views from start to finish are breathtaking. It has been operating since 1930, is billed as "the world's slowest express train" 

State-of-the-art "Glacier Express Premium" trains, which were introduced in 2006, have new panorama cars in First and Second Class. Other trains use conventional cars in First Class and panorama cars in Second Class.

It is a day trip through untouched mountain landscapes, glamorous health resorts, deep gorges, delightful valleys, 91 tunnels and across 291 impressive bridges. The Glacier Express used to be a summer-only train, but today it operates year-round. The summer timetable offers four trains per day; the winter schedule is more limited.
This is a daytime only train; there are no overnight accommodations on board. The first- and second-class panorama cars are air-conditioned, wheelchair-accessible and are considerably quieter than the previous generation of rolling stock. The new interiors are elegant and pleasant, and the improved information system is available in six languages.

The 1st class panorama viewing car offers 36 comfortable seats (12x3-seat compartments, central-aisle car) with table, air-conditioning and information channel. You'll enjoy nearly equivalent comfort and service in 2nd class with 48 seats (12x4-seat compartments, central-aisle car). 
Passengers on Glacier Express Premium trains can have 3-course meals or the dish of the day served at seats or in the dining cars (extra cost); on the standard trains, meals are served in the dining cars only, where angled-stem wineglasses help to prevent spilling during the steeper portions of the journey. All trains have Railbar carts that sell box lunches, salads, hot and cold drinks, etc.