Glacier Express holidays

Yes and advance booking is highly recommended, especially in the busy summer and winter seasons when demand is particularly high. Packages can easily be booked online or via one of our travel experts.

This depends on your personal preferences:

• Winter (December to March): Winter journeys offer spectacular views of snow-covered landscapes and mountain peaks. The perfect time of year for winter sports enthusiasts and those that enjoy winter Alpine scenery to travel.
• Spring (April to June): Spring sees the snow melt and nature awaken and bloom. Daylight hours increase and views are often clearer.
• Summer (July to August): Summer travellers can enjoy warm weather and long days. A great time for hiking and experiencing the green Alpine valleys in all their splendour but also the busiest season for tourists.
• Autumn (September to November): Autumn sees the landscape transformed with glorious colours and a tranquil atmosphere.

Each season has its own special charm. While winter offers magical snowy landscapes, summer beckons with green valleys and perfect hiking opportunities. Spring and autumn can be quieter travel periods and each have their own scenic beauty.

The Glacier Express offers various catering options, depending on the class of service booked.

First and Second Class: Whether you choose the Menu of the Day or from the A la Carte selection, your freshly prepared meal will be served directly at your seat. Please note that catering is not included in the price of your seat reservation. To ensure that your dining experience is as smooth as your journey, we recommend pre-booking a menu – either the dish of the day or a 3-Course option – when confirming your trip. 

Excellence Class: The culinary experience is an integral part of the journey. Here, guests are served a multi-course gourmet meal, included in the price of the reservation. Excellence Class also offers an exclusive fine wine and beverage service.

The journey is suitable for passengers of all ages, including families with children but please do note the following important points:

• Tickets: Children can benefit from reduced fares, depending on their age. Please contact our travel experts for more specific information about your booking. 

• Entertainment and Activities: Remember that the journey is up to 8 hours therefore you may wish to bring books or games to keep your children occupied. 
• Snacks and Refreshments: There are catering options provided on the Glacier Express but it is nevertheless a good idea to bring plenty of snacks and drinks for your children.

Yes, the Glacier Express is wheelchair accessible. The train has designated wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets in certain carriages. Please contact one of our travel consultants directly to organise your journey.

The main differences between the classes are the comfort level and seating arrangements. In 1st class, passengers enjoy larger, more comfortable seats with more legroom and space for luggage. There are fewer places per row, offering more privacy. The seating arrangement in 1st class is usually 2+1, meaning two seats to one side of the aisle and one on the other. In 2nd class, there are usually two seats on either side of the aisle, offering less space and privacy. Although 2nd class seats are still comfortable, they are not as spacious as those in 1st class. Both classes offer access to the on-board catering service.

Excellence Class is the luxury option, offering the highest level of comfort and service. The seating arrangement is very generous, with only 20 seats in the entire carriage. A gourmet catering service, complete with a multi-course menu, is included, as are access to an exclusive bar-lounge area, a personal concierge service and onboard entertainment. 

The Glacier Express is one of the most famous scenic train routes in Switzerland but there are also other spectacular rail journeys across the country. Below is a summary of the distinguishing features of some of these:

Glacier Express:

• Known as the “slowest express train in the world”, it connects Zermatt with St. Moritz and Davos.
• The journey takes up to 8 hours and travels through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges.
• The Glacier Express is particularly famous for passing over the Landwasser Viaduct and offer views of the Matterhorn.

Bernina Express:

• Connecting Chur/Davos/St. Moritz with Tirano in Italy, it travels via the spectacular Bernina Pass route. 
• Known for travelling through the Alpine landscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway line.

GoldenPass Express:

• Runs between Lucerne and Montreux, passing through three different regions: Central Switzerland, the Bernese Oberland and Vaud.
• The journey is known for its varied landscapes, travelling from mountains via rural Alpine foothills to Lake Geneva.
• Offers a nostalgic travel experience in vintage Belle Epoque carriages or a contemporary journey with a modern panoramic train.

Gotthard Panorama Express:

• Connects Central Switzerland with Ticino and offers a combination of a rail journey plus a boat trip across Lake Lucerne.
• The train runs along the historic Gotthard rail route, famed for its loop tunnels.

Each panoramic railway offers unique features and highlights to suit different preferences and interests. Our Switzerland travel experts can be contacted directly for further information on any of the above.