Alternative to Glacier Express between Zurich and Zermatt on Dec 25
A traveler named Palbog is arriving in Zurich on December 24 and leaving on December 25. They want to explore Zermatt, particularly the Gornergrat, and are looking for alternative scenic train routes since the Glacier Express doesn't fit their schedule. They have a Saver Day Pass and a Half Fare Card for their trip.
- Consider traveling to Zermatt on December 24 to maximize your exploration time.
- Use the RE1 train from Bern to Brig for a scenic route that provides daylight views.
- You can buy Gornergrat Bahn tickets on the day of travel without worrying about availability or price increases.
- For December 25, the Andermatt route is recommended if the weather is good, as it's more scenic than the Brig to Bern route.
AI-generated summary-
Hi,
I am arriving to Zurich on Dec 24 at 10:40 am.
I am leaving from Zurich on Dec 25 at 9:40 pm.
In between, I plan to explore Zermatt (Gornergrat Bahn / Sunnegga-Rothorn).Glacier Express timings are not working for me. Could you please suggest any alternate scenic trains between Zurich and Zermatt?
I have a Saver Day Pass for Dec 25 and a Half Fare Card.Thank you!
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Hello again Palbog
Am I right in thinking you are talking about travel from Zermatt to Zurich on 25th? If yes, at what time are you thinking of leaving Zermatt?
Regards
Roger
Hi PalBog,
It is possible to a day trip to Zermatt from Zurich with the regular train but I don’t think it is the best use of your time. You’d spend most of the day on trains with limited time for exploring — plus it gets dark early in winter.
I suggest travelling to Zermatt on Dec 24, spend one night there, then take the train back the next day. Zermatt is usually fully booked a this time of the year so make your bookings as soon as possible.
A much better and more relaxed option would be the Lucerne–Interlaken Express, which is part of the GoldenPass route (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/#directions). It’s a beautiful scenic route, easy to fit into your schedule, and gives you way more time to explore without rushing.
Zurich – Lucerne (45 mins)
Lucerne – Interlaken on the scenic express train (1 h 45 mins).
Interlaken – Zurich (2 h).
Best regards,
Anna
Hi Anna, I have already covered Lucerne-Interlaken before. I have been to Switzerland 5 times. Zermatt (Matterhorn) is the only major thing left to cover.
Hi Roger, I would like to spend max amount of day in Zermatt. So, I would choose the latest possible time that will get me to Zurich in time for catching the 9:40 pm train from Zurich.Please suggest, if any, a scenic train route between Zurich-Zermatt-Zurich other than the Glacier Express. Thank you!
Hello again Palbog
It Gets Dark between 16 30 AND 17 00 (4 30 PM TO 5 PM)
So the possibilities for scenic journeys are very limited.
On 24th, IF you do get through immigration quickly (by 13 00 about 1 pm) take the next inter city train to Bern.
Even if the Intercity is going through to Brig, get off at Bern. Catch the 14 39 RE1 train bound for Brig. This slower train takes the old Lotschberg route from Bern to Brig via Kandersteg. (The intercities go through the Lostschberg BASE tunnel.) (Ordinary Zurich to Brig point-to-point tickets tickets are valid by either route.) The RE1 reaches Brig at 16 22 (still good daylight).
Further info about the RE1 mountain railway here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/lotschberg-mountain-railway/
On 25th you say I would like to spend max amount of day in Zermatt. So, I would choose the latest possible time that will get me to Zurich in time for catching the 9:40 pm train from Zurich.
It follows that there is no possibility of a scenic train ride.
Catch the 17 37 train from Zermatt to Visp, arrive Visp 18 47. Leave Visp on the 18 54 IC8; this reaches Zurich at 20 58.
Kind regards
Roger
That is an excellent suggestion, Roger! It fits into my schedule and still offers a scenic ride that I never knew about. Thanks a lot!
I am not purchasing tickets right away because there could be flight delays, and my concern is there won’t be any of these wonderful supersaver tickets left by then. In that case, a saver day pass might help, but they aren’t always available either and/or tend to get more expensive. So, I guess I’ll have to just settle for paying more with standard tickets. At least I have the half fare card. Swiss Travel Pass will be very expensive considering I’ll be in Switzerland for 2 days only. I believe, there are no other options with this situation, correct?
Also, I noticed there are two RE1 trains – one toward Brig and another toward Domodossola. Does it matter which one I take, or should I specifically choose the Brig direction?
Hello again
Tickets
I see no other options than Half Fare Card + standard point-to-point tickets for 24th, and saver day pass for the 25th.
RE1 Trains Bern to Brig. These leave Bern hourly at 39 minutes past each hour. All trains go the same way, via Kandersteg. Every TWO hours the RE1 is extended through the Simplon tunnel to Domodossola (in Italy).
The latest train you want to be on is the 14 39 from Bern. The most scenic part of the line via Kandersteg is the descent down to the Rhone valley. This begins about 15 minutes before you reach Brig. Sit on the right side in the direction of travel.Kind regards
Roger
Very helpful! Thanks for sharing the scenic side and I hope we get to catch the 2:39 one.
I just realized, mountain transport is not covered by Saver Day Pass, only a 50% discount because of the half fare card. So, in Zermatt, we are only planning to do Gornergrat. Sunnegga-Rothorn will add to the expense. So, with just Gornergrat, it may not take up a lot of time, since I plan to take the early morning cogwheel train. Do you think there’s anything else that I can add in before returning to Zurich? Pretty much anything, another scenic route, or boat ride, anything that is covered by the saver day pass? I want to make use of the Saver Day Pass.
Also, a different question, just out of curiosity – I got a Euro 70 discount for the ÖBB Nightjet from Zurich to Vienna (probably for the Swiss part). Was it because of the saver day pass (because it is valid until 5 am) or the half fare card? I’m trying to determine whether I actually benefited from buying the Saver Day Pass for Dec 25 or if it ended up being unnecessary.
Hello again
Suggested procedure 25th December
Catch the 06 51 train Brig to Zermatt, arr 08 17. Cross the road to the Gornergrat station.
08 24 or 08 48 train up to Gornergrat. (Trains on the Gornergrat line run every 24 minutes.)
Have a couple of hours at the top. The following is based on the need to make maximum use of available daylight.
Catch the 11 31 train down to Zermatt, arrive 12 15.
12 37 train down to Visp, arrive 13 47.
14 09 IR95 train bound for Geneva travelling as far as Lausanne, arrive 15 46. Sit on the left hand side of the train in the direction of travel. The train may have double-deck carriages. If yes, sit upstairs on the left.
At Lausanne, stroll across to platform 1, and walk to the far (west Geneva end) of this platform.
Wait for the 16 17 IC1 train bound for St Gallen via Bern and Zurich. This train will have started from Geneva. It will be a 16 carriage double-deck train. Get in a carriage towards the back of the train, and GRAB seats upstairs on the right hand side in the direction of travel. The FIRST few minutes of the run out of Lausanne gives you spectacular views over Lake Geneva; after that the views are still good, but the light will be fading….
The IC1 train reaches Bern at 17 26 and Zurich at 18 28. Remember that your Saver Day Passes are valid on all tram/streetcar and bus services.
If you decide to break your journey in Bern, fast trains to Zurich are at 02 and 31 minutes past each hour. They take 56 or 57 minutes. As you MUST be on the 21 40 night train to Vienna, leave Bern no later than 20 02 (8 02 pm.)
Ticketing Question
The boundary between Swiss and Austrian railways is at Buchs, which is (just) in Switzerland. Swiss tickets (such as Saver Day Passes and Half Fare Cards) are (on trains) only valid as far as Buchs.
I think that the discount you got on your tickets to Vienna are because of your Saver Day Passes. I do not think your Half Fare Card is relevant.
Kind regards
Roger
Hi PalBo9!
Our full guide of the options to travel from Zurich to Zermatt can be found here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/zermatt-zurich/
You could travel via Bern and the Lötschberg Mountain Railway one way, then get back to Bern via Visp and the quicker Lötschberg Base Tunnel. From Bern, either take the quickest route to Zurich, or travel via Trubschachen in the Emmen Valley for a more scenic detour.
Other than this return trip and the excursion to Gornergrat, I don’t think you should try to add more.
I hope you’ll have a fantastic Christmas day!
Roger, you are amazing! This is a wonderful alternative! Thanks a lot for the time breakup and for the small details that we typically tend to miss.
Annika, thanks a lot for sharing the Emmental option. Did not know about this.So, I see 2 routes, both approx. 5 or 6 hrs.:
- Zermatt – Lausanne – Bern – Zurich.
- Zermatt – Bern – Trubschachen – Etlebuch – Zurich. For this route, are there any specific trains that I should aim for or would just any train in that direction work.
I wish I could do both, Roger’s suggested route until Bern and then Annika’s suggested route from Bern to Zurich, but time won’t allow. I also know a lot would depend on the weather that day. So, we’ll see. It’s just really great to know the options. Thanks again!
Do you see a 3rd option through Andermatt, by any chance? Is there a local/regional train that sort of follows the Glacier Express route & would that be any more scenic than the other 2 options?
Hello Palbo9
Thanks for the compliments!
What I am writing now is on the assumption that you leave Gornergrat at 11 31, and Zermatt at 12 37, arriving Visp at 13 47.
At Visp you will have a choice of three options.
1 Go West to Lausanne. This option I would adopt if the weather is poor or uncertain. (Remember that weather tends to ‘clear from the west’.)
2 Go North to Bern, and then to Luzern via the Emmental. Like Annika, I love the line through the Emmental. And it is not just the scenery! The farm buildings are magnificent. This option I would however reject, simply because on the really scenic section you will ‘run out of daylight’.There is a fast train going north from Visp at 13 54 reaching Bern at 14 53. (The train will be a German one bound for Berlin, but all Swiss tickets are valid on it for journeys within Switzerland.)
At Bern the departure boards will be showing a fast IR15 train to Luzern departing at 15 00. But this train does NOT take the scenic route.
The next train to Luzern via the Emmental is not until 15 36. It gets to Luzern at 17 03, so the last part of the journey will be in the dark.
3 Go East to Andermatt
This option I would adopt if the weather is (very) good. Catch the 14 08 from Visp, to Andermatt, arriving there at 16 20. Sit on the right hand side of the train in the direction of travel. (If possible) change to the left-hand side while the train is passing through the Furka base tunnel.After Andermatt, you will be travelling in the dark.
Catch the 16 50 train down to Gőschenen, arrive 17 06. In the company of a lot of other people wanting to make the same connection, walk (on the level) the short distance to platform one and catch the 17 09 train bound for Basel, getting off this train at Arth-Goldau at 18 07.
Another short level walk to platform four, from which you catch the 18 15 IC2 to Zurich, arriving there 18 55.
Kind regards
Roger
Hi PalBo9,
The option via Andermatt is what we’ve called “route 2” at https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/zermatt-zurich/
I’m sure you’ll have a lovely journey, whichever route or combination you decide on :-).
Ah! Perfect! Thanks a lot, Annika!
Roger, super helpful notes once again. Interesting how you shared options for both uncertain and very good weather! 🙂
Talking about weather, I believe it is possible to purchase Gornergrat Bahn tickets on the day off depending on the weather, right, with no concern about tickets unavailability or prices increasing? I’m wondering if Dec 25 will change things.
You can certainly delay buying your Gornergratbahn tickets until the day of intended travel. I certainly would! There is no risk of tickets being unavailable. And there is no risk of prices going up. As I expected http://www.sbb.ch is telling me that with a half fare card the fare up for one person will be 24 CHF ….. and wait for it the fare down will be 24 CHF. So the return fare will be 48 CHF per person!
(I last went up the Gornergrat in early April this year. I am pretty sure I was charged 48 CHF for the return trip!)
Best wishes
Roger
Excellent! That’s great to know! I’m glad there’s one ticket I don’t have to worry about right now! 🙂
My flight lands in Zurich at 10:40 am on Dec 24. It just occurred to me that if I do the Lausanne scenic route on my way from Zurich to Zermatt on the 24th (instead of Zermatt to Zurich on 25th), then I can also enjoy the Christmas market in Montreux. I have heard it is one of the best Christmas markets in Switzerland.
I can take the Brig-Bern (via Kandersteg) route on my way back to Zurich on 25th.Please let me know your thoughts on this. I know weather changes frequently, but as of now, it shows decent weather around Montreux on the 24th. If you think this is feasible, then can you please let me know the specific trains (double-deck) I should board and which side of the train I should be? Thank you very much!
Hello yet again Palbo9
Christmas Eve
Take the IC1 train bound for Geneva leaving Zurich Airport at 12 09, 13 09, or 14 09. Go to the very FRONT of the train and sit upstairs on the LEFT hand side in the direction of travel. (The IC1 trains do NOT change directions at Zurich Hauptbahnhof. If the carriage at the front is a ‘family carriage’, sit one or two carriages back from the front.)
It takes 2 hours and 34 minutes to get to Lausanne, so the 14 09 reaches Lausanne at 16 43, just as it is getting dark.
Get any train from Lausanne to Montreux. They are very frequent and take only 25-30 minutes.
Given that on Christmas Day you need to catch a train from BRIG at 06 51, I would not want to reach Brig any time much later than 21 00 (nine pm). Catch the 19 10 from Montreux arrives Brig 20 32 or the 19 37 from Montreux arrives Brig at 21 02. (Do not even THINK of getting on the 19 31 to Milan, which stops at Brig. That Eurocity train is bound to be FULL.)
Christmas Day
Catch the 06 51 from Brig as previously planned.
Catch the 12 37 train from Zermatt to VISP as previously planned, arrive Visp at 13 47. Catch the 13 54 IR95 train to Brig, arrive 14 02.
Catch the 14 36 RE1 train to Bern via KANDERSTEG, arrive Bern 16 22. You can look round Switzerland’s ‘Federal City’, but remember that you must get to Zurich in plenty of time for the 21 40 night train to Vienna.
Kind regards
Roger
Terrific! Duly noted! Thank you so very much yet again!! 🙂
Quick question – is this correct?
- Lausanne to Montreux – right side of the train
- Brig to Bern (via Kandersteg) – left side of the train
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