6390 posts
Hi mjwiggy,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
A day to trip to Zermatt from Interlaken is doable but it might not be possible to combine it with the Glacier Express due to incompatible timing. There are two Glacier Express services per day from Brig to Zermatt and both run in the late afternoon so neither will fit your itinerary. As an alternative, if you’d like to travel on a scenic train, you can travel via the Regio Lotschberger to Brig (abt 2 hrs), then from Brig take the Mattehorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt (1 hr 20 mins). If you catch the earliest connection, you could be in Zermatt before lunch time and that will give you enough time to explore this lovely village and do a mountain excursion. Please use the timetable to check train schedules and find suitable connection.
Regards,
Anna
15484 posts
Hi mjwiggy,
I fully agree with Anna that the RegioExpress Lötschberger (https://www.myswissalps.com/lotschberger) would be a perfect alternative! If you leave early and don’t mind returning in the late afternoon or early evening, you can explore Zermatt and make a mountain ride there (https://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt/activities).
If you do want to experience part of the Glacier Express ride, I would advise to drop Zermatt and make the round trip as described under “Don’t have time to do the full route?” at http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress.
You can check traveling times for each of your plans here: https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable. That can help you to find out what’s doable within one day and what you’re comfortable with.
72625 posts
I have been travelling in Switzerland for 60 years. My guidance on the Glacier Express can be found in this thread:
http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/glacier-express-mythbuster