Best way Zermatt-Grindelwald without forfeiting Glacier Express route?
A first-time traveler to Switzerland is seeking advice on taking the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Chur, as they head to Grindelwald for five nights in May. They are unsure about the best stopping point to simplify their journey without missing too much scenic beauty, as they have already booked reservations for the train.
- If you're set on the Glacier Express, enjoy the ride to Chur and plan to catch the next train to Grindelwald around 15:38 for a timely arrival.
- Consider getting off at Andermatt for a lunch break, but note that you'll miss some stunning views on the way to Chur.
- Purchasing a Saver Day Pass will cover all your travel for that day and should be bought as soon as possible to secure the best price.
- Always check train schedules for updates, especially on weekends when engineering work can affect your route.
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Hello, thank you admins for including me to this wonderful page! I wish I found this site earlier when I started planning my itinerary. I am a first-time traveler to Switzerland and need help with Glacier Express. We are planning on taking it from Zermatt to Chur on our way to Grindelwald where we will be staying for next 5 nights in May of this year. I am fully aware that this will be the longest and slowest way. The only reason we are taking it because it is a Wishlist item for me. I already booked seat reservations from Zermatt to Chur thinking that St. Moritz would be farther off (in terms of coming to Grindelwald ) . But looking at the train connections from Chur to Grindelwald (via Zurich etc.) and at the time we arrive there (about 3:30 PM), I am wondering if anyone with experience can help with ideas as to where to get off so as to get a more straightforward and shorter route and connections to Grindelwald without much compromising the scenic travel (for which I booked the train). I know I will be missing the most scenic part between Chur and St. Moritz. I really wish I posted it here before I planned my trip. Thank you in advance!
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Hello Naturelover.
Welcome to MySwissAlps
I deduce from your reference to ‘about 3 30 pm’ that you have booked on the 09 52 Glacier Express departure from Zermatt, which reaches Chur at 15 25.
If you are travelling during the week (Mondays through to Fridays) the next train to Zurich is at 16 08, and changing at Zurich, Bern, Spiez and Interlaken Ost, you reach Grindelwald at 20 10.
Get off the Glacier Express at Andermatt?
In your thread you say ‘I am wondering if anyone with experience can help with ideas as to where to get off so as to get a more straightforward and shorter route and connections to Grindelwald without much compromising the scenic travel’.
Now you could get off the Glacier Express at Andermatt at 12 46, take an hour’s lunch break, and then catch the 13 50 train to Göschenen. Changing at Göschenen, Arth-Goldau, Luzern and Interlaken Ost, you would reach Grindelwald at 18 40. This is a very scenic route.
However if you get off the Glacier Express at Andermatt you miss the most spectacular parts of the journey to Chur. From Andermatt to Disentis the train goes over the Oberalp pass. Between Ilanz and Chur it goes through the ‘Grand Canyon of Switzerland’.
I have been visiting Switzerland regularly ever since 1971. You have three options
- Go through to Chur and not reach Grindelwald until 20 10. That is the option I would recommend. (Oberalp pass; ‘Grand Canyon’)
- Get off at Andermatt and arrive Grindelwald at 18 40
- Cancel the Glacier Express trip and go direct from Zermatt to Grindelwald, changing at Visp, Spiez and Interlaken Ost. This journey takes just over three hours.
Best wishes
Roger
Hello Roger, thank you for replying and your suggestions! Really appreciate it. Just a few questions based on your suggestions.
- If we do get off at Chur and take the 16:08 train, towards Zurich the SBB app is showing it reaches Interlaken at 19:59. So, from there taking the next train to Grindelwald would get us there at 20:40. Because you wrote that it would reach Grindelwald at 20:10, I just like to verify with you if I am correct or not (It would be nice to get there earlier)? We will be travelling on Saturday 24May.
- “Now you could get off the Glacier Express at Andermatt at 12 46, take an hour’s lunch break, and then catch the 13 50 train to Göschenen. Changing at Göschenen, Arth-Goldau, Luzern and Interlaken Ost, you would reach Grindelwald at 18 40. This is a very scenic route.” Question: how does this route compare to Glacier Express route in terms of scenic appeal, with the stretch between Andermatt and Chur. I would like to know your personal opinion.
- I already paid over $200 for seat reservations for four of us and bought an insurance, but just not sure what the qualifying conditions are for cancellations and how much I will get back. And this is something I have been wishing to do for some time and chances are if I don’t do it now, probably will never happen.
- Can the day saver pass be used for the day (May24) for the ticket part of Glacier Express and the rest of the train journey to Grindelwald?
- Is there a Chur West Station, or just Chur?
Thank you again for taking time to respond to me!
Hi again
Arrival Time in Interlaken Ost Going via Chur.
In my earlier reply I wrote ‘If you are travelling during the week (Mondays through to Fridays) the next train to Zurich is at 16 08′. You are travelling on a Saturday.On Saturday 24th May there is engineering work scheduled for the line between Zurich and Bern. If you catch the 16 08 from Chur to Zurich, you will not reach Grindelwald until 20 40, thirty minutes later than usual.
However, on Saturdays and Sundays (but not on Mondays to Fridays) there is a 15 38 train from Chur to Zurich. If on May 24th you catch that train, you will reach Grindelwald at 20 10.
Get off at Andermatt or Chur?
As I indicated in my earlier reply I have been visiting Switzerland regularly ever since 1971. I would unhesitatingly say ‘go via Chur’. If I was asked to draw up a list of the ten most scenic lines in Switzerland, they would include the Oberalp Pass, the ‘Grand Canyon of Switzerland’ between Ilanz and Chur, and the section of the Chur to Zurich main line along the Walensee. No sections of the route from Andermatt to Grindelwald via Luzern would appear on my list.
I also note ‘And this is something I have been wishing to do for some time and chances are if I don’t do it now, probably will never happen’.
Chur West?
Now there is a small station at Chur West, through which the Glacier Express will pass without stopping. You want Chur main station. Note that at Chur main station, the fast trains to Zurich go from platform nine.
Saver Day Pass
The good news is that if you buy Saver Day Passes for 24th May that will cover all your travels on that day, whichever route you take. These passes tend to go up in price the nearer you get to your travel day, and they can ‘sell out’. BUY NOW.
Best wishes
Roger
Hi Naturelover,
Comprehensive advice from Roger. I agree with his first option.
In regard to your Glacier Express seat reservations that you have purchased, generally speaking refunds are not allowed unless there are specific reasons presented, you are ill and unable to travel – a doctor’s note would be required.
I am not sure if you have read our Glacier Express guide. When you have a moment, do check it out:
This ride is one of the most popular rides in Switzerland so it’s popular for a reason.
The Saver Day Pass is valid for any route you wish to take for your chosen day. You can read more about the Saver Day Pass, how it works, its inclusions and there are some online purchase options too:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thank you, Roger, for continuing to respond to my messages. Yes, I decided to do the GE up to Chur. Yes, it is going to be a long day. But only going to do it once in life and I really hope I can do it. As Yolonda stated, there’s not going to be a refund for seat reservation unless it is for a medical reason. And yes, I noticed there’s a train at 15:38 from Chur. Hopefully, we will be able to catch that train. Thanks again to both of you for your input, it’s really helpful and I appreciate it!
Hi Naturelover,
Your options are limited if you already have seat reservation on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Chur and booked your stay in Grindelwald on the same day. I assumed you have also secured your Saver Day Pass.
Just enjoy your Glacier Express ride and try to catch the next available connection from Chur to Grindelwald, which will add another 4 hours to your journey. You can check train schedules on the Swiss timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
Regards,
Anna
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