Chur-Zermatt: alternate Glacier Express route and places to lunch at?
A traveler is planning a trip through Switzerland this winter and needs advice after learning that the Glacier Express is closed on their travel date. They found an alternative route from Chur to Zermatt but are seeking recommendations for lunch breaks and luggage storage options at train stations along the way.
- Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass for flexible travel options across Swiss public transport.
- For lunch, Brig has a patisserie near the station, and Andermatt offers potential dining options with modern facilities.
- Research luggage storage options at train stations, as facilities vary; consider having larger bags transported to your final destination.
AI-generated summary-
Hello:
We had wanted to take the GEX on our trip through Switzerland this winter. Unfortunately we are learning it is closed on the day we need to travel (December 4th). We have found thanks to this forum that we can still make the route (Chur>Disentis>Brig>Zermatt), just not on the GEX. Sounds like the food service is limited on the regional trains, but the views are still great. Are there any recommendations for towns/villages to take a lunch break in? We will also have large roller bags, so storage at a station would be a great plus as well.
Not to complicate things, but we are not tied to getting on the train in Chur or our suggested route if there is a better way….We are staying the previous night in Innsbruck and have a rental car we booked to drop in Chur, but that could be changed…
This Forum seems great and thank you in advance for any information.
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Hello Z_W
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
I have been visiting Switzerland regularly since 1971. I always INVEST in a Swiss Travel Pass ( https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/. This gives me the complete freedom of the world’s best public transport system. I will be assuming you are making that investment.
I have travelled the Chur-Disentis-Andermatt-Brig route at least twenty times. But I have NEVER used the Glacier Express (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-express/ ). I have always used the (hourly) regional trains. Note that the change at Disentis is straight across the platform. The train from Chur pulls in. You will see the train to Andermatt about five metres away!
LUNCH is the problem. I usually wait until I reach Brig, and on the most recent occasion (late April 2024) I used the Patisserie at Brig station close to the booking office. The alternative would be to eat at Andermatt. A 15 minute gap between trains becomes a 75 minute gap. The station at Andermatt has been recently been modernised. When I passed through in April I did not spot anywhere to eat, but I am sure that there will be somewhere on the station or very nearby. (Both stations will have lockers in which to store your ‘large roller bags’.)
Rental Car from Innsbruck to Chur.
Note that this will involve driving through the Alps in winter conditions. You could do the journey by train. You can get a RailjetExpress leaving Innsbruck at 07 47 bound for Zurich. Get tickets Innsbruck to Buchs (SG) and seat reservations to Sargans. You get off at SARGANS (an hour before the train reaches Zurich). There are frequent trains (at least 4 an hour!) from Sargans to Chur. Have an early lunch in Chur. Get the 11 55 train to Disentis; 13 14 to Andermatt; 14 37 to VISP arrive there 16 50. 17 11 to Zermatt arrive 18 17. Now the last leg of the journey will be in the dark. But you will also travel this line when you leave Zermatt.
Best wishes for your detailed planning
Roger
Hi z_w,
That’s right, you can still follow the Glacier Express route but with the regular trains, scroll to “Glacier Express trains versus normal trains” https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-express/.
If you are wanting more lunch options, you’ll likely find more choices in Andermatt. Oberalp Pass is considered a good spot to hop off and have lunch, if the weather is fine, you can also witness some nice views, or Nätschen. There are not many restaurants in the last 2 places, so you may want to research ahead make a reservation to coincide with your arrival. As you are taking the regional trains, you can also plan lunch and take the next suitable train for the rest of your train journey. Just use the Swiss timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
If you scroll to “Other websites of interest” in the link below, you can research luggage storage options at Swiss rail stations. Not all stations have storage facilities so perhaps research and cross reference with any of the stops you may stop off at and wish to store your luggage at, in particular the smaller villages. Or you could consider having your main luggage transported to your final destination? (All explained in the link).
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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