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Recommended season: early January to mid October and mid December to late December
Transportation: Train
Duration: 3 to 9 days
Theme: Scenic trainsQuick overview of the 3-day journey 
This sample Glacier Express tour includes a train ride from Zurich to Zermatt, the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz, and a train ride from St. Moritz back to Zurich.
Of course, you can customize the route to your preferences. But if you follow my proposed tour, this is how you'll travel:
- Zurich to Zermatt, either by the Lötschberg Mountain Railway, the northern stretch of the GoldenPass route, or quicker trains
- Zermatt to St. Moritz with the Glacier Express
- St. Moritz to Zurich, again with several possible routes
Day 1: Zurich to Zermatt
You’ll travel from Zurich to Zermatt by train (about 3h15). This is not the Glacier Express yet. You can choose from several routes:
- The quickest route uses the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. You’ll travel via Bern, Thun, Spiez, and Visp. If you have time, I recommend one of the more scenic options below though.
- If you choose the Lötschberg Mountain Railway, you’ll cross the beautiful mountains above the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. You’ll travel via Bern, Thun, Spiez, Kandersteg, Goppenstein, and Visp. It’s about 1 hour longer than option 1.
- A 3rd option is to travel via Lucerne, Meiringen and Interlaken. This is the northern leg of the GoldenPass route. This route is about 2 hours longer than option 1. In Interlaken, you’ll travel to Spiez. Then you can change to either the quick trains through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, or to the regional train of the Lötschberg Mountain Railway.
If you arrive early enough in Zermatt and the weather is clear, this is a good time to take the cogwheel train up the Gornergrat to enjoy the view of the Monte Rosa massif and the Matterhorn. Or travel up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, or Sunnegga-Rothorn. In case of bad weather, you can explore the town or visit the Matterhorn Museum. More activities in Zermatt are listed here.
Day 2: Glacier Express
The highlight of this tour is the Glacier Express which takes you to St. Moritz in 8,5 hours. You’ll arrive in St. Moritz around dinner time. All you need to know about the Glacier Express is available here. Make sure you make your reservations well in time. Annika explains how to do so here.
Day 3: St. Moritz to Zurich
Today’s transfer will take about 3h30 if you use one of the quicker routes. So if your schedule allows you to arrive late in Zurich, you can add other activities. Enjoy part of the day shopping in St. Moritz, enjoy a short hike, or visit a local mountain top such as Piz Nair or the Corvatsch. Or choose to arrive early in Zurich and explore the city.
There are several routes back to Zurich:
- Get back via Filisur and Chur. You’ll duplicate part of the Glacier Express route.
- Travel to Zurich via Klosters. You’ll see the beautiful Lower Engadine region, and you’ll pass the towns of Zernez, Susch, Klosters, and Landquart. This route is about just as long as option 1.
- Travel via Filisur, Davos, Klosters and Landquart. This also duplicates part of the Glacier Express route, but not as much as option 1. This route is half an hour longer than options 1 and 2.
How to use this itinerary: practical tips
- This is a do-it-yourself tour, not a complete package.
- You can make this journey in reverse order too.
- Check each travel segment for your planned travel dates in the timetable.
- The itinerary of this tour can be booked as displayed in the shopping list below, or you can extend it by booking extra nights in Zurich, Zermatt or St. Moritz.
- If you have more than 3 days available, have a look at our slow-paced 4-day Glacier Express tour, our 7-day all-season train tour, and our 8-day winter train itinerary.
Map of the train tour
The below map shows the quickest routes between Zurich and Zermatt, and between St. Moritz and Zurich.
Prices and shopping list
Price indication
This tour costs about CHF 620 per person, including all items on the below shopping list. Details:
- I assume a 2nd class 3-day Swiss Travel Pass.
- The obligatory Glacier Express seat reservation fares are included.
- My estimate is based on 2-person rooms in 3-star hotels in Zermatt, St. Moritz and Zurich in high season, including breakfast.
- Children under 16 travel for free: simply order a free Swiss Family Card when getting your Swiss Travel Pass.
- Expenses for food, souvenirs and additional activities, that aren't fully covered by your Swiss Travel Pass, are not included.
This is a sample itinerary. You can make any changes you like. Depending on the choices you make, and the season in which you travel, your actual costs can be significantly higher or lower than my indication.
Shopping list
Below is what you need to book if you make the tour exactly as described. Would you rather have one handy travel package with everything included, or a customized trip plan just for you? Please get in touch, and we'll make it happen!
| Details and prices | To book |
|---|---|
| Swiss Travel Pass | The 3-day Swiss Travel Pass includes free transfers from Zurich to Zermatt, Zermatt to St. Moritz (Glacier Express) and St. Moritz to Zurich. |
| Glacier Express | Seat reservations for the Glacier Express |
| Hotels Zermatt | Hotel in Zermatt |
| Hotels St. Moritz | Hotel in St. Moritz |
| Hotels Zurich | Optionally: hotel in Zurich |
Best travel season for the Glacier Express
If you can, make this tour in early January to mid October and mid December to late December. The Glacier Express has a maintenance break from mid-October to early December.
During the Glacier Express break, you can theoretically cover the same route from Zermatt to St. Moritz with normal trains. This requires several train changes though, so it's not what I'd recommend.
Find more details about the best seasons for this tour in our Glacier Express guide.
Similar travel packages
You can buy a package for a similar Glacier Express itinerary and save on planning time.
Swiss Travel Pass
Glacier Express
Engadine
Valais
Graubünden
Zermatt
Zurich
St. Moritz
Glacier Express packages
Gornergrat
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Sunnegga-Rothorn
Corvatsch
