4-day slow-paced Glacier Express round trip from Zurich

This page was last updated by Annika on 23 February 2024.

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Must-knows about this customizable Glacier Express itinerary

You’ll enjoy the entire Glacier Express route, but you’ll break it down into 2 shorter stages.
Thanks to the relaxed travel pace, you can make a pretty ride from Zurich to St. Moritz, plan a mountain excursion in Zermatt, and travel on the panoramic Lötschberg mountain route from Zermatt back to Zurich.
It’s perfect if you’re curious about the Glacier Express, but prefer train trips that don’t last more than 5 hours per day.
For this itinerary, I recommend taking a Glacier Express train from St. Moritz to Andermatt, and normal trains from Andermatt to Zermatt.
The estimated costs are CHF 670 per adult.

Main regions: Engadine, Valais, Graubünden

Main towns: Zermatt, Zurich, St. Moritz

Recommended season: early January to mid October and mid December to late December

Transportation: Train

Duration: 4 to 8 days

Theme: Scenic trains

The itinerary in short

My proposed itinerary consists of 4 days. If you follow this route exactly, this is how you'll travel:

Zurich - Landquart - Zernez - St. Moritz
St. Moritz - Chur - Andermatt (Glacier Express, section 1)
Andermatt - Zermatt (Glacier Express, section 2)
Zermatt - Kandersteg - Zurich

Of course, you're free to customize this proposed route however you want: add extra nights, choose other base towns, do it in reverse direction, et cetera.

Day 1: Zurich to St. Moritz via Landquart and Zernez

Today, you’ll get from Zurich (or another entry point in northern Switzerland) to St. Moritz. The most direct route runs via Chur and takes about 3 hours. However, part of this is on the Glacier Express route you’ll explore tomorrow.

So to prevent backtracking and to enjoy another beautiful train route, I recommend traveling via Landquart. There, you’ll change for a train to St. Moritz via Zernez in the Lower Engadine region. It crosses the Vereina Tunnel. This option takes no longer than 3h30 and adds fantastic scenic variation.

You could even add a side trip to Davos if your schedule allows. Change trains in Klosters in that case.

Day 2: St. Moritz – Andermatt (Glacier Express, section 1)

Board the Glacier Express in the morning and make the wonderful 5-hour journey to Chur, the Rhine Gorge, the Oberalp Pass, and Andermatt. Andermatt is today’s destination.

As this is the longer of the two Glacier Express sections, I advise taking the actual Glacier Express trains for this segment. They’re the most comfortable option, with large panoramic windows and on-seat catering. Make sure to get your reservations in time.

In Andermatt, you may want to pay a visit to the famous Devil’s Bridge in the Schöllenen Gorge. Or make a cable car ride up to Gemsstock for a 360°-mountain panorama.

Day 3: Andermatt – Zermatt (Glacier Express, section 2)

You’ll now explore the second leg of the Glacier Express route. You could do so in a Glacier Express train, but that would mean you’d have to pay reservation costs once more. To avoid this, and to create more flexibility in your schedule, you can opt for regional trains instead.

In that case, you’ll have to change in Visp before enjoying the last part of the Glacier Express route: the ascending leg to Zermatt through the Matter Valley.

If time allows, you can add one of the mountain excursions in Zermatt. They’re worth it!

Day 4: Zermatt – Kandersteg – Zurich

It’s time to get back to Zurich. I recommend doing so over the scenic Lötschberg mountain route. The total journey to Zurich will take about 4h40, and you’ll have to change twice: in Brig and in Bern.

Alternatively, you can use the quicker Lötschberg Base Tunnel connection. In that case, you’ll reach Zurich in 3h20 and just one change of trains is required: in Visp.

Map of the 4-day travel route

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Price per person and booking list

Price estimate per adult

This 4-day trip costs approximately CHF 670 per adult. This price is based on all items on the below booking list. Details:

A 4-day Swiss Travel Pass is included in this amount. It provides free train transfers, including the Glacier Express and Lötschberger trains.
I've included the Glacier Express seat reservation fee for the 1st section (St. Moritz-Andermatt). Assuming you'll take regular trains on the 2nd leg (Andermatt-St. Moritz), I did not add a Glacier Express reservation for this segment.
I've assumed 3-star hotels in St. Moritz, Andermatt, and Zermatt. A night in a 3-star hotel in Zurich at the end of your journey is included too.
My estimate does not include mountain trips or other side excursions you may want to add. Most mountain trips are discounted with your Swiss Travel Pass though, and access to many museums is free.
Expenses for food and drinks are not included in the price either.

Booking list

Here's what to book if you intend to make the 4-day journey as described:

To book	Details and prices
The 4-day Swiss Travel Pass includes free transfers Zurich-St. Moritz, St. Moritz-Andermatt- Zermatt (Glacier Express), and Zermatt-Kandersteg (Lötschberg train)-Zurich.	Swiss Travel Pass
Seat reservations for the Glacier Express, St. Moritz-Andermatt	Glacier Express
Hotel in St. Moritz	Hotels St. Moritz
Hotel in Andermatt	Hotels
Hotel in Zermatt	Hotels Zermatt
Optionally: hotel in Zurich	Hotels Zurich

Which months are best for this tour?

You can make this 4-day Glacier Express tour during most of the year: from early January to mid October and mid December to late December to be exact.

You could even enjoy this itinerary if the Glacier Express train does not operate. In that case, you'll have to use regular trains on all of the Glacier Express route though.

Similar Glacier Express travel packages

Would you rather arrange for the Glacier Express ride, seat reservations, and hotels in one easy package? Find options below, and read my tips concerning Glacier Express tour packages here.

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Official webshop of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), operated by Switzerland Travel Centre (STC)
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