Glacier Express Holidays: What Else Could You See?

Perhaps you've seen the Glacier Express winding through the Swiss Alps, with its huge panoramic windows and mountains stretching into the distance, and thought, I'd love to do that!

But where does the train actually go? Where should you stay? And what else could you see while you're in Switzerland?

The lovely thing about Glacier Express holidays is that you can build an entire trip around the train, whether you have a few days or a couple of weeks.

Here are six ideas to get you thinking. They're not fixed itineraries, just different ways to enjoy the journey and explore a little more of Switzerland.

First, Where Does the Glacier Express Go?

The Glacier Express travels between two beautiful Swiss mountain resorts:

• Zermatt: A car-free village at the foot of the famous Matterhorn, in the west of Switzerland.
• St. Moritz: An elegant Alpine resort in the Engadin Valley, in eastern Switzerland, surrounded by lakes and mountains.

The full journey takes around eight hours, crossing spectacular bridges, winding through valleys and climbing high into the Alps.

One of the most photographed sections is the Landwasser Viaduct, between Chur and St. Moritz, where the railway curves across a magnificent stone bridge before disappearing into a tunnel.

You can travel the entire route or enjoy a shorter section as part of a bigger Swiss adventure.

And with lunch served at your seat and those wonderful panoramic windows, the journey is very much part of the holiday. You can see the whole route on the official Glacier Express website.

1. The Classic Glacier Express Holiday

Two mountain towns and one unforgettable train journey.

A lovely introduction to Switzerland, with time to explore at either end of the railway.

Your holiday could include:

• Zermatt: Stay beneath the Matterhorn and take the Gornergrat mountain railway for incredible views.
• Glacier Express: Enjoy the full panoramic journey across the Alps.
• St. Moritz: Spend a few days exploring the Engadin Valley, its lakes and mountain villages.
• Bernina Express: Perhaps add another spectacular railway journey, travelling towards the Italian border.

Around a week gives you time to enjoy the train and both mountain resorts without feeling rushed.

My advice: I'd suggest at least two nights in each mountain town. That gives you time to explore without feeling as though you're constantly packing and unpacking. And if the Matterhorn is high on your wish list, a little flexibility is useful, as mountain views depend on the weather.

2. Make the Train Journey Extra Special

The Glacier Express, with a little more luxury.

If the train journey itself is something you've been dreaming about, you might love Excellence Class. It's a rather special way to spend a day in the Alps.

• Guaranteed window seat in an exclusive carriage.
• Multi-course lunch with paired wines.
• Drinks at the Glacier Bar.
• Dedicated concierge service throughout the journey.

I'd suggest adding a couple of nights at either end, perhaps with a beautiful hotel in Zermatt or St. Moritz, so the whole holiday is just as special as the train.

My advice: When planning Glacier Express holidays with Excellence Class, I'd recommend booking early, particularly for popular dates. Excellence Class is designed for the full journey, so I'd make the most of the experience rather than trying to fit it into a busy itinerary.

Whether it's for a special occasion or simply a journey you've always wanted to take, we can build the rest of your holiday around it.

3. The Glacier Express and Switzerland's Famous Peaks

Combine your railway journey with some of Switzerland's best-known mountains.

The Glacier Express is wonderful, but there's so much more to discover beyond the train.

You could include:

• Zermatt: See the Matterhorn and travel up the Gornergrat railway.
• St. Moritz: Explore the high Alpine scenery of the Engadin.
• Interlaken: Stay between two beautiful lakes, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains nearby.
• Jungfraujoch: Take the mountain railway to Europe's highest railway station.

You could also explore Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, two beautiful villages surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. If it's the peaks that draw you most, it's the same instinct behind the mountain holidays I plan elsewhere.

My advice: I wouldn't try to squeeze all these mountain experiences into just a few days. I'd allow time to enjoy the villages, take a walk or stop for lunch somewhere with a view. Mountain excursions are weather-dependent, so having a choice of days can make a real difference.

This could make a wonderful first visit to Switzerland, particularly if you've always wanted to see its famous Alpine scenery.

4. Lakes, Mountains and Scenic Railways

Why stop at one famous train when Switzerland has several?

One of the lovely things about Glacier Express holidays is how you can combine the journey with Switzerland's other scenic railways.

Some of my favourites are:

• Glacier Express: The famous Alpine journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz.
• Bernina Express: Glaciers, dramatic viaducts and a remarkable descent towards Italy.
• GoldenPass Express: Travel between Interlaken and Montreux, passing traditional Swiss villages and beautiful mountain scenery.

You could also spend time beside Lake Geneva, take a boat trip or explore some of the smaller villages along the way.

My advice: You don't need to travel the full length of every railway. Sometimes choosing a particular section makes much more sense, especially when combining several routes. For example, the Landwasser Viaduct is on the line between Chur and St. Moritz, so we'd make sure your chosen journey includes it if that's something you're particularly keen to see.

The Bernina Express also has different route options, so I'd check which service best fits the places you want to visit. You can read more about it on the Rhaetian Railway website. If you love the idea of a holiday built around a great train journey, it's the same thinking behind pairing the Rocky Mountaineer with an Alaska cruise.

There's no need to squeeze every railway into one holiday. We can choose the routes and stops that appeal to you most.

Love the idea of combining scenic trains? Tell me which journeys have caught your eye and I'll help you put them together.

5. Travel Across Switzerland by Train

See how much the scenery changes as you cross the country.

Switzerland is wonderfully connected by rail, making it possible to enjoy several very different places without hiring a car.

One possible journey could take you through:

• Zurich: Explore the old town and enjoy the lakeside.
• St. Moritz: Spend time in the mountains before boarding the Glacier Express.
• Zermatt: Enjoy the Matterhorn and the village's mountain railways.
• Montreux or Geneva: Finish beside Lake Geneva, with lakeside walks, vineyards and beautiful views.

You can spend longer in the places that catch your eye, rather than moving hotels every night.

My advice: This is where planning the order of your stops really matters. I'd look at your flights, train connections and how long you'd like in each place before deciding which direction to travel. Switzerland also has luggage transfer services that can make moving between hotels much easier.

It's a lovely way to see different sides of Switzerland, with the Glacier Express as one of the highlights, and it sits naturally within the wider world of luxury Europe holidays.

6. Take Your Time Exploring Switzerland

Turn your Glacier Express journey into a longer Swiss holiday.

If you have ten days, two weeks or even longer, there's plenty to fill your time without rushing from place to place.

Alongside the Glacier Express, you might enjoy:

• Lucerne: A beautiful lakeside city with a historic old town and mountain excursions.
• Interlaken: Explore Lakes Thun and Brienz, and the villages of the Bernese Oberland.
• Montreux: Relax beside Lake Geneva and visit Château de Chillon.
• Zermatt: Spend a few days walking, sightseeing or simply enjoying the Matterhorn views.
• St. Moritz: Discover the lakes, villages and scenic railways of the Engadin Valley.

You don't have to include everything. Part of the fun is choosing which places you'd love to explore and where you'd like a little longer.

My advice: On a longer Glacier Express holiday, I'd usually recommend spending several nights in a few carefully chosen places rather than trying to see the whole country. We can also look at Swiss rail passes and individual tickets to find the most suitable option for your journey.

You might even decide to include a few nights in Italy before heading home. Switzerland's rail connections make it possible to create some lovely combinations.

When Is the Best Time for Glacier Express Holidays?

Switzerland is beautiful throughout the year, but the experience changes with the seasons.

• Summer: Green valleys, mountain walks, wildflowers and long daylight hours. A lovely time to combine rail travel with exploring outdoors.
• Autumn: Golden landscapes, quieter mountain villages and beautiful colours. Some hotels, lifts and rail services close seasonally.
• Winter: Snow-covered mountains, cosy Alpine villages and a completely different view from the train. Shorter daylight hours are worth considering.
• Spring: A mixture of snowy peaks and greener valleys as the mountains begin to wake up.

The Glacier Express operates on seasonal timetables, with a break in late autumn, and some mountain railways and hotels have their own opening dates.

If you're imagining snowy scenery, or perhaps want to combine your journey with mountain walks, I'll help you choose dates that suit the experiences you're hoping for. You can also explore Switzerland's seasons and destinations on the Switzerland Tourism website.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Book

There's a little more to planning Glacier Express holidays than simply choosing your train ticket.

• Seat reservations: These are compulsory on the Glacier Express and popular departures can book up early.
• Travel direction: You can travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz or the other way round.
• Full or partial journey: You don't necessarily need to travel the whole route.
• Other scenic trains: Some routes connect beautifully, while others need a little more planning.
• Luggage: Switzerland has useful luggage transfer services, which can make travelling between hotels easier.
• Rail passes: The right pass depends on your route and the excursions you'd like to include.
• Mountain excursions: Some are weather-dependent, so a little flexibility can be worthwhile.

These are all things I can help you work through when we're putting your holiday together.

Glacier Express Holidays: Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Glacier Express go?

The Glacier Express travels between Zermatt, home of the Matterhorn, and St. Moritz in eastern Switzerland. The full journey takes around eight hours through the Swiss Alps, crossing spectacular bridges, mountain passes and valleys.

How many days do you need for a Glacier Express holiday?

I'd suggest around five to seven days to enjoy the train and spend time in Zermatt and St. Moritz. If you'd like to explore more of Switzerland, ten days to two weeks gives you time to add places such as Lucerne, Interlaken or Lake Geneva.

Can you include the Glacier Express in a longer holiday?

Absolutely! You could combine it with Switzerland's other scenic railways, spend time beside the lakes, explore mountain villages or even continue into Italy. The Glacier Express can be the highlight of your holiday rather than the whole trip.

Do you have to travel the whole Glacier Express route?

Not at all. You can enjoy the full eight-hour journey or choose a shorter section. If you're combining several scenic trains, a partial journey might fit your plans better. I'll help you work out which sections are worth including.

When is the best time for Glacier Express holidays?

Summer is wonderful for green valleys, mountain walks and long daylight hours, while winter brings snowy Alpine scenery. Spring and autumn can be beautiful too, although some mountain railways and hotels close seasonally. The Glacier Express also has a break in service during late autumn.

Is Excellence Class worth it on the Glacier Express?

If the train journey is a special part of your holiday, it could be a lovely treat. Excellence Class includes a guaranteed window seat, fine dining, paired wines and dedicated service. It's particularly worth considering for a birthday, anniversary or once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Can you combine the Glacier Express with the Bernina Express?

Yes, and they make a wonderful combination. The Glacier Express travels between Zermatt and St. Moritz, while the Bernina Express takes you through spectacular Alpine scenery towards Tirano in Italy. You could enjoy both journeys with a few nights in the mountains between them.

Is the Glacier Express better than the Bernina Express?

They're both wonderful, but offer different experiences. The Glacier Express is a longer, more leisurely journey across the Swiss Alps, while the Bernina Express is known for its dramatic mountain scenery and descent towards Italy. If you have time, you can combine both, with a stay in St. Moritz between journeys.

Can you book a Glacier Express holiday from the UK?

Yes! I can help arrange your flights from the UK, hotels, train journeys, seat reservations, transfers and excursions. I'll work with you to build a holiday around the places you'd love to see, rather than asking you to choose a fixed itinerary.

Let's Plan Your Glacier Express Holiday

You might know exactly which train you'd love to travel on, but have no idea where to start with the rest of Switzerland.

That's absolutely fine!

Tell me what's caught your eye, how long you'd like to go for and what you enjoy doing when you're away.

I'll work with my trusted travel specialists to put together a holiday around you, from choosing the right train journey and places to stay to arranging flights, transfers and excursions.

And I'll be here before you travel and while you're away, with a personalised travel guide to help you make the most of each stop.

The Glacier Express might be what first catches your imagination. Let's see where else it could take you. Ready to start planning? Fill in my enquiry form and we'll begin.