Glacier Express: รถไฟด่วนที่ช้าที่สุดของสวิตเซอร์แลนด์

Switzerland's Most Famous Train Journey

The Glacier Express is one of the great paradoxes of rail travel: officially an express train, it takes a leisurely 8 hours to cover the 291 kilometres between Zermatt and St. Moritz. That unhurried pace is precisely the point. The train climbs through the heart of the Swiss Alps, crossing 291 bridges and threading 91 tunnels, offering a continuous panorama of glaciers, gorges, and medieval villages that no window seat on a faster train could match.

The Route in Detail

The journey runs between Zermatt — at the foot of the Matterhorn — and St. Moritz, the glamorous resort in the Engadin valley. Most passengers travel the full route, but you can board or alight at intermediate stations including Brig, Andermatt, Disentis, and Chur.

The line is operated by two railways in close coordination: the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) between Zermatt and Disentis, and the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) between Disentis and St. Moritz. The RhB section is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for outstanding engineering achievement in the Alpine landscape.

Three mountain passes define the drama of the route. The Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres is the highest point, reached after tight switchbacks above Andermatt. In winter, the train uses a protective tunnel section to bypass the most exposed ground. The Furka base tunnel (15.4 km) was completed in 1982 to give year-round operation through the high mountain section. A preserved steam railway operates the old exposed Furka route in summer as a separate tourist experience.

The Landwasser Viaduct and Key Highlights

The Landwasser Viaduct is the defining image of the Glacier Express: a six-arched limestone structure 65 metres high that curves gracefully before plunging directly into a tunnel in the cliff face. Built in 1902 without scaffolding using a cantilever method, it remains one of the most extraordinary achievements of early 20th-century railway engineering.

Other highlights along the route include:

• The Rhine Gorge (Ruinaulta) near Ilanz — often called the Swiss Grand Canyon, a dramatic 13-km stretch of white water and 300-metre vertical limestone cliffs carved by the Anterior Rhine
• Andermatt, a mountain village at 1,444 metres and a natural midpoint; an excellent overnight base for alpine walks in summer or skiing at the Andermatt-Sedrun ski area in winter
• The Matterhorn views from the Zermatt end of the route, visible on clear mornings before the train descends into the first valley — the iconic 4,478-metre pyramid is visible for roughly the first 30 minutes of the eastbound journey
• The Engadin landscape approaching St. Moritz — a high plateau at around 1,800 metres altitude, dotted with turquoise glacial lakes and world-class ski terrain
• The village of Pontresina, a quieter and more affordable alternative to St. Moritz itself, accessible from the same valley near the eastern terminus

Panoramic Windows and the Onboard Experience

The Glacier Express's panoramic carriages feature extra-large windows extending into the roofline, designed to capture scenery both at eye level and above. The audio commentary is available in multiple languages via a dedicated downloadable app or through headsets distributed onboard, narrating the landscape and engineering highlights in real time.

One of the train's famous quirks is its specially designed tilted wine glasses. Because the train spends much of the journey on steep gradients, the restaurant car uses angled glassware to prevent wine from spilling on the grades. It is a charming detail that has become part of the train's identity. The dining car serves full meals throughout the journey — a three-course lunch costs approximately CHF 45 to 65. Seat-to-seat meal service is available in certain carriages.

First Class vs Second Class

Both classes share the same panoramic windows and identical route — the view is exactly the same. First class offers wider seats with more shoulder room, a complimentary audio commentary in some seasons, and slightly quieter carriages. The premium for first class runs approximately 60 percent above the second class fare.

For most travellers, second class represents excellent value. Many regular passengers choose second class and direct the savings toward accommodation in Zermatt or St. Moritz instead. The pass traveller on a Swiss Travel Pass will find second class entirely comfortable for an 8-hour mountain journey.

Booking and Reservations

A seat reservation is compulsory on the Glacier Express. You cannot board with a rail pass or point-to-point ticket without a reservation. The fee is CHF 33 in second class and CHF 43 in first class (2026 rates). Reservations open approximately 90 days in advance and sell out quickly in summer, particularly for morning departures.

Book through the SBB website, the SBB app, or directly at Swiss railway stations. If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail, or Interrail pass, the base fare is covered but the reservation fee must be paid separately.

There are two daily departures in each direction during the main season: one in the morning and one around midday. The morning departure from Zermatt (around 08:52) is preferred because it catches the best light before afternoon cloud builds on the high peaks. Zermatt is a car-free village reached by train from Visp or Brig, which connect from the main SBB network. Allow at least one night in Zermatt to see the Matterhorn at sunrise before boarding early the next morning.

Best Season to Travel

Summer (June to September) is peak season. Alpine flowers carpet the meadows, hiking trails are open, and high mountain passes are fully accessible. Crowds peak in July and August — book as early as possible if travelling during European school holidays.

Winter (December to March) transforms the route into a snow-covered panorama. Frozen waterfalls appear between stations, the plateau near the Oberalp Pass turns completely white, and the combination with skiing at Zermatt or St. Moritz attracts a dedicated winter audience. Certain sections use protective galleries and tunnels when the open passes are snowbound.

Autumn (October to November) brings golden larch forests and significantly fewer tourists. The lower crowd levels make the journey more contemplative, and warm larch colours against early snowfall on the peaks create outstanding photographic conditions. This is arguably the best time of year for photographers willing to accept some unpredictability in the weather.

Spring (April to May) is the quietest period. Snowmelt streams are at full force and the meadows are greening against a still-snowy backdrop — a dramatic seasonal transition that few visitors experience because it falls outside the main holiday windows.

Photography Tips

• Book a window seat on the left side travelling from Zermatt to St. Moritz for the best angle on the Landwasser Viaduct as it comes around the curve
• The panoramic windows are fixed and do not open. A polarising filter or a lens pressed directly against the glass minimises reflections on bright days
• The Rhine Gorge is on the right side travelling eastward — switch sides at Disentis to maximise views in both directions
• Keep your camera ready at all times; viaducts arrive quickly and the best shots happen without warning, especially on the Rhaetian Railway section east of Disentis
• A wide-angle lens in the 16 to 24 mm equivalent range captures sweeping valley curves far better than a telephoto

Combining with Other Swiss Journeys

The Glacier Express pairs naturally with the Bernina Express, which departs from Chur or St. Moritz and heads south to Tirano in Italy. Combining both routes over two days gives you a comprehensive sweep of the Rhaetian Railway's most celebrated lines. The Swiss Travel Pass covers both journeys with reservations paid separately, and adds free admission to over 500 museums across Switzerland, making it the most cost-effective way to experience these two iconic trains together.