Glacier Express

What is the Glacier Express?

The Glacier Express is a panoramic train journey, not a rail pass. Its celebrated route connects Zermatt and St. Moritz through the Swiss Alps. Plan it as a travel experience in its own right.

Coverage and what to check

You need both a valid ticket or accepted pass and a compulsory seat reservation. A Swiss Travel Pass can cover the journey in the appropriate class, but not the reservation charge. Excellence Class has additional conditions.

Is it right for your itinerary?

Build your itinerary around the date you can obtain a seat. Staying in Zermatt the night before avoids a rushed connection. At the other end, allow time for St. Moritz or continue your holiday through Graubünden.

2026 seasonal service notice

The published timetable lists no Glacier Express service from 11 October to 4 December 2026. Check the official timetable before arranging hotels or onward journeys. This is a dated operating notice, not a statement that the train runs on every other date indefinitely.

What makes the route special?

The full journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz takes approximately eight hours. Highlights include the Rhine Gorge, the Landwasser Viaduct and the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres. The changing scenery is the main attraction: treat the train as the day's experience rather than a quick transfer between resorts.

Choose your direction around the rest of your itinerary. Starting in Zermatt can follow a stay near the Matterhorn; starting in St. Moritz can fit a wider trip through Graubünden. Check the exact train and stops rather than assuming every departure offers every possible intermediate journey.

Ticket, reservation and class: three separate checks

1. Travel entitlement: obtain the appropriate point-to-point ticket or an accepted pass for the route and date.
2. Seat reservation: reserve a place on the specific Glacier Express service. A pass alone does not secure a seat.
3. Travel class: match the ticket or pass to the booked class. Excellence Class requires the appropriate first-class entitlement and its additional supplement.

If you are using a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, include this journey among your activated days. If travelling with children, check their travel entitlement and seat-reservation arrangements separately.

When to reserve and how to plan your stay

Standard first- and second-class reservations generally open 93 days before travel, with seasonal release arrangements possible. Check seat availability before committing to accommodation that depends on one particular train. Popular dates can fill even when ordinary rail tickets remain available.

Consider spending the night before departure in the starting resort. After a full day on board, an overnight stay at the destination may also be more comfortable than a long onward connection. Our accommodation page can help you plan those stays.

Meals and practical preparation

Review the dining options when booking and check any advance-order requirements. Do not assume that a standard rail pass includes a meal. Save your pass or ticket and seat reservation so both are easy to show, then check the operator's timetable again shortly before departure.

Plan your stay around the reservation

Separate the train reservation from the travel entitlement in your planning notes. Record the departure date, selected class and where you will stay the night before. Our Zermatt accommodation guidance can help organise the start, while the Swiss Travel Pass guide explains the wider national-pass option for the rest of your holiday.

How to plan and book

Check the timetable and seasonal availability before booking hotels. First- and second-class reservations generally open 93 days ahead. If a pass covers your fare, select that entitlement rather than paying for the same travel twice.

1. Choose travel dates and check route coverage.
2. Compare the fare for each traveller and travel class.
3. Check reservations, activation and purchase conditions.
4. Save tickets and booking details before departure.

Your questions, answered