With this article, we will make an unforgettable journey with the world's slowest express train Glacier Express in the Swiss Alps. The train journey with the specially designed panoramic wagon Glacier Express is among the most beautiful train journeys in the world.
While planning our 2018 spring trip with my friends, we started to search for a different trip. In the meantime, we thought that traveling from Switzerland to Italy with the Bernina Express, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is an option. We came across the Glacier Express during our search for Bernina Express and train travel in the Alps. We decided to experience this train journey, which we had not noticed before, and bought our flight tickets from Zurich to Milan. Thus, first a two-day trip to Zurich, then one night to get on the Glacier train, Zermatt, the last stop of the train, St. A overnight trip to Switzerland is planned in St. Moritz. The most important part of our trip was the Glacier Express journey, which we traveled across the Alps in comfort on an eight-hour panoramic train. Of course, our train journey did not end with a trip to the Alps from west to east. This time, we traveled from Switzerland to Tirona, the border town of Italy, with the Bernina Express, which we took from the last stop, St Moritz. Both train journeys have been an incredible experience for us. Let's get to know Glacier Express in this article.
The journey takes all day from the world-famous ski resort of Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos. From the highest points of the Alps, valleys, sheer cliffs, the Swiss Grand Canyon travels. We climb to the highest point at 2033 meters above sea level at Oberalppass Station with the Glacier Express. We pass through 291 bridges and 91 tunnels on the journey.
Cozy, comfortable seats, booklets describing the journey have been prepared on the tables that can be used by four people, and you can listen to the explanations in 6 languages in important areas from the headphones during the journey. You can also travel all day listening to traditional or modern Swiss music from both music channels. The relevant personnel immediately at the beginning of the journey makes all kinds of information as well as ticket control.
With the world's slowest express train, the 300 km road takes 8 hours. There are three flights in summer, once a day in winter. There are food service and bar services on the train with panoramic windows.
Our train route; The journey can be started from either east or west in two directions. We started with the 8.50 hour train from Zermattan from the west. Towards 17 o'clock our journey ended in St. Moritz. With the Glacier Express, the starting and ending points of the journey are between these two stations, but short trips can be made from different stops such as Brig, Andermatt, Chur for a lower price. The cheapest and shortest is CHF 74 from Andermatt to Zermatt. We paid 219 CHF (approximately 900 TL) including food for the longest distance we bought a ticket.
Zermatt is among the famous ski resorts that can be skied in all seasons of the year and attracts many tourists. We arrived the night before by train from Zurich. Although there are many hotels to stay in, hotel prices are also quite high as it is extremely popular. We stayed in a quadruple room at the Zermatt Hostel.
The train departs from Zermatt, at an altitude of 1804 above sea level, and the altitude decreases for a short time. It runs alongside the Mattervispa River, which flows through the Mattertal Valley.
We passed through snowy valleys.
We passed through charming, trinket-looking villages in the Alps.
Our train made its way between the mountains and the landscapes of the picturesque rivers flowing through the valleys.
Landwasser viaduct in the Albuna Valley is the place where the most impressive photos of the trip were taken while approaching St. Moritz.
Bridges, viaducts, tunnels;
Our stunning scenic train ride to St. Moritz train station. st. Moritz is also a popular ski resort. It was in the snow too.
The lake opposite the station was completely frozen. St. We will stay overnight from the walking path by the lake in the snow. We went to the Moritz Youth Hostel. The hostel was way above our expectations with its comfort, cleanliness and rich breakfast.
It seems insufficient to describe the magnificent eight-hour train journey with only text and photographs. If you want, let's tour the Alps with a video.
How to Buy a Glacier Express Ticket?
To buy tickets, you need to book three months in advance from the link below. At the first stage, we only paid the reservation fee, chose one of the two kinds of meals and paid the fee. We bought our ticket by paying the 153 CHF fee at the Central Station in Zurich with our reservation number. In other words, the actual payment can be made at any station after arriving in Switzerland. You can read the information I got from the page below to give you an idea about ticket prices.
https://www.glacierexpress.ch/en/
Ticket prices
2.Class 1.Class
St. Moritz – Zermatt 153.00 269.00
St. Moritz – Brig 115.00 202.00
St. Moritz – Andermatt 85.20 149.20
Davos – Zermatt (via Filisur) 145.00 255.00
Davos – Brig (via Filisur) 107.00 188.00
Davos – Andermatt (via Filisur) 77.20 135.20
Chur - Zermatt 119.00 210.00
Chur - Brig 81.00 143.00
Andermatt - Zermatt 74.00 130.00
Reservation Fee
Long journeys (CHF) Short journeys (CHF)
Low season (10.12.2017 – 29.03.2018) 23.00 13.00
Mid season(30.03. – 15.06./ 17.09.-14.10.2018) 33.00 23.00
High season (16.06.-16.09.2018) 43.00 33.00
Meal Price
Menu CHF
Plate of the day 30.00
Three-course lunch 43.00
Tickets are sold as 1st class and 2nd class. While the seats are placed 2+2 in a row in the 2nd class wagon, they are 2+1 in the 1st class wagon. That's just the difference, the panoramic view of the wagons, food and service are the same. 2nd class seats are also extremely comfortable. Also, since we were traveling with four people, we were all together thanks to the four-person seats.
The answer to the question in which season we should make this special journey is that every season is beautiful. Glacier Express is in service all seasons except for a short time until the end of November and mid-December. We preferred the end of March with the idea of experiencing both the snowy landscape of the Alps and the spring together. We've seen enough snow scenes, but the trees weren't green yet and the flowers weren't blooming. If I have the chance to make the same journey again, I would love to see the greenery of the Alps in summer.
Zermatt St. The first Glacier Express service between St. Moritz started in 1930. However, for many years, it was only able to work in summer due to the inability to reach the highest region Oberalp pass due to snow. After the Furka Tunnel, which was started in 1973 and completed in 1982, it has become Switzerland's most popular train journey in terms of tourism. The Glacier Express route is a true Alps trip with very special views. With high hills, valleys, rivers, bridges, viaducts, tunnels. Of course, the cost of this comfortable journey, which takes only one day, is high. We paid a fee of around 219 CHF, including the reservation and meal fee. Can the same route be done at a more affordable price? Yes, it is possible to make a train trip in the Alps more economically with other local trains. Using the same route, getting off at some stations, traveling around, If desired, you can stay in one or two places and see the Alps again. The difference is Glacier Express' panoramic wagons provide better visibility, better food and bar services and service. You also have the chance to complete this 300 km journey in just 8 hours. In the meantime, although it is possible to make a more economical journey in a longer time by getting on and off the other trains, it is useful to remind one point. Traveling by local train will require overnight in at least one town. Switzerland is an expensive country, food, drink and accommodation is much higher than other European countries. While reducing the cost of the train, it is necessary to consider other expenses in case of extending the time. You also have the chance to complete this 300 km journey in just 8 hours. In the meantime, although it is possible to make a more economical journey in a longer time by getting on and off the other trains, it is useful to remind one point. Traveling by local train will require overnight in at least one town. Switzerland is an expensive country, food, drink, accommodation is much higher than other European countries. While reducing the cost of the train, it is necessary to consider other expenses in case of extending the time. You also have the chance to complete this 300 km journey in just 8 hours. In the meantime, although it is possible to make a more economical journey in a longer time by getting on and off the other trains, it is useful to remind one point. Traveling by local train will require overnight in at least one town. Switzerland is an expensive country, food, drink, accommodation is much higher than other European countries. While reducing the cost of the train, it is necessary to consider other expenses in case of extending the time. accommodation is much higher than in other European countries. While reducing the cost of the train, it is necessary to consider other expenses in case of extending the time. accommodation is much higher than in other European countries. While reducing the cost of the train, it is necessary to consider other expenses in case of extending the time.
Last word
An unforgettable journey in the Alps. Switzerland is an expensive country, and the Glacier Express is an expensive but special train. On such a route, if you think it's worth a trip with a private train, you should try it.
I can suggest you to follow our route. First flying to Zurich and visiting Zurich for two or three days;
Zurich Travel Guide
An 8-hour Alpine train journey with the Glacier express starting in Zermatt to St Moritz, overnight in St. accommodation in Mortiz,
Reaching the town of Tirona, between Switzerland and Italy, with the Bernina Express in St. Moritz, a 2,5-hour train journey with stunning views,