Glacier Express, like a local
A slow travel adventure to Zermatt, on local trains along the Glacier Express route. Drift across viaducts, through gorges and high passes, before arriving beneath the imposing Matterhorn.
Along the way, the line crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, climbs to over 2,000 metres at the Oberalp Pass, and winds through Alpine meadows and glacier-fed valleys beneath towering peaks.
Running between St. Moritz and Zermatt, the route can be experienced either on the local trains for fewer crowds and stops along the way, or on the famed Glacier Express for panoramic views.
Ending in a dramatic finale beneath the silhouette of Matterhorn, this storied journey by train promises an once-in-a-lifetime adventure, as deep valleys, rushing rivers and high mountain passes roll past your window.
The local trains
The local trains follow the exact same route as the Glacier Express, running year-round between St. Moritz and Zermatt with a series of well-timed connections.
The panoramic service
Take the Glacier Express if you want a direct journey with panoramic windows and at-seat service.
Use local trains where possible rather than ‘tourist’ trains e.g., on Glacier Express route. Stay in mountain villages like Wengen and Zermatt, rather than bigger valley towns.
- Sheila and George, September 2024
Obviously the Glacier Express was amazing and a real extravagance. It delivered all we hoped for. I think we were the most excited and appreciative of all the passengers!
- Ruth and Sarah, May 2024
Both Zermatt and St Moritz were fabulous. The scenery and walking were just what we wanted. We even went on the famous Glacier Express train which was as brilliant as expected.
- Kevin, May 2025
Byway excursions
Short on time? Trip already booked?
Explore our slow travel excursions: classic routes distilled into short breaks that slot neatly into your holiday.
Imagine high passes, sweeping viaducts and glacial lakes on a mini-trip within a trip along the Glacier Express route from Zürich, or take the Bernina and Glacier experience from Milan.
We generally recommend booking your trip to Switzerland 4–6 months in advance, particularly if you’re travelling from the UK or crossing France on high-speed services like TGV Lyria, which require seat reservations and sell out quickly.
Book local trains on the Glacier Express route around four months in advance.
These are regular regional services that run year-round and cover the same route between St. Moritz and Zermatt, with simple changes along the way and lots of flexibility.
If you’re travelling with an Interrail or Swiss Travel Pass, these local trains do not require seat reservations.
With point-to-point tickets, availability is usually good, making this the most flexible and reliable way to travel the route, particularly outside peak season or when the panoramic train isn’t running.
Book the Glacier Express panoramic train six to nine months in advance.
If the panoramic service is a must-do, booking well ahead is essential.
Seats often sell out months in advance, especially in summer.
Reservations are always required, whether you’re using an Interrail pass or a point-to-point ticket, and flexibility is much more limited than on the local trains.
Journal
Often called the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express travels one of Switzerland’s most spectacular rail routes between St. Moritz and Zermatt. Alongside the famous panoramic service, a network of more flexible local trains follows the same tracks. Read our guide to learn more about the route, the different trains you can take, and the places you can explore along the way.
To find out why we love local trains, read our blog all about why they're the backbone of regional rail networks and can offer a better travel experience.
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