How do you plan a trip on Switzerland’s famous Glacier Express?

Switzerland is a country where natural beauty and efficient and comfortable train travel go hand in hand. Nowhere is this more evident than on the Glacier Expressa traveler favorite train that chugs the 300 kilometers between Zermatt and St. Mortiz. It can be considered the “slowest express train in the world”, but don’t let that put you off; the route gives way to some of the most breathtaking landscapes, especially in winter.

“In just eight hours we glide from the majestic Matterhorn over the Swiss Alps to St. Moritz,” says Glacier Express team member Mika Geiger, “and the panoramic windows offer a clear view of snow-capped peaks and breathtaking landscapes up to the ceiling.” In the colder months, a white blanket adds an extra dose of coziness to the small villages, alpine valleys and dense forests that pass by. It’s almost like driving through a snow globe, but on a grand scale.

Are you already dreaming of this photogenic train journey? Read on to find out everything you need to know about riding the Glacier Express.

Route and schedule

The Glacier Express train runs in both directions between Zermatt and St. Mortiz, two of the most famous winter sports destinations in Switzerland. The service operates largely year-round, but the service stops from mid-October to early December. Although the full eight-hour journey is the original (and most popular) route, passengers can also hop on and off at Brig, AndermatChur, Fillisur and Samedan, depending on the exact route of the train. Here you will find the summer and winter timetables and train stops on the Glacier Express website.

According to Geiger, you should choose the route based on the landscape you want to see and how long you want to travel. If you want to experience something similar to the Polar Express, definitely book a winter trip. In good winters, she says, you can “admire the metre-high walls of snow around Zermatt and St. Moritz and on the Oberalp Pass, which is also the highest point of the trip,” she says. “When the sun shines in breathtaking beauty, there is a fascinating contrast between the clear blue sky and the glistening white snow – a sight that warms my heart and brings the magic of winter to life.”

Tickets and reservations

There are a few ways you can book tickets, but the easiest way is to go through the website Glacier Express website. Here you can buy your ticket (the price varies depending on the duration of the trip) and your seat reservation. Seat reservations are required and reservations for second or first class can be booked up to 93 days in advance; a reservation for an Excellence class can be booked at any time. The fare can be purchased at a later date.

The second class fare ranges from $42 to $180 (for the entire eight-hour trip). The first class fare starts at $71 and reaches $308 for the trip between Zermatt and St. Mortiz. The Excellence class fare is a flat rate of $308. Anyone with an active Swiss travel passEurail Pass, Interrail Pass or GA Travel Card – which covers the fare for the entire route – still requires you to reserve a seat for an additional fee. Reservations for second or first class cost $55 for long trips and $50 for short trips (available only in summer, or upon request in winter); Reservations for excellence classes start at approximately $555.

Geiger recommends booking your seat reservation well in advance. Seats often sell out during the most popular seasons, summer and winter.

Classes of service

There are three classes aboard the Glacier Express: second class, first class and excellence class. Second and first class are quite similar in terms of offering – pre-ordered meals, Wi-Fi, power sockets and roll-down windows improve the passenger experience – but the seating is slightly different. In the second class, four chairs face each other at each table; in first class, one side of the train has two seats facing each other, while the other side has four.

The Excellence class goes up a few more levels, starting at the welcome desk. When checking in, passengers can choose to drop off their luggage so they can board hands-free. Perhaps the most glamorous aspect of the superlative cabin is the luxurious leather seating, arranged with just two window seats facing each other at a table. When you get into the 20-seater car, you will be welcomed with a glass of champagne and an aperitif platter; a personal wellness concierge will also ensure your entire trip is seamless. While second and first class passengers have a headset that they can use for the audio guide en route, Excellence class passengers have tablets and headphones that they can monitor during the journey.

Another important difference from the other two service classes is the food and drink offering. Those in Excellence class enjoy a seasonal five-course meal (including wine and non-alcoholic drinks) and have exclusive access to the Glacier Bar for cocktails and more wine, if they wish.

What to expect on board

Eight hours may seem like a long time to travel by train, but this is the kind of journey that flies by. In addition, the spacious seats are equipped with armrests and pillows, so you can drive comfortably. The most obvious feature of the Glacier Express – and why it is such an incredible experience – is its windows and skylights, which allow for panoramic views of the entire route. With this in mind, Geiger advises passengers to bring a camera and sunglasses.

Although you may be tempted to take photos all the time, previous passengers note that glare and reflections can cause problems with the images. Geiger suggests using a polarizing filter or going to the windows near the entry door, which can be lowered for better photos.

Food and drink are a highlight for many Glacier Express travelers, especially those hoping for their own Hogwarts Express-like experience. All meals are prepared on board and include regional and seasonal ingredients; the wine also comes from the cantons of Valais and Graubünden. In addition to the pre-ordered meal in second and first class, snacks and drinks are available for purchase, but you are also free to bring your own food and drinks. Everyone in the excellence class can enjoy free drinks, snacks and afternoon tea in addition to the meal.

Interesting points

If you’ve booked a seat on the Glacier Express, you’re looking for some of the best views in the world – and the journey won’t disappoint. In summer you’ll see lush alpine meadows, wildflowers and waterfalls. Come winter the landscape will change dramatically and snow will cover everything: the mountains, the forests and the charming Swiss cities. Regardless of when you choose to drive, there are several considerations you should be aware of.

In Zermattthe Matterhorn towers almost 15,000 feet in the air. The shrinking Rhône Glacier, the train’s namesake, is the source of the Rhône River and a popular photo opportunity. At 2,000 meters above sea level, the Oberalp Pass is the highest point of the journey and home to an unexpected sight: a lighthouse. “The lighthouse is the exact copy, albeit on a smaller scale, of a lighthouse that once stood in Rotterdam, where the Rhine flows into the sea. So make sure you look out the window before you reach the station at the Oberalp Pass to catch a glimpse,” says Geiger.

The Rhine Gorge, also known as the ‘Grand Canyon of Switzerland’, is particularly breathtaking and the train offers views of cliffs, vineyards (in the warmer months) and the river below. You may recognize the Landwasser Viaduct, an iconic railway bridge that curves into the Landwasser Tunnel; As you cross the viaduct, you can enjoy the view of dense forests and impressive mountains. Other major attractions include the Solis Viaduct, the Engadin Valley and the Engadin Lakes.