Zermatt
Valais, Switzerland
Beguiling atmosphere, sensational scenery, skiing for all levels – a world-class mountain resort that’s as busy in summer as winter.
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Glacier Express
Credit Shutterstock.com/marlys grisson
Last updated: 26 June, 2023
Europe’s most popular tourist train never leaves the mountains of the Valais and Graubunden in Switzerland, yet it passes through an astonishing variety of landscapes: snow-covered peaks that dwarf the train, the broad Goms Valley, desolate moors above Andermatt, the limestone cliffs of the Rhine gorge, and the breathtaking climb to the Albula Pass through spiral tunnels and horseshoe curves.
The narrow-gauge train carriages have panoramic windows and headphone commentary.
Logistics
Price from: £140
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around
Duration: 7.5 hours
Getting there & doing it
The Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz – both directions are equally popular – and it takes aorund 7.5 hours one way. Opportunities for breaking the journey are fairly limited given the few stops made by the Glacier Express (compared with other services).
Lunch at your seat is provided as an optional extra and there is a buffet car open throughout.
When to do it
The Glacier Express runs all year round, seven days a week, with one daily train running in winter and four in summer.
The journey is spectacular in any season. Clear winter days with snow everywhere are magical, autumn is good for leaf colour and June for spring flowers.
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20 World’s best train rides (< 1 day)
Multiple countries
Be it jaw-dropping scenery, a rich historical significance, the tradition and atmosphere of the train itself – or a combination of all three – here’s our round-up of the world’s best.
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