Ride the panoramic alpine trains through high passes
Glide over soaring stone viaducts, through the Rhine Gorge, and across the 2,033-metre Oberalp Pass aboard the world's slowest express train with ceiling-high glass panoramic windows.
At a glance
Year-round; winter (December to March) offers a pristine snow-covered wonderland; summer provides wildflowers and glacial streams
Morning departure from St. Moritz or Zermatt for the full 8-hour daylight journey through the heart of the Alps
Full day (approx. 7.5 to 8 hours for the complete 291-kilometer journey across 291 bridges and 91 tunnels)
UNESCO World Heritage panoramic rail journey · Premium observation carriage
Easy (pure scenic rail travel; seated with table service)
Advance seat reservation mandatory on top of a valid rail pass or ticket
The pinnacle of Swiss railway engineering across high alpine divides
Inaugurated in 1930, the Glacier Express is proudly celebrated as 'the slowest express train in the world.' Covering 291 kilometres between the glamorous Engadin resort of St. Moritz and the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt, the narrow-gauge train takes eight unhurried hours to traverse the spine of the Swiss Alps, crossing 291 bridges, diving through 91 tunnels, and scaling cogwheel rack sections up to 2,033 metres at the Oberalp Pass.
Through immense panoramic glass windows that curve into the train ceiling, passengers are immersed in a constantly changing IMAX movie of the Alps: the dramatic chalk-white canyons of the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' (Ruinaulta), the curved stone arches of the UNESCO-listed Landwasser Viaduct plunging into a sheer vertical cliff face, and towering alpine glaciers glistening beneath brilliant mountain sunshine while a three-course regional meal with Swiss wine is served right at your seat.
Eight hours aboard the panoramic express
Board your panoramic carriage at St. Moritz
Settle into your plush panoramic seat with personal audio commentary and headphones as the train departs past the sparkling Engadin lakes.
Cross the soaring Landwasser Viaduct
Gaze down from your window as the train curves across the dizzying 65-metre stone arches of the Landwasser Viaduct into a black cliff tunnel.
Scale the Oberalp Pass and descend to Zermatt
Engage the cogwheel rack to climb past alpine snowfields to the Oberalp summit (2,033m), descending into the sunny Rhône Valley before climbing toward the iconic pyramid of the Matterhorn.
Plan your experience
When to go
Year-round (except for an annual maintenance break in November). Winter offers deep snowy gorges and frozen waterfalls; autumn (September to October) features golden larch forests across the Engadin.
Getting there
St. Moritz and Zermatt are both world-class rail hubs directly accessible by SBB Swiss Federal Railways from Zurich, Geneva, or Milan.
Booking & permits
A seat reservation is mandatory (cost varies by season, approx. CHF 39–49) in addition to a valid ticket or Swiss Travel Pass. Reservations open 93 days in advance; book immediately for peak winter and summer dates.
What to bring
- Camera and smartphone with non-reflective lens cloth for panoramic window glass
- Sunglasses (intense high-altitude alpine glare through the curved glass roof)
- Swiss Travel Pass or Eurail Pass (both cover the underlying ticket price)
Before you go
- Pre-order the three-course regional lunch when booking your seat reservation; freshly prepared in the onboard galley kitchen and served at your table.
- For budget flexibility, standard regional Rhaetian Railway trains run along the exact same tracks and allow windows to be pulled down for glare-free photography.
Official information
Always verify permits, seasonal weather conditions and access directly with public authorities:
Official portal for timetable bookings, Excellence Class reservations, catering menus, and route maps.
Official operator of the UNESCO Albula and Bernina railway lines through Graubünden.
Ways to experience it
Ride the complete 8-hour panoramic route from St. Moritz to Zermatt, relaxing with a hot lunch and audio guide as the Alps glide by your window.
Book a seat in 'Excellence Class', featuring a private concierge, guaranteed window seats, champagne reception, and an exclusive seven-course regional tasting menu with wine pairings.
Certified providers & operators
Glacier Express AG
Panoramic train operations & high-alpine dining
Joint venture between Rhätische Bahn (RhB) and Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB)
Swiss Travel System (STS)
All-in-one public transit passes across Switzerland
Official public transit network offering the Swiss Travel Pass covering trains, buses, boats, and mountain discounts