Swiss Scenic Trains: Glacier & Bernina Express — 8 Nights
Switzerland by its famous panoramic railways — the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz, the Bernina Express over the pass, and the Gotthard route to Lucerne — with the Matterhorn and Lake Lugano in between.
- Duration
- 8 Nights / 9 Days
- Destinations
- Zurich · Zermatt · St Moritz · Lucerne
- Travel style
- Cultural · Honeymoon · Luxury
- Stays
- Comfort standard
- Meals
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Transfers
- Private airport transfer
Journey overview
Switzerland by its famous panoramic railways — the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz, the Bernina Express over the pass, and the Gotthard route to Lucerne — with the Matterhorn and Lake Lugano in between.
Photographs: Zurich, Switzerland Over the Limmat River — SeanPavone via Envato Elements
Why you'll love this journey
- The Glacier Express, eight hours from Zermatt to St Moritz through 91 tunnels and over the Landwasser viaduct, in a panoramic car with a reserved seat
- The Bernina Express over the 2,253-metre Bernina Pass, the highest railway crossing of the Alps
- Two nights in car-free Zermatt with the Gornergrat railway and the Matterhorn
- Two nights in St Moritz in the Engadine, with the lakes and the Muottas Muragl funicular
- Lugano for two nights — the Swiss lake with an Italian accent — and Swissminiatur
- The Gotthard route north to Lucerne, by boat and train in season
- A Swiss Travel Pass covering the regular network, with seat reservations on every panoramic service
- Hand-picked hotels and private transfers throughout
Day-by-day itinerary
Met at the airport and driven into the city, with the old town on both banks of the Limmat and the lakefront for the evening. Overnight in Zurich.
South through the Lötschberg tunnel to Visp and up the Matter valley on the narrow-gauge line to car-free Zermatt, with the Matterhorn at the head of the valley. Overnight in Zermatt.
The Gornergrat railway to 3,089 metres with the Matterhorn across the valley and the glaciers below; a walk down one stage to the Riffelsee for the reflection, and the village in the afternoon. Overnight in Zermatt.
The day the journey is named for: eight hours in a panoramic car from Zermatt down the Rhône valley, up over the Oberalp Pass, along the Rhine gorge and over the Landwasser viaduct into the Engadine, with lunch served at your seat. Overnight in St Moritz.
The Muottas Muragl funicular for the view down the chain of Engadine lakes, and a slow afternoon by the lake or at the Segantini museum. Overnight in St Moritz.
Over the Bernina Pass past the Morteratsch glacier and the Lago Bianco, down the spiral viaduct at Brusio to Tirano in Italy, and on by the Bernina Express bus along Lake Como to Lugano — or by train in winter. Overnight in Lugano.
The lake by boat to Gandria, the Monte San Salvatore funicular for the view, and the miniature Switzerland at Swissminiatur for families. A Ticino evening on the piazza. Overnight in Lugano.
North by the Gotthard Panorama Express in season — a boat across Lake Lucerne joined to the train over the old Gotthard mountain line — or through the base tunnel in winter. The Chapel Bridge and the lakefront for the last evening. Overnight in Lucerne.
An hour by train to Zurich and the private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Make this journey yours
Every departure is planned around your dates, your pace and your stays. Tell us what matters and a specialist replies within 24 hours (Mon–Sat) with a tailored proposal.
Inclusions & exclusions
Included
- 8 nights in hand-picked hotels chosen to your budget and style — Zurich (1), Zermatt (2), St Moritz (2), Lugano (2), Lucerne (1)
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Swiss Travel Pass (2nd class) covering trains, boats and public transport for your days in Switzerland
- Glacier Express panoramic car from Zermatt to St Moritz with seat reservation
- Bernina Express panoramic car from St Moritz to Tirano with seat reservation, and the onward connection to Lugano
- Gornergrat railway excursion from Zermatt
- Gotthard route from Lugano to Lucerne, by the Gotthard Panorama Express boat-and-train in season or the Gotthard base tunnel service in winter
- Private airport transfers on arrival and departure at Zurich, and electric taxi transfers in Zermatt
- 24/7 on-trip support from Live Traveller, with a named specialist before you travel
Not included
- International flights to Zurich and back — we can quote and book these for you
- Schengen visa fees and travel insurance — we guide you through the application and documents, but both are arranged and paid separately
- Lunches and dinners unless stated in the itinerary
- Optional excursions, city taxes paid locally at the hotel, tips and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Accommodation, meals & transport
What the journey covers day to day, taken from this package's own inclusions.
🏨 Accommodation
- Comfort standard
- 8 nights in hand-picked hotels chosen to your budget and style — Zurich (1), Zermatt (2), St Moritz (2), Lugano (2), Lucerne (1)
🍽 Meals
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
🚆 Transport
- Swiss Travel Pass (2nd class) covering trains, boats and public transport for your days in Switzerland
- Glacier Express panoramic car from Zermatt to St Moritz with seat reservation
- Bernina Express panoramic car from St Moritz to Tirano with seat reservation, and the onward connection to Lugano
- Gotthard route from Lugano to Lucerne, by the Gotthard Panorama Express boat-and-train in season or the Gotthard base tunnel service in winter
- Private airport transfers on arrival and departure at Zurich, and electric taxi transfers in Zermatt
- Private airport transfer
- Train via Visp
- Cogwheel railway
- Glacier Express
- Funicular
- Bernina Express & bus
- Boat & funicular
- Boat & train
- Train & private transfer
Flights, visa & practical
Arranged separately from the journey itself — listed here so there are no surprises.
✈ Flights
- International flights to Zurich and back — we can quote and book these for you
🛂 Visa & insurance
- Schengen visa fees and travel insurance — we guide you through the application and documents, but both are arranged and paid separately
Every journey is quoted individually for your travel dates and party. Read our pricing terms for how a quotation is prepared. Cancellations and amendments follow our Refund & Cancellation Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Frequently asked
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