The Glacier Express, from Zermatt to St. Moritz in a day
Route, timetable, classes, seasons, booking, luggage and the question of where to sit, checked against the railway’s own pages, plus how we use the train to link two chalet weeks in Switzerland.
The Glacier Express is a panoramic train that runs between Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, and St. Moritz in the Engadin, in either direction, in about eight hours. Every passenger needs a ticket plus a mandatory seat reservation, both sold on the official website, and there are three classes: 2nd, 1st and Excellence. It runs daily except for an annual break from mid-October to early December.
It is not a fast way to cross Switzerland, and it is not meant to be. The point is the day itself: a meal served at your seat, the Oberalp Pass, the Rhine Gorge and the Landwasser Viaduct passing behind wide windows, and arrival in a second resort without a single motorway. For guests who split a winter or a summer between our luxury chalets in Zermatt and our chalets in St. Moritz, it is the most elegant way to change valleys.
This guide covers what we are asked most often: the route and timings, the difference between the classes, when the train does and does not run, how booking works, what happens to your luggage (skis included), and how to plan the changeover day between two residences. We do not quote fares: they depend on class, date and any travel pass you hold, and they are published on the railway’s website.
The Glacier Express in verified figures
Checked against official sources, so you can plan with confidence.
The full journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz takes around 8 hours, with meals served on board.
Source: glacierexpress.chThe route covers 291 km between St. Moritz, Chur, Andermatt, Brig and Zermatt.
Source: myswitzerland.comThe train crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels.
Source: glacierexpress.chThe Oberalp Pass, at 2,033 m above sea level, is the highest point of the journey.
Source: glacierexpress.chThe Albula Line between Thusis and St. Moritz, with the 65 m high Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur, has been part of a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2008.
Source: glacierexpress.chThe train does not run from 11 October to 4 December 2026; the winter timetable then applies from 5 December 2026 to 7 May 2027.
Source: glacierexpress.chThe Glacier Express route, stop by stop
The line climbs out of Zermatt through the Mattertal to Brig in the Rhône Valley, runs up the Rhône Valley and through the Furka base tunnel to Andermatt, crosses the Oberalp Pass, follows the young Rhine through the Rhine Gorge to Chur, then takes the Albula Line, with its spiral tunnels and viaducts, up to the Engadin and St. Moritz. Passengers can board or leave at Zermatt, Brig, Andermatt, Chur, Filisur, Samedan and St. Moritz, so a shorter section is possible, though the Excellence Class only sells the full journey.
The table below follows the second morning departure from Zermatt on the 2026/27 winter timetable. It is a guide to the rhythm of the day; always confirm the times for your date on the official timetable before you plan transfers.
| Stop | Train PE 9022 (winter 2026/27) | What you see around it |
|---|---|---|
| Zermatt | Departs 08:50 | About 10 minutes out, the Bis Glacier appears on the left in the direction of travel |
| Brig | 10:04 to 10:14 | The Rhône Valley, then the climb towards the Furka base tunnel |
| Andermatt | 11:46 to 12:00 | A village at 1,444 m, then the climb to the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 m |
| Disentis | 13:02 to 13:14 | Descent from the Oberalp towards the Rhine valley |
| Chur | 14:25 to 14:34 | Just before Chur, the Rhine Gorge between Ilanz and Reichenau |
| Filisur | 15:41 | The Landwasser Viaduct, then the Albula Line climbing to the Engadin |
| Samedan | 16:29 | The Upper Engadin plateau |
| St. Moritz | Arrives 16:37 | End of the line, a short drive from our St. Moritz chalets |
Times from the official Zermatt to St. Moritz winter timetable valid 5 December 2026 to 7 May 2027; where two times are shown, the train arrives and then departs. An earlier train (PE 920, departing 07:50) runs only on some dates. Timetables can change without notice.
2nd class, 1st class or Excellence Class, and which side to sit
All three classes share the same panoramic windows, so the scenery does not change with the ticket. What changes is the service around it. In 1st and 2nd class, meals are prepared in the on-board kitchen and served at your seat, and you can pre-order up to 48 hours before departure. Excellence Class is a different product: a lounge carriage for about twenty passengers, a guaranteed window seat, a concierge, a five-course regional menu with wine pairing, and access to the bar at the end of the carriage.
Which side to sit is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is that there is no reliable best side for the whole day. The railway itself states that a seat in a given direction of travel cannot be guaranteed, because the train reverses during the journey. Its only side-specific tip is the Bis Glacier, on the left about ten minutes after leaving Zermatt. If a window matters more than anything else, Excellence Class is the only class that guarantees one.
| 2nd class | 1st class | Excellence Class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket needed | 2nd class ticket or pass, plus seat reservation | 1st class ticket or pass, plus seat reservation | 1st class ticket or pass, plus Excellence seat reservation |
| Windows | Panoramic | Panoramic | Panoramic, window seat guaranteed |
| Food | Meals served at your seat, to order or pre-order | Meals served at your seat, to order or pre-order | Aperitif and five-course menu with wine included |
| Sections | Full route or part of it | Full route or part of it | Full route only |
| Luggage | Racks at the end of each carriage | Racks at the end of each carriage | Handed in at the welcome desk, stored in a separate section |
| Best for | Travellers who mainly want the views | Couples and families who want the same views with a 1st class ticket | A celebration, or a changeover day treated as part of the holiday |
Prices for each class are published on the official website and change with dates and travel cards.
When the Glacier Express runs, summer, winter and the break
The railway works with two timetables: a summer timetable from May to October and a winter timetable from December to April or early May. Between them comes the annual break, from mid-October to early December, when the train does not run at all. In 2026 that break runs from 11 October to 4 December, which matters if you are planning an early-season week in the mountains.
- Winter: snow from end to end, and the train fits naturally between two ski weeks. Check the train you need on your exact date, as some departures run only during set periods (the 07:50 from Zermatt, for example, runs from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 and from 30 January to 7 May 2027).
- Spring 2027: engineering work closes the Rhine Gorge section from 17 April to 2 May 2027, with a replacement bus between Chur and Disentis, and Excellence carriages are withdrawn from some trains in the second half of April. Avoid those dates if the full train experience is the point.
- Summer: green valleys, longer light, and short summer-only sections on some trains. It pairs well with a summer chalet stay in either resort.
- Booking windows: bookings for the winter timetable from December open in mid-October, so the start of the break is also the moment to reserve for the festive season.
How to book, step by step on the official website
- Fix the direction and the date
Decide whether you travel Zermatt to St. Moritz or the reverse, and check your date falls outside the annual break and any engineering closure. If you are moving between two chalets, the train date is the check-out day of the first and the check-in day of the second.
- Choose the class
Excellence Class is sold for the full journey only and requires a valid 1st class ticket. For 1st and 2nd class, decide whether you travel the full route or a section.
- Book as early as the system allows
On the official Glacier Express booking page, tickets go on sale 180 days before travel and seat reservations for 1st and 2nd class 93 days before. Excellence Class can be reserved for the whole timetable period.
- Add the seat reservation even with a pass
The reservation is mandatory for every passenger, including holders of travel passes that cover the fare itself. Children under 6 travel free without a seat unless you reserve one (recommended when the train is full); in Excellence Class they need a ticket and a reservation.
- Pre-order the meal
In 1st and 2nd class, meals can be pre-ordered up to 48 hours before departure. Payment on board is cashless only.
- Arrange the bags and both ends of the day
Book any luggage forwarding by 5 pm the day before (see below), and organise the transfer from your chalet to the station and from the arrival station to the next residence.
Glacier Express luggage, and what to do with skis
Space on board is limited. Large suitcases go in racks at the end of each carriage, smaller bags under or between the seats, and the railway recommends no more than one extra piece beyond hand luggage per person. Ski luggage, golf bags, oversized luggage, bicycles and e-scooters are not carried at all, which surprises many winter travellers.
For individual travellers, the railway recommends a door-to-door luggage service that collects from and delivers to any address in Switzerland, with delivery guaranteed by 6 pm on the day of travel if booked online by 5 pm the day before. Groups of ten or more can use the Swiss railways’ group luggage service, which collects at 7 am on the Zermatt to St. Moritz run so the bags arrive in time. For a full chalet party, this is usually the simplest way to travel light.
- Keep a day bag with medication, documents and evening clothes for the first night, in case the main bags arrive late in the evening.
- For skis, either hire equipment locally in the second resort or have your own sent by road; our concierge can arrange the transfer on request.
- In Excellence Class, luggage is handed in at the welcome desk on the platform and kept in a separate section of the train.
Combining a Zermatt chalet week with a St. Moritz chalet week
The two resorts are very different, which is exactly why a fortnight split between them works. Zermatt is a car-free village facing the Matterhorn; St. Moritz is a lakeside town in the wide Engadin valley, with the Corviglia slopes above it. Our comparison of Zermatt and St. Moritz helps decide which one deserves the longer stay, and our guides to getting to and around Zermatt and St. Moritz and the Engadin cover arrival from the airports.
Either direction works. Starting in Zermatt and ending in St. Moritz means a morning departure and an arrival in the late afternoon light of the Engadin. Starting in St. Moritz suits guests who want to finish with the Matterhorn. What matters most is that the residences are booked as one plan, so the check-out and check-in times match the train.
- Book both chalets before the train: Excellence seats and festive-season dates go first, and some of our residences are available without being published online.
- For a large group, the group luggage service and an early check-in at the second chalet make the day far easier than juggling suitcases on the platform.
- If you want only part of the ride, the train can be left at Andermatt or Chur and the journey finished another way.
| Moment | Zermatt to St. Moritz: how we organise it |
|---|---|
| Evening before | Bags not travelling with you are packed and booked for forwarding by 5 pm; skis are handed over for a road transfer or returned to the rental shop |
| Morning | Check-out timed to the train. Chalet Zeyr is about six minutes on foot from Zermatt station; at Chalet Anelle an electric taxi meets guests at the station on arrival and departure |
| On board | Lunch at your seat or the Excellence menu; the afternoon brings the Rhine Gorge and the Albula Line |
| Arrival | Pick-up at St. Moritz station arranged by our concierge. Chalet Azelia and Chalet Gus each have a private chauffeur available daily, from the morning until 11 pm |
| First evening | Check-in arranged for the train’s arrival, forwarded luggage delivered, and dinner by a private chef on request |
Reverse the order for St. Moritz to Zermatt. Timings depend on the train and the date chosen.
Our chalets at each end of the line
Chalets in Zermatt and four in St. Moritz, all visited by our team, to pair for a two-resort stay.
Zermatt and St. Moritz chalets side by side
Match a Zermatt residence and a St. Moritz residence of similar size, so the whole party moves together.
| Residence | Guests | Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Living area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chalet ZeyrZermatt | 12 | 6 | 7 | 565 m² | Sauna, Massage Room, Jacuzzi, Gym, Elevator |
| Chalet AnelleZermatt | 12 | 6 | 6 | 692 m² | Nordic Bath, Hammam, Sauna, Massage Room, Jacuzzi |
| Chalet AzeliaSt. Moritz | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1,000 m² | Indoor Pool, Cinema Room, Hammam, Massage Room, Jacuzzi |
| Chalet GusSt. Moritz | 20 | 9 | 9 | 930 m² | Indoor Pool, Wine Cellar, Hammam, Sauna, Massage Room |
| Chalet NoreSt. Moritz | 15 | 6 | 7 | 467 m² | Indoor Pool, Cinema Room, Hammam, Sauna, Massage Room |
| Chalet CalistaSt. Moritz | 20 | 7 | 8 | 744 m² | Indoor Pool |
Rates are on request and depend on dates and services. Your advisor confirms availability and the final details of every residence.
One advisor, two resorts, one changeover day
A two-chalet holiday only feels effortless when someone owns the day in between.
Times that match
We align the check-out in one resort and the check-in in the other with the train you choose, rather than standard arrival times.
Both ends covered
Station transfers in Zermatt and a pick-up in St. Moritz, with the chalet’s chauffeur where the residence has one.
Bags and skis handled
We remind you of the luggage deadlines and arrange the road transfer for skis and extra bags on request.
Residences we know
Every chalet is visited by our team, so we can pair two houses that suit the same group.
Glacier Express questions
Anything else? Our team in Paris answers personally, usually within the day.
Ask our teamHow long is the Glacier Express journey?
The full journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz takes around eight hours, according to the railway. On the 2026/27 winter timetable, the 08:50 from Zermatt reaches St. Moritz at 16:37. Shorter sections are possible, since passengers can board or leave at Brig, Andermatt, Chur, Filisur and Samedan, but Excellence Class is sold for the full route only.
How much is the Glacier Express?
The fare has two parts: a ticket for your route and class, and a mandatory seat reservation for every passenger. The total depends on the class, the date and any travel card you already hold, and the current figures are published on the official Glacier Express website. Excellence Class adds a supplement on top of a 1st class ticket. Our own services around the journey are on request.
Which side of the Glacier Express is best?
There is no side that wins for the whole day. The railway explains that it cannot guarantee seats in a given direction of travel, because the train reverses during the journey. Its only side-specific tip is the Bis Glacier, visible on the left about ten minutes after leaving Zermatt. All classes have the same panoramic windows, and Excellence Class guarantees a window seat.
Does the Glacier Express run in winter?
Yes. It runs every day on a winter timetable from December to April or early May, and on a summer timetable from May to October. The only gap is the annual break from mid-October to early December: in 2026, no trains run from 11 October to 4 December. Some spring dates in 2027 are affected by engineering work in the Rhine Gorge, with a bus between Chur and Disentis.
Is the Glacier Express covered by the Swiss Travel Pass?
The railway states that the journey is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, but a seat reservation is still required and is not included in the pass. For 1st class and Excellence Class you need a 1st class pass. Reservations for 1st and 2nd class open 93 days before travel, so pass holders should still book early for busy dates.
Can you take skis on the Glacier Express?
No. Ski luggage, golf bags, oversized luggage and bicycles are not carried, and the railway recommends no more than one extra piece of luggage beyond hand luggage. Skis and large bags are best sent ahead by a luggage service or by road. When you move between two of our chalets, Nathalie Nguyen or Adam Haddad can arrange that transfer for you.
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Plan the journey with us
Tell Nathalie Nguyen or Adam Haddad your dates, your group and which resort you want to start in: we pair a chalet in Zermatt with one in St. Moritz, time both stays around the train and organise the transfers and luggage. WhatsApp +33 7 80 98 05 43 or contact@lutetia-group.com; we usually reply within the day.