Glacier Express Trip From Zürich Tickets: Private Guide, Gourmet Lunch on Board and a Full Alpine Round Trip

Your day starts with a 1.5-hour scheduled train ride from Zürich to Chur in 2nd class. From Chur, you board the iconic Glacier Express panoramic train for a 4-hour ride through the Swiss Alps to Brig, with a reserved seat included. A 3-course gourmet lunch is served directly at your seat during this leg, with a vegetarian option available on request. Headphones and written commentary are provided on board so you can follow the landscapes as they pass.

A private Swiss tour guide travels exclusively with your party for the entire day, offering personal insight into the scenery, history, and culture along the route. The return journey from Brig to Zürich takes around 2 hours on a scheduled train, also in 2nd class. Your One Day Train Pass covers all rail travel on the day. Drinks are not included and can be purchased separately on board.

The total trip runs 600 minutes, roughly 10 hours door to door. That sounds long, but most of it is spent in a seat watching some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Europe roll past your window. The Glacier Express section between Chur and Brig is the centrepiece. The train crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels on this stretch alone, reaching its highest point at the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres above sea level.

Chur is Switzerland's oldest city and worth a quick look if you arrive early. Brig sits at the foot of the Simplon Pass and has a striking Renaissance castle in the town centre. You will not have structured sightseeing time in either town on this itinerary, but your private guide can point out the highlights from the platform or during transfer time.

This is a seated, low-activity day. You spend the vast majority of time on trains, so it suits travellers of most fitness levels. The panoramic carriages have large windows designed specifically for sightseeing, and the 2nd class seats on the Glacier Express are comfortable and well-positioned for views. Families, couples, and solo travellers all book this regularly, and the private guide format means the pace and commentary adapt to your group.

The tour runs on a scheduled train timetable, so punctuality at each boarding point matters. Your guide will keep the group on track. With a 4.4 out of 5 rating across 35 reviews in 2026, the feedback consistently highlights the guide quality and the lunch as standout elements of the experience.

The price is $749 per person, which covers everything listed in the inclusions: private guide, One Day Train Pass, all seat reservations, the Glacier Express journey, the 3-course on-board lunch, and all taxes and fees. There are no hidden extras beyond drinks, which you pay for directly on the train.

This is a non-refundable booking. All sales are final, and no refund is available if you need to cancel, regardless of the reason. If your travel plans have any uncertainty, consider whether travel insurance with a cancellation clause is right for you before booking. Secure your spot early, especially for travel in peak Alpine season, as Glacier Express seat reservations sell out well in advance.