The Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz (or Vice Versa)
The Glacier Express runs between Zermatt, in the shadow of the Matterhorn in the western Swiss Alps, and St. Moritz, the glamorous resort town in the Engadin valley of canton Graubรผnden. The full journey covers roughly 291 kilometres and crosses 291 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels, and crests the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres above sea level. That last fact alone tells you why this train has earned a reputation as one of the great rail journeys of the world.
The trip takes around eight hours in total. Trains run in both directions daily, so there is no single correct way to do it. Many travellers choose to start in Zermatt because the early morning light on the mountains west of Andermatt is particularly spectacular. Others begin in St. Moritz to take advantage of afternoon light over the Matterhorn as they arrive. If you are joining from Zurich, a well-planned itinerary can connect you to Zermatt the evening before, setting you up for a full scenic day. A guided option like the Swiss Alps train tour from Zurich with Glacier Express handles the logistics of rail passes and reserved seats, which is worth considering because seat reservations are mandatory on this route regardless of what Swiss pass you hold.
The train is operated jointly by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and Rhaetian Railway. Panoramic windows stretch almost to the ceiling of the carriages, and most seats face the glass for unobstructed views. Meals and drinks are served at your seat, which is a practical perk on an eight-hour journey through some of the most rugged terrain in Europe.
Key Stops Along the Way and Practical Tips
Between the two endpoints, the Glacier Express stops at several towns worth knowing about. Visp, Brig, Fiesch, and Andermatt are the main stations in the first half of the journey. After climbing over the Oberalp Pass, the train descends into Disentis, then continues through Ilanz and Chur before heading into the Engadin toward the final stop at St. Moritz.
Andermatt is a logical place to break the journey if you want to spend a night in the Alps without the price tag of St. Moritz. It sits at an elevation of around 1,400 metres and has become a genuinely lively mountain town in recent years, with good restaurants and hiking trails that are far less crowded than those around Zermatt.
St. Moritz, the eastern terminus, sits at 1,856 metres and connects easily onward to Italy via the Bernina line. If you are extending your trip south, the Bernina Red Train day trip from Milan covers the dramatic descent from St. Moritz to Tirano and is a natural continuation of the alpine rail experience. Alternatively, the Bernina Train private tour from St. Moritz adds a stop at Lake Como, making it a flexible option for travellers heading toward Milan.
A few practical notes before you travel: book your Glacier Express seat reservation at least a few weeks in advance, especially in July and August when the train fills up fast. First class offers slightly wider seats and a bit more elbow room, but the views from second class are identical. Bring layers regardless of the season, as temperatures at the Oberalp Pass summit can drop noticeably even on a warm summer day.
