Experiences
Bernina Express and Glacier Express: how to ride the most famous trains in the Alps
Panoramic windows, viaducts and glaciers just outside the glass. How to choose between the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express, where to stop and where to stay.
The train comes out of a tunnel and suddenly runs along a narrow bridge high above a valley. A river runs below, a glacier sits straight ahead, and the windows curve all the way up into the roof. That is why people take the train through the Swiss Alps, even when the car would be quicker.
The Glacier Express and the Bernina Express are the two best-known scenic trains in Switzerland. Here is how they differ, how to book, what to look out for along the way and where to stay at each end of the journey.
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Glacier Express: Zermatt to St. Moritz
The Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz and takes around eight hours for the full route. It is often called the slowest express train in the world, and that is the point. You sit in a carriage with huge panoramic windows, lunch is served at your seat and the mountains slide past.
Journey time: around eight hours end to end, but you can ride just part of the route.
Tickets: you need a standard rail ticket plus a seat reservation. Book the reservation early in high season.
Highlights: the Oberalp Pass, the Rhine Gorge and the Landwasser Viaduct, where the train runs straight into the rock face.
Book the experience: See tours and activities in Zermatt
Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Zermatt is car-free and you arrive by train. Give yourself a day or two here before the Glacier Express. The Gornergrat railway climbs to the classic view of the Matterhorn and the glaciers around it, and in winter the lifts leave straight from the village.
Bernina Express: over the Alps to Italy
The Bernina Express runs from Chur or St. Moritz over the Bernina Pass and down to Tirano in Italy. The Albula and Bernina line is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the train climbs its steep gradients without a rack. In a few hours you go from glaciers to palm trees and Italian cafés.
Ospizio Bernina: the highest point of the route, looking over Lago Bianco and the surrounding glaciers.
Alp Grüm: a tiny station facing the Palü Glacier. Many people get off here and catch a later train.
Brusio: the circular viaduct where the train loops a full circle to drop into the valley.
Book the experience: See tours and activities in St. Moritz
Which train should you choose?
One day only: the Bernina Express. It is shorter, the scenery changes constantly and you can return by bus or train the same day.
See as much of Switzerland as possible: the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz, then the Bernina Express the next day.
Travelling with children: split the journey. Eight hours on a train is a long time, even with a view.
Both trains run all year. In winter the landscape is white and quiet, and in summer you can combine the ride with walks from the stations.
Where to stay in Zermatt and St. Moritz
The Glacier Express starts or ends in Zermatt and St. Moritz, and the Bernina Express leaves from St. Moritz. That makes these two resorts the natural bases for the trip.
Mont Cervin Palace
A classic grand hotel in the heart of Zermatt.
Mont Cervin Palace
Mont Cervin Palace is a classic grand hotel in the middle of the car-free village, a short walk from the station where the Glacier Express departs. There is a restaurant and a bar, and both the train and the lifts towards the Matterhorn are within walking distance.
Book your stay: See rooms at Mont Cervin Palace
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
A long-established hotel in the village centre.
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
The Zermatterhof sits in the centre of Zermatt and is one of the village's long-established hotels. A good choice if you want to stay central, eat well and have a short walk to the station on the day you move on.
Book your stay: See rooms at Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Badrutt's Palace Hotel
The best-known hotel in St. Moritz.
Badrutt's Palace Hotel
Badrutt's Palace is the best-known hotel in St. Moritz, with a tower you can see from much of the town and views over Lake St. Moritz. Stay here in style before taking the Bernina Express down to Italy.
Book your stay: See rooms at Badrutt's Palace Hotel
Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
A historic hotel above Lake St. Moritz.
Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
The Kulm stands high above the lake and is among the oldest hotels in St. Moritz. It has a spa, a restaurant and a bar, and suits a couple of quiet days in the Engadine before or after the train.
Book your stay: See rooms at Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
When is the best time to ride the trains?
June to September: green valleys, open mountain paths and the most daylight. Also the busiest time, so book seats early.
December to March: snowy peaks and ski season in Zermatt and St. Moritz. The light is low and beautiful, but the days are short.
Spring and autumn: fewer people. Check the timetable, as some services pause outside the main seasons.
Bernina Express and Glacier Express FAQ
How long does the Glacier Express take?
The full route between Zermatt and St. Moritz takes around eight hours. You can also ride just part of it.
Where does the Bernina Express go?
The Bernina Express runs from Chur or St. Moritz over the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Italy.
Do I need to reserve a seat?
Yes. Both trains require a seat reservation on top of your ticket, and seats sell out quickly in high season.
Where should I stay?
Zermatt and St. Moritz are the best bases. Zermatt is car-free and sits beneath the Matterhorn, while St. Moritz is the starting point for the Bernina Express.
Can I take the trains in winter?
Yes, both run all year. The winter ride brings snowy mountains and a completely different light from summer.