The Glacier Express in 2026
The Glacier Express does not run between 11 October and 4 December 2026. That is the seasonal pause, and it is the period we are in now. The winter timetable is valid from 5 December 2026 to 7 May 2027, with an example departure that runs from 08:50 to 16:37, which works out at 7 hours 47 minutes. This is a winter timetable and not a summer one, so do not expect the summer departure times to match.
If you plan the journey for later in the winter, you can already book. The seat reservation for first and second class opens up to 93 days ahead, and the ticket up to 180 days ahead. The Swiss Travel Pass is accepted on the train, but the reservation is separate and costs extra.
Our picks: Glacier Express day trips
Both guided days include a rail pass, a Glacier Express seat reservation and a local guide, so you choose by your starting city, Zurich or Basel. The Glacier Express is paused until 4 December 2026, so book a date after that.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Glacier Express day trip from Basel with local guide
- Local guide
- Standard rail pass
- Glacier Express seat reservation
The route section follows the day programme, so this is not a ticket for the whole route. The Glacier Express is paused until 4 December 2026, so choose a later date.
Check availability →
Glacier Express day trip from Zurich with local guide
- Local guide
- Standard rail pass
- Glacier Express seat reservation
Check which route section the day programme covers, as this is not a ticket for the whole route. The Glacier Express is paused until 4 December 2026, so choose a later date.
Check availability →Scenic train journeys in the Swiss Alps
Guided day tours by rail and other scenic journeys in the Swiss Alps, with live prices and availability.
Glacier Express route
From Zermatt across the Alps to St. Moritz.
The Glacier Express route runs from Zermatt via Brig, Andermatt, Disentis and Chur to St. Moritz. It crosses the Alps from Valais through central Switzerland and into Graubünden. Andermatt is only a stop along the way, and St. Moritz is the end of the line.
The ride is long, so decide in advance whether you want the whole route or a section. The other panoramic line in the east is the Bernina Express, which has its own page, and our Swiss Alps train page compares the lines. Because the timetable changes with the season, check the exact departure for your date.
Prices and seat reservations
How the cost of the journey is built up.
The price of a Glacier Express journey has two parts. First comes the ordinary rail fare for the section you ride, and then the compulsory seat reservation. A Glacier Express Excellence Class is an additional product on top of a first-class ticket. Because fares and reservation prices depend on the class, the season and the timetable year, we do not list amounts here. Check the current fare and reservation price with the operator before you book.
Children under 6 travel free, and children from 6 to under 16 pay half the fare. The reservation surcharge is not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, so it is paid in addition. Our Swiss Travel Pass guide explains what the pass covers and where reservations come on top. Tickets and reservations can be booked well ahead, up to 180 days and 93 days respectively.
Starting in Zermatt
The western end of the line.
The route starts in Zermatt, the car-free village in Valais. Private cars stop in Täsch, and from there you continue by shuttle or an approved transfer. If you want to begin your trip there, the guide to the Glacier Express from Zermatt describes the village and the departure in detail.
Guided Glacier Express day tours
Day tours from Zurich and Basel with a rail pass.
Two guided day tours use the Glacier Express and combine it with a day in the Alps. One starts at Zurich Hauptbahnhof and one at Basel SBB. Both include a local guide, a standard rail pass and a Glacier Express seat reservation, and you meet the guide at the station, with instructions sent after booking. Lunch is not included, but you can buy it by card on board. Tips are not included either.
The tours cover a section of the line as part of the day programme, not the whole route from Zermatt to St. Moritz, so look at the programme to see which stretch you ride. Because the trains do not run until 5 December 2026, check which dates are available when you book. For other train options in the Alps, see the Swiss Alps train page and the Bernina Express page.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Glacier Express run in November 2026?
No. The seasonal pause lasts from 11 October to 4 December 2026. The winter timetable starts on 5 December 2026.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Glacier Express?
The pass is accepted on the train, but the seat reservation is booked separately and costs extra. Children under 6 travel free.
How far ahead can I book?
A seat reservation for first and second class is possible up to 93 days ahead, and the ticket up to 180 days ahead.
Which stations does the route pass?
Zermatt, Brig, Andermatt, Disentis, Chur and St. Moritz.