The Glacier Express is one of Switzerland’s best-known panoramic train journeys, linking Zermatt and St. Moritz across roughly 291 kilometers of Alpine railway. The full journey takes about eight hours and passes over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, with highlights including the Oberalp Pass, Rhine Gorge, Landwasser Viaduct, mountain valleys, villages, and high-Alpine scenery. Reservations are essential, but booking is easier once you understand the difference between your rail ticket and the separate seat reservation.
Quick Answer
To ride the Glacier Express, you need both a valid ticket or qualifying rail pass and a mandatory seat reservation. For 1st and 2nd Class, reservations open 93 days before travel, while tickets are available up to 180 days ahead. Book early, then select your preferred available seat from the official seat map.
Key Takeaways
- The Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz, with shorter sections also available.
- The official travel classes are 2nd Class, 1st Class, and Excellence Class.
- Every traveler needs the correct rail ticket or accepted travel pass plus the mandatory Glacier Express seat reservation.
- For 1st and 2nd Class, seat reservations are currently available from 93 days before travel, while tickets can be purchased up to 180 days ahead.
- There is no single guaranteed “best side” for the whole route because the train changes direction during the journey.
- Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail, Interrail, Half Fare and several other travel cards can reduce or cover the rail-ticket portion, but the Glacier Express seat reservation remains separate.
At a Glance
| Time Required | About 8 hours for the full Zermatt-St. Moritz journey |
| Difficulty | Easy to book online, but popular dates can sell out |
| Tools Needed | Valid ticket or accepted rail pass, mandatory seat reservation, and digital or printed travel documents |
| Cost | Current full-fare examples for the entire route: about CHF 213 in 2nd Class, CHF 326 in 1st Class, or CHF 812 in Excellence Class before applicable rail-pass reductions. Check current official pricing before purchase. |
Glacier Express Route and Journey Highlights
The official Glacier Express route connects the mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz and takes about eight hours from end to end. Glacier Express lists the railway route at approximately 291 kilometers, with 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.
One of the highest and most memorable points is the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters above sea level. Farther east, the train crosses the dramatic Rhine Gorge and follows the Albula railway toward St. Moritz. The 65-meter-high Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur is one of the most recognizable engineering landmarks on the route.
The full Glacier Express route covers about 291 kilometers, crosses 291 bridges, and passes through 91 tunnels on its journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz.
The scenery changes significantly with the season. Winter brings snow-covered valleys and high passes, while warmer months reveal green meadows, mountain lakes, villages, and Alpine flowers. Travelers who do not want to spend the full day on board can also book selected shorter sections of the route.
Types of Glacier Express Seats
The Glacier Express has three official travel classes: 2nd Class, 1st Class, and Excellence Class. All are designed around panoramic sightseeing, but ticket prices, seating arrangements, and included services differ. You can compare current options on the official comfort-class page.
| Class | Best For | Important Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Class | Value-focused travelers | Panoramic sightseeing, reservable seats, onboard infotainment, Wi-Fi, power outlets, audio guide, and meals available separately. |
| 1st Class | Travelers wanting a more premium cabin and more space | Higher rail fare than 2nd Class, with the same panoramic journey and access to onboard services. Meals can be pre-ordered but are not automatically complimentary. |
| Excellence Class | Travelers seeking the premium full-route experience | Requires a valid 1st Class ticket or travel pass plus the Excellence reservation. Includes guaranteed window seating, concierge service, a five-course menu, selected drinks, dedicated infotainment tablet, and access to the Glacier Bar. |
Excellence Class can only be booked for the complete Zermatt-St. Moritz or St. Moritz-Zermatt journey. Its seats are guaranteed window seats, with two seats facing each other at a table. Travelers in 1st and 2nd Class should use the booking seat map to see the exact available positions for their train.
Note: Standard 1st Class Glacier Express travel should not be confused with Excellence Class. Complimentary premium dining, concierge service, and the exclusive Glacier Bar are Excellence Class features, not normal 1st Class benefits.
How to Make a Reservation
Booking the Glacier Express is straightforward once you remember that the trip has two separate parts: your rail ticket or accepted travel pass and your mandatory seat reservation. You can book through the official Glacier Express booking system, at staffed railway stations, or through travel agencies that sell Swiss rail products.
Step 1: Choose Your Route and Class
Select your departure and arrival stations, travel date, and either 2nd Class, 1st Class, or Excellence Class. You can travel the full Zermatt-St. Moritz route or choose certain shorter sections.
Step 2: Check the Booking Window
Tickets are currently available up to 180 days before travel. Seat reservations for 1st and 2nd Class become available 93 days before the travel date. Excellence Class reservations are released for a longer timetable period, with seasonal sales opening according to the operator’s schedule.
Step 3: Select the Train and Seat
After choosing a connection, open the seat-selection map. Available seats are displayed for the selected class. If several people are traveling together, choose seats together while enough availability remains.
Step 4: Enter Any Travel Pass or Discount
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail Pass, Interrail Pass, Half Fare product, or another accepted travel card, select the applicable option during booking. If your rail fare is already covered, choose the option indicating that the passenger only requires a seat reservation.
Step 5: Add Meals if Required
Travelers in 1st and 2nd Class can pre-order onboard food. In Excellence Class, the premium culinary program is included in the reservation.
Step 6: Complete Payment and Keep Your Documents
After checkout, keep your ticket and reservation confirmation available digitally or in print. Check the date, route, class, passenger details, train, carriage, and seat number before travel.
Pro Tip: If your travel date is fixed, make the seat reservation as soon as your class becomes bookable. The train is popular during summer, holiday periods, and other high-demand dates, and adjacent seats become harder to find as the train fills.
Booking Options and Discounts
The Glacier Express fare has two components: the rail fare for the route and the mandatory seat reservation. A rail pass may reduce or fully cover the rail-fare component, but it does not normally remove the Glacier Express reservation requirement.
| Entire Route Example | Ticket | Reservation | Approx. Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Class | CHF 159 full fare | CHF 54 | CHF 213 |
| 1st Class | CHF 272 full fare | CHF 54 | CHF 326 |
| Excellence Class | CHF 272 1st Class full fare | CHF 540 Excellence reservation | CHF 812 |
These are current full-route examples shown by Glacier Express and can change. Always verify the latest fare on the official Glacier Express price page before paying.
Swiss Travel Pass and Other Rail Passes
The Glacier Express accepts several travel cards and passes, including the Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex, Eurail Pass, Interrail Pass, Half Fare products, GA Travelcard, Junior Travelcard, Children’s Co-Travelcard, Swiss Family Card, and certain day passes.
For example, a valid Swiss Travel Pass can cover the normal rail fare for the applicable route and class, but you must still pay for the Glacier Express seat reservation. To travel in 1st Class or Excellence Class, you need a travel pass or ticket that is valid in 1st Class.
Children’s Fares
Children under age 6 can generally travel without a normal ticket, but they do not automatically receive their own seat. If you want a separate seat, reserve one and pay the applicable reservation charge. Children aged 6 to under 16 are generally entitled to a 50% reduction on the rail ticket. A Junior Travelcard can provide additional benefits when a child travels with a parent.
Excellence Class has stricter rules: children under 6 also need the required ticket and seat reservation for that class.
Note: Do not assume there is a general Glacier Express senior discount. The operator publishes a list of accepted travel cards and discount products instead. Check your specific pass before booking.
Tips for Securing the Best Seats
A window-position seat is usually the first choice for travelers who want unobstructed photography and scenery. However, there is no reliable rule that the entire Zermatt-St. Moritz trip is better on one fixed side.
The Glacier Express changes direction during the journey, so the operator cannot guarantee that a seat will face the direction of travel or stay on a preferred scenic side for the entire route. This makes broad advice such as “always choose the left side from Zermatt” unreliable.
Individual landmarks may favor one side for a short period. For example, Glacier Express notes that the Bis Glacier can be seen on the left side in the direction of travel roughly ten minutes after departing Zermatt. That does not mean the left side is best for the complete journey.
How to Choose a Better Seat
- Use the official seat map: Select an available window-position seat when booking.
- Book early: Window positions and seats together disappear first on busy dates.
- For couples: Look for seats facing one another if you want to share a table.
- For groups: Seats opposite each other can help if some passengers prefer facing one direction and others prefer the opposite.
- For guaranteed window seating: Excellence Class specifically guarantees a window seat.
- For photography: Glacier Express also provides lowerable windows on entrance doors, which can help reduce reflections when taking photographs.
Pro Tip: Treat the seat map as more useful than a universal left-versus-right rule. The route offers major scenery on both sides, and the train’s direction changes during the journey.
Understanding Cancellation Policies
Cancellation rules deserve careful attention because the policy for an individual online booking is not the same as the policy for a group reservation.
Warning: Do not book on the assumption that an individual Glacier Express reservation becomes freely refundable simply because you cancel more than 30 days before departure. Current Glacier Express terms state that tickets, reservations, menus, and similar services purchased online generally cannot be canceled or exchanged and are non-refundable, subject to the applicable product conditions.
Individual Travelers
For individual passengers, the Glacier Express terms and conditions state that the conditions of the particular product apply. Services purchased through the internet generally cannot be canceled, exchanged, or refunded.
The terms also state an exception where full costs can be refunded if sickness or an accident prevents travel at the beginning of the journey and the traveler can provide a valid medical certificate. Always read the exact conditions shown during checkout because the product you buy controls your booking.
Groups of 10 or More
Group bookings follow separate conditions. For 1st and 2nd Class groups, the published schedule currently allows cancellation without a cancellation charge up to 30 days before travel. Fees then increase as the departure date approaches, and cancellation shortly before departure or a no-show can result in the full applicable group fare and reservation costs being charged.
Excellence Class group bookings have their own cancellation schedule, so groups should review the latest written confirmation and official terms rather than applying the normal 1st/2nd Class group rules.
Travel insurance may be useful if you want separate protection against covered unexpected events, but its protection depends entirely on the insurer’s policy wording and should not be confused with the Glacier Express operator’s own refund rules.
Group Bookings and Special Events
Glacier Express treats parties of 10 or more people as group reservations. Group requests can be submitted in advance, and the operator recommends booking early. Where possible, the railway tries to place a group together in the same carriage.
The final allocation of train, carriage, and seat numbers may be completed later than the initial request, so group organizers should not promise specific seat numbers until they receive the final confirmation.
For groups of 10 or more who want onboard dining, meals must be pre-ordered in advance. Current Glacier Express information says group meal orders should be placed at least 10 days before departure.
Families, companies, celebration groups, and other larger parties can contact Glacier Express directly to discuss available arrangements. Do not assume that weddings, themed events, or entertainment packages are standard scheduled products. If you need a private or special setup, ask the operator what can actually be arranged for your date. Excellence Class charter trips may be available on request under separate terms.
Luggage, Accessibility, and Family Travel
Luggage
Storage space on the Glacier Express is limited. The operator recommends bringing no more than one additional piece of luggage besides your hand luggage when possible. Larger quantities should be handled through a luggage-transport service.
The Glacier Express states that ski luggage, golf bags, oversized luggage, bicycles, and electric scooters are not transported on the train. Arrange separate transport if you are traveling with those items.
Wheelchair Users
Wheelchair users should contact Glacier Express Railservice before travel so that the appropriate reservation and boarding arrangements can be made. The operator currently provides assistance through its Railservice contact channels.
Dogs and Other Animals
Dogs and other animals are generally not allowed on the Glacier Express because of onboard gastronomy hygiene rules. Properly documented guide dogs are exempt. Travelers who rely on a guide dog should contact Railservice in advance.
Additional Services and Amenities
The Glacier Express combines panoramic sightseeing with onboard food and passenger information services. In 1st and 2nd Class, meals can be ordered separately and are served directly at your seat. The official onboard gastronomy information describes freshly prepared regional and seasonal dishes, along with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options.
Meals and Drinks
Pre-ordering is advisable because it helps the onboard team plan capacity. Individual travelers can currently pre-order selected meals up to 48 hours before departure, while groups of 10 or more who want catering need to order at least 10 days ahead.
Excellence Class includes its five-course dining experience, selected beverages, welcome service, and access to the Glacier Bar as part of the premium reservation package.
Onboard purchases are cashless, so carry an accepted card or compatible cashless payment method rather than relying on cash.
Wi-Fi, Power, and Infotainment
Passengers have access to onboard Wi-Fi, although reception can vary as the train travels through mountainous areas. Power outlets are available at seats, making it easier to keep a phone or camera charged during the long journey.
The onboard digital infotainment system can be accessed from a smartphone or tablet, and passengers receive audio information about highlights along the route. Headphones and onboard travel information help identify major landscapes and landmarks as the train progresses.
Photography
The panoramic windows are designed for sightseeing, but reflections can still affect photographs. Lowerable windows are available on the entrance doors, giving passengers an option for clearer photographs when it is safe and permitted to use them.
If you prefer preparing food before a trip, the site’s existing guide to homemade cottage cheese is available for home preparation. If you carry any perishable homemade food while traveling, keep it safely chilled. For an eight-hour Glacier Express journey, the onboard meal and snack service is usually the simpler option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Glacier Express?
The Glacier Express is a panoramic Swiss train service connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz. The full journey takes about eight hours and follows roughly 291 kilometers of Alpine railway through valleys, gorges, high passes, tunnels, and famous structures such as the Landwasser Viaduct.
Do I need to make reservations for the Glacier Express?
Yes. A seat reservation is mandatory. You also need a valid ticket or accepted travel pass for the route and travel class you are using.
How can I make Glacier Express reservations?
You can reserve through the official Glacier Express booking system. Reservations can also be arranged through staffed railway stations and travel agencies that sell compatible Swiss rail products. During online booking, choose the class, route, train, and available seat, then add the appropriate ticket or rail-pass information.
What types of seats are available on the Glacier Express?
The official travel classes are 2nd Class, 1st Class, and Excellence Class. All are designed for panoramic sightseeing. Excellence Class is the premium full-route product and includes guaranteed window seating, concierge service, and a five-course dining program.
Is there a price difference between Glacier Express classes?
Yes. The rail ticket is more expensive in 1st Class than 2nd Class. Excellence Class requires a valid 1st Class ticket or travel pass plus a much higher Excellence reservation charge because premium seating, dining, beverages, concierge service, and other extras are included.
Can I change or cancel my Glacier Express reservation?
Do not assume that an individual online reservation is freely changeable or refundable. Glacier Express terms state that online-purchased tickets, reservations, menus, and similar products generally cannot be canceled, exchanged, or refunded, subject to the conditions of the specific product and stated exceptions. Group bookings have separate rules.
Is the Glacier Express included with the Swiss Travel Pass?
The normal rail fare can be covered by a valid Swiss Travel Pass for the applicable class, but the compulsory Glacier Express seat reservation is not included. You still need to reserve and pay for the seat separately.
When can I book Glacier Express seats?
Seat reservations for 1st and 2nd Class are currently available from 93 days before the date of travel. Tickets are available up to 180 days ahead. Excellence Class reservations are released for a longer timetable period according to the operator’s seasonal sales schedule.
Which side of the Glacier Express has the best views?
There is no single best side for the complete journey. The train changes direction, and major scenery appears on both sides. Choose a window-position seat when possible rather than relying on a fixed left-side or right-side rule.
Do children receive a Glacier Express discount?
Children under 6 generally travel without a normal ticket but need a paid reservation if they require their own seat. Children aged 6 to under 16 normally receive a 50% reduction on the rail fare. Junior Travelcard and family products can provide additional benefits. Excellence Class has separate requirements for young children.
Can I bring large luggage, skis, or a bicycle?
Luggage space is limited. Glacier Express recommends keeping luggage modest and arranging separate transport for larger quantities. Ski luggage, golf bags, oversized luggage, bicycles, and electric scooters are not transported on the Glacier Express itself.
Does the Glacier Express have Wi-Fi and power outlets?
Yes. Wi-Fi and power outlets are available, and passengers can use onboard infotainment and audio information. Internet reception can vary in mountainous sections of the route.
Sources
- Glacier Express – Route – route duration, Oberalp Pass, Rhine Gorge, Landwasser Viaduct, and scenic highlights.
- Glacier Express – Prices and Seat Reservations – current ticket prices, reservation charges, travel cards, child fares, booking windows, and luggage guidance.
- Glacier Express – Travel Classes – 2nd Class, 1st Class, onboard infotainment, Wi-Fi, power, and class services.
- Glacier Express – FAQ – mandatory reservations, accepted passes, seat-direction limits, accessibility, animals, and group travel.
- Glacier Express – General Terms and Conditions – refund, cancellation, individual booking, and group cancellation rules.
- Glacier Express – Gastronomy – onboard meals, dietary options, meal pre-orders, and cashless payment information.
