Switzerland is well known for stunning mountain scenery, and the Glacier Express is famous for delivering a wonderful railway experience between St. Moritz and Zermatt. Is it still worth putting in your 2026 itinerary?
A Travel Review
ST Travel on YouTube has nearly half a million followers, and their followers always seem to enjoy their reviews. This past weekend, the channel shared a video about a trip they did from St. Moritz to Andermatt in 1st Class on the Glacier Express, Switzerland’s luxurious scenic train.
The vlog explained that they first spent a night at a luxury hotel before their trip started. They opted for the 1st-class carriage, which came with wines and a two-course meal.
A Nice Looking Train
They arrived at St. Moritz and the initial impression seemed to be very good. The narrator noted: “The carriages are striking with their red and white colors. There is one service carriage, two 1st-class carriages,” and others that made it a total of six carriages, plus the electric locomotive at the front.
However, they also noted that there wasn’t much in the way of anything to buy at the station. So they recommended that you do some shopping before you arrive there.
Of course, being experienced travelers, they checked out the bathroom facilities, and decided that the presence of toilet paper indicated they could use the toilets safely.
A Slow Meander
The train might be called the Glacier Express, but that doesn’t mean travelers tear through the countryside at great speed. The video showed that after just ten minutes they stopped at Samedan.
The area is lined with golf courses and lots of beautiful scenery. But after they departed, the ticket checks started. And then a menu was handed out.
Notably, apart from wines, there is also a non-alcoholic version available, as well as a selection of hot teas and coffees.
Dramatic Scenery
The journey produced a series of beautiful viaducts and spiral tunnels. Attractive snowscapes also passed by as the journey progressed. They continued along this mountain route, known for its advanced civil engineering.
In some places, the mountainside was so steep that a few thoughts about derailing briefly unsettled them.
The most noteworthy breath-holding moment came when they crossed the Landwasser Viaduct. But apparently, there have been no accidents on the that part of the line since its opening in 1902.
Fortunately, they passed through the area safely, plotting their progress on a map.
Photos and WiFi
One disadvantage as far as ST Travel was concerned was the fixed panoramic windows that could not open. So getting nice photos seemed a bit difficult.
Then they turned their attention to connecting to WiFi, so you can stay in touch while you travel on the train. They also mentioned it’s worthwhile downloading the app.
Lower Altitudes
There were a few more stops, and the line at Tiefencastel was described as quite busy. But after that, the train started going down to lower altitudes, and the mountain scenery greened up. The trip ended without any glitches, and iverall, it’s still recommended as a wonderful experience.
The complete trip stretches nearly 300 kilometers and takes about eight hours to complete.
Byway reported that the Glacier Express runs throughout most of the year, and there are different seating tiers, so most people can afford to pick an option.
Meanwhile, Travel and Leisure noted that the train does undergo routine maintenance between mid-autumn and early winter.
Bookings are essential, especially over the holidays when seats fill up quickly. Late spring and early autumn are usually the best times to go, as the weather is more comfortable.
You can book your trip on the Glacier Express on this link.
Did you ever experience the famous train ride through Switzerland? Join the discussion and then come back for more travel news and updates.