My favorite train of them all, the Glacier Express is one of Switzerland’s most famous train rides, if not all of Europe. The Glacier Express is also known as “the world’s slowest express train” and averages 36 km/h (22 mph) during the approximately 7½-hour trip journey on its most popular route, Zermatt to St. Moritz.

The 275 KMs of narrow-gauge track are punctuated by 291 bridges and 91 tunnels! The trains reach a max peak elevation of 2,033 meters just at the Oberalp Pass, which is near Andermatt and traverses the 15-km Furka Tunnel, which takes a shortcut beneath the Alps between Andermatt and Brig.

The train is not an “express” in the sense of being a high-speed train, but rather, in the sense that it provides a one-seat ride for a long duration travel. In fact it has the reputation of being the slowest express train in the world. As St. Moritz and Zermatt are home to two well-known mountains, the Glacier Express is also said to travel from Piz Bernina to Matterhorn.

Passengers on Glacier Express Premium trains can have meals served at seats or in the dining cars; on the standard trains, meals are served in the dining cars only, where angled-stem wineglasses help to prevent spilling during the steeper portions of the journey. All trains have Railbar carts that sell box lunches, salads, hot and cold drinks
and other goodies.

Click Here To Book Your Glacier Express Ticket via Rail Europe

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Imagine sitting back, sipping a cold Belgian beer as the Glacier Express whisks you along some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. The travel season dies down a little during the Winter months, but the Swiss Alps are meant to be scene in there sheer powdery white state. Don’t let the name fool you, this train is by no means a fast train. A newcomer to the Glacier Express will quickly realize you’re in for a long, enjoyable ride. This train is a great experience every time you go because there is always a great group of people to mingle with. This is definitely one tourist attraction that doesn’t die off during the colder months.

The Glacier Express goes from two amazing mountain resorts, so going either way is a good thing! The two resorts are St. Moritz and the equally known Zermatt. Pretty much all the skiing and snowboarding one person could handle in his entire lifetime. I find the real treat in this 7 1/2 hour train trip are the 91 tunnels and 291 bridges you journey across mountain sides and cozy little towns. Since this is a mountain train you’ll either be happy or somewhat nervous about the peak height of 6,670 ft at which you’ll travel to.