ZermattStory N° 30
Glacier Express & Matterhorn, Switzerland
Panoramic 8-hour train from Zermatt's Matterhorn to St. Moritz — Swiss Alps bridges, gorges and glaciers all in one journey.
The itinerary.
4 days · 10 stops
Monday
Day One
Arrive Zurich and take the scenic train straight to Zermatt — the car-free alpine village at the foot of the Matterhorn.
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Zermatt village
Car-free since 1947 — only electric taxis and horse carts. Wander Bahnhofstrasse and cross the Vispa river
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Kirchbrücke
Classic bridge photo point with the Matterhorn framed at the end of the street
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Hotel
Hotel Schweizerhof Zermatt schweizerhofzermatt.ch
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Getting around
- Fly into Zurich Airport
- Direct SBB train Zurich → Visp → Zermatt (3h 15m, Swiss Travel Pass covers it)
Tuesday
Day Two
Gornergrat sunrise — one of the great alpine panoramas — followed by a high-altitude ride to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
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Gornergrat
Cogwheel train to 3,089m for 360° views of 29 four-thousander peaks gornergrat.ch
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Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Europe's highest cable car at 3,883m — glacier palace carved into the ice matterhornparadise.ch
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Zum See
Rustic alpine hut restaurant between Furi and Zermatt, fresh trout and rösti
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Hotel
Hotel Schweizerhof Zermatt schweizerhofzermatt.ch
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Getting around
- Gornergratbahn from Zermatt centre
- Matterhorn Express cable car from Zermatt
Wednesday
Day Three
The main event — the Glacier Express. Eight hours through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
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Glacier Express
Panoramic Excellence Class with single seats at the window and a 5-course lunch. Book 90 days ahead glacierexpress.ch
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Landwasser Viaduct
Curved 65m-high viaduct halfway through — keep your camera ready around Filisur
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Oberalp Pass
Highest point of the route (2,033m) — source of the Rhine river
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Hotel
Hotel Waldhaus am See St. Moritz waldhaus-am-see.ch
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Getting around
- Glacier Express Zermatt 08:52 → St. Moritz 17:10
Thursday
Day Four
St. Moritz lake stroll and an afternoon return train to Zurich for your flight home.
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Lake St. Moritz
Easy 7km loop around the alpine lake — frozen white in winter, turquoise in summer
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Segantini Museum
Works by Giovanni Segantini including his Alps triptych segantini-museum.ch
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Getting around
- Train St. Moritz → Chur → Zurich (3h 30m)
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Glacier Express & Matterhorn, Switzerland?
4 days. The itinerary runs from Monday to Thursday and covers 10 curated stops across 4 days.
How much does Glacier Express & Matterhorn, Switzerland cost?
Luxury — €600+ per day per person; expect signature hotels and reserved access.
Where do you stay during Glacier Express & Matterhorn, Switzerland?
Hotel Schweizerhof Zermatt is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Glacier Express & Matterhorn, Switzerland itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 10 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Zermatt.
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