Experience the diversity of Switzerland’s scenery and travel on the famous Glacier Express scenic train on this multi-centre rail holiday that combines three contrasting areas of Switzerland for a holiday to remember. Passing dramatic glaciers, snow-covered peaks, rushing rivers and remote rural hamlets, the journey on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Filisur where change of train is required to Davos is the highlight of the trip. The panoramic train carriages ensure you don’t miss a thing, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view. On board, you can choose to have lunch (must be requested at the time of booking) or plan your own picnic. A minibar service for drinks and snacks is also available on the train, plus an audio guide ensures you know all the interesting facts about what you can see on the journey.
Inghams reps are on hand in resort or over the phone to help you make the most of your stay.
Tour highlights | Itinerary | Your holiday includes | Hotels | How to book
| 2024 Departures on sale now! |
Tour highlights
- Enjoy a fairy-tale scenic train ride across Southern Switzerland on the Glacier Express (included)
- Inghams representatives are on hand throughout your trip to help you make the most of your stay
- A choice of accommodation in each destination to personalise the trip to suit you
Exciting optional extras include:
- From Interlaken, explore the lakes by boat or paddleboard, or head up high to Harder Kulm or the Schynige Platte for incredible views and lovely walks. The Jungfraujoch Top-of-Europe is a must-see with remarkable journey through the Eiger mountain to breath-taking views of the Aletsch glacier and dramatic mountain peaks
- In Zermatt, take the Gornergrat cog railway for the best views of the famous Matterhorn or visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, with ice palace, spectacular observation deck and the new Matterhorn Alpine Crossing which connects Zermatt to Cervinia in Italy
- From Davos, explore the picturesque Schlappin valley, enjoy wonderful walks with over 700 kilometres of marked trails and immerse yourself in the local culture in the museums or visit the Alpinum at Schatzalp where there’s over 5,000 species and cultivars of plants
Itinerary and recommendations
Glacier Express Trips are 10 or 11 nights from mid-June to early September:
10 night trips depart on a Wednesday for three nights in Interlaken, followed by four nights in Zermatt and then three nights in Davos.
11 night trips depart on a Saturday for four nights in Interlaken, followed by three nights in Zermatt and then four nights in Davos.
Day 1: UK to Interlaken
Arrive on your chosen flight into Switzerland and take the scenic rail transfer from the airport to Interlaken (approx. 2 ½ hours from Zurich or approx. 3 hours from Geneva).
Day 2 to 3/4: Explore Interlaken
Interlaken sets you up for many options of adventure, walking and sightseeing as you’re at the gateway of the Jungfrau Mountains, surrounded by stunning blue lakes and the impressive snow-capped peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Take a boat cruise on Lake Thun or Brienz, visit the nearby Giessbach waterfalls or head up to the Harder Kulm for the best views over Interlaken and the spectacular mountains in the distance – this is a great spot for sunset.
Our top tips for your time in Interlaken:
Head high into the mountains on the Brienzer Rothorn steam cog railway or take a nostalgic trip up the Schynige Platte (open from 1 July) from Wilderswil for fantastic views and many great walks.
Take a trip to the Top-of-Europe - the Jungfraujoch - for remarkable views of the longest glacier in the Alps, the Aletsch, and surrounding mountains of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch, plus take a trip inside the glacier at the ice palace. Even the journey there is impressive, with routes via either Grindelwald and the Eiger Express cable car, which whizzes you up the mountain beneath the north face of the Eiger. Or travel via Wengen, with spectacular views of the Lauterbrunnen valley – we recommend travelling there one way and back the other to really make the most of the scenery.
Visit James Bond World and have a prosecco brunch at the Schilthorn above the picturesque car-free town of Mürren – the views up here are really impressive and you can enjoy them from the revolving restaurant, prosecco in-hand. Further down the mountain, the thrill walk at Birg offers the perfect photo opportunity and the quiet villages of Mürren and Gimmelwald are lovely to stroll around.
Adventure lovers will find plenty to do in Interlaken, from speed-boat trips to white water rafting or canyoning. If you’re after a calmer trip out on the water, relax and enjoy a lunchtime boat cruise or hire a paddleboard or kayak for the afternoon.
Day 4/5: Travel to Zermatt
Today, you travel to Zermatt by train, which takes around two and a half hours. On arrival, check in to your hotel and head out to discover this beautiful car-free town, with charming cafés and shops lining the streets. Many of our hotel options have great spas too, so this afternoon may be the perfect opportunity for a bit of relaxation.
Day 5/6 to 7: Explore Zermatt
With nearly 400 kilometres of marked routes, Zermatt’s walking area is huge - opened up by multiple mountain lifts. The pre-bookable Peak Pass gives access to all lifts and opens up the vast walking area above this world-famous town – plus it includes entry to the Glacier Palace and travel on the Gornergrat.
Our top tips for your time in Zermatt:
For the best views of the Matterhorn, a trip up the historic Gornergrat railway is a must. Not far from the top of the lift is the Riffelsee where you can get the ultimate mirror reflection of the Matterhorn on a calm day. There’s plenty of lovely walking options up here too.
Head up high to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where you can visit the ice palace, enjoy spectacular views and take a trip on the new Matterhorn Alpine Crossing over into Italy.
There’s lots of adventurous activities in Zermatt too – hire a mountain bike for the day and explore on two wheels, or try some via feratta.
If you’re in Zermatt over a Monday or a Friday, why not join one of our Inghams guided walks? Explore some of Zermatt’s best scenery in the company of other Inghams guests and a professional local guide – and the best bit is, there’s no extra cost to join – add the walk to your holiday at the time of booking.
Visit Europe’s highest alpine garden at 2,800 metres altitude. The Alpine Garden is being built on the Gornergrat, directly below the Rotenboden station, in the summer of 2023 and will display 150 species of plants.
Day 8: Glacier Express Railway
Today, you leave Zermatt and embark on the crowning highlight of your holiday - a full day excursion on board the famous Glacier Express scenic train as you make your way to Filisur (approx 7h) where change of train is required for additional 25min journey to Davos. This journey on the ‘slowest express train in the world’ takes you past dramatic glaciers, over spectacular viaducts, and through unspoilt mountain forests and valleys to the charming canton of Graubünden.
Day 9 to 10/11: Explore Davos
There are around 700 kilometres of marked walking routes in the beautiful Davos and Klosters region, offering a fantastic range of routes with something to suit everyone. You can also hop on a bike and explore on two wheels or relax in the Davos wellness centre. There’s plenty of culture here too, with museums to visit and various festivals throughout the summer.
Our top tips for your time in Davos:
Discover the picturesque Schlappin valley near Klosters and traditional Berghaus Erika mountain hut which has stunning views from the terrace. Take a stroll along the stream path and spot wild flowers in the most peaceful surroundings.
Take the mountain railway to Schatzalp and visit the Alpinum botanical garden with over 5,000 varieties of plants including a huge collection of Edelweiss.
Visit the Zügenschlucht Gorge, with waterfalls, steep rock faces and impressive bridges, this is a great day out for walkers and rail enthusiasts. While you’re there, why not visit the Graubünden Mining Museum too.
Make your own chocolate at the Confiserie Schneider – Switzerland is famous for its chocolate and here you can learn all about the manufacturing process, and make your own chocolate bar – the ultimate gift to take home.
Take a paddleboard on Lake Davos and enjoy the scenery from the water, or walk the panorama path above Davos – the name gives the game away – you can expect amazing views from this route which goes from the top of the Parsenn lift from Davos to the Gotschna cable-car from Klosters.
Day 11/12: Davos to UK
Transfer to Zurich Airport for your chosen return flight home.
Please note: This is an independent rail holiday and you are free to choose your own itinerary in each destination. The above contains recommendations which are provided for information only and are not included in the price of your holiday. An Inghams Representative will be on hand locally either in resort or by telephone and will provide advice and offer optional excursions and walking passes.
Your holiday includes
- Return flights from UK
- Swiss Half Fare Card - worth over £100 – included as part of your rail tickets
- 2nd class rail transfers from Zurich Airport to Interlaken, Interlaken to Zermatt, Zermatt to Davos and Davos to Zurich Airport (some changes of trains required, 1st class upgrade possible at extra cost)
- Full day excursion on the famous Glacier Express train as part of your journey from Zermatt to Filisur (change for Davos) with seat reservation* - lunch not included (approx. eight hours - change of trains required)
- Services of Inghams Representatives
- 10 or 11 nights’ accommodation with a variety of hotels available in each destination (board basis of each hotel advised at the time of booking). All rooms have private facilities.
*Please note that we will organise seat reservations for you on the Glacier Express but while we will try our very best to arrange seats together, due to huge demand on the services, we can’t guarantee this.
Your holiday excludes:
- Upgrade to 1st class on all four of your rail transfers within Switzerland at extra cost (this is pre-bookable and the price will be given at the time of booking)
- Lunch on the Glacier Express – you can pre-book a simple set menu or lunch box (please request at time of booking) (catering service varies by train service)
- Upgrade to Excellence Class on the Glacier Express is available on request, at extra cost (price will be advised at the time of booking)
- Any suggestions of things to do made in the itinerary – these are provided for information only
- Luggage transport – luggage is taken with you on the train transfers
- Any extras, drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
Suggested Hotels
In each destination you have a choice of accommodation, but here are some of our recommendations:
★★★ Seehotel Bonigen Interlaken OR ★★★★ Hotel Metropole Interlaken
★★★+ Hotel Butterfly Zermatt OR ★★★★+ Hotel Mirabeau Zermatt
OR ★★★★★ Hotel Seehof Davos
How to book
Please call our reservations team for prices and booking.
Departures are on Wednesdays and Saturdays from mid-June to mid-September.
10 night trips depart on a Wednesday for three nights in Interlaken, four nights in Zermatt and three nights in Davos.
11 night trips depart on a Saturday for four nights in Interlaken, three nights in Zermatt and four nights in Davos.
Please note: Places are limited and cannot be guaranteed. Special diets, including vegetarian, cannot be catered for.
The itineraries may be subject to change. Where this becomes necessary, and where practicable, we will take the steps as outlined in clause 5 of our terms and conditions.
