Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Zurich
Description
Embark on an unforgettable adventure aboard the Glacier Express, traversing Switzerland’s stunning terrain in style. Indulge the majestic views during this journey through Chur, Andermatt, and Lucerne, capturing breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne and the Rotsee. Conclude with a charming mini-tour of Lucerne’s Old Town, Chapel Bridge, and the iconic Lion Monument’s Head.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your guide will greet you inside the main hall underneath the clock tower of the central train station of Zurich HB before catching the train to the Glacier Express
Begin your journey in true Swiss style with a scenic train ride to Switzerland’s oldest city, Chur, with over 5,000 years of history. Along the way, hear stories about the landscapes, cultural heritage, and traditions of the cantons you pass. In Chur, board the legendary Glacier Express and settle into your modern panoramic carriage. Learn fascinating insights about the train’s rich history and how it became one of the world’s most iconic rail journeys. **In high season when the GE fills up quickly, you may be placed on our other tour once the main tour reaches capacity. It follows the exact same route but boards a different scenic train and includes first-class tickets from Chur to Andermatt, a private Sprinter mini-coach, a fondue lunch, and the same itinerary you were expecting.
Begin your memorable ride aboard the Glacier Express, an ultra-sleek train boasting an end-to-end experience connecting a total of 291km (181 miles) inland. Settle into your dedicated seats to enjoy the train's steady pace, allowing ample opportunities to absorb the ever-changing panoramic views of southern Switzerland on your way to Andermatt. Receive insightful commentary unraveling rich Swiss traditions and the Express's operational history. Anticipation builds as you approach the Oberalp section, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and fresh alpine scenery. Capture the perfect picture of architecturally pleasing bridges, where you'll reach the highest altitude of the tour. Before your next discovery, indulge in a gourmet lunch (depending on the option booked) served at your seat so you don't miss a moment of the incoming views.
At your next stop, depart the Glacier Express at Andermatt, a traditional Swiss village in the heart of the Ursen Valley, and board another cozy train. Your voyage proceeds towards the world-famous city of Lucerne, where you'll make an exciting stop. Our guide will embellish the next leg of your journey with shared secrets about forming the Swiss Confederation. Gain significant insights into the admirable endurance displayed by the Swiss guards, enabling you to connect with the discoveries made later on the tour. Next, reach the lake of four cantons, commonly recognized as Lake Lucerne. The vast expanse encapsulates iconic Swiss beauty with a backdrop of pure sparkling water and deep mountain ranges. It's a sight you're sure to remember.
Arriving at the blissful city of Lucerne, the final discovery of the tour, the guide will lead you through the medieval Old Town while providing an engaging context of the region's historical and cultural heritage. Enriched with perfectly preserved gothic architecture surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the tour through Lucerne’s Old Town will instantly transport you to the Middle Ages, giving a taste of what life was like all those years ago! This segment of the tour additionally offers the chance to encounter famed heritage sites, including the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) — the world’s oldest surviving bridge, and the Lion Monument — an intricate 19th-century rock carving commemorating the Swiss Guards that lost their lives during the French Revolution in 1792.
After a full day of adventure, you will return you safely to Zurich
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(259)
Sights were stunning and it was great to have a tour guide to lead us around. There was not any time in the schedule for browsing or shopping anywhere. Also, bring snacks and water. There is lunch available on the Glacier Express, but that wasn't until about 2 pm for us. And no time in the schedule for dinner on the way back to Basel.
Taking the Glacier Express to the Swiss Alps is an amazing experience. The mountain views are breathtaking. Beautiful scenic views. Our tour guide Salma was great and friendly. She took care of us.
It was a great experience! Lots of knowledge and wonderful service.
Our guide was amazing very thoughtful and knowledgeable about the city.
Extremely disappointing experience. Our Glacier Express tour was scheduled to start at 10:00 am, yet our guide did not arrive until 11:30 am—a delay of approximately 1.5 hours. During this entire time, there was almost no communication from the tour operator. Everyone was left wondering whether the tour had been cancelled, and many of us started making alternative travel arrangements because we had no idea what was happening. To make matters worse, I did not receive an email confirming that the tour was still going ahead until 3:00 pm, despite the original departure time being 10:00 am. That level of communication is completely unacceptable. When the guide finally arrived, the entire group had to rush to catch the train. Instead of enjoying the start of what should have been a relaxing premium experience, we were stressed, confused, and scrambling to keep up. Yes, complimentary drinks were provided on the Glacier Express, but that does not make up for the poor organisation. A free drink cannot compensate for 1.5 hours of uncertainty and unnecessary stress. For a tour costing around USD 500, I expect punctuality, proactive communication, and professional organisation. It is the tour operator's responsibility to ensure guests have a smooth, stress-free experience—not one where they are left wondering if the tour has been abandoned. The scenery was beautiful, but unfortunately the experience was overshadowed by poor management. I hope the company reviews its operational standards so future travellers do not have to go through the same experience.
Did this tour on 25/6/26,Very disappointed with this tour, we paid a lot of money for this, tour not as described ,guide constantly preached about god, we were not in a group , would not recommend, better tours on offer
If there is any disruption viator will not care to resolve. Our train got disrupted. We ended up using taxi and paid from our pocket. Viator refused to refund the taxi charges
I loved every minute of this tour and feel like I made some new friends along the way. Lincoln is a terrific guide! Big hiccup,’tho, with Viator because the tour was booked for 10am and at 7pm the night prior, I was notified the new meeting time was 7:45am! Lincoln wasn’t at the meeting place (the clock tower in the Main Zurich station hall), because he was told to be at the Lucerne train to pick up people, and there I was with no one else at the meeting place and hit the Viator-provided link to get directions which sent me to the museum across the street! I also called their number to ask for help, They did not answer the phone! So Lincoln, five stars, Viator=Fail.
Our guide Lincoln was amazing. The glacier express was beautiful. The tour of Lucerne was awesome. I will highly recommend this experience to friends. Thank you very much Lincoln and Viator.
Mary conducted a very good tour for us. She took us on a quick tour of Lucern and then we went to Glacier Express at Andermatt. The view from the train is marvellous.
