Zermatt to St. Moritz by Train
Panoramic narrow-gauge (Glacier Express + regular RhB/MGB) service · from €59
Route Overview
The Glacier Express connects the car-free village of Zermatt with the Alpine resort of St. Moritz, covering 291 km in approximately 8 hours. The narrow-gauge panoramic train crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels as it traverses the Swiss Alps at an average speed of 38 km/h.
The route passes through three cantons — Valais, Uri, and Graubünden — and reaches 2,033m at the Oberalp Pass before descending through the Rhine Gorge. Distinct landscapes appear throughout: the glacial peaks of the Matter Valley, the wooden chalets of the Goms region, and the Landwasser Viaduct — a 65m-high six-arch structure that curves directly into a mountain tunnel.
Three travel classes are available: Standard, Comfort, and Premier (limited to 20 passengers with a 7-course gourmet meal). Seat reservation is mandatory on Glacier Express branded services. Regular RhB and MGB trains cover the same route hourly without reservation requirements. The train operates year-round except from mid-October to early December.
Train Operator
Glacier Express
Jointly operated by RhB (Rhaetian Railway) and MGB (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn) since 1930. ERA carrier: GLACIEREXPRESS, supplier: RHB. Average speed: 38 km/h.
Direct high-speed · 38 km/h (average) max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Zermatt
- Car-free Alpine village at 1,620m, at the foot of the Matterhorn (4,478m)
- No car access. Shuttle train from Täsch (5 km, every 20 min, 12-min ride). Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn from Visp/Brig.
St. Moritz
- Engadin valley, 1,822m altitude
- RhB trains to Chur/Zürich. Bernina Express to Tirano (Italy). Bus connections to Engadin valley resorts.
Classes of Service
2nd Class (Standard)
- Panoramic windows
- 2+2 seating configuration
- Infotainment system in 8 languages
- Free WiFi
- At-seat meal service (paid)
- Power outlets
1st Class (Comfort)
- Panoramic windows
- 1+2 / 2+2 mixed seating, extra legroom
- Infotainment system in 8 languages
- Free WiFi
- At-seat meal service (paid)
- Power outlets
Excellence Class (Premier)
- Limited to 20 passengers per train
- 1+1 window seating
- 7-course gourmet meal with wine pairings included
- Personal concierge service
- Exclusive bar lounge
- Only available for full Zermatt↔St. Moritz route
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €59 per person, one way in 2nd Class (Standard) class. Prices range from €59 (Standard) to €866+ (Excellence Class with 7-course meal). Prices vary by date and availability..
Book Early
Tickets are available Up to 3 months in advance. Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
Children aged 6-15 receive discounted fares. Swiss Family Card: children under 16 travel free with a parent.. Standard adult fares apply from age 16.. Children under 6 travel free without a ticket.
Luggage
No formal baggage limits on Glacier Express.
Good to Know
Mandatory Seat Reservation
The Glacier Express requires a seat reservation for all passengers. The reservation cost is included in the ticket price when booked through EuroTrain. Without a reservation, you cannot board the branded Glacier Express service. Regular RhB/MGB trains on the same route do not require a reservation.
Seasonal Closure
The Glacier Express does not operate from mid-October to early December each year (2026: 11 October — 4 December). During this period, regular trains still run the same route hourly.
Three Travel Classes
Standard (2nd class), Comfort (1st class), and Premier (Excellence Class — limited to 20 passengers with 7-course meal and personal concierge). Premier is only available for the full Zermatt↔St. Moritz route.
Regular Trains on the Same Route
Hourly regional RhB and MGB trains follow the same tracks through the same scenery — without panoramic windows or onboard catering. No reservation needed. Often less crowded.
Service Disruption — Check Before Travel
Due to flood damage, sections between Brig and Andermatt may be subject to closures with replacement bus services. Check current service status before booking.
Car-Free Zermatt
Zermatt does not allow cars. If driving, park at Täsch (5 km away) and take the shuttle train (runs every 20 minutes, 12-minute ride). This is the only way to reach Zermatt by road.
No Passport Required
The entire route is within Switzerland — no border crossings or passport checks at any point.
Swiss Currency
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the Euro. Prices on EuroTrain are shown in EUR. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at stations and onboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
The direct Glacier Express panoramic train takes approximately 7 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes from Zermatt to St. Moritz (or vice versa). Faster connections with transfers via SBB are available in around 6 hours 30 minutes, but these are standard trains without the panoramic experience.
Prices on EuroTrain start from €59 in Standard class (2nd class). First class (Comfort) is more expensive. The Premier (Excellence) class — limited to 20 passengers with a 7-course meal — starts from around €866. Prices vary by date and availability.
Yes — you cannot board the Glacier Express without a seat reservation. When booking through EuroTrain, the reservation is included in your ticket price. Regular RhB/MGB trains on the same route run hourly without reservation requirements.
Yes — regular RhB and MGB trains run the same route hourly, all year round. They follow the same tracks through the same scenery but without panoramic windows or catering service. No reservation is needed.
Year-round except from mid-October to early December (2026: 11 October to 4 December). In winter 1-2 daily services; in summer 2-3 daily.
The top-tier class limited to 20 passengers per train. It includes 1+1 window seating, a 7-course gourmet meal with wine pairings, personal concierge, and an exclusive bar lounge. It is only available for the full Zermatt↔St. Moritz journey.
No — the entire route is within Switzerland. No border crossings or passport checks.
The route passes through the Matter Valley, the Goms region, reaches the Oberalp Pass at 2,033m, follows the Rhine Gorge, and crosses the Landwasser Viaduct (65m high, curving into a mountain tunnel). The route covers 291 bridges and 91 tunnels across three cantons: Valais, Uri, and Graubünden.