Railway journey through the Swiss Alps
«Glacier Pullman-Express»
from St. Moritz to Zermatt
26 to 27 June 2025 /
26 to 27 September 2025
Prices from: CHF 1,385.-
The “Alpine Classic Pullman-Express”
combines alluring luxury with a true Alpine experience. We travel elegantly on rails in period carriages fitted out in the enchanting Art Deco style of the early 20th century. The “Glacier Pullman-Express” special train is made up of this historical rolling stock.
With their comfortable armchairs, bay windows, graceful window tables and exquisite teak fittings, the cars are not just the epitome of elegance: they are a total work of art, the harmonious blend of details together with the incomparable ambience making for a unique experience. The four Pullman cars, each with 32 seats, are the perfect environment for sophisticated travel, primarily on the RhB rail network. The carriages also travel on the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn route from Disentis to Zermatt, specially for trips with the “Glacier Pullman-Express”.
The luxury special train includes two original Pullman cars, built in 1931, which once belonged to the Cie. Int. des Wagons-Lits et Grands Express européens. We travel on board the stylish “Glacier Pullman Express – Private de Luxe Train”. The exquisite wooden inlay work in the carriages was carried out by renowned French cabinetmaker René Prou. In addition, the special train consists of a bar-lounge carriage and a baggage car. For lunch on board, two Gourmino dining cars are added to the train.
All these carriages have been lovingly restored down to the smallest detail, in accordance with today’s safety standards. The train is hauled by the new Pullman locomotive Ge 4/4 II 626 “Alby Glatt” on the sector of Rhaetian Railway and the He 4/4 n° 26 of MGB Historic on the route of the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn.
Trip Details
Thursday, 26 to Friday, 27 June 2025 /
Friday, 26 to Saturday, 27 September 2025
We depart St. Moritz at around 08.00 on the “Glacier Pullman-Express – Private de Luxe Train”. The Albula and Bernina lines of the Rhaetian Railway were granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, and today’s journey takes us along the Albula section from St. Moritz to Thusis.
Church of St. Martin in Zillis
After arriving in Thusis, we continue our journey to Zillis on board a specially chartered post bus. The first written record of the Church of St. Martin dates back to the year 831, when it was described as an ecclesia plebeia (people’s church). The painted ceiling was created sometime between 1109 and 1114. This masterpiece of the Romanesque period is the only example of a work of art of this type that has survived virtually intact, without being painted over. The church ceiling consists of 153 rectangular painted panels. You will have a chance to find out more about them during the tour.
Lunch on board our Gourmino dining cars of 1929/1930 vintage
The attentive on-board staff will serve you an exquisite lunch as the Glacier Pullman-Express travels along the section to Disentis.
Ruinaulta – the spectacular Rhine Gorge
Enjoy dazzling scenery as we travel along the Rhine. Here the river is still young and narrow, but its power is clear to see. Over the centuries, it has ground away the rock and carved out the spectacular landscape known as Switzerland’s Grand Canyon.
Disentis Abbey
The Benedictine Abbey of Disentis was founded in the year 720. Since then, its fortunes have repeatedly waxed and waned, but it has never ceased to exist. The centuries-old school run by the Abbey has been a grammar school since 1880. A Benedictine monk shows us parts of the Abbey and tells us about daily life.
The Oberalp Pass
At Disentis, our train is coupled to a locomotive of the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway, which pulls us over the 2,033-metre-high Oberalp Pass to Andermatt.
We then enjoy an overnight stay in Andermatt, at the foot of the St. Gotthard Pass
The first written mention of Andermatt dates from the year 1203, but archaeological evidence of its earlier history indicates a human presence in the surrounding Urserental valley as early as 4,000 BC, and also a time of Roman settlement in the period around 300 BC. The Gotthard Pass was opened between 1818 and 1830, to be followed by the Oberalp and Furka passes, and Andermatt became a spa town and centre of commerce. We arrive in Andermatt at around 19.00. For your overnight stay, you have a choice of hotels in different categories.
After breakfast at the hotel, the Glacier Pullman-Express carries us onward to Realp.
The heady romance of steam, on the Furka Mountain line
The Furka Mountain section was operated until October 1981 by trains of the Furka-Oberalp Railway and the Glacier-Express. After the inauguration of the Furka Base Tunnel, the section of line running over the Furka Pass was decommissioned and handed over to the Furka Steam Mountain Railway (known by its German initials DFB). Hundreds of thousands of hours were invested in the painstaking task of repairing and restoring the section of line.
Our romantically nostalgic journey begins at Realp (1,546 m). The steam loco begins its journey by climbing up before continuing up to the highest-altitude railway station of them all, at Furka (2,163 m). We exceed the accumulation point of over 2100 m above sea level of our trip. The journey of adventure ends at Oberwald (1,366 m) and we change back to the Glacier-Pullman Express and head to Fiesch.
Eggishorn and the Aletsch region: UNESCO-recognised wonders of nature
The Eggishorn cable car takes us up to a unique vantage point from which to enjoy the wonderful views of the Aletsch region: Eggishorn (2,866 m). The mighty Aletsch Glacier, the main focal point of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aletsch, now lies at your feet.
Fiescheralp (2,212 m) is the perfect place to enjoy two typical Swiss-cheese specialities: cheese fondue or raclette. And if you don’t like cheese, you can rest assured that there is an alternative.
Arrival in Zermatt
At around 19.30, the Glacier Pullman-Express – Private de Luxe Train pulls into our destination of Zermatt. We wish you an enjoyable stay in the land of the Matterhorn.
1st day: from St. Moritz to Andermatt
We depart St. Moritz at around 08.00 on the “Glacier Pullman-Express – Private de Luxe Train”. The Albula and Bernina lines of the Rhaetian Railway were granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, and today’s journey takes us along the Albula section from St. Moritz to Thusis.
Church of St. Martin in Zillis
After arriving in Thusis, we continue our journey to Zillis on board a specially chartered post bus. The first written record of the Church of St. Martin dates back to the year 831, when it was described as an ecclesia plebeia (people’s church). The painted ceiling was created sometime between 1109 and 1114. This masterpiece of the Romanesque period is the only example of a work of art of this type that has survived virtually intact, without being painted over. The church ceiling consists of 153 rectangular painted panels. You will have a chance to find out more about them during the tour.
Lunch on board our Gourmino dining cars of 1929/1930 vintage
The attentive on-board staff will serve you an exquisite lunch as the Glacier Pullman-Express travels along the section to Disentis.
Ruinaulta – the spectacular Rhine Gorge
Enjoy dazzling scenery as we travel along the Rhine. Here the river is still young and narrow, but its power is clear to see. Over the centuries, it has ground away the rock and carved out the spectacular landscape known as Switzerland’s Grand Canyon.
Disentis Abbey
The Benedictine Abbey of Disentis was founded in the year 720. Since then, its fortunes have repeatedly waxed and waned, but it has never ceased to exist. The centuries-old school run by the Abbey has been a grammar school since 1880. A Benedictine monk shows us parts of the Abbey and tells us about daily life.
The Oberalp Pass
At Disentis, our train is coupled to a locomotive of the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway, which pulls us over the 2,033-metre-high Oberalp Pass to Andermatt.
We then enjoy an overnight stay in Andermatt, at the foot of the St. Gotthard Pass
The first written mention of Andermatt dates from the year 1203, but archaeological evidence of its earlier history indicates a human presence in the surrounding Urserental valley as early as 4,000 BC, and also a time of Roman settlement in the period around 300 BC. The Gotthard Pass was opened between 1818 and 1830, to be followed by the Oberalp and Furka passes, and Andermatt became a spa town and centre of commerce. We arrive in Andermatt at around 19.00. For your overnight stay, you have a choice of hotels in different categories.
2nd day: from Andermatt to Zermatt
After breakfast at the hotel, the Glacier Pullman-Express carries us onward to Realp.
The heady romance of steam, on the Furka Mountain line
The Furka Mountain section was operated until October 1981 by trains of the Furka-Oberalp Railway and the Glacier-Express. After the inauguration of the Furka Base Tunnel, the section of line running over the Furka Pass was decommissioned and handed over to the Furka Steam Mountain Railway (known by its German initials DFB). Hundreds of thousands of hours were invested in the painstaking task of repairing and restoring the section of line.
Our romantically nostalgic journey begins at Realp (1,546 m). The steam loco begins its journey by climbing up before continuing up to the highest-altitude railway station of them all, at Furka (2,163 m). We exceed the accumulation point of over 2100 m above sea level of our trip. The journey of adventure ends at Oberwald (1,366 m) and we change back to the Glacier-Pullman Express and head to Fiesch.
Eggishorn and the Aletsch region: UNESCO-recognised wonders of nature
The Eggishorn cable car takes us up to a unique vantage point from which to enjoy the wonderful views of the Aletsch region: Eggishorn (2,866 m). The mighty Aletsch Glacier, the main focal point of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aletsch, now lies at your feet.
Fiescheralp (2,212 m) is the perfect place to enjoy two typical Swiss-cheese specialities: cheese fondue or raclette. And if you don’t like cheese, you can rest assured that there is an alternative.
Arrival in Zermatt
At around 19.30, the Glacier Pullman-Express – Private de Luxe Train pulls into our destination of Zermatt. We wish you an enjoyable stay in the land of the Matterhorn.
Hotels in Andermatt
Alpenhotel Schlüssel or Hotel Sonne (3-stars):
Double Room: CHF 1’385.- | Single Room: CHF 1’455.-
Hotel Radisson Blu Reussen (4-stars):
Standard Double Room: CHF 1’545.- | Standard Single Room: CHF 1’650.-
Superior Double Room: CHF 1’570.- | Superior Single Room: CHF 1’700.-
Hotel The Chedi (5-stars):
Deluxe Double Room : CHF 1’875.- | Deluxe Single Room: CHF 2’360.-
Booking
Prices per person (VAT included)
plus 0.25% risk contribution for the guarantee fund
Included:
Train journey as described from St. Moritz to Zermatt, reserved seats in the Pullman- and Dining coaches, coach transfer and guided tour of the church at Zillis, lunch in the Gourmino dining car including drinks, tour of parts of Disentis Abbey with a monk, overnight at your chosen hotel in Andermatt including breakfast and city tax, journey by steam train on the Furka mountain line in 2nd class (wooden bench), excursion by cable car to the Eggishorn, lunch including drinks on the Fiescheralp, tour guides, documentation.
Program, routes and rail traction subject to change. The organizer’s general information and conditions of travel apply. A minimum number of travelers is required for the trip to take place.