Travel? Why not! The Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is a Swiss Rail Journey between St. Moritz and Zermatt that takes about 8 hours. The official Glacier Express description is as follows, "It is a day trip through untouched mountain landscapes, glamorous health resorts, deep gorges, delightful valleys, 91 tunnels and across 291 impressive bridges." We have traveled to Switzerland before and I can attest to the beauty of the Swiss landscape, towns and villages. A short version of the Glacier Express can be chosen, leaving from Chur instead of St. Moritz, but why cheat yourself. Seat reservations are required and food is available at your seat or in the dining car.

Altitude Profile

The Glacier Express runs summer and winter except from October 31 through December 10. The Non-Express version of this trip would involve up to 3 changes, non-stop is more relaxing.

I would travel from St. Moritz to Zermatt and spend an additional day in Zermatt. I have visited Zermatt before, but would like to go back.

Travel

• 8 hours non-stop, NYC to Zurich Airport.
• 20 minutes Zurich Airport to Zurich.
• 3 1/2 hours from Zurich to St. Moritz via rail. (change at Chur)
• 8 hours Glacier Express (9AM-5PM winter and summer)
• 3 1/2 hours Zermatt to Zurich airport via rail. (change at Visp)

Geneva could be an alternative gateway city, but is 6 hours from St. Moritz, so an option would be to fly into Zurich and fly out of Geneva.
Departure times of the Glacier Express make it a prerequisite to spend the previous evening in either St. Moritz or Zermatt.

Sights

Zurich - Largest Swiss City.
The Zurich Card provides free public transport and free access to all museums for just 20 Swiss Francs for a 24 hour period.

• Zurich Succulent Plant Collection (Free, 9AM - 4:30PM daily)
• Botanic Garden
• Uetliberg - Mountain look out, access from Zurich via the S10 train
• Swiss National Museum (next to the Zurich Main Rail Station)
• Beyer Watch and Clock Museum
• Lake Zurich by Boat

St. Moritz - Sunny Holiday Resort

• Piz Nair, mountain views from 3057 meters, via 2 funiculars and a gondola.
  

Zermatt - Home of the Matterhorn

• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, mountain views from 3,883 meters (3 gondolas)
• Sunnegga, mountain views via a funicular through the mountain
• Matterhorn Museum
  

Souvenirs

• Swiss Army knife
• Swiss Watch
• Swiss Chocolate
• Swiss Absinthe
• Jet Lag

World-wind Itinerary
Depart NYC PM
Day 1: Arrive Zurich, evening in St. Moritz
Day 2: Glacier Express, 9AM from St. Moritz, arrive Zermatt 5PM, transfer and sleep in Zurich.
Day 3: Depart Zurich, arrive NYC

More Relaxed 5 Day World-wind Itinerary
Depart NYC PM
Day 1: Arrive Zurich, evening in St. Moritz
Day 2: Glacier Express, 9AM from St. Moritz, arrive Zermatt 5PM, stay the night.
Day 3: Full day in Zermatt, second evening in Zermatt.
Day 4: Full day in Zurich, evening in Zurich.
Day 5: Depart Zurich AM.

All photos from the Glacier Express website.