GLACIER EXPRESS. One of Europe’s most beautiful railway routes (St. Moritz – Zermatt)

Unforgettable trip across the heart of the Swiss Alps. In just under eight hours, this legendary panoramic train connects St. Moritz and Zermatt, offering beautiful views of dramatic mountains, deep gorges, historic viaducts and high alpine passes. HISTORY The Glacier Express first departed on 30 June 1930, created to link the cantons of Valais and Graubünden and to open the Alps to international tourism. Originally operating only in summer, the train became a year-round service in 1982 with the opening of the Furka Base Tunnel. Over the decades, it evolved from a practical long-distance connection into a world-renowned tourist experience, symbolising Swiss engineering, precision and the philosophy of slow travel. TECHNICAL FACTS ◾ Route length: 291 km (181 miles) ◾Journey time: approx. 8 hours ◾ Infrastructure: 291 bridges, 91 tunnels ◾ Highest point: Oberalp Pass – 2,033 m above sea level ◾ Lowest point: Chur – 585 m above sea level ◾ Track gauge: Metre gauge (narrow gauge) ◾ Special systems: Rack-and-pinion sections on steep gradients ◾ Key tunnels: Furka Base Tunnel (15.4 km), Albula Tunnel ◾ Panoramic coaches: Large windows designed for uninterrupted alpine views CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY LINE The railway line used by the Glacier Express is not a single line built at once, but a unique combination of several historic mountain railways, constructed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries under extremely demanding alpine conditions. The Albula Railway, connecting Chur with St. Moritz, was built between 1898 and 1904 by the Rhaetian Railway. It is considered a masterpiece of railway engineering, featuring spiral tunnels, tight curves, and iconic structures such as the Landwasser Viaduct, designed to overcome steep gradients without the use of a rack system. Further west, the Furka–Oberalp Railway was constructed in stages between 1911 and 1926, linking Andermatt with Brig and Disentis. This section required extensive use of rack-and-pinion technology to manage extreme slopes and high-altitude terrain, including crossings of the Oberalp and Furka passes. The Mattertal line between Visp, Brig and Zermatt was completed in 1891, opening access to the remote alpine valley below the Matterhorn. Its construction involved stabilising steep valley walls, protecting the line against avalanches, and building resilient infrastructure in an area prone to landslides and extreme weather. Originally, winter operations were impossible due to heavy snowfall on the high passes. This changed fundamentally in 1982 with the opening of the Furka Base Tunnel, which replaced the exposed summit route and enabled reliable, year-round operation. Together, these lines form one of the most complex and scenic railway corridors in the world—an enduring testament to Swiss engineering, perseverance, and the ambition to connect even the most remote alpine regions by rail. HIGHLIGHTS ◾ Nicknamed “the slowest express train in the world”, by design—not by limitation. ◾ Travels from the Matterhorn to the Bernina region, crossing the very center of the Alps. ◾ Runs along parts of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes. ◾ Famous landmarks include the Landwasser Viaduct, the Rhine Gorge, and the Oberalp Pass. ◾ Onboard catering focuses on regional cuisine, supplied fresh along the route. ◾ Particularly popular with international visitors seeking a premium scenic rail experience. #railway #train #travel