Glacier Express Route Private Tour: Zurich Alpine Villages & Passes
Ride the Glacier Express route with a guide who knows which stops matter
This private tour follows the scenic Glacier Express route from Zurich with your own local guide, traveling by historic train through eastern Switzerland's most dramatic landscapes. You'll pass through the Rhine Gorge, stop in the mountain village of Disentis for sightseeing and an optional lunch, climb the Oberalp Pass to over 2,000 meters with glacier views, and visit the alpine ski village of Andermatt before returning to Zurich. The tour runs about 10 hours and includes a 2nd class day pass for all trains, buses, trams and ferries across Switzerland.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Scenic Glacier Express Route Tour
- Travel to Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city
- Pass through the Rhine Gorge
- Sightseeing in Disentis village
- Optional: Enjoy traditional Swiss lunch
- Travel over Oberalp Pass with glacier views
- Explore Andermatt ski village
- Return trip to Zurich
What’s included
- 2nd class day pass for all trains, buses, trams and ferries throughout Switzerland.
- private local guide who speaks English.
- comfortable seats with large windows on historic trains.
- sightseeing time in Disentis and Andermatt.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Hello Switzerland Tours
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
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The experience
Chur, Switzerland's oldest city, is where the day begins. You travel east through serene landscapes with panoramic views from your window, easing into the route before the terrain turns dramatic. The Rhine Gorge comes next: a natural canyon carved by ancient glaciers, with towering cliffs and winding rivers that make up one of the most striking segments of the entire journey. This is the stretch that separates a private guided route from the crowded official Glacier Express: your guide knows when to point, when to let the view speak, and which details matter.
Disentis sits in the heart of the Alps, and you'll have time there to walk the village and choose whether to eat. A traditional Swiss lunch at a local restaurant is optional, so the pace stays yours. From there the train climbs toward the Oberalp Pass, rising above 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) with glacier views and high-mountain panoramas opening up as you ascend. Andermatt, a ski village that blends traditional alpine charm with modern mountain life, is where you pause before the return journey to Zurich. The whole day is built around the train windows and the stops where you step out: no rushing between tourist checkpoints, just the route itself and the guide who rides it with you.
Your 2nd class day pass covers all trains, buses, trams and ferries across Switzerland for the duration, so the logistics are already arranged. The tour is private to your party, which means the guide's attention stays on you and the pace adjusts to what interests you most. Comfortable seats with large windows come standard, and the guide speaks English and knows the route as a local, not as someone reading from a script.
Is this one for you?Choose the Signature Tour (2nd class) if you want the full route at a steady pace, or upgrade to Premium (1st class) for wider seats and more space if you're traveling with luggage or prefer extra comfort on a 10-hour day. Either way, having your own guide means the stops and the timing work around what you want to see, not around a fixed itinerary for forty strangers.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 16 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the Rhine Gorge and why is it on this route?
The Rhine Gorge is a dramatic natural canyon carved by ancient glaciers, with towering cliffs and a winding river cutting through it. It's one of the most striking segments of the Glacier Express route and sits between Chur and Disentis on this tour.
Do I have to eat lunch in Disentis, or can I skip it?
Lunch in Disentis is optional. You'll have time to explore the mountain village and can choose to eat at a local restaurant or simply walk around and take in the alpine scenery.
How high does the train climb on the Oberalp Pass?
The Oberalp Pass reaches over 2,000 meters (6,560 feet), where glacier views and high-mountain panoramas open up as you continue toward Andermatt.
Is this the official Glacier Express train?
No, this is a private tour that follows the most scenic sections of the Glacier Express route using historic trains. It skips the tourist crowds and includes a local guide who travels with you the entire day.
What does the 2nd class day pass cover?
The pass covers all trains, buses, trams and ferries across Switzerland for the day, so your transport is arranged from start to finish.
Glacier Express Route Private Tour: Zurich Alpine Villages & Passes
10h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 809 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.