Glacier Express Route Private Tour Zurich: First Class Train
Follow the Glacier Express route without the crowds, in first class comfort with your own guide.
A private tour following the scenic Glacier Express route from Zurich through the Rhine Gorge, alpine villages and over the Oberalp Pass to 2,000 meters, with a local guide, first class seating and lunch included. You travel by historic train through eastern Switzerland's oldest city, stop for a traditional Swiss lunch and monastery visit in Disentis, then climb to the glaciers and ski village of Andermatt before returning to Zurich.
Step-by-step itinerary
Scenic train journey and alpine sightseeing
- Travel to Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city
- Pass through the Rhine Gorge
- Lunch and sightseeing in Disentis
- Travel over Oberalp Pass with glacier views
- Explore the ski village of Andermatt
- Return trip to Zurich
What’s included
- First class seating on historic trains.
- private local guide in English.
- lunch at a local Swiss restaurant in Disentis with a beverage of your choice.
- sightseeing in Chur, Disentis and Andermatt.
- hotel or city center pickup in Zurich and return.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Hello Switzerland Tours
Prices and times updated today
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The experience
If you have a free day in Zurich and want to see the Alps without booking the famous Glacier Express train itself, this private tour follows the same scenic route at a slower pace and with more flexibility. You travel in first class comfort on historic trains with a private English-speaking guide who knows the region, stopping where the official train does not. The route takes you through eastern Switzerland's oldest city, Chur, then through the Rhine Gorge (a dramatic canyon carved by glaciers with towering cliffs and winding rivers) before climbing inland toward the mountains.
In the mountain village of Disentis, you step off for a traditional Swiss lunch at a local restaurant with mountain views, then have time to visit the Benedictine monastery before boarding again. The train then climbs over the Oberalp Pass to more than 2,000 meters, where glacier views and high-mountain panoramas open up on the way to Andermatt, a ski village that blends traditional alpine charm with modern mountain amenities. After time to walk through Andermatt, you return to Zurich on the same scenic route, ending the day with 10 hours of travel, stops and stories behind you.
This is not the official Glacier Express (that is a separate, more expensive booking), but a carefully chosen route that captures the same landscape and follows the same general path. The private guide means you move at your own pace, stop where you want to linger, and skip the crowds that fill the famous train in peak season. First class seating, lunch and all transport are included. You bring only yourself and a camera.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a full day free in Zurich and want to see the Alps by train without the cost and crowds of the official Glacier Express. The private guide and flexible stops let you linger where the famous train does not.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 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 Switzerland's Grand Canyon, a dramatic natural canyon carved by ancient glaciers with towering cliffs and a winding river. It sits on the route between Chur and Disentis and is one of the most striking landscapes of the day.
Do I have to walk much in Disentis and Andermatt?
In Disentis, you have time for sightseeing at the Benedictine monastery after lunch, which involves walking through the village. In Andermatt, you stroll through the ski village to take in the alpine scenery. The tour is not recommended for travelers with challenges walking 5,000 steps over the full day.
Is this the official Glacier Express train?
No. This private tour follows the most scenic sections of the Glacier Express route on historic trains, but it is a separate booking with a private guide, not the famous Glacier Express itself. You get the same landscapes and first class comfort without the crowds or the higher price of the official train.
What is included in the lunch at Disentis?
Lunch is served at a local Swiss restaurant in Disentis with a beverage of your choice and views overlooking the mountains. The meal is traditional Swiss cuisine in an alpine setting.
How high does the train climb on the Oberalp Pass?
The train climbs to over 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) on the Oberalp Pass, where you see glacier views and high-mountain panoramas on the way to Andermatt.
Glacier Express Route Private Tour Zurich: First Class Train
10h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 933 per person
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