Glacier Express and Lucerne tour: Scenic train and walk

Ride 291 kilometers of Alpine scenery, then walk into the Middle Ages

This 10-hour tour from Zurich combines the Glacier Express scenic train with a guided walk through Lucerne's Old Town. You board at Zurich HB, travel through Chur and Andermatt on the legendary panoramic train, and arrive in Lucerne for a guided tour of the medieval center, Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. A live guide in English or Spanish travels with you and provides commentary on Swiss traditions, the train's history, and the region's heritage.

Step-by-step itinerary

Glacier Express and Lucerne tour

• Meet guide at Zurich train station
• Train ride to Chur with stories
• Board Glacier Express panoramic carriage
• Enjoy scenic Glacier Express ride to Andermatt
• Depart train at Andermatt, board train to Lucerne
• Stop at Lake Lucerne and learn history
• Tour Lucerne Old Town and landmarks
• Return to Zurich

The experience

The day starts at Zurich HB's main hall, where your guide meets you before the journey to Chur: Switzerland's oldest city, with over 5,000 years of history. From there you board the Glacier Express itself, settling into a modern panoramic carriage for the 291-kilometer inland route. The train moves at a pace that lets the landscape unfold: snow-capped mountains around the Oberalp section, architecturally striking bridges at the highest altitude of the tour, and the steady shift from canton to canton. Your guide shares stories about Swiss traditions and the Express's operational history as you travel. Lunch is served at your seat (available for purchase on board), so you don't break the view.

At Andermatt (a traditional Swiss village in the Ursen Valley). You transfer to another train for the final leg to Lucerne. The guide uses this stretch to explain how the Swiss Confederation formed and the endurance of the Swiss Guards, context that deepens what you'll see later. Then comes Lake Lucerne, the lake of four cantons, ringed by sparkling water and deep mountain ranges. Arriving in the city itself, the guide leads you through the medieval Old Town on foot, pointing out the perfectly preserved gothic architecture and the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. You stand in front of the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the world's oldest surviving bridge, and the Lion Monument, an intricate 19th-century rock carving carved into the mountainside to commemorate the Swiss Guards who died in the French Revolution. The full day ends with a return to Zurich.

What’s included

• Glacier Express seat reservation and standard rail pass.
• meet-and-greet at Zurich HB.
• live guide in English or Spanish throughout the day.
• guided walk through Lucerne's medieval Old Town, Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TripsSource

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want mountain scenery and Lucerne's medieval core in one journey with a guide who narrates in English or Spanish: the fixed route combines the train and city walk without separate bookings.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How long is the actual train ride on the Glacier Express?

The Glacier Express journey itself covers 291 kilometers and forms the core of the day. The full tour from Zurich HB to Lucerne and back runs 10 hours total, including the guided walk through Lucerne's Old Town at the end.

What is the Chapel Bridge and why is it famous?

The Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) in Lucerne is the world's oldest surviving wooden bridge, and you walk across it during the guided Old Town segment. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Switzerland and dates back centuries.

Is lunch included, or do I need to pay extra?

Lunch is not included in the base tour price. It can be purchased by card directly on the Glacier Express as the train travels, so you eat at your seat without missing the views.

Will I have time to explore Lucerne on my own, or is it all guided?

The Lucerne portion is a guided walk through the medieval Old Town, Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument led by your guide. The itinerary is structured around these key sites and the return journey to Zurich.

What happens if the Glacier Express is fully booked?

In high season when the main Glacier Express reaches capacity, you may be placed on an alternative scenic train that follows the same route but includes first-class tickets from Chur to Andermatt, a private Sprinter mini-coach, fondue lunch, and the same Old Town walk in Lucerne.