Glacier Express: The 11 Best Ways to Ride It

1.Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 164 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $599Our pick

Glacier Express from Zurich to Lucerne in about 10 hours. First-class Alpine views, Chur and Andermatt, guided Old Town walk.

“Our guide took us to the wrong train station so we didn’t cover 90% of this tour. We were only on the GE for 2 hours and went to a totally different location. This was the worse experience of my life. The guide was totally unprepared and unqualified to be a guide. This tour was very expensive and I’m fighting to get my money back.”

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2.Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Basel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $597

Basel to Lucerne by panoramic Swiss rails with reserved Glacier Express seating, guided Old Town walking, and Lake Lucerne views.

“Wonderful experience and views of the Swiss Alps, cities and history. We did have an issue with Viator and miscommunication with the local contracted Swiss tour company on location to meet which made us miss the original train and caused us to alter the daily plan. Be sure to look for any late emails.”

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3.Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip from Zürich With Private Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $951

Private Glacier Express panoramic round trip from Zurich with a guide, walking breaks in Chur and Brig, plus 3-course lunch at your seat.

“Vistas desde el tren es lo único de valor. Los pueblos visitados no tienen nada que ver. Perdida de tiempo. En adición hay que estar en buena condición para caminar en los varios pueblos. El hotel pick up es un engaño. Nos recogió a pie una persona y caminamos como 2 millas para llegar al tren y de regreso nos dijo sigan derecho hasta llegar al hotel… no era detecho.”

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4.Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 31 reviews · 10 hours · from $581

Ride the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps from Zurich, then tour Lucerne, Chapel Bridge, and the Lion Monument with a guided small group.

“Well I was at the meeting point almost 30mins before the said meeting time and no one was there. Even though there is a note that guide would be there 10mins early to greet you. Also when I tried contacting them via email I getting any response or I contacted my credit card company for dispute. But don’t bother booking through them it’s just a scam. Instead if you want to ride glacier express book on their original website months in advance.”

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5.Glacier Express UNESCO Views & St. Moritz Tour | From Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $402Best value

Join a guided UNESCO rail day from Zurich to Chur, the Landwasser Viaduct, and St. Moritz, with free time, small groups, and rail passes.

“Beautiful train ride. Jean was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and personable. Glad we did the tour, totally worth it.”

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6.Premium Glacier Express Route Private Tour from Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $1,122

Private Premium Glacier Express route from Zurich with Chur, Rhine Gorge, Disentis monastery, Oberalp Pass, Andermatt, plus pickup and guided comfort.

“We had an amazing Glacier Express tour with Laura at Hello Switzerland Tours. Laura is one of the nicest, sweetest tour guides we’ve had who is so knowledgeable and super accommodating. Laura made sure that she tailored this private tour to our liking. We even had an amazing gourmet lunch at Desantis in a beautiful, cozy restaurant! So happy that I canceled a previous similar booking that would only serve you lunch inside the train. Going outside and seeing the city, getting some fresh air, and eating that sumptuous lunch was definitely a better experience than that other Glacier Express tour. I highly recommend upgrading to the Premium First Class…”

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7.Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Lucerne

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 21 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $598

Guided Glacier Express day trip from Lucerne with reserved rail seats, alpine views to Andermatt, then Lucerne Old Town highlights like Chapel Bridge.

“Anna is a responsible and friendly guide. But, this tour is all about trying out on different types of trains/ routes. All I can remember is the 1 hour stop over/ tour at Andermatt (breathtaking scenery and tranquil environment). Not worth paying so much for the Glacier Express (or maybe the view from Chur to Andermatt was not the most scenic segment) ! The scenery was quite alike to the normal trains we took.”

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8.Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Basel

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 17 reviews · 12 hours · from $581

Glacier Express and Lucerne day trip from Basel with Chur, Lake Lucerne, and a guided walk at Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument.

“I cannot tell you how disappointed this experience has been. This tour was not at all what was advertised and what I booked on September 2025. A tour advertised at the time of booking as an 8 hour day that promised to be a “luxury tour” with food available turned into a 12 hour marathon on 6 different trains. NO food provided or even available for purchase. Not to mention the text message we received the night before the tour after 8 pm (less than 13 hours before we were to meet our guide at 9:15) telling me the Glacier Express was overbooked and we were cancelled! After exchanging many…”

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9.Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip in one Day Private Tour from Basel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $959

Private Glacier Express day trip from Basel with a guide, reserved 2nd-class seats, 3-course lunch, Oberalp Pass views, and train return.

“Our tour guide was terrific. I love trains so I loved riding on one. However, you really should be more descriptive in your promo regarding this trip. First of all you do not see glaciers so why is it the Glacier Express and your promo should state that it is ONLY a train ride. You do not get off in any of the villages so it is just riding close to the Alps. Not through them. Lunch on board was delicious and the service on the train was excellent. Mostly we just loved our tour guide Oskar. He was so friendly and interesting. He was very informative.”

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10.Glacier Express Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Lucerne

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 9 reviews · 10 hours · from $581

Small group rail tour from Lucerne, with a Glacier Express ride through the Oberalp, Lake Lucerne views, and medieval highlights like Chapel Bridge.

“Great experience. Jade was wonderful and made day easy and efficient.”

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11.Glacier Express, Swiss Alps Bern City in Private Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $937

Basel to Bern in one day by train, with a reserved Glacier Express ride, optional seat lunch, and guided strolls in Brig and Bern.

“Spectacular trip through the Swiss Alps. The train is very comfortable and has great service. The views are amazing! What made our trip very special was our tour guide Juliana. She is pleasant, knowledgeable and truly enjoys her job. Be sure to ask for her for a wonderful day”

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