Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip in one Day Private Tour from Basel
Basel, Switzerland
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Glacier Express is one of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys, but navigating the schedule can be tricky. Focus on the views rather than a timetable on this private full-day train tour from Basel with a local guide. Enjoy a round-trip journey by train and spend hours on the panoramic coach from Chur to Brig passing wide valleys, mountain gorges, and wooden villages while enjoying a gourmet lunch. Choose to take a guided stroll through Chur or Brig and enjoy insights and commentary from your guide along the way.
- Hassle-free travel on the Glacier Express with a guide for assistance
- Snap photos as you wind through Switzerland’s valleys and peaks
- Climb to 6,669 feet (2,033 meters) by train at the Oberalp Pass
- Gourmet lunch included so you don't have to worry about bringing food
What's Included
- One Day Train Pass for the Travel Day in 2nd class
- Travel on scheduled train from Basel to Chur 2nd class (2h 20min)
- Glacier Express train travel from Chur to Brig (4 hours) incl. seat reservation in 2nd class
- 3-course lunch served at your seat (vegetarian option available)
- Headphones and written information available on board the Glacier Express
- Return travel by scheduled train from Brig to Basel (2 hours) in 2nd class
- Swiss tourguide for your party only
- all taxes and fees
- Drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Centralbahnstrasse 10, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
Basel SBB train station, your tourguide awaits you in the departure hall: in front of the ticket office and the official meeting point.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.8:15 am
Itinerary
Settle into a pre-arranged seat on the Glacier Express train and admire the spectacular views on one of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys. If you wish, use the onboard headphones for commentary on the sights.
Absorb the scenery as you pass through the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon,’ an epic part of the Rhine gorge where the river carves through rocks.
Feel the train’s cogwheels engage as it climbs from 5,249 feet (1,600 meters) to 6,669 feet (2,033 meters) — your journey’s highest point — at the Oberalp Pass. Then, descend to 4,724 feet (1,440 meters) for a 20-minute stop at Andermatt, where you have time to disembark for photos.
Continue through the 9.3-mile (15-kilometer) Furka Pass tunnel and picturesque Goms Valley past traditional villages, pastures, and high mountain peaks.
Two hours from Andermatt, leave the train at Brig. Then, catch an inter-city train via the Alps, Lake Thun, and Bern to Basel, where your tour ends.
According your preferences, a short walk around in Chur or Brig can take place (while transfer times to/from Glacier Express).
Absorb the scenery as you pass through the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon,’ an epic part of the Rhine gorge where the river carves through rocks.
Feel the train’s cogwheels engage as it climbs from 5,249 feet (1,600 meters) to 6,669 feet (2,033 meters) — your journey’s highest point — at the Oberalp Pass. Then, descend to 4,724 feet (1,440 meters) for a 20-minute stop at Andermatt, where you have time to disembark for photos.
Continue through the 9.3-mile (15-kilometer) Furka Pass tunnel and picturesque Goms Valley past traditional villages, pastures, and high mountain peaks.
Two hours from Andermatt, leave the train at Brig. Then, catch an inter-city train via the Alps, Lake Thun, and Bern to Basel, where your tour ends.
According your preferences, a short walk around in Chur or Brig can take place (while transfer times to/from Glacier Express).
Lake Zurich (Pass By)
Walensee (Pass By)
1
Chur
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Ruinaulta Rheinschlucht (Pass By)
2
Disentis
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Oberalp Pass (Pass By)
3
Andermatt
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Goms (Pass By)
4
Brig
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Thunersee (Pass By)
Bern (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.2
based on 13 reviews
semira_B, Dec 2025
Joelle was a fantastic guide. It’s a long day on the train but well worth the scenery and the history. I highly recommend it.
Claudia_H, Aug 2022
It felt like a travel day, not a tour. 6 different trains with 10 minutes to catch the next, no time to shop anywhere and a very expensive train ride and a 12 hour day.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
This is a copy/paste review from the same person complaining about prices in Switzerland.
Joan_H, May 2022
Loved seeing the snow capped mountains. The villages in the valleys were so cute. Beautiful country. The train was very nice and our guide was very attentive to us.
Response from Host, Jun 2022
Thank you for your review. Happy you had a great day.
Marianna_O, May 2022
What a surprise! We had our own guide. We would have missed so much, including the train, without our friendly and knowledgeable guide. This was a marvelous journey. We will never forget the beauty of the Alps and the background of Switzerland.
Response from Host, May 2022
Thank you for the feedback.
GLENDAL_P, Sep 2021
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.
Response from Host, Sep 2021
Hello Glenda
Thanks for the feedback. The name "Glacier Express" is made by the train company, which promotes this train. That's why we take over this title.
You're right, on this train you don't see a real glacier, but a lot of alpine peaks (especially on the Oberalp pass). From former history, the train passed the Furka pass, where there was a view to the Aare-glacier. Since 1982 the train runs on the safe base tunnel (all year long), the old route was accessible June to Sept only. And due to the climate change, the Aare glacier shrinked that much, that even from the street you can not see it any more.
To see real glaciers in Switzerland (or what is still here from the glaciers), we recommend to travel to Gornergrat or Jungfraujoch, the two last places where you see glaciers.
Kind regards from Switzerland
susansD3668ES, Aug 2019
This turned out to be a wonderful day with a private guide who was very personable. The ride on the train was great with lots of viewing windows. The food was good too!
Response from Host, Aug 2019
Good morning
Thank you for your feedback, hope to see you soon again in Switzerland.
Kind regards
Mike
SwissTravelGuide.ch
Angela F, Jul 2018
This tour itself was great. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and very nice! She spent the entire day with us, answered many questions and showed us around. The train ride was absolutely beautiful and I definitely recommend going on the Glacier Express. Especially if you only have a couple days to spend in Switzerland, this is a great way to see more of the country and relax with amazing views as well! Plus the food on the train was pretty good! The only thing I can say that is not so good is the fact that this website misled my husband and I, as the overview description for the tour states that a First Class train ticket is included for this tour and we did not sit in first class. Viator, please fix this information to avoid any customer disappointment. After speaking with a great customer service rep with Viator, he was able to make things right by sending us a partial refund for the first class ticket. I am very grateful for that! So besides that, you will love this tour!! Thank you Viator!
Response from Host, Jul 2018
Thanks for your feedback and for bringing the First-Class ticket issue to our attention! Please note, we are working with our local tour operator to correct this info as quickly as possible. Thanks again and we're glad you had a great time on your tour!
From $934.61
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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