Glacier Express and Swiss Alps and Lucerne Tour From Zurich
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Zurich, Switzerland
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Exploring further afield on vacation can be enticing, but handling foreign roads or an unfamiliar city’s public transport can prove more stressful than it’s worth. With this small-group tour, you have a guide to see you through all your explorations out of Zurich, from the train journey to the Swiss Alps to Lucerne and back again.
- Book your travel and your guide all at once with ease
- Wheelchair accessible—no one gets left out of this tour
- A way more personal experience in a tour capped at 15 people
- Feel free to pick your guide’s brain as you sightsee
What's Included
- Local Guide
- Standard Rail Pass
- Glacier Express Seat Reservation
- Meet & Greet at Zurich HB (Instructions will be sent after booking)
- Lunch (can be purchased by card on the Glacier Express)
- Gratuitues
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Zürich HBBahnhofplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Meet your tour guide inside the main hall underneath the clock tower of the central train station of Zurich HB. Your guide will always come 10 minutes prior to the meeting time; in case you are late or have an emergency, please contact us
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Start time.10:00 am
Itinerary
1
Zurich
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Chur
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Oberalp Pass (Pass By)
3
Andermatt
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
4
Lucerne
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
5
Zurich
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 298 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The tour guide Jovana was very knowledgeable, energetic and most of all very enthusiastic. She made a special effort to accommodate a disabled passenger and was very flexible in dynamically adjusting the schedule to accommodate the situation on the ground. We had an enjoyable day witnessing the amazing Swiss countryside.
Did this tour on 25/6/26,Very disappointed with this tour, we paid a lot of money for this, tour not as described ,guide constantly preached about god, we were not in a group , would not recommend, better tours on offer
If there is any disruption viator will not care to resolve. Our train got disrupted. We ended up using taxi and paid from our pocket. Viator refused to refund the taxi charges
Double check your tour double triple check that your tour is not cancelled. I got my voucher from Viator and they gave me the ticket.
It was a very good experience of the Alps in a train. Our guide Mary was very good and was very professional. She took care of all our needs. The trip was a little long, and because of the time if the year, the views were not the most spectacular compared to colder weather. Price is high.
Trip was almost 10 hrs in trains changing from one to another. That not what was explained on the itinerary
Guide was not a Local. His Asian accent was very difficult to understand, not only by me but the others in the group all agreed. We spent about 2 hours on the Glacier Express train, the rest of the 10 hour tour was mostly changing trains, 6 exchanges. Definitely not worth over $1,100 dollars for 2 people. They also changed our meeting time and location thru email about 1 hour prior to set time. We have used Viator several times in past, and had great guides, etc.
Trip was long and exhausting for arthritic seniors. Guide had accent that made his comments almost incomprehensible
Pleasant day, beautiful views. Victor was a wonderful guide. Trip went like clockwork because of his great planning. We went on 6 trains and every one was on time. I could never have planned it so well. Food really good on the Glacier express. Sit on the left side leaving Zürich facing the direction you are traveling . You can really see from everwhere and apparently you need a reservation. Only down side, it was raining in Lucerne.
It is a long day as you visit several places. The glacier express was wonderful! Had lunch on the train with beautiful views of the alps
We done the 10 hour one and it was the best experience and a fantastic guide victory he made it .Love our experience. Have good walk in foot ware on and we had a pack lunch and drinks we also layer or clothes we had a beautiful sunny day in March but lots of sown.
BEWARE...Over-priced, Emergency Contact line/calls not answered, slow/late responses to texts and e-mails... DO NOT USE Tours of Switzerland or Viator for bookings, both are expensive middlemen...USE YOUR HOTEL CONCIERGE OR HIRE A CONSULTANT, THEN BOOK YOURSELF DIRECTLY!
Also. NO REFUNDS IF YOU SUDDENLY BECOME ILL...Then they tell you after the fact to get travel insurance.
We booked for the Glacier Ride. It was scheduled for 10am Thursday. Instructions were to meet at the Zurich Central Train station under the Tower clock and to be there 10 mins early. We did that we were at the station at 9:40 and at the clock at 9:45. At 10 we realized nobody was there ao I rechecked the Viator site, still listed same information. I finally got a hold of someone at Viator and they stated they couldn't reach the tour company and that they would look into it and email me back. Well they did but stated refund denied, no explanation as to why it was denied. In the meantime I found an email from the tour company that was sent at 9pm the previous night, didn't state company just the individual who sent it. We had been receiving notifications via email and text all week from Viator, but this one time nothing. Wednesday we got back to our hotel around 8:30pm from another tour booked on another site that lasted 12 hours. Didn't check emails at all we were tired, didn't think we had to since we had been receiving emails and texts directly from viator. This booking was $1,100 and my gf was really excited about the train ride. I guarantee you if it was say under $200 they would have refunded the charge. Needless to say family attorney friend will be calling them soon. If you book with Viator check you emails every 30 minutes until your booking date.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re sorry to hear about your disappointment and completely understand your frustration. Please know that we were genuinely looking forward to welcoming you on this tour.
An email with the final instructions, including the exact meeting location and time, was sent to the email address provided the afternoon of the day prior — which you had indicated would be monitored while in Switzerland. Our guide was present at the meeting point, asked others nearby in case you were among them, and waited beyond the scheduled time before having to depart with the group.
We understand that travel plans can be stressful, and we never want to miss the opportunity to deliver a memorable experience. However, as the tour operator (not the booking platform), we kindly remind guests that Viator is a reseller, and final tour communication — especially for meeting points, time adjustments, and last-minute updates — is sent directly by us. We always recommend checking email and messaging us directly with any concerns prior to the tour.
If you’d like to discuss this further, we remain at your service via info@tours-of-switzerland.com.
My sister and I booked this tour (Glacier Express Train) when we were in Zurich. The night before we got a message that there was no more availability on the glacier express train but that the same tour would be available taking local trains. The cost difference between the two tours was $390 USD for the two of us. We did not get this back. We paid for the Glacier express train (which has food and drink available) and we ended up on local trains (no amenities) and not the same views from the train cars- regular windows. The day was spent going from local train to local train. We spent one hour in one of the cities. Other than that, you literally sit on a train or change trains all day. Bring your own food or drink. It was hectic in some of the trains with commuters getting off and on in the busy hours, our guide couldn’t really talk to us at some points because of the crowds. This would not have happened if we were on the dedicated Glacier Express Train. We agreed to take the local trains, so that was our fault for not confirming we would be refunded the difference in the more expensive Glacier Express Train tickets. I do not believe this tour was worth the money. It was a disappointment, made worse by the fact that Viator didn’t refund the difference in our tickets…and yes, I put in several requests. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this tour for the money.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback.
We are sorry that you couldn't experience the Glacier Express train, unfortunately, their overbooking was out of our control and we did our best to manage the situation to avoid that you do not have a tour altogether, and still explore a UNESCO World Heritage region.
The rate you referenced was the direct booking rate through our official website, which is always lower than prices shown on third-party platforms such as Viator due to the commission they add. Unfortunately, we do not control their pricing or their refund policy on their commission.
The alternative tours were suggest and we did our best to accommodate the alternative chosen. Other guests that day made the same switch and decided to pay the direct rate allowing us to restructure the group and cancel the original Glacier Express & Lucerne tour.
We strive to be transparent and flexible, and we’re always here to answer questions directly — which is why we encourage booking with us through tours-of-switzerland.com or contacting us at info@tours-of-switzerland.com to ensure direct communication and support.
We hope to have the chance to welcome you again under better circumstances.
This was a wonderful experience with an amazing guide. Gina took great care of us. She was very knowledgeable on this trip and had helpful advice for the rest of our stay!
Melissa are guide was great. She was friendly and very knowledgeable. She was the best part g the trip.
The tour was not what was described. We went to Andermatt first instead of Chur. Did not spend anytime in Andermatt because we were trying to catch the train. We did not enjoy the glacier express because our seat were spread out. Chur was nice. Spent about an hour there. Then took a bus to Lucerne and did not get much time. The traveling part was too long and spent very little time at the destinations. I suspect if we went to Chur first and followed the initial route there would have been more time at the destinations.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind words about Melissa — we’re thrilled to hear she made a positive impression and that you found her friendly and knowledgeable. We’ll be sure to pass on your compliments!
We’re sorry to hear that the overall structure of the tour didn’t meet your expectations. Occasionally, due to operational reasons, routing must be adjusted — such as starting from Andermatt instead of Chur — especially if seat allocations or track logistics require it. We understand that seating arrangements on the Glacier Express are important, and while we always aim to keep parties seated together, last-minute changes by the rail operator can sometimes affect this, especially during busy travel days.
Regarding time at destinations: your feedback is valuable. We continually work to balance travel time with meaningful stops, and we understand your suggestion that a Chur-first itinerary may have felt more relaxed. We’ll review the day’s logistics to see where improvements can be made.
Thank you again for traveling with us — and for your feedback, which helps us improve the experience for future guests. If you’d like to follow up directly, we’re always happy to hear from you at info@tours-of-switzerland.com.
Areas for improvement.
1. I booked this trip in August of 2025 for December of 2025. This tour operator did not book any of our seats on the Glacier Express together, despite being able to see through my booking that there was a child (Booked for 2 adults and 1 child). It should have been communicated back then if they were unable to book 2 seats of the seats beside each other and one across, but it was not. You will not find out until you are literally getting in the Glacier Express with your tour guide that your party will be separated. There will be nothing to be done about it.
2. To add on to previous. You are not “guaranteed a window seat” as written in the description of this tour. in fact, no one in my party of 3 got a window seat, all 3 of us had aisle seats. This is a misleading advertisement because you are in a “panoramic carriage”, so basically false advertising.
3. The meeting point is very misleading. I sent a message to the tour operator the evening before our trip. I provided our WhatsApp and requested the name of our guide/what they would be wearing etc so we could identify them. I received no response the night before. You actually don’t meet under the main clock tower if you google that location. You meet under the clock that says Mondaine across from the Oscar Cafe.This might be a better update to communicate on their booking details so that you don’t go to the wrong location as the tour company won’t answer your messages to tell you where to go instead.
4. I paid for the upgrade upon booking for the lunch option. I tried 3 times to order food as soon as we boarded as our guide advised me to do and was refused by train staff (told I could only order drinks). Our tour guide came by to check on us and I explained the situation. He tried as well to get the waiter to let us order. He was promptly told, “not now” as well. This was difficult as I could not order food for my 10 year old for lunch (not to mention my child is autistic). I was charged for something I did not receive.
5. Pay attention to the details. You will actually not get to go to the Lucerne Christmas market. You will get an hour tour of Lucerne. Another false advertisement.
6. Our guide was very nice and apologetic. All of these issues are management related with misleading advertising and charging a ridiculous price for not delivering what is written in the descriptions. I did not mind paying for what I thought I was getting, it’s that I didn’t receive what I paid for based on the descriptions and summaries provided by this company. You would be better off to book through a different company or even book it yourself through Glacier Express for a fraction of the price. The only real “guided” tour part was the 1 hour walk through Lucerne.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience — we’re sorry to hear it didn’t meet your expectations.
We’re continuously working to deliver memorable and well-organized tours, and it’s disappointing to learn that the day didn’t go as smoothly as it should have. While we do our best to communicate updates, ensure seamless logistics, and coordinate between guides, platforms, and transport partners, there are times when operational constraints or last-minute changes (such as seating arrangements, routing, or timing) require swift adaptation. These are never intended to cause inconvenience, and we sincerely regret when they do.
We genuinely value every guest who joins our tours and are committed to improving based on all feedback — both positive and critical. If aspects of the experience felt unclear or underdelivered, that is not what we aim for. We’re grateful that you still recognized the efforts of the guide, and we hope that despite the shortcomings, you were able to enjoy at least parts of the day.
For any further comments or follow-up, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at info@tours-of-switzerland.com — we’re always happy to listen and assist.
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.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re very sorry that your experience fell short of expectations, and we sincerely regret that the guide’s handling of the day disrupted the planned itinerary.
That said, we did our best to adapt the tour in real time, and we were able to secure Glacier Express reservations on an alternative scenic route, which still featured UNESCO World Heritage landscapes — one of the highlights of the original tour. While we understand it wasn’t the exact route expected, we wanted to ensure you still had a meaningful experience.
In addition, we offered an alternative day to visit other locations and provided a partial refund as a gesture of goodwill and accountability.
We value your feedback and are taking it seriously to improve internal coordination and ensure this doesn’t happen again. Should you wish to speak further, you’re always welcome to contact us directly at info@tours-of-switzerland.com.
Althoughh we had a great tour guide, Margaux, we did not receive the product that we purchased. It is advertised as ride on the Glacier Express and last for 10 hours. We did not ride on the Glacier Express but followed the route of the Glacier Express on other trains and the tour only lasted about 8 hours. We arrived for the tour 30 minutes early and there was nobody at the meeting place 15 minutes prior as avertised so we wern't sure we were in the right place and made seceral trips in and around the Zurich train station. Another tour guide for a different excursion got our tickets and on the train where we met our tour guide in Lucerne with the renainder of our group. I request a partial refund but it was denied. I feel as though it was a bait and switch tactic.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re sorry the experience didn’t meet your expectations, and we appreciate you sharing your feedback.
While we’re glad to hear your guide made a positive impact, we understand how disappointing it can feel when the logistics or itinerary differ from what was anticipated. In overly busy periods such has December, adjustments are made for operational reasons (On this occasion our group was overbooked), and we always aim to communicate these clearly in advance.
Please also note that the exact meeting point is shared after booking and can always be found on our website. We encourage all guests to review this carefully, and to reach out using the contact information provided if there are any questions before the tour begins.
If you’d like to discuss your experience further, feel free to reach us directly at info@tours-of-switzerland.com. We’d be happy to assist!
No guide present
No information
We lost the train
Stay away from this company
Not serious , no feedback
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re sorry to hear about your experience. Our team strives to provide timely communication and clear instructions for every guest, and we deeply regret if this did not come through as expected. The meeting point details are always shared in advance via the confirmation email and our website.
If you missed the train or couldn’t locate the guide, we kindly ask that you contact us directly so we can better understand what happened and help resolve the issue. You can reach us at info@tours-of-switzerland.com.
We remain at your service and hope to restore your confidence in our company.
Very good trip and very friendly tour guide. Wonderful trip Zurich - St. Moritz Nov 2025. Very nice view from the train
Leighton is simply the best guide ever! We loved every minute of the trip and recommend that everyone do it.
Anna was great. Very enjoyable train rides and lots of local information. Saw a lot in one day. Loved the glacier express and touring Lucerne.
Michelle was amazing. This is a long day but we were able to enjoy every minute absorbing the beauty and uniqueness of the Alps. Our guide handled every aspect of the journey, managed our time to maximize the experience and we missed nothing!
Our walking tour through Lucerne included strolling through the old town and a stop at the “Lion” memorial. We had lunch in a historic restaurant in the old town and Michelle made sure that we enjoyed a traditional Swiss treat - the raclette was fabulous - along with the local soda. We are now Rivella Red fans!!
Back to the train station and we began our trip climbing up up up! Michelle managed the tickets and we made very connection wasting no time between trains or waiting in stations. Along the way, she explained the history of each region of Switzerland and answered our countless questions about the economy, social life, livelihoods of the Swiss, and Swiss culture. This was truly the highlight of our journey across Europe and we will definitely be coming back to Switzerland and will seek out experiences offered by Michelle and her team.
Absolutely amazing. Very very picturesque though out the journey. We loved it and highly recommend to all
Our tour guide Ana Cruz was fantastic
The tour operator re-scheduled my paid ticket for this tour 16hrs prior to the start of the tour. I told the tour operator which is "Tours of Switzerland" that I cannot re-sched the tour as my schedule is fixed. I contact them through our hotel reception telephone and I was able to talk to the head guy of the tour operator named Jonas and told me that he cannot do anything about it. I paid 2person that costs me USD1,287 and what I get is that they just send me the tiket for the glacier express ride "only" without guide aa indicated in the itinerary, and "Jonas promised me that the Lucerne tour will proceed but no reply from him. We just ride thw glacier express DIY. I should've just booked the ticket by myself. I regret booking this tour feom viator and from that tour operator named "Tours of switzerland" very poor communication between viator and the tour operator. Its not worth it.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We’d like to offer some clarity regarding the situation:
• The change in schedule was unfortunately caused by Glacier Express operational constraints, which we were informed of less than 24 hours before your tour. We understand how frustrating that is, especially with a tight travel schedule, and we tried to act quickly to minimize the disruption by offering options.
• As discussed with Jonas over the phone, the Glacier Express tickets were still provided for the original scenic route you booked, and we ensured you could still enjoy that portion. Regarding the Lucerne portion, we acknowledge this was impacted and are sorry that it didn’t proceed as intended. We’re reviewing this internally to understand how the communication could’ve been improved.
• Please also note that when booking through Viator, they act as a third-party reseller, and due to commission margins (often 30–40%), it limits what we can offer in refund scenarios without their coordination.
That said, we never want our guests to leave disappointed. We invite you to reach out to us directly at info@tours-of-switzerland.com so we can review your case and offer you an appropriate gesture of goodwill.
This tour is today, unfortunately they canceled it due to the number of participants.
No email or text about cancellation.
I’ve spent a half an hour there and 30 CHF for the taxi. Nobody has contacted me.
Too bad I waited at the meeting point no one appeared to pick me the emergency number provided couldn’t!!!!
The Glacier Express was not as advertised. Several places in the description indicated "first class" but no first class tickets/seats were included. We were told that we each had to pay an extra $250 US to have the experience we thought we had already purchased. This was added to the approximately $550 US per person we already paid. The other members of our group also had the same understanding from the description on Viator. When our guide contacted her office regarding this discrepancy, she was told that it was Viator's mistake (not the tour company).
The tour itself was disappointing due to poor visibility, but that's no human's fault.
The tour guide, Anna, was a delight!!! Such a good resource of information and hospitality.
Buyer beware.
The tour on the Glacier Express and Lindt Chocolate is a definite must do. I hope you get Ana Cruz as your tour guide. Bright, vivacious and knowledgeable, she was fabulous. She explained everything! Gave tidbits of information about life in Switzerland and her own experiences there. Her exuberance is contagious. We went to Lucerne, Andermatt, Oberalp Pass and Chur. My husband and I loved everything about this tour, including the other couple who we were fortunate enough to get along with. (It could have made for a very different tour if we felt otherwise!)
Do not hesitate to book this tour! It was amazing!
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