Glacier Express

Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn / Rhaetian Railway
Switzerland
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The Journey

Navigate from Zermatt Railway Station to St. Moritz Railway Station across a span of 291km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Landwasser Viaduct (65m curved stone drop)
  • Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon')
  • Oberalp Pass (2,033m)
  • Matterhorn views from Zermatt departure
  • Albula Line UNESCO spiral tunnels
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    8 hours

  • Distance

    291 km

  • Est. Price

    Expensive (CHF 159–812 depending on class + CHF 54 mandatory seat reservation)

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: 5-Course Gourmet Lunch with Champagne

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

RhB Ge 4/4 II or III (adhesion) on Albula line; MGB HGe 4/4 II rack-and-adhesion diesel-electric on Oberalp Pass section

Locomotive Weight

Approx. 50–62 tonnes (Ge 4/4 II class)

Track Gauge

1,000 mm (Meter gauge)

Braking Technology

Vacuum brakes with regenerative/rheostatic braking for steep alpine descents

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Traverses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels throughout the 8-hour journey

  • Climbs to 2,033m Oberalp Pass using Abt system rack-and-pinion technology

  • Navigates spiral tunnels of the Albula Line (UNESCO World Heritage)

  • Gradients up to 110‰ (11%) on Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn mountain sections

  • Landwasser Viaduct approach requires tight curve geometry

Traction System

11kV AC overhead line (RhB) / 11kV AC (MGB)

Max Grade

110‰ (11 percent)

Max Operating Speed

80 km/h on mountain sections

Albula Tunnel

5,866m at 1,821m elevation (UNESCO Albula Line)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    8 hours

  • Distance

    291 km

  • Est. Price

    Expensive (CHF 159–812 depending on class + CHF 54 mandatory seat reservation)

Official Booking Provider