Glacier Express — Attraction in Andermatt

Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn: Scenic Route Overview

Route and Geography

The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) is a scenic narrow-gauge railway that runs through the Swiss Alps, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. The key route stretches between Zermatt and Disentis/Mustér, passing through Brig and Andermatt.

Key Segments and Highlights

Zermatt to Brig • Zermatt: Starting point, a picturesque village at the foot of the Matterhorn. • Täsch: Shuttle service for those visiting Zermatt. • St. Niklaus: A charming village with beautiful views. • Visp: A small town where the railway connects with the broader Swiss railway network. Brig to Andermatt • Brig: Historic town with the Stockalper Palace. • Fiesch: Gateway to the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps. • Oberwald: Entry point to the scenic Furka Tunnel. • Furka Tunnel: A 15.4 km long tunnel that bypasses the high-altitude Furka Pass in winter. • Realp: Small village with stunning mountain views. Andermatt to Disentis/Mustér • Andermatt: Major hub, offering connections to the Glacier Express. • Oberalppass: Highest point on the route at 2,033 meters (6,670 feet) above sea level. • Sedrun: Village known for its beautiful alpine scenery. • Disentis/Mustér: End point, famous for its Benedictine monastery.

Scenic Highlights

• Matterhorn: The iconic mountain visible from Zermatt, offering one of the most recognizable peaks in the world. • Rhone Valley: Stunning valley views between Zermatt and Brig. • Aletsch Glacier: Visible from Fiesch, the largest glacier in the Alps. • Furka Tunnel and Pass: Offers a spectacular journey through alpine landscapes. • Oberalppass: High-altitude pass providing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. • Rhine Gorge: Near Disentis, the “Swiss Grand Canyon” offers dramatic views and unique geological formations.

Experience and Comfort

• Panoramic Windows: The trains are equipped with large windows for unobstructed views of the stunning landscapes. • Comfortable Seating: Designed to provide a relaxing journey through the Alps. • Seasonal Variations: The scenery changes with the seasons, from snow-covered peaks in winter to lush green meadows in summer.

The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn offers an unforgettable journey through some of Switzerland’s most beautiful alpine scenery, making it a must-experience route for travelers and train...

Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz Visited on 20/8/2019

The train track is not within the train station building where tickets are sold. Since there is still plenty of time before the train arrives, we just check out the small supermarket, which sells snacks, pastries, simple hot food and coffee.

Glacier Express is a misnomer, because the train does not pass through any glacier, and it is the slowest express train in the world. The journey takes about 7 and a half hours from Zermatt to St. Moritz.

Glacier Express used to run once a day, but recently it introduces the more luxurious Excellence Class, and adds another trip in the morning. We takes the afternoon run, after spending the morning visiting another tourist spot Aletsch.

The train has big glass windows, and transparent ceiling, which enable travellers to enjoy the scenery.

Our group almost occupy the whole carrier in the first class. The seating is comfortable, stylish, and we have plenty of room to stretch and relax. It is a glorious sunny day, which can be a disadvantage. The sun shines through the ceiling, and can be rather glary and warm, despite the carriage being air-conditioned.

The rolling green valleys and rivers are very picturesque. However, after an hour or so, the novelty wears off, and it can be rather boring. Some members start to fall asleep.

I am not sure whether there is a change in meals option. Dinner is not included in the first class ticket, and has to be ordered and paid for. We are "rationed" with a packet of biscuit.

At Chur, many of us get out of the train and stretch our legs, and some go to get so some beer and snacks from the train station subway.

Glacier Express changes direction at Chur. The sky is still bright, but not for long. We have our little party, and visibility outside the train is getting from to worse, partly due to the fog, and mainly the dim light.

The trains enters a tunnel, and outside is pitch black. By the time it gets out, there light intensity of the valleys is just the same.

We are so looking forward to cross the spectacular curved Landwasser viaduct, but it is a total disappointment, because outside the window is complete darkness.

The train finally arrives at St. Moritz. We are hungry, tired and feeling...

I'd like to warn others as this is definitely a tourist trap. We took the train from Andermatt to St Moritz (although we ended up getting off at Chur because we couldn't stand being on the train any longer). It was hot and stuffy on the train, and there was no way to open the windows to get some air in. People were literally getting off at each stop and standing outside just to get some air. The coach was packed, every seat was taken (this was 2nd class), and the seats themselves just weren't comfortable for long distance travel. You get 0 leg room, and are packed into a 4 seater with a table between you. The whole time both myself and my boyfriend were so uncomfortable, there just wasn't room to move around at all. There was minimal luggage space, and luggage was everywhere so you couldn't walk around the carriage really. The food service was very unorganised and smelly, with the servers rudely asking people to move so they could wander around giving people extra servings of a sauce.

I'd like all tourists reading this to be aware that you can take this exact same route on the normal swiss trains. The train lines used by the Glacier Express are the same train lines that the regular swiss trains use. We got off at Chur, had a wander and then got on the next train to St Moritz (which was a normal swiss train) and had absolutely stunning views, the train was empty so we got lots of room to stretch our legs out. The Glacier Express is so overpriced for what it is, they advertise this amazing experience with huge windows, but the reality is, the normal swiss trains have the same windows, and you can see the same views on the normal trains, without being packed into a hot and stuff coach like a tin of sardines. Just do yourself a favour and book the normal train route for whenever you were going to go on the Glacier Express, you will be doing yourself a huge favour - you don't want to be stuck on this train, unable to get on and off, sweating and feeling uncomfortable in...