Glacier Express: from Zermatt to St. Moritz — 7 Days

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Cars are left behind in Täsch, and Zermatt is reached by train. The first day is for the village itself: the historic Hinterdorf quarter with its wooden granaries, the Parish Church of St. Maurice, and the Mountaineers' Cemetery, where those who perished on the Matterhorn are laid to rest. For those who arrive early, the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis tells the story of the village and the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Arrival day should not be overloaded.

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A rack railway from the village station climbs up to Gornergrat, a viewpoint overlooking the Matterhorn and the surrounding glaciers. Riffelsee is frozen and snow-covered in winter, so the famous reflection of the Matterhorn belongs to summer; in winter, the viewpoint itself is the destination. If the summit is hidden in cloud, the trip is moved to the next clear morning, and the day is spent in the village instead. Check opening times before you set off.

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Take the cable cars up to Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 metres and visit the Ice Palace carved inside the glacier. At that altitude the weather can change rapidly, and when winds are strong the cable car to the summit does not operate. In that case, the alternative is Sunegga, reached by underground funicular from the village, with views of the Matterhorn and Lake Leisee beneath the snow. If you ski, this makes for a full ski day in the same area. Pack your bag this evening, as the train departs tomorrow at 08:50.

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The entire day is spent on the train. PE 902 departs from Zermatt at 08:50 and arrives in St. Moritz at 16:37, travelling via Brig, the Oberalp Pass near Andermatt, the Rhine Gorge, and the Landwasser Viaduct before the Engadin. Seat reservations are mandatory at CHF 54 per person in both 1st and 2nd class, in addition to the ticket (full 2nd-class fare is CHF 166). The Swiss Travel Pass covers the ticket but not the reservation. Luggage space is limited: the operator recommends bringing no more than one suitcase alongside hand luggage, and states that skis and bulky items are not suitable for this train. Timetables and prices apply to the 2026/27 season and should be verified before booking. In the evening, a short walk to the lake.

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Lake St. Moritz freezes over in winter, and when the ice permits, horse races and polo tournaments are held on its surface. In the village you will find the Leaning Tower, the Segantini Museum with its 'Alpine Triptych', and the Engadine Museum. In the afternoon, take the funicular up to Muotas Muragl for views over the chain of Engadine lakes. The winter season at the summit begins on 19 December 2026. Before that date, check whether the funicular is running; if not, the alternative is a walk to Lake Staz.

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Take the Bernina Line train towards the Bernina Pass. The first stop is Diavolezza: a cable car up to a viewpoint overlooking the Pers and Morteratsch glaciers. Continue on the same line to Alp Grüm, a station with views of the Palü glacier and the Poschiavo valley, with Lago Bianco alongside the route. The cable car operates during the ski season, so check the timetable before you set off. In poor weather, Alp Grüm remains a worthwhile destination, reachable by train.

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Departure day has no fixed programme. Those travelling later can head out from Pontresina into Val Roseg: in winter by horse-drawn sleigh or on foot, all the way to the Roseg Gletscher restaurant at the end of the valley. A shorter alternative is Lakes Silvaplana and Sils, reachable by bus from St. Moritz. If the departure time leaves no room for either, the final morning is best spent by the lake and around the village.