Glacier Express tickets 2025: prices, best seats & booking guide

Introduction

The Glacier Express is one of Switzerland’s most iconic train journeys. It links the mountain resorts of Zermatt and St Moritz and takes around eight hours.
Despite its name, the train is not fast, but that is exactly the point: it travels slowly through the Alps so passengers can enjoy the scenery in comfort. If you are planning to embark on this scenic journey, make sure to secure your glacier express tickets ahead of time. Booking your glacier express tickets early can enhance your experience.

With panoramic windows and three different travel classes, the Glacier Express offers a level of experience that goes far beyond simple transportation.

This article shows you how to book glacier express tickets, secure the best seats, and plan your journey from start to finish, ensuring you have all the information needed for your glacier express tickets.

Disclosure: Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Glacier Express Quick Facts (2025)

🕒 Duration	~8 hours full route (Zermatt ↔ St. Moritz)
🛤 Route Length	291 km
💰 Price Range for the full route	2nd class: CHF 159 for the ticket + CHF54 reservation fee 1st class: CHF 272 for the ticket + CHF54 reservation fee Excellence: 1st-class ticket (CHF272) + CHF 540 reservation (full route)
🎟 Seat Reservation	Mandatory for all classes
🧳 Luggage	Limited space
📶 Wi-Fi	Available in all classes
📸 Windows	Large sealed windows, small door windows open at stops

*Fares/fees may change; verify live prices during booking.

Differences between the different classes

2nd Class — Best value with the same views

2nd class is the most budget-friendly way to enjoy the Glacier Express, and honestly, it offers the exact same panoramic windows and scenery as every other class on the train.

The seating is arranged in a 2+2 layout, with comfortable modern seats, large windows, overhead racks and luggage shelves at the carriage entrance.

Meals are not included, but you can preorder a dish or order à la carte during the trip. If your priority is the scenery rather than luxury, 2nd class is a great choice.

This is the class most travellers choose, especially families and budget-conscious visitors, because you get the full experience without the higher price. The atmosphere can be busier, especially in summer, but it still feels spacious thanks to the big windows and open design.

2nd class of Glacier Express train – Picture from Glacier Express official website

1st Class — more space, more comfort, quieter experience

1st class offers a noticeably more comfortable ride thanks to its 2+1 seating layout, which means significantly more space, wider seats, and a much quieter atmosphere.

If you’re spending the full eight hours on board and want more room to relax, 1st class is often worth the upgrade. The tables are larger, there’s more personal space for bags, and the whole carriage feels calmer and more premium compared to 2nd class.

The windows are the same size as those in 2nd class, so you’re not paying for better views — you’re paying for comfort.

Meals are still not included, but service tends to be smoother and less crowded in 1st class.

This is a great option for couples, solo travellers who want extra comfort, or anyone who enjoys a quieter, more relaxed panoramic journey.

Excellence class — A luxury experience With Gourmet Dining

Excellence Class is the Glacier Express at its most luxurious: exclusive, intimate, and truly unforgettable.

With only 20 seats arranged 1+1, every passenger gets a guaranteed window seat, premium leather seating, extra-wide tables, and direct personal service from the dedicated onboard concierge.

This class includes a five-course gourmet meal, wine pairings, champagne, unlimited soft drinks and coffee, plus access to the elegant Glacier Bar. You also receive a digital tablet with interactive maps and route stories.

Excellence Class transforms the journey into a full premium travel experience — less like a train ride and more like a moving fine-dining lounge. It’s ideal for special occasions, honeymoon trips, luxury travellers, or anyone who wants the Glacier Express at its very best.

Understanding the Glacier Express ticket pricing system

The pricing of the glacier Express ticket depends on :

Whether you have a travel pass or discount card – for example Swiss Travel Pass, GA, Half Fare CardThe Glacier Express offers three classes of travel, each with its own level of comfort and price.

How far you travel – full route (Zermatt–St. Moritz) or just a section

Which class you choose – 2nd, 1st or Excellence Class

Remember: you always pay two things for the Glacier Express:

• A valid train ticket or travel pass (e.g. Swiss Travel Pass, point-to-point ticket, Saver Day Pass, Half Fare Card combo).
• A seat reservation for the Glacier Express itself (mandatory in 1st, 2nd and Excellence Class).
  

Typical full-route prices (Zermatt – St. Moritz)

These are typical reference Glacier Express ticket prices for the full route without promotions:

Class	What you pay for the journey*	Approx. total example**
2nd class	Zermatt–St. Moritz ticket + seat reservation	Ticket ≈ CHF 159 + CHF 54 reservation fee
1st class	1st-class ticket + seat reservation	Ticket ≈ CHF 272 + CHF 54 reservation fee
Excellence Class	1st-class ticket + Excellence surcharge + seat reservation***	Ticket ≈ CHF 272 + CHF 540

* Exact fares depend on date, discounts and route length.
** Examples only – always check live prices before booking.
*** The Excellence surcharge is a fixed amount on top of a valid 1st-class ticket or pass.

Where & How to book Glacier Express tickets

You can book directly on the official Glacier Express website, where you can select your exact seat.

Several booking platforms such as Rail Europe, Omio, and Trainline also sell Glacier Express tickets, which can be useful if you prefer to compare availability and prices in the same place.

You can also book Glacier Express tours here.

The total price of a Glacier Express ticket in 2025 depends on three main factors:

Step-by-Step online booking

• Choose your route (full or segment)
• Select date & time
• Pick class & seat
• Add extras: meals, audio guide, and Excellence upgrade.
• Pay & receive e-ticket by email/app

How to save on Glacier Express ticket prices

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on the Glacier Express?

If you already hold a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex or GA travelcard, the entire Glacier Express route is covered by your pass.

You still need to pay the seat reservation, but you don’t pay extra for the base ticket:

• 2nd or 1st class: reservation fee only
• Excellence Class: reservation + Excellence surcharge, and your pass must be valid in 1st class

This is often the cheapest option if you are doing a longer Switzerland itinerary.

Can I combine a Saver Day Pass with a seat reservation ?

If you don’t have a long-duration pass, a Saver Day Pass bought well in advance can drastically reduce costs:

• Buy a Saver Day Pass at the lowest possible fare (2nd or 1st class).
• Use it as your ticket for the day of your Glacier Express ride.
• Add the Glacier Express seat reservation on top.

On some dates, a 2nd-class Saver Day Pass will cost less than a normal point-to-point ticket, especially if bought early. The same works for 1st-class if you want more comfort.

Can I ride only part of the Glacier Express route?

You don’t have to ride the full 8-hour journey to enjoy the Glacier Express scenery. To save money and time, consider:

• Brig – Andermatt – Chur (Rhine Gorge + Oberalp Pass)
  For the Second class, the Andermatt – Brig costs only CHF 37 + reservation fee
• Chur – St. Moritz (classic Engadine landscapes
  For the Second class, the St Moritz-Chur costs only CHF 44 + reservation fee.
• Zermatt – Brig (Matterhorn region and Viaducts)
  For the Second class, the St Moritz-Chur costs only CHF 40 + reservation fee.

Shorter segments mean:

• Lower Glacier Express ticket costs if you buy point-to-point
• Often more flexible timing
• Less “dead time” if you’re not a hardcore railfan

You still need a seat reservation, but your total spend for that day may be significantly lower.

Can I use a Half Fare Card for point-to-point tickets ?

If you prefer flexibility and don’t want a full Swiss Travel Pass:

• Buy a Swiss Half Fare Card
• Then buy point-to-point tickets or Saver Day Passes at 50% off where applicable
• Add the seat reservation on top

This works especially well if you’re doing a few long train days (Glacier Express + one or two panoramic routes), but not enough to justify a full Swiss Travel Pass.

Travel off-peak and mid-week

The base ticket prices for Swiss trains do not fluctuate wildly by season, but:

• Availability of the cheapest Saver Day Passes is much better in low season.
• You’re more likely to get your preferred carriage and seat.

Look for:

• Shoulder months like May, early June, late September, October
• Mid-week departures (Tue–Thu) rather than weekends

Book early – especially Excellence Class

For reservations:

• 1st & 2nd class: seat reservations generally open 93 days before travel.
• Excellence Class: reservations can open for the entire timetable period.

Excellence Class often sells out on popular dates. The earlier you book, the better your chances – and the more likely you’ll still find affordable Saver Day Passes that align with your trip dates.

If you want to learn more about travelling on a budget in Switzerland, this article is for you.

Best seats & insider tips

Scenery is visible on both sides of the train and the train may change direction during the journey.

As a general rule:

• Zermatt → St. Moritz: right-hand side has more dramatic sections
• St. Moritz → Zermatt: left-hand side often feels more scenic

If exact views are crucial, focus more on time of day and lighting rather than side only, and consider booking table seats by the window.

The direction of light makes a difference for photography.
In the morning, trains leaving from Zermatt have the best light, while in the afternoon it is when traveling from St Moritz. However, the train can change direction during the journey, so there is no guarantee about which side will be better.

Because the train climbs over mountain passes, temperatures can drop even in summer, so it is important to wear layers.

The panoramic windows are ideal for wide views but they can reflect light in photos. For clearer pictures many travelers use the small windows in the doors when the train stops.

FAQ – Glacier Express tickets, reservations and onboard experience

Conclusion

Booking the Glacier Express is straightforward once you understand the system. Choose the class that suits your budget, reserve your seat early, and plan your travel dates with care. The journey can be long, but the chance to cross Switzerland in comfort while watching the mountains makes it one of the most memorable train rides in Europe.