Switzerland · Panoramic Train

Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip in one Day Private Tour from Basel

10 Hours Round trip from Basel Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Ride the panoramic Glacier Express from Chur to Brig
  • 02 Enjoy a private day tour with your own Swiss guide
  • 03 Travel through the Rhine Gorge, Oberalp Pass, and Goms Valley
  • 04 Reserved 2nd class seats on scheduled and Glacier Express trains
  • 05 3-course lunch served at your seat on board
  • 06 Round-trip rail journey from Basel in one day
  • 07 Possible short walk in Chur or Brig, depending on timing
  • 08 See one of Switzerland’s most famous scenic train routes

Experience one of Switzerland’s most iconic rail journeys in a single day on this private round-trip tour from Basel. Travel with your private guide by scheduled train to Chur, then board the panoramic Glacier Express for a spectacular ride through alpine landscapes, deep gorges, mountain passes, and charming Swiss valleys on the way to Brig.

Along the journey, enjoy reserved seats in 2nd class, a 3-course lunch served at your seat, and on-board commentary materials as you pass highlights such as the Rhine Gorge, Disentis, Oberalp Pass, Andermatt, and the Goms Valley. Depending on transfer times and your preferences, there may also be time for a short walk in Chur or Brig before returning to Basel by regular intercity train.

This private experience is ideal for travellers who want to enjoy the famous Glacier Express with the ease of guided rail travel and the comfort of a carefully planned day trip.

Experience one of Switzerland’s most iconic rail journeys in a single day on this private round-trip tour from Basel.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Basel, Bern, Chur, Lucerne, Zurich
Languages English, French, German, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Basel

Begin your tour by meet the tourguide at the SBB train station Basel, at the official meeting point. 

Together you will make your way by intercity train from Basel via Zürich to Chur (2 hours)

Chur (change onto Glacier Express train)

Chur is a city in the Alps and the capital of the canton of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland. In the car-free old town, winding streets lead to the three-aisled 13th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard of the Bishop's Palace.

Here the Glacier Express journey ends and you change after the city visit to the regular trains. 

Rhine Gorge (passing by)

The Ruinaulta or Rhine Gorge is a gorge of up to 400 meters deep and around 13 kilometers long in the Vorderrhein between Ilanz and the mouth of the Hinterrhein near Reichenau in the canton of Graubünden

Disentis (passing by)

The winter sports and health resort is located in the upper part of the Surselva. At the end of the 17th century, a new monastery complex was built in the baroque style. The Glacier Express train stops here for 10 minutes

Oberalp pass (passing by)

The Oberalp Pass connects the villages of Sedrun in the Surselva in the canton of Graubünden with Andermatt in the Urseren Valley in the canton of Uri in Switzerland

Andermatt (passing by)

Andermatt is a village in the Ursen Valley of the Swiss Alps. The cable car takes visitors to the Gemsstock ski area and a chairlift connects the village with the easier slopes on the Nätschen. North of Andermatt one of numerous hiking trails leads to the Teufelsbrücke over the Schöllenen Gorge. The Glacier Express train stops here for 10 minutes.

Goms valley (passing by)

The highest valley section of the Upper Valais between the source of the Rhone and the valley step of Grengiols near Brig is called Goms. It is the easternmost part of the canton of Valais. In the east it is limited by the Furka Pass between Galenstock and Pizzo Rotondo and in the west by the Weisshorn. The uppermost part of the valley is still called Obergoms.

Brig (1 hour stop)

Brig is an alpine town in the canton of Valais in southern Switzerland. It lies at the foot of the Simplon Pass, which leads to the Italian border. A stop on the Glacier Express train, Brig is known for its thermal baths, the Sebastian Chapel and the 17th-century Stockalper Castle.

At Brig you leave the Glacier Express train and after the city visit, you travel back to your origin departure point by regular intercity train. From Brig to Bern it takes one hour, from Bern to Zürich/Basel or Luzern another hour. 

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Basel 5 cities · 10 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • One Day Train Pass for the Travel Day in 2nd class
  • Travel on scheduled train from Basel to Chur 2nd class (2h 20min)
  • Glacier Express train travel from Chur to Brig (4 hours) incl. seat reservation in 2nd class
  • 3-course lunch served at your seat (vegetarian option available)
  • Headphones and written information available on board the Glacier Express
  • Return travel by scheduled train from Brig to Basel (2 hours) in 2nd class
  • Swiss tourguide for your party only
  • all taxes and fees

What's Not Included

Drinks

Know before you go

  • WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • ANIMALS OR PETS ALLOWED
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Wheelchair accessible

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Basel, CH
Tour start
Basel, CH
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 10 hours finish where they began, in Basel.

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