The Glacier Express in Switzerland is a journey that’s famous the world over. From the beautiful mountain village of Zermatt to the ski resort of St. Moritz, it crosses renowned landmarks like the soaring Oberalp Pass and the legendary Landwasser viaduct!
The Glacier Express has a rich history, with its inaugural journey taking place on 25th June 1930. For more than 90 years, it’s transported passengers through the breathtaking landscape, showcasing the region’s natural wonder and engineering marvels along the way.
It travels through the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This designation recognises the exceptional beauty of the route, with its stunning mountain vistas, swirling viaducts, and charming alpine villages.
Its name honours the Rhone Glacier, paying tribute to this majestic natural wonder located near Gletsch, on the Furka Pass.
Moreover, it is known as the world’s slowest fast train, taking over 8 hours to travel 290 kilometers or, if you prefer, 181 miles, through the Swiss Alps, and isn’t anything like the high-speed express train zipping across Europe: moving at an average speed of 36 km per hour, it lives up to its reputation, but that speed is by design.
Actually, taking the Glacier Express isn’t about getting from point A to point B as fast as possible, as it’s a scenic journey through the heart of the Swiss Alps that allows travelers to take in all the natural wonders this beautiful region has to offer.
The train itself features large panoramic windows designed to provide unobstructed views of the wonderful scenery, allowing passengers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the Swiss Alps.
However, even if the sluggish pace of the Glacier Express is basically tied to the scenic beauty of the Swiss Alps, the scenery doesn’t tell the whole story, as the breathtakingly mountain route traverses some of the most difficult terrain on the European continent, featuring steep inclines and sharp turns and requires a slower operating speed to ensure passenger safety and comfort.
During its 8-hour journey, it passes through spiral tunnels and over tall viaducts, for a total of 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, and climbs up to 2033 meters (6670 feet) above sea level.
In addiction, the Glacier Express runs on narrow-gauge tracks that aren’t suited for high speeds and, If sitting in a train for eight hours sounds terrible, you’ll be glad to hear that this particular express train is extremely comfortable, with both First and Second Class carts offering spacious, comfortable seating.
Either way, if you’re looking an even better experience, you may want to consider the more expensive Excellence Class, where passengers receive five-star service, including a seven-course meal with its wine pairings!
What better way to toast this extraordinary train journey than with a glass of its very own wine? The Glacier Express proudly offers the Johannisberg Cuvée Spéciale Glacier Express, a specially crafted wine that perfectly complements the breathtaking landscapes outside your window.
Interestingly, the Swiss Alps are also home to the world’s highest train station, Jungfraujoch.
Images from web – Google Research