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About us

Introducing the Glacier Express

93 years

First trip on 25 June 1930

291 km

Length of route

291

Bridges

42 km/h

Average speed

91

Tunnels

12.5%

Incline

From the beginnings until today

Retro image
Passengers have always found the Glacier Express fascinating. At the beginning of the 20th century, traveling for tourist purposes was mainly the preserve of the high society of the 1920s. As well-to-do society discovered the charms of the Swiss Alps, once isolated mountain villages such as Zermatt and St. Moritz were transformed into cosmopolitan health resorts.

It was only natural that efforts were made to create a connection between these two up-and-coming tourist destinations and so a unique railway network was built which is exemplary for the railway technology achievements of the time.

Retro image
Retro image
Take a look at the time line to discover development and progress of the legendary Swiss train journey.

Past and future

unite in the Glacier Express to create a harmonious combination of modern design, maximum comfort and state-of-the-art technology. The Glacier Express preserves the tradition of the pioneering days of the railway, when traveling was still an unforgettable experience, and relies on innovation to roll into a promising future.

The future of travel

In June 2022, Glacier Express AG was awarded the Swisstainable Level 1 - committed certificate, officially making it part of the nationwide sustainability campaign of the national tourism organisation Switzerland Tourism.

The Swisstainable sustainability programme is open to all businesses in the Switzerland Tourism organisation. The Swisstainable label helps passengers recognise service providers that are actively involved in and committed to the strategy and programme.

For us as a company, certification means being committed to sustainable corporate governance and continuously driving business operations towards sustainability.

Swiss tainable
The Glacier Express employees are just as diverse as the landscape that passes by the window. Whether on the train or outside it, all teams – from the workshop through customer service to thekitchen – pursue the same goal: to make sure that your travel experience is as pleasant as possible.

You are fascinated by panoramic trains, the Alps and meeting people?

Come on board and become part of the Glacier Express crew!

Exclusive & modern trains

Train
Famous for its recognisable design, the ceiling-high panoramic windows and the unique experience with the Swissness factor.
A free view of impressive Swiss sights, two UNESCO World Heritage areas and famous tourism destinations.
The journey on the Glacier Express is something that features on the bucket list of many of our passengers.

Achieving great things together

1930

In 1930, what were then BVZ Zermatt-Bahn AG and Furka Oberalp Bahn AG (which merged in 2003 to become Matterhorn Gotthard Railway) started a cooperation with Rhaetian Railway (RhB) and decided to found a train offer dedicated to tourism: the birth of the Glacier Express.

2017

Glacier Express AG, headquartered in Andermatt, was founded in 2017. RhB and the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway each hold a 50% stake. The 291-kilometer route from Zermatt to St. Moritz is one of the best known and most spectacular narrow-gauge railways in the world and takes passengers thorough three Swiss cantons: Valais, Uri and Graubünden.
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