July 21st ~ Zermatt, Switzerland
Traveling on the Glacier Express to Zermatt
I was sad to leave our little heaven on earth in Pontresina where we had been welcomed like family and treated like VIP’s. But it was time to once again catch a train.
Leaving Pontresina we walked past this memorial
The bus stop was only two short blocks from our hotel so we easily, without too much difficulty, schlepped our luggage down the street. I am reminding myself to go back to my smaller carry-on luggage in the future.
The bus dropped us off at the Samedan train station where we joined the Glacier Express train headed to Zermatt. We had reserved seats onboard.
Billed as “the world’s slowest express train”, it travels one of the most beautiful stretches of railway in the world, linking the famous holiday resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt. ~ http://www.glacierexpress.ch
There were several niceties to be experienced during this eight-hour journey, including having drinks and a full meal served to us with linen and glass set-ups at our seats. Also along the way whenever a bell sounded, we could put on provided headphones to listen to a short narrative describing a point of interest or historical information about the area we were passing by.
Of course it was the impressive scenery that once again was the highlight of the journey for us.
Curious what it looks like traveling by train? Perhaps this will help. Put yourself in one of these seats and glance out the window as we travel along…
Grab a seat and join us on the Glacier Express
The view is constantly changing as you look out the window.
Zermatt is a car free resort town sitting at the base of the famous Matterhorn. Relatively small, it is easy to walk from one end to the other along the main avenue, Bahnhofstrasse.
Most of the hotels have a little electric cart (kind of like a modified golf cart) which can meet you and haul you and your luggage to where ever you have booked for the night. We booked two nights at the Hotel Antika which was about .4 of a mile from the train depot.
Our room at the Hotel Antika
The hotel had an interesting setting. Our balconied room was overlooking the cemetery, but also right beside the river.
View straight out from our balcony should give an idea of what Zermatt looks like nestled in the valley. There is a river off to the right.
The view straight down from our balcony
But when we walk out the door and stand on the bridge over the river we could catch a magnificent view of the Matterhorn!
The building on the right is where our hotel is located.
We could almost see the peak of the Matterhorn
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful to have been able to see the Matterhorn with my own eyes, and not be at Disneyland while doing it – not that there is anything wrong with being at Disneyland 🙂
A Note From Abroad 
What a lovely train ride. The slowest express train?? Even the title makes you smile. Susan
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Susan, we are really enjoying traveling by train. Having the Swiss Pass has made it easy and convenient. Plus it provides an extra bonus of free admission to the museums in Switzerland.
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Rod & I are enjoying your travels. Too bad we will not meet you in Basil.
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I’m sorry you will not be joining us. It would have been lovely sharing this cruise with you. Hugs to you both.
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Thanks for sharing this. Adding the glacier express to my travel list!
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Excellent choice!
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I’ve always wanted to do this and the Bernina trip. Thanks for sharing!
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Both are excellent train adventures.
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The Glacier Express is an amazing journey. We have been on it twice – once just part of the way from Andermatt to Chur (we were lucky as we hadn’t booked but as it was low season we got seats by paying a supplement) and then the next year the whole way from Zermatt to St Moritz. I did get quite tired by the end of the day as we’d also gone from Brig down in the valley up to Zermatt to catch the train in the morning. I got a bit travel sick with all the switchbacks up to St Moritz (we’d been travelling a long time by then!). It was a wonderful trip though and your lovely photos bring back many happy memories! 🙂
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How fortunate you are to have been able to do the Glacier Express TWICE! Such an amazing trip. We had been warned to book in advance, but only did so a few days ahead of time, which thankfully worked out OK. I think that due to some of the recent terrorist attacks that tourism numbers are down and the trains were not sold out. In fact on several of them, we would have an entire car almost to ourselves. Sorry the switchbacks were a bother to you. We are fortunate to have pretty solid stomachs when it comes to motion whether it be in cars, trains, turbulent flights, or rough seas. Delighted we could provide some happy memories!
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That’s very interesting to hear that you were able to book so late especially in the summer months. We also got on once without pre booking (just part way too) but it was in low season and the train was still pretty full. I’d like to do the journey the other way like you did – St Moritz to Zermatt! Will catch up on your latest adventures too hopefully later tonight or tomorrow – am sure you’ve moved on somewhere else by now!
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Yes, we are currently on a Rhine River cruise. More stories and pictures coming soon.
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Brought back fond memories. Years ago I took this fabulous ride. I love Switzerland — perhaps my favorite.
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I have a couple favorites, but Switzerland is right up at the top. So much to offer and scenic beyond word.
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