The Glacier Express: "A train to fall in love with"

Switzerland's Glacier Express train has been on my "bucket" list even before our move to Switzerland. This 8 hour train ride across the country is famous for its spectacular scenery and daring bridge and tunnel construction. Switzerland's website describes the train ride: 

"The Glacier Express is the most famous railway in the world. It travels from Zermatt to St. Moritz in around eight hours. It is a day trip through untouched mountain landscapes, glamorous health resorts, deep gorges, delightful valleys, 91 tunnels and across 291 impressive bridges."

Given that we were already in St Moritz for the race, for our trip back home to Geneva, we decided to take the Glacier Express to Zermatt and then the regular train from Zermatt back to Geneva. Sitting on a train for 8 hours was the perfect way to avoid walking on our superbly sore legs after the race. Below is a map of the route that the train takes:

The train starts at an altitude of approximately 1800 meters (6000 feet) in St Moritz, then dips up and down mountains and valleys and reaches its highest point above the tree line at one of the highest mountain passes in the Alps at 2033 meters (7000 feet), before dipping back to the town of Zermatt.

The elevation chart of the Glacier Express

The Glacier Express Train started running in the year 1930 and over the years Switzerland realized it was hugely popular with tourists and decided to capitalize on this opportunity by putting panoramic windows into the trains, providing audio cues/guides along the route, and providing 3 course meals and service throughout the journey. The result is a relaxing and beautiful way to capture the essence of the Swiss country side, especially areas which would be particularly difficult to travel by car.

One of the most impressive bridges on the ride

One of the numerous little villages that the train passes by

The train stops in several locations to reload with supplies, etc. and you can get out to stretch your legs

Checking out the scenery while listening to the audio guide

The panorama windows really make a difference in the views you can see passing by!

Lunch time!

At the highest point in the journey, the Oberalppass at 7000 feet

One note of advice for non-Swiss residents who want to take the Glacier Express: this train ride is very expensive, CHF 30 for a reservation fee and CHF150 for a one-way ride. I would recommend (as with any train trips in Switzerland), purchasing one of the Swiss train passes which provides visitors with unlimited and/or 50% discounted travel within a certain number of days/time periods, for one fixed fee.