Scenic train
Glacier Express ticket and reservation
Zermatt / St. Moritz · Glacier Express
Scenic train
Glacier Express: add fare and mandatory seat
The total combines a travel ticket for your section and a mandatory seat reservation. A rail pass may change the fare but cannot remove the seat charge.
- Sections from Zermatt to St Moritz
- 1st, 2nd and Excellence Class
- Seat opens 93 days before travel
Tickets and passes
Book with the Glacier Express
Book directly with the Glacier Express and select your section, date, class, travel entitlement and seat.
Glacier Express route
From Zermatt via Andermatt and Chur to St Moritz
The map shows the full route and its main stops. A section journey needs the same origin and destination on both the travel ticket and seat booking.
- Glacier ExpressZermatt–St. MoritzIncluded with Swiss Travel PassReservation requiredHighest mapped stop: 2,033 m
The map shows the through scenic route. Connections before Zermatt or beyond St Moritz are not included.
Seat booking
The Glacier Express requires a reservation
Glacier Express
RequiredAll travellers
Book the fare and reservation for the same section and travel date.
2026 full-route price example
Zermatt-St Moritz, 2nd class, updated August 2026. Sections and other classes have separate prices.
| Component | Unreduced price | Sales open | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd-class travel ticket | Up to CHF 159 | 180 days before travel | |
| Seat reservation | CHF 54 | 93 days before travel | |
| Total | Up to CHF 213 | Both components must be available |
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Booking guide
Fare, seat and total price
Table of Contents
The Glacier Express has two price components
The Glacier Express requires a travel ticket and a mandatory seat reservation. The ticket covers the selected section and class. The reservation assigns a seat on the Glacier Express. Both must match the same passenger, service and class.
For the full Zermatt-St Moritz route, the operator listed a 2nd-class fare of up to CHF 159 and a CHF 54 reservation in August 2026, a total of up to CHF 213. This is not a universal price: sections, 1st class, Excellence Class and accepted rail passes alter the required ticket or reservation type.
What a rail pass changes
The Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail, Interrail and other recognised entitlements can cover or reduce the fare for a selected section. The seat-reservation charge remains. Make sure the pass class matches the booked coach.
Excellence Class requires a valid 1st-class ticket. Its reservation is a separate, substantially more expensive product and must not be confused with the standard 1st- or 2nd-class seat.
Two different booking windows
The operator opens travel-ticket sales up to 180 days and seat reservations up to 93 days before travel. If your trip is farther away, you may see the fare before you can reserve the seat. A complete Glacier Express booking ultimately needs both.
Section or full route?
You can choose sections involving St Moritz, Chur, Andermatt, Brig and Zermatt. A shorter section changes the fare but still needs a reservation for the Glacier Express portion. Check origin and destination carefully when connecting from another train.
How to book in five steps
- Choose date, direction, origin and destination.
- Select 2nd class, 1st class or Excellence Class.
- Enter an existing travel entitlement correctly or buy the ticket.
- Add the matching mandatory seat reservation.
- Check current service information and keep both documents.
Updated August 2026. See the Glacier Express price and booking pages for current fares and booking rules.
The Swiss scenic trains guide compares the route with the Bernina, GoldenPass and Gotthard journeys.
Passes and discount cards
What covers the fare and what remains separate?
| Route | Swiss Travel Pass | Swiss Half Fare Card | Eurail Global Pass | Interrail Global Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier Express | IncludedReservation separate | 50 % discountReservation separate | IncludedReservation separate | IncludedReservation separate |
The pass or discount card applies to the fare. The mandatory seat reservation remains separate.
Glacier Express
Common questions
Is the seat reservation mandatory?+
Yes. The operator lists it as a mandatory component of the total price.
Can I buy only the reservation if I have a pass?+
Yes, if the pass is valid for the selected section and class. Enter the travel entitlement correctly during official booking.
Is a 2nd-class ticket enough for Excellence Class?+
No. Excellence Class requires a valid 1st-class travel ticket plus the separate Excellence reservation.
Must I travel the whole route?+
No. The operator sells sections as well. Fare and reservation must match the exact section booked.
Set date and section before comparing
The published full-route total is an example. Your connection, class and entitlement determine the final amount.