A breathtaking seven-night train journey that takes you through the most stunning views has been named the world’s most beautiful for all the obvious reasons. The Glacier Express that offers unobstructed views of the Alps, including landmarks like the Landwasser Viaduct and Rhine Gorge, has been placed on the top spot by Inntravel which shared a list of the top 10 rail journeys across the globe.
Often dubbed as “Europe’s slowest express train”, the train travels across the breathtaking Swiss Alps between Zermatt (home of the Matterhorn) and St. Moritz, covering around 290 kilometers in roughly eight hours. The train crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels and climbs to the top of the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres.
Passengers are treated to sweeping panoramic views of Switzerland’s most breathtaking landscapes—towering snow-covered peaks, dramatic valleys carved by ancient glaciers, and quaint alpine villages nestled in the mountains.
The train’s oversized windows are specially designed to maximize visibility, allowing travelers to feel fully enveloped by the scenery as it unfolds outside.
Tickets for the Glacier Express can be booked up to two months in advance, but due to the train’s popularity—especially during peak seasons—they tend to sell out quickly. To avoid disappointment, it’s wise to secure your seats as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
In addition to booking your ticket, you’ll need to reserve your onboard meal ahead of time, no later than the day before departure. This ensures that your dining preferences are accommodated and that you can enjoy the full experience of gourmet service while taking in the stunning alpine scenery.
Calling it an “unforgettable experience”, one tourist wrote on a TripAdvisor forum: “The most iconic train trip from Switzerland, the tour is fantastic and very worth putting this route in the trip. In addition to wonderful landscapes the train is very languid and comfortable.”
Another user said it was a “dream trip” and wrote: “Magnificent experience, The staff spoke Spanish and it was a pleasure to be able to communicate in our language. We were recommended several places to visit and we were very well looked after.
“The food looked very good quality, I never imagined I would eat so well on a train. It’s definitely worth it. It’s those experiences that are never forgotten. We will do our best to repeat. Thank you Swiss.”
A third said: “Fabulous views. Really comfortable train, very clean. Food was good too. Really good experience, my son enjoyed it as well.”
However, some of the travellers complained that the journey was expensive as they shared their views on the travel forum.
Calling it “outrageously expensive”, one person: “We took the Andermatt-Chur trail. The scenery was beautiful but there was hardly any snow on the top of the mountains, and the view was very similar to what we saw the previous day, while driving on the road from Andermatt to Disentis.”
Another commented: “We took the train from Brig to Chur. It took four hours and was enough for us. Nice trip. We drove through long tunnels and high bridges. Everything was very beautiful – especially around Andermatt, which is located highest on the full tour. Chur is a lovely city and we stayed there before the trip back to Brig. We traveled in second class and even had wine and snacks with us for the trip.
“It was much better than what the others were served. We would have preferred to take the trip back with the regular public transport to save a nice amount. The trains still run on the same track and you see the same thing.
“The tour can also be conducted by car and car train. Before the trip we had some questions that were never answered. We can see afterwards that we chose the tour that is highest. Where the iconic high bridge lies is on the ride between Reichenau and Flischur – just before Flischur.”