With an average speed of only 36 km/h, the 290 km journey lasts up to 8 hours - much slower than the speed of a car. However, this is what creates a special attraction, causing many tourists to wait 3-6 months to get a seat on this train.
Slower than car
Unlike Europe’s high-speed trains, which are known for their speed, the Glacier Express is more focused on tourism. Its journeys are not designed to shorten the time it takes to get from point A to point B, but are designed to help passengers fully enjoy the stunning scenery of the Alps.
The world's slowest express train takes 8 hours to travel nearly 300 km
Connecting the Swiss mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz, the Glacier Express was not designed to get from point A to point B in the shortest possible time, but was made with another purpose in mind: to serve tourists.
The Glacier Express will feature large panoramic windows designed to provide expansive views, allowing passengers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the Swiss Alps and its spectacular snow-capped peaks. However, the train's slow speed is not just for sightseeing purposes, but also to cope with the region's difficult terrain.
The Glacier Express – dubbed the "world's slowest express train" – is one of the most special and fascinating train rides on the planet.
From Zermatt, the train descends into the Mattertal valley to the Visp peak (658 m), then runs to Brig (670 m), home to the Aletsch glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. The Glacier Express then climbs to Andermatt (1,435 m), running on cog railways to cross the Oberalpass (2,033 m), and then to Dissentis, a town with strong Roman cultural and architectural influences. The Glacier Express's final destination is St. Moritz, a mountain resort famous for its hot springs and many structures.
This train is likened to a "mobile hotel", giving visitors a wonderful experience while admiring the majestic mountain scenery.
Throughout the journey, visitors will admire beautiful natural scenery, from fresh flower fields to snow-capped mountain peaks.
Experts revealed that traveling through the Alps requires the train to travel through some of the most difficult terrain in mainland Europe, with steep slopes and sharp turns. The train's journey takes it through towering bridges, steep slopes and countless sharp turns. During the 8-hour journey, the train will cross 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, and pass an altitude of more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Because of these terrain challenges, the Glacier Express is forced to maintain a slow speed to ensure safety and comfort for passengers.
It took half a year to buy a train ticket.
Serving tourists to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Alps since 1930, the Glacier Express consists of 6 first and second class cars, 1 restaurant car. The train car is nearly 3 meters high with large panoramic windows and ceilings, providing unobstructed views, allowing passengers to easily admire the majestic scenery of the Alps. The height, the curvature of the mountains, the green valleys, and the crystal clear lakes appear right before your eyes, creating a magnificent natural picture that is not found anywhere else.
The train is fully equipped with first and second class compartments, providing spacious and comfortable seating for passengers.
Despite its slow and long journey, the Glacier Express still attracts a large number of tourists. To get a ticket on this train, passengers usually have to book 3-6 months in advance, and the waiting time can be even longer if they want to sit in the premium cabins such as Excellence, First or Second Class. These cabins are not only spacious and comfortable but also have high-class service, providing a 5-star travel experience amidst the majestic mountains.
This is a big plus that makes the trip not only a journey but also a memorable culinary experience.
Besides the beautiful scenery, the cuisine on the Glacier Express is also a highlight of the trip. All food on board is freshly prepared and served on site, giving passengers a comfortable experience, while admiring the natural scenery and enjoying traditional specialties. Moreover, to enhance the culinary experience, passengers on board can also choose from a variety of premium drinks from the famous Graubünden and Valais regions...
First Class tickets can cost up to $529 per person (about 13 million VND). Meanwhile, the Glacier Express Classic standard ticket will be sold for about $179 per person (about 4.4 million VND) for adults and 50% off for children from 6 to 16 years old.
