Glacier Express, Named passenger train service in Swiss Alps, Switzerland.
The Glacier Express is a train service through the Swiss Alps between Zermatt and St. Moritz, covering 291 kilometers across mountain landscape. The route runs over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, with carriages fitted with large windows that open views toward valleys and peaks.
The service began running in June 1930, initially traveling through the mountains only during summer months. Construction of the Furka Base Tunnel in 1982 made journeys possible throughout the year, without closing the old high-altitude route in winter.
Windows do not open along the route, allowing passengers to look through panoramic glass without interruption as mountains pass by. Tables between seats make it possible to share meals and talk with fellow travelers during the journey.
Travelers need a valid ticket and seat reservation, which can be booked 93 days before departure. Three service classes are available, with all seats assigned and a change in Chur or Disentis sometimes required depending on the chosen route.
The train runs at an average speed of 24 miles per hour (39 kilometers per hour), making it the slowest express service across the European railway network. This slow pace comes from the many curves and gradients, allowing time to look at every mountain formation and village in the valleys below.
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