SALES MANUAL 2020 1 CONTENTS GLACIER EXPRESS 03 Facts and figures 04 Highlights along the route 06 Experiences – year round 07 Railway route & day trips 08 Timetable & sections 09 Fares & surcharge Germany Paris 10 Purchase of tickets Munich Schaffhausen 11 Reservation & terms and conditions 12 Included benefits & information for tour operators Basel 13 Car compositions & class system Zurich Liechtenstein France Switzerland 14 Excellence Class Lucerne Austria 16 Catering service Berne 18 Promotional material Chur Disentis 19 Souvenirs & luggage transport Andermatt Davos Thusis Lausanne Interlaken Filisur St. Moritz Fiesch Brig Facts and Figures Glacier Express St. Niklaus Tirano Geneva (Bernina Express) 1889 First line of the Rhätische Bahn (Rhaetian Railway) opens, Lugano Zermatt Landquart – Klosters (to Davos from 1890) Gornergrat Italy 1891 Cog railway is opened, Visp – Zermatt 1903 The Albula Line of the Rhaetian Railway opens, Milano Thusis – Celerina (to St. Moritz from 1904) 1926 The Furka Oberalp Railway opens, Brig – Disentis 1930 On June 25 1930, the Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz in summer for the first time 1982 The Furka Base Tunnel opens, thus connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz all year round 1993 The first panoramic trains herald a new era 2005 75th anniversary of the Glacier Express 2006 New first-class and second-class panoramic cars 2008 The “Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes” has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Window to the Swiss Alps 2009 All trains are now equipped with first and second class panoramic cars From Zermatt and the Matterhorn, the panoramic trip leads over 2014 Start of themed weeks of events in spring and autumn 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels over the Swiss Alps to St. Moritz. 2016 Incorporation of the guest book and post box into the The Glacier Express winds its way through remote valleys, past sheer Glacier Express Panorama Bar rock faces, idyllic mountain villages, over the Landwasser Viaduct and 2018 New operational concept is being introduced for summer with two new Glacier Express trains in the afternoon from through the Rhine Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. It scales Brig and Chur the highest point of its journey at the Oberalp Pass with ease at 2019 Launch of the new premium class in March: Excellence Class 2033 metres above sea level. 2020 90th anniversary of the Glacier Express Thanks to the large panoramic windows, a clear view of numerous summits, deep gorges and the UNESCO World Heritage sites “Swiss Our sister railways Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch” and “Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes” is guaranteed. The menus are prepared freshly in the on-board kitchen and served to you at your seat. All prices in CHF, including 7,7 % VAT. Prices and timetables are subject to change. When paying in Euro the current exchange rate applies. General terms and conditions of the Glacier Express SA apply. Imprint: Copyright of all pictures belongs to the Glacier Express AG. Price and program subjects to change. Version May 2019. 2 3 HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE ROUTE Oberalp Pass 2033 m 2000 St. Moritz 1775 m 1800 Zermatt 1604 m Samedan Davos 1540 m Celerina 1600 Albula Line 1400 – 1800m 1400 Andermatt 1435 m Bergün 1372 m 1200 Disentis 1130 m St. Niklaus Landwasser Viaduct 1032 m Filisur 1000 Fiesch 1062 m Kipfen Gorge 1074 m 800 Tiefencastel 884 m Brig 670 m 600 Rhine Gorge 630 m Thusis 697 m 400 Oberalp Pass Disentis Monastery Chur 585 m 200 m.a.s.l. The Oberalp Pass links Disentis/Mustér in Canton Graubünden Disentis is dominated by the oldest Benedictine monastery 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 291 km with Andermatt in Canton Uri. At 2,033 metres, it is the highest in Switzerland, built in the late 17th century. In 1799 the mona- point on the route of the Glacier Express. Located even higher stery church was burned and plundered by Napoleon’s army. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE: “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch” Rhätische Bahn “Albula/Bernina” to the south is Lake Toma (2,345 metres), recognized as the Extensive restoration work was undertaken in the late 19th source of the River Rhine. century. Today it houses a school. En route from Zermatt to St. Moritz the Glacier Express comprises the following highlights and excursion attractions: Matter Valley Rhine Gorge – the “Swiss Grand Canyon”. The Matter Valley between Zermatt and Stalden spans some 25 kilometres and offers a remarkable range of scenic splen- It began 10,000 years ago as the famous Flims landslide – now dours – eternal ice, deep ravines and rugged rockfaces; it is a unique natural backdrop. Over many centuries the River 29 four-thousand-metre peaks and flowering Alpine meadows; Rhine has carved a path through the bedrock. The result is a the highest-altitude vineyards in Europe and superb ski runs. ravine renowned as the Swiss Grand Canyon, and one of Swit- Running through the valley is the wild and foaming River Matter zerland’s most impressive natural spectacles. The Rhine Gorge Vispa, which converges with the Saaser Vispa at Stalden is a popular attraction for hikers, bikers and river-rafters – and before joining the Rhone at Visp. can even be toured by train. Kipfen Gorge Andermatt Landwasser Viaduct Albula Line Close to Kalpetran, the Glacier Express continues through the Andermatt is located at the foot of the 2,033-metre Oberalp The Landwasser Viaduct is the most spectacular construction The most spectacular section of the Glacier Express Line lies wild and romantic Kipfen Gorge along one of the route’s most Pass in the canton of Uri, along the 144-kilometre network of on the 63-kilometre Albula stretch between Thusis and between Preda and Bergün. Six towering viaducts, three spiral scenic sections. The train line and the River Vispa run parallel the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. From here trains depart for St. Moritz – and the most photographed feature of the entire tunnels, and two helical tunnels make it possible to scale at close quarters, and in the past flooding and avalanches Disentis, Göschenen and Zermatt. Due to the already partly Rhaetian Railway. It comes into view on the right shortly before the 400 metre height difference. A triumph of railway engineer- have caused considerable damage. The flow of the Vispa is opened new tourism resort Andermatt Swiss Alps, Andermatt the village of Filisur, is 142 metres long and rises impressively ing: the railway line between St. Moritz and Thusis belongs to now regulated and the railway track protected by masonry to is developing into an attractive year-round vacation desti- to a height of 65 metres. The natural stone viaduct extends in a the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Rhaetian Railway in the avoid further damage. nation. curve over the rugged Landwasser Valley directly into a tunnel Albula/Bernina Landscapes”. entrance on a vertical rock wall. 4 5 EXPERIENCES – YEAR ROUND RAILWAY ROUTE & DAY TRIPS Germany Schaffhausen Basel Zurich Liechtenstein St. Gallen Olten St. Margrethen France Gornergrat Bernina Express Switzerland Lucerne The Matterhorn Experience Austria From the glaciers to the palms Berne Best view of the Matterhorn From high up among the towering glaciers of the mountains Göschenen Chur If you want to discover the dazzling beauty of the Alps, you’ll down to the swaying palms of Italy, the Bernina Express, the 6 Davos soon realise that the trip to Gornergrat is an essential excur- highest transalpine railway in the Alps, provides a link between Spiez Interlaken Disentis Lausanne Andermatt sion. Its sunny viewing platform, accessible all year, makes the northern and southern Europe. And it does so in the most Filisur 5 3 Gorner grat ridge a top destination, and not just because of its wonder ful way imaginable, on a railway line that coexists in 4 2 St. Moritz altitude. Sur-roun ded by 29 peaks rising above 4000 m and by perfect harmony with its glorious mountain setting. A master- Brig Switzerland’s greatest mountain and second largest glacier in piece of engineering: since 2008 the stretch of track between Visp 1 Simplonpass Triano the Alps, it offers a spectacular mountain panorama second to Thusis and Tirano has had UNESCO World Heritage status. none. And the “Matter -horn Railway” renders it so close you The wonders of nature and the cultural achievements of man Genève Täsch Zermatt Lugano can almost touch it. For more than 115 years the Gornergrat merge into one to offer one of the best ways ever to experi- Italy Gornergrat Bahn has made making the ascent to the panoramic mountain ence the Alps. Chiasso a truly unique and wonderful experience. Part of Bernina Express Bus – a scenic journey through the south Gornergrat summer experiences Want to see more of the south? On the Bernina Express Bus from • Sunrise with folkloric music Lugano to Tirano you will travel past picturesque fishing villages • Gourmetticket Gornergrat on the shores of Lake Como and Lake Lugano. Combine your • Biking / Hiking / Summit Shopping journey on the Bernina Express to make it a thrilling round trip! • Gornergrat Guides • 360° Loop Gornergrat Dining on the move & Railbar Fine regional specialities make the trip on the Bernina Express TIME OF TRAVELING BY BUS Gornergrat winter experiences a culinary experience. Warm and cold drinks, snacks and sou- Lucerne – Andermatt 1 h LEGEND • Skiing • Winter hiking • Snowshoe hiking venirs are available from the Railbar. The on-board personnel Interlaken – Brig 2 h Glacier Express train • Toboggan (Riffelboden – Riffelberg) will serve the local delicacies directly at your seat. You will Interlaken – Andermatt 1¾ h • Gourmetticket Gornergrat spend lunchtime in Poschiavo, Le Prese or Tirano. There are a Gornergrat railway Zurich – Chur 1½ h Bernina Express train Milano – Tirano 3 h • Igloo village with fondue offers number of restaurants close to each of the stations.