Glacier Express

What Glacier Express does

Glacier Express AG is a Swiss scenic rail service company incorporated in 2017 as a 50/50 joint venture between Rhätische Bahn (RhB) and Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), operating the iconic panoramic train journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz. The route covers 291 km through three Swiss cantons (Valais/Wallis, Uri, and Graubünden), crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels over an approximately 8-hour journey at an average speed of 42 km/h, including the Furka Basistunnel (opened 1982) and the UNESCO World Heritage Albula/Bernina line. The service has operated continuously since 25 June 1930 and runs year-round except for an annual maintenance closure from mid-October to early December.

The company offers a single core product — the panoramic train journey — delivered across three service tiers: 2nd Class, 1st Class, and Excellence Class (launched winter 2019, limited to 20 guests per journey with concierge service, 5-course menu with wine pairing, and exclusive Glacier Bar). Technical differentiation comes from ceiling-high panoramic windows, an onboard kitchen with freshly prepared regional cuisine, a multi-language digital infotainment system accessible via personal devices, complimentary Wi-Fi and power outlets, and the iconic Schrägglas tilted wine glass invented for the train's 12.5% gradient. The 2021 panoramic car interior renewal modernized the infotainment system across all classes.

Revenue is generated from mandatory ticket plus seat reservations (CHF 54 for 1st/2nd class, CHF 540 for Excellence Class), onboard food and beverage sales, group catering packages via Panoramic Gourmet AG, gift vouchers, and group tariffs with 30% discounts for parties of 10 or more. Distribution combines direct B2C web sales through glacierexpress.ch and shop.glacierexpress.ch, a dedicated B2B reseller shop, sales at Swiss and international railway stations, global travel agencies with rail ticket sales, group bookings via Railservice RhB in Chur, and packaged-holiday partnerships with Railtour Suisse SA and Switzerland Travel Centre AG that bundle hotel accommodation and inbound rail ticketing.

Name

Glacier Express

Legal name

Glacier Express AG

Website

https://glacierexpress.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Glacier Express AG is a Swiss joint venture (RhB/MGB) operating the iconic 291 km panoramic rail journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz, serving domestic and international leisure travelers with three service tiers including the luxury Excellence Class.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scenic Rail Transportation

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Mountain, Glacier & Alpine Nature Tours (THAJAIAF)

Keywords

• Scenic rail journeys
• Panoramic train service
• Luxury rail travel
• Alpine tourism transport
• Narrow-gauge railway

Headquarters

HQ city

Andermatt

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Train Tickets and Seat Reservations: Revenue is generated from the sale of train tickets (1st class, 2nd class) and mandatory seat reservations for the full Zermatt–St. Moritz route and shorter segments. Tickets for 1st/2nd class start from CHF 44 (short route) to CHF 272 (full route, 1st class). Seat reservations cost CHF 54 for 1st/2nd class and CHF 540 for Excellence Class.
2. Excellence Class Premium Reservations: The premium Excellence Class experience includes a 1st class ticket plus mandatory seat reservation (CHF 540), with a 5-course menu with wine pairing, champagne welcome, and Glacier Bar access included.
3. Onboard Food and Beverage Sales: Revenue from pre-ordered meals (day plates, menus, à la carte dishes) and beverages including regional wines from Graubünden and Wallis, consumed during the journey. Cashless payment only (Maestro, Visa, Master, American Express, Postcard, Twint).
4. Gastronomy Packages for Groups: Groups of 10+ persons can pre-order catering packages. Food pre-order is mandatory for groups and must be placed at least 10 days in advance via Panoramic Gourmet AG.
5. Gift Vouchers: Glacier Express gift vouchers sold via the official web shop (shop.glacierexpress.ch) for tickets, seat reservations, and catering services. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash, refunded, or exchanged.
6. Group Discounted Tariffs: Special group tariffs with a 30% discount on the regular ticket price for groups of 10 or more persons, handled through the Railservice RhB in Chur.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Glacier Express operates a premium panoramic rail service running the 291 km route between Zermatt and St. Moritz through the Swiss Alps, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels in approximately 8 hours. The service is sold via ticket plus mandatory seat reservation across 2nd Class, 1st Class, and Excellence Class tiers, with onboard freshly prepared Swiss cuisine, digital infotainment in six languages, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The company also sells gift vouchers, onboard dining add-ons, luggage transport via partners, branded souvenirs, and packaged holidays through tour operator partners.

Product overview

Glacier Express operates as a premium panoramic rail service offering a single core product—the iconic mountain train journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz—supplemented by three service tiers (2nd Class, 1st Class, and Excellence Class), add-on services including onboard dining, seat reservations, digital infotainment, luggage transport, and gift vouchers, as well as partner package deals with hotel accommodations. The company was established in 2017 (50% RhB, 50% Matterhorn Gotthardbahn) and operates year-round except for a maintenance closure from mid-October to early December. Key differentiators include ceiling-height panoramic windows, freshly prepared Swiss cuisine served at seats, UNESCO World Heritage route segments, and the exclusive Excellence Class luxury experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Excellence Class: Premium luxury service featuring guaranteed window seats in 2-person lounge compartments, concierge service, 5-course gourmet menu with wine pairing, and exclusive Glacier Bar with rotating gilded compass dome.

Products and services

• Glacier Express Panoramic Train Journey The flagship panoramic rail journey traversing 291 km through the Swiss Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz, featuring 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and approximately 8 hours of travel time at an average speed of 42 km/h. Passes through three Swiss cantons (Wallis, Uri, Graubünden) including the UNESCO World Heritage Albula/Bernina line. Offered in 1st Class, 2nd Class, and Excellence Class options.
• Excellence Class Premium luxury tier of the Glacier Express offering guaranteed window seats in 2-person lounge compartments, dedicated concierge, personal tablet with infotainment, welcome desk with baggage transfer, 5-course seasonal gourmet menu with wine pairing, unlimited beverages, and exclusive access to the Glacier Bar with rotating gilded compass dome. Requires a valid 1st class ticket plus a CHF 540 seat reservation.
• 1st Class (1. Klasse) First-class travel with more space in 2 and 4-person compartments, panoramic windows, seat-side service with meals available for pre-order, digital infotainment accessible via personal devices, complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets at each seat, and included headphones for audio guide and music channels. Full route 1st class ticket costs CHF 272 plus CHF 54 seat reservation.
• 2nd Class (2. Klasse) Standard-class travel with comfortable seats in 4-person compartments, panoramic windows, seat-side service with meals available for pre-order, digital infotainment accessible via personal devices, complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets at each seat, and included headphones for audio guide and music channels. Full route 2nd class ticket costs CHF 159 plus CHF 54 seat reservation.
• Onboard Dining (Bordgastronomie) Freshly prepared Swiss cuisine served at the seat, featuring regional and seasonal ingredients. Includes daily specials, various menus, à la carte dishes, salads, soups, hot main courses, desserts, and snacks. Complimentary wines from Graubünden and Wallis cantons. Pre-ordering recommended. Cashless payment only. Dietary accommodations include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options. Pre-orders placed via Panoramic Gourmet AG.
• Group Travel (Gruppenreisen ab 10 Personen) Special arrangements for groups of 10 or more persons including dedicated group tariffs with up to 30% discount on regular ticket prices, coordinated seating in the same car, group dining packages with mandatory pre-order 10 days in advance via Panoramic Gourmet AG, door-to-door luggage transport via SBB Transport-Service, and designated contact at Railservice RhB for reservations.
• Gift Vouchers (Gutscheine) Gift certificates redeemable in the Glacier Express web shop for tickets, seat reservations, and catering services. Customizable with personal images and text, printable at home. Vouchers cannot be refunded or exchanged for cash.
• Souvenirs Branded merchandise including the iconic Schrägglas (tilted wine glass invented in the 1980s to prevent spillage during train gradients), apparel, and other collectibles available at the Glacier Express shop.
• Digital Infotainment System Onboard digital system accessible via personal smartphone or tablet with complimentary Wi-Fi. Features audio guide in 6 languages highlighting route attractions, music channels, live train location, real-time information, and short video series. Power outlets available at each seat. Excellence Class passengers receive a dedicated personal tablet.
• Package Deals with Overnight Stays Travel packages including Glacier Express journey plus hotel overnight stays, offered through partners Railtour Suisse SA and Switzerland Travel Centre AG. Packages include train tickets from the traveler's Swiss origin, hotel accommodation, and the Glacier Express journey.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250,000 passengers per year; 2.75 million passengers between 1982–1996
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Rhätische Bahn (RhB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017RhB holds 50% ownership of Glacier Express AG and operates the Albula line section of the route between Chur and St. Moritz (UNESCO World Heritage site). RhB was a founding partner of the Glacier Express when it launched in 1930 and continues as a co-owner and infrastructure provider.
• Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017MGB holds 50% ownership of Glacier Express AG (formed from the 2003 merger of BVZ Zermatt-Bahn and Furka Oberalp Bahn). MGB operates the route section between Zermatt and Andermatt including the Furka Basistunnel. MGB was a founding partner when the Glacier Express launched in 1930.
• Panoramic Gourmet AGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPanoramic Gourmet AG is the exclusive onboard gastronomy partner, providing food preparation, service, and catering for all classes including Excellence Class. They handle food pre-orders for groups and individual travelers and can be contacted via [email protected] (groups) and [email protected] (individuals).
• SBB Transport-ServicecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSBB Transport-Service provides door-to-door luggage transport for groups of 10+ persons. Luggage collection is by 9:00 AM and delivery from 6:00 PM (or 7:00 AM for Zermatt–St. Moritz route) on the travel day.
• Jaisli Mobility ServiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJaisli Mobility Service provides door-to-door luggage transport for individual travelers. Delivery is guaranteed by 6:00 PM on the same travel day and can be booked online up to 5:00 PM the day before the journey.
• Railtour Suisse SAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRailtour Suisse SA is an official partner selling Glacier Express as part of package holidays that include rail tickets from the customer's Swiss origin, hotel accommodation, and the Glacier Express journey. Contact: +41 (0)31 378 01 01, [email protected].
• Switzerland Travel Centre AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwitzerland Travel Centre AG is an official partner selling Glacier Express as part of package holidays including rail tickets from the customer's Swiss starting point, hotel stays, and the Glacier Express journey. Contact: +41 (0)848 848 480, [email protected].
• Railservice RhB (Chur)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Railservice RhB in Chur is the designated channel for group reservations (10+ persons). Groups cannot book through the standard webshop and must not be split to circumvent this requirement. Contact: [email protected], +41 (0)81 288 65 25.
• Gornergrat BahnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGornergrat Bahn offers the 'NostalChic Class' experience, a partner offering promoted alongside the Glacier Express as part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, combining nostalgic flair with exclusive ambience and regional culinary specialties.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Ghan (Journey Beyond): Australia's iconic long-distance luxury train. Comparable as a globally recognised scenic rail brand positioned at the premium end of experiential travel with curated onboard dining and tiered service classes.
• Rocky Mountaineer: Canadian luxury daylight scenic rail service (e.g., Vancouver–Banff). Closest international analogue to Glacier Express: multi-night, premium-priced, sightseeing-first rail experience with mandatory seat reservations, gourmet catering and curated onboard service.
• Bernina Express: Operated by parent shareholder Rhätische Bahn on the Albula/Bernina route, Bernina Express is Glacier Express's sister Swiss panoramic rail service, sharing the same operator family, similar panoramic coaches and the UNESCO World Heritage segment that Glacier Express also traverses.
• Belmond (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express): Operates the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and other luxury trains; benchmarks the ultra-premium rail positioning (all-inclusive gastronomy, concierge, design-led interiors) that Glacier Express's Excellence Class is built against in the luxury travel market.
• Gotthard Panorama Express: Swiss panoramic rail experience operated by SBB through the historic Gotthard route. Competes for the same Swiss scenic-rail bucket-list traveller and shares the panoramic-coach, reservation-based model that defines Glacier Express.
• GoldenPass Express: Swiss premium panoramic rail service (Montreux–Interlaken–Lucerne) operated by MOB/GoldenPass. Directly comparable as a Swiss scenic luxury rail product with panoramic coaches, multi-class tiers, and seat-reservation system aimed at international leisure travellers.

Others

• Switzerland Travel Centre AG: Official Switzerland Tourism distribution partner and existing Glacier Express channel partner. Comparable as a non-direct competitor that packages Swiss rail experiences (including Glacier Express) into hotel-inclusive holidays for international travellers.

Regional players

• Gornergrat Bahn: Matterhorn-area mountain cog railway and active Glacier Express channel partner (NostalChic Class on the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland). Overlaps with Glacier Express on the Zermatt tourism funnel and premium mountain-experience positioning in the same canton of Valais.
• Rigi Railway (Rigibahnen): Historic Swiss mountain cog railway. Operates in the same Swiss premium mountain-experience category as Glacier Express, targeting leisure tourists seeking alpine panoramas from central Switzerland.

Broad incumbents

• Jungfrau Railways: Swiss mountain railway group operating Jungfraujoch ('Top of Europe') and related Bernese Oberland rail experiences. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the premium Swiss Alpine rail/experience category, with multiple routes and a wider portfolio than Glacier Express's single corridor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/glacierexpress_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@glacierexpress-ch
• Facebookfacebook.com/glacierexpress.ch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/glacier-express-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/glacierexpress.ch

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Glacier Express