Railway adventure on Glacier Express.

If you've been to Switzerland, you've probably heard of it. It is he who delivers people from one famous mountain resort of St. Moritz to another equally famous Zermatt. This is the famous Glacier Express. His outstanding route, which lasts for seven and a half hours, passes through the most beautiful places of the Alps.

On his way there are ninety-one tunnels and breathtaking bends of the road, the Oberalp pass, and at its highest point at the mark of two thousand thirty-three meters. In order not to miss all this beauty, the windows on the train were made panoramic. You can ride it in winter and summer. However, earlier the route was a little different and because of this the express was used only in the summer. When a tunnel was laid at the Furka Pass, which prevented winter travel, year-round use of the line became available. It was then that the route of the Glacier Express became a tourist one. At the same time, he received the title of the slowest express in the world. But this is exactly what attracted connoisseurs of the impeccable beauty of the mountains, which could be enjoyed throughout the trip. The popularity of Glacier Express was growing. A section of its route, running along the Rhaetian Railway, was included in the famous UNESCO World Heritage List.

It is noteworthy that the train is moving at a strong height difference. At the same time, the minimum height is six hundred and fifty meters above sea level, and the highest point is two thousand one hundred and sixty. A special gear system comes to the rescue during ascents and descents, which allows you to climb to a height or slow down when descending on the way back.

The key sections of the Glacier Express route are the Albula, Furcu, Oberalp and Mattertal lines. Their names correspond to three passes and one valley. The very first line is interesting because there is a section between the villages of Predu and Bergunu where the train passes through a large number of spirals at a distance of five kilometers. This is due to the large height difference, which is four hundred meters. In addition to the spiral tunnels, there are two beautiful viaducts on this section of the way. The huge stone arches of the Landwasser as fabulous scenery look harmoniously against the background of steep cliffs with a tunnel. Solis viaduct is not inferior to it. On the Oberalp line there is a steep ascent to the highest point of the pass and an equally steep descent after the canton of Uri, which continues to Andermatt, located at an altitude of one thousand four hundred and forty-seven meters. Here, without large differences, the express goes along the Urzerental Valley, passing the villages of Hospental and Realp, after which it enters the Oberwalde through the Furka tunnel and heads towards Brig, from which the Mattertal line already begins. Driving along it, you can admire the valley of the same name and the villages of Stalden and St. Niklaus and Randa. After the station there is another steep climb to Zermatt. This end point of the route is an Alpine village next to the beautiful Matterhorn mountain peak.

In order for everyone to be able to look at this beauty, six wagons were launched, divided into three classes of service. The second-class carriages are designed for the largest number of passengers, namely forty-eight people. Each compartment has two seats opposite two. In a first-class carriage, the scheme is slightly different, two people are sitting opposite one and due to this there are fewer seats - variably either thirty or thirty-six. And the most prestigious class is Excellence, where the scheme goes one to one, which means that every passenger of this class has a coveted seat at the window. It appeared quite recently, in March last year and immediately became in demand. A personalized entertainment system, an exclusive bar, two meals more than in other classes, the care of a hospitable concierge, luggage transportation, lockable compartments for him on board and priority at check-in for the train. You can choose a comfortable place for yourself by looking at a 360-degree panorama. You will know exactly where to sit and where it will be more convenient for you. The cost of a ticket to this class is four hundred and twenty francs.

Common to all cars is the air conditioning system, the presence of electrical outlets and places for people with disabilities. Each place has an audio system with music channels and an audio guide. The languages in which you can listen to the tour are limited. There are German, English, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and French. Food is also offered in all carriages, but unlike Excellence is limited to three courses. But for an additional fee, you can buy a snack in the form of sandwiches and sweets. You can buy soft drinks and alcohol. Souvenirs with the symbols of the express are also on sale. You can buy key rings, mugs, a wooden railway, a powerbank or a flash drive in the form of a trailer, a model of the Glacier Express itself. And of course postcards, travel guides, baseball caps, backpacks and even a cowbell. So there is something to choose in memory of this unique trip.

You can see what beauties are waiting for you on the trip on the official website and on the Glacier Express Instagram. The spectacle is truly breathtaking. It's even impossible to compare when it's better to go on a trip. The Alps are also beautiful in spring, when nature is just waking up. And in winter, when there is a smooth fluffy layer of snow on the roofs of small houses in villages and the trees on the slopes are also covered with a dazzling white outfit. And in summer, the combination of green grass, flowers, the water surface and strict peaks dissecting the flawless blue cloudless sky gives a special tranquility.

In order to go on the Glacier Express, it is necessary to pre-book seats. It doesn't matter if you are traveling with children or have a discount on the trip. The exception is children under six years old who do not need an extra seat, by the way, they travel for free. Children a little older, namely from six to fifteen years old, have a fifty percent discount. The overall price range depends on the stations you will travel to and the season. In high season, the cost increases by an average of ten Swiss francs.

There are hotels in the villages along the route where you can stay, and Glacier Express itself has a number of partners who offer these mini tours for one or two nights. These tours are popular among the Swiss themselves, but tourists also buy them. So if you want not only to take a ride on the legendary train, but also to stay a little longer in the mountains, consider this offer, you may like it.