Glacier Express Rail to Zermatt

This was a long day on several trains. (Yay, Swiss Travel Pass). First, we took the local train from Pontresina to St. Moritz (10 minutes). Then we got on board the Glacier Express (scenic train) to Zermatt. When we stopped in Andermott to change trains, it was raining. It rained a bit off and on the rest of the way, rewarding us with a magnificent double rainbow just as we exited a tunnel (After marvelling at the rainbow for 30 minutes as it dimmed, I found an open window between train cars where I could take a picture without reflections. The pic you see does not show the double rainbow, but it was there - just fading).

We arrived late at our hotel, having caught glimpses of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains as night fell.

Three observations about the trains:

1. School children ride the local trains to school! Like a school bus, although the children take city buses to school also. Why have school buses when you've got a great transit system?
2. There were a LOT of people in tour groups on the scenic trains. On the regional trains, it was all individuals, a few of which were intrepid hikers and mountain bikers (with their bikes on the trains). The majority of train riders in the mountain/hiking areas seemed to be seniors, aged 55-75!
3. Despite claims otherwise, there is no internet on any of the scenic trains so far. Hence, the radio silence from me and no responses to your messages.Läs mer