Posts RSS
Day One
We took a morning train (left photo below) from Neuchâtel at 0624 hours to another Switzerland city 'Chur', where the whole journey took 2-hours and 58-mins. Chur is located on the eastern part of Switzerland and it is the capital of Swiss canton 'Graubünden'. Almost surrounded by Swiss Alps, the mountains can be viewed from any part of the city (right photo below).
Chur Train Station
We arrived at Chur Train Station (left photo below) at 0922 hours. There is a Tourist Information centre (right photo below) located inside the station, which provides many informative tips to travel in and out from Chur.
As did not eat anything before leaving our house at Neuchâtel, we then went to one of the supermarkets near the train station to look for our breakfast. Bought a piece of berry-pie (left photo below) for CHF 2.90, which tasted good but was rather pricey for such a small pie. While having my breakfast with a cup of cappuccino, the cute pictures of dolphins and frogs caught my attention (right photo below). Realized that the mouths of these animals were designed to be openings for the recycled bins. That is very creative of the Swiss to promote recycling!
Glacier Express
The Glacier Express is well known as the world's slowest express train, that travels through the most beautiful stretches of mountainous landscape of Swiss Alps.
Booked the train tickets 2 weeks before the actual departure at CHF 90 with SBB ½ fare card (2nd class ticket), which included the standard train from Neuchâtel to Chur, the Glacier Express train from Chur to Zermatt, and the standard train from Zermatt back to Neuchâtel. However, an additional CHF 13 was required as part of winter surcharge. Initially wanted to take the full route from St. Moritz to Zermatt, but due to the limited timing and distance from where we stayed (at Neuchâtel), we could only take the shorter route.
Train Cabin
- The Glacier Express train (left photo below) finally arrived at the station and we boarded at 1115 hours. The train cabin of 2nd class was spacious with large window panel and half of the roof was installed with glass to allow passengers to have a panorama view of the mountain tops (right photo below).
Seats are arranged in configuration of 2 by 2, and every 2 rows shared a table; that is 2 pairs of passengers will have to sit face-to-face. We were lucky that 3 of us could occupy the four seats by ourselves. The table was decorated with dining set and wine glasses (left photo below) similar to a restaurant. Even the seat covers were embroidered with the logo of Glacier Express (right photo below).
Travel information, such as description of local culture and sceneries, is available via the headphones provided in 6 different languages. When the information is about to play, a gong signal will be heard. At the end of the ride, these headphones can be brought back home by passengers.
Sceneries from Chur to Oberalp Pass
- The train began from Chur at 585-meters above sea level and headed up to Oberalp Pass at 2033-meters above sea level. The lush green vegetation at the mountain foot formed a distinct contrast with the snow-capped mountains at the background (photos below).
Being a Singaporean who rarely sees snow, it was truly an amazing experience to see so many scenic views while sitting inside the cabin comfortably (photos below).
The train continues to climb further up to Oberalp Pass and the scenery began to change from the lush green to white landscape (photos below).
Lunch in the train
- We ordered our standard lunch of single course at CHF 28 (left photo below) and I had a cup of cappuccino at CHF 4.60 (right photo below). The meal was typical Swiss food which can be somewhat interesting to visitors, but to me was rather unappealing because I can have the same dish every week at my Swiss company even at a lower price of CHF 6.
Sceneries at Oberalp Pass
- The whole train cabin was literally in the land of snow when we reached the top of Oberalp Pass (photos below). This was the highest point throughout the whole train route. One personal experience is to bring sunglasses along as the reflection from the white snow will be glaring.
Sceneries from Oberalp Pass to Zermatt
- After the Oberalp Pass, the train continued to descend to Visp at 658-meters above sea level. Landscape once again turned from white to green (photos below).
The train finally reached its destination, Zermatt, at 1604-meters above sea level. The total time of the journey will be 5 hours and 37-mins from Chur to Zermatt, and we reached Zermatt at 1652 hours.
Overall the train ride was enjoyable, and the sceneries are beautiful. For visitors who want to see more snow, then winter period (Dec to Feb) will be best where everything will be covered with white snow. Personally I like a bit of snow with green landscape and the period I had traveled (late April) is the perfect time.
Hotel Bahnhof
Made a room reservation from Hotel Bahnhof (left photo below) over the internet at the same time we confirmed the Glacier Express train tickets. Bahnhof in German means 'train station', thus the hotel is ideally located opposite the Zermatt train station. We didn't do much walking or spend time looking for this hotel. Initially wanted to have a twin room with extra bed, but due to unavailability of standard rooms, the hotel gave us a family suite instead (right photo below); charging us the same price of CHF 185 per night per room. This was my first hotel stay in Switzerland.
Although no breakfast was provided by the hotel, the fully-equipped kitchen (left photo below) is located at its basement to allow occupants to make their own meals. Also a cozy corner (right photo below) allows guests to interact and to do some readings.
Zermatt Town
Zermatt is the located in the district of Visp and it is a German-speaking section of the canton of Valais. Zermatt has become the best place to view the famous Matterhorn mountain, and a starting point for great skiing and hiking adventures. Surrounded by the Swiss Alps, Zermatt town is made up of mainly souvenir shops, hotels / hostel, restaurants and supermarkets (photos below). Do note that shops (except restaurants) at Zermatt closes subsequently after 1800 hours and few shops open on Sunday.
To prevent pollution that may obscure the view of Matterhorn, the entire town is free of combustion-engine cars; instead only electric cars (left photo below) are allowed to travel within the town. Being a small town, there is only one main church (right photo below) to serve the whole population of about 5,800 inhabitants.
The Snow & Alpine Center provides many information on skiing and hiking around the area (left photo below), while the Matterhorn Museum provides the history, natural and development of the famous mountain (right photo below). The entire museum is built underground due to limited space on the surface.
View of Matterhorn
Hoping to see the Matterhorn, we were disappointed by the thick banner of clouds covering the surface of the mountain that evening. This phenomena is due to air vortices leeward that causes condensation of air on the side of the mountain (photos below). There was nothing we could do at that moment but to hope that weather will be good the next day to have a clearer view of the mountain.
Fast-Food Dinner
Probably it was already close to 8 pm in the evening and were desperate for a meal, we then decided to have fast food for dinner (left photo below). Ordered a 'Romandie' meal at CHF 13.50 (right photo below), which was the most expensive single fast food meal I ever had! Back in Singapore I can have the same meal twice plus another large fries. Well that meal was considered cheap compared to a typical meal at any Zermatt restaurants.
After dinner while walking back to the hotel, I realized that Switzerland is a rather safe place because even branded watches were not kept when the shop closes (photos below). This is something uncommon back in Singapore. 
Day Two
We woke up early and walked back to the same location in the morning at about 8.30 am hoping to have a clear view the Matterhorn.
Perfect View of Matterhorn
Our wishes of seeing the Matterhorn came true! Here's the perfect photo of the Matterhorn taken:
The name Matterhorn is in fact German, whereas in French it is known as Mont Cervin, or Monte Cervino in Italian. Despite its many names, it is the most recognizable mountain in the world. The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, indicate the four compass points. The Matterhorn has become an iconic emblem of the Swiss Alps and the Alps in general. Even the famous chocolate Toblerone uses the mountain as its brand logo.
Gornergrat Railway
To have a better view of Matterhorn, we decided to take Gornergratbahn, or Gornergrat train, up to Gornergrat. The Zermatt station of Gornergratbahn (left photo below) is just located opposite the main Zermatt train station. Bought our tickets at CHF 36 per person after discount from SBB ½ fare card. The train cabin is large enough that skiing equipment can be stored securely (right photo below).
Following were the views of Matterhorn taken at different altitude during the train ride (photos below).
The Gornergratbahn has several stops from Zermatt before reaching Gornergrat station (left photo below) which is its summit station. The whole train ride took 44-minutes. Picturesque photo of Matterhorn can also be taken from the platform behind the Gornergrat station (right photo below).
Gornergrat
Gornergrat is a ridge of the Pennine Alps at a height of 3089-meters above sea level. It is located between the Gornergletscher and Findelgletscher and offers a view of more than 20 four-thousand metre peaks.
Ski Resort
- Being a popular ski resort, many state of the art facilities such as ski cables are available (photos below).
Buildings at Gornergrat
- A small chapel (left photo below), or Kapelle in German, together with the Observatory (right photo below) are located on the top of summit. The world's highest hotel, Kulmhotel, and a restaurant that offers alfresco dining are also located within the Observatory building.
Observation Deck
- For better view of the surrounding mountains, the Observation Deck or Aussichtplattform in German (left photo below) can be reached easily by climbing a short slope (right photo below). Just a reminder to all visitors to be careful as the snow may melt in the day and form slippery ice along the path.
Mountain View
- Several mountains and glaciers can be observed from the platform (photos below), including Gorner Glacier which is the second largest glacier system in Alps after Aletsch Glacier system.
Sceneries from Gornergrat to Zermatt
- Decided to take Gornergratbahn back from Gornergrat station at 1043 hours, and we reached Zermatt at 1127 hours. Along the route back, several photos were taken including the snow covering the alpine forest (left photo below) and the Zermatt town overlooking the Matterhorn (right photo below).
Fast-Food Lunch
Had lunch at the same fast food restaurant again (left photo below) because all the supermarkets were closed on Sunday. I ordered a 'Big Tasty' meal this time which cost CHF 14.50 (right photo below).
Had a quick wash-up and checked out from the hotel. Next, we took the standard train back at 1339 hours from Zermatt and we reached Neuchâtel at 1657 hours with a total journey of approximately 3 hours and 18-mins.