Zurich -> Chur -> Glacier Express -> Zermatt in 2 days = possible?

Question

I'm planning to go to Switzerland next week and have drawn up a itinerary myself. It's hard to gauge how long I should stay at each point and how much time I should leave for connections. Is anyone familiar with the route and could give some advice? My plan is:

(Wed at 13.10) arrives at Zurich, stay in Zurich overnight.

(Thurs) leaves Zurich for Chur, catches Glacier Express at Chur (11.15 only one train per day) for Zermatt. Arrives Zermatt at 16:42.

(Fri) Zermatt -> Interlaken, stay at Interlaken.

(Sat) Interlaken -> Luzern, stay at Luzern

(Sun) Luzern -> Zurich, catches flight at 20:25 back.

My question is whether this looks like a hurried plan and not leaving enough time for connection/stop etc. Any sensible suggesions would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

You don't have to worry about the connections--they're always perfect. (The website won't even mention any connection that's too tight.)

Staying in Zurich overnight the first night is okay, especially if you've had a long flight. (Normally I don't recommend Zurich for a 5-day trip. Another option would be to stay in Chur, or somewhere between the two, so you don't have as long a train ride the next day. Zurich is pretty at night though, and the train ride is obviously prettier by day.)

Thursday is perfect, assuming you like trains! If you like trains, you'll love the Glacier Express. Leave Zurich HB at 9:37.

I would give Interlaken a miss, and either stay another night at Zermatt (if you can afford it!) or stop between Zermatt and Interlaken, maybe Brig or Spiez. You'll still have plenty of time to get from there to Luzern on Saturday. Or you can head straight to Luzern and on the Saturday do Pilatus or Titlus.

Sunday's fine. Spend ALL your time in Luzern (or Pilatus/Titlus/boat ride on the lake) and catch the direct train (18:10-19:13 if you're allowed to be that late) back to the airport. Or the one to HB and transfer if you must.

Have a great trip!