Zermatt in a nutshell
Zermatt lies at around 1,600 metres at the end of the Matter valley in the canton of Valais. Only electric vehicles are allowed in the village, so drivers park in Täsch, five kilometres down the valley, and take the shuttle train. Above the village rises the Matterhorn, first climbed on 14 July 1865.
From Zermatt, mountain railways climb to three very different viewpoints: the Gornergrat at 3,089 metres, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883 metres and the Rothorn above the lakes of Sunnegga. They are expensive, and several lines close for maintenance between October and December. A little planning goes a long way.
What is open this autumn
Between mid-October and late November 2026 Zermatt runs on a reduced timetable. Check this before you book.
Gornergrat Railway
Closed completely from 2 to 14 November 2026 for construction work. From 15 to 27 November trains run every 48 minutes, then every 24 minutes again from 28 November.
Gornergrat guide →Glacier Express
No trains from 11 October to 4 December 2026. The winter timetable runs from 5 December 2026 to 7 May 2027.
Glacier Express guide →Sunnegga and Rothorn
The Sunnegga funicular and the lifts to the Rothorn are closed from 12 October to 27 November 2026, so the 5 Lakes Walk cannot be reached by lift. Winter operation starts on 28 November.
Sunnegga guide →Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Open all year. The crossing to Cervinia in Italy reopens on 24 October 2026. Summer skiing on the Theodul Glacier has been running again since 14 October.
Glacier Paradise guide →Our picks: Zermatt tours and tickets
A guided day from Zurich with Gornergrat, the railway ticket and the coach day trip from Geneva.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Zermatt and Gornergrat small-group trip from Zurich
A guided day by train from Zurich main station with all train tickets, the Gornergrat Railway and the Matterhorn Museum included. Meals are extra.
Check availability →
Gornergrat Railway return ticket
The return trip with entry to the ZOOOM exhibition at the top. CHF 132 matches the operator's summer 2026 fare; from November 2026 the official winter fare is CHF 102, and Half Fare Card holders pay half at the station.
Check availability →Zermatt day trip by coach from Geneva
Coach to Täsch with the shuttle train to Zermatt and free time in the village. The Glacier Paradise cable car is only included if you choose that option.
Check availability →Zermatt tours and tickets
Day trips from Zurich and Geneva, Gornergrat and Glacier Paradise tickets and the Glacier Express, with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
The big three viewpoints
Return fares from Zermatt for adults. Half Fare Card and Swiss Travel Pass give 50 % off single lift tickets.
| Viewpoint | Height | Winter 2026/27 | Summer 2027 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gornergrat | 3,089 m | CHF 102 | – | The classic Matterhorn view, 29 four-thousanders, the Riffelsee on the way down |
| Matterhorn Glacier Paradise | 3,883 m | CHF 104 | CHF 138 | Glaciers, the ice palace and the crossing to Italy |
| Rothorn | 3,103 m | CHF 70 | CHF 96 | The 5 Lakes Walk and the lakes above Sunnegga |
The Gornergrat summer fare for 2027 had not been published by October 2026; in summer 2026 it was CHF 132.
Planning to ride several of them? The Peak Pass covers all three plus Schwarzsee, the ice palace and the train from Täsch. One day costs CHF 190 in winter 2026/27 and CHF 246 in summer 2027. With a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass you only get 25 % off the Peak Pass, not 50 %.
Plan your trip
Getting there, where to stay and what to do. Start here.
Zurich to Zermatt
3 hours 15 minutes by train with a change in Visp, from Geneva 3 hours 45 minutes.
Täsch: parking and shuttle
Where to leave the car, the shuttle every 20 minutes and how luggage works.
Things to do in Zermatt
Viewpoints, lakes, the gorge, the museum and the best short walks.
Tours and day trips
Day trips from Zurich and Geneva compared, and when a tour beats travelling alone.
Hiking in Zermatt
Ten trails from easy lake walks to the Hörnli hut, with distances and times.
Where to stay
The village centre, hotels on the mountain or cheaper beds in Täsch and Randa.
Four tips that save money
Zermatt is expensive. These make the biggest difference.
Bring a discount card
Half Fare Card, GA and Swiss Travel Pass halve most single lift tickets. The Swiss Travel Pass also covers the train to Zermatt and the Täsch shuttle, and gives free entry to the Matterhorn Museum.
Getting there →Go up in the afternoon
Afternoon return tickets to the Glacier Paradise (from 1:30 pm, CHF 84 in winter) and the Rothorn (CHF 57 in winter) cost less. They cannot be combined with discount cards.
Glacier Paradise →Check the Matterhorn first
Clouds can hide the peak. Look at the webcams in the morning before you buy a ticket. The Riffelsee reflection only works early or late in the day when there is no wind.
Best time to visit →Reserve the Glacier Express
A seat reservation is compulsory for everyone, including Swiss Travel Pass holders: CHF 54 in first and second class. The full fare to St. Moritz is CHF 166 in second class.
Glacier Express →Seasons in Zermatt
Skiing, hiking or both. Zermatt has a season almost all year.
Skiing in Zermatt
360 km of slopes across two countries. Day passes from CHF 89 with dynamic prices.
Zermatt in winter
Winter walks, sledging from Rotenboden and the igloo village from 19 December.
Best time to visit
Hiking from June to October, skiing from November, and the gaps in between.
Zermatt: frequently asked questions
Can I drive to Zermatt?
No. Zermatt is car-free. You drive to Täsch, park at the Matterhorn Terminal and take the shuttle train, which runs every 20 minutes and takes 12 minutes. A return ticket costs CHF 17.20.
How much is the Gornergrat Railway?
A return ticket from Zermatt costs CHF 102 from November 2026 to April 2027, according to the operator's price list of June 2026. In summer 2026 it was CHF 132. Half Fare Card and Swiss Travel Pass give 50 % off.
Is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it?
On a clear day, yes: it is the highest cable car station in Europe at 3,883 metres, with glaciers on all sides and an ice palace inside the glacier. A return ticket costs CHF 104 in winter 2026/27.
How long is the train from Zurich to Zermatt?
About 3 hours 15 minutes from Zurich main station, with a change in Visp. From Geneva it takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. Until 8 November 2026 the SBB timetable shows replacement buses between Visp and Täsch.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Gornergrat?
No, it gives 50 % off the Gornergrat Railway and other lifts. It does cover the train to Zermatt, the Täsch shuttle and entry to the Matterhorn Museum.