Zermatt is a car-free village in the Swiss canton of Valais, sitting below the Matterhorn at the head of its valley. You arrive by train, either straight from the Swiss rail network or by parking in Täsch and riding a short shuttle. Most visitors spend their time on two big viewpoints: the Gornergrat, reached by a cogwheel railway, and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on the Klein Matterhorn, which has the highest mountain station in Europe. This guide covers how to get in, what each viewpoint is like and how to fit it all into a Switzerland trip, using details from the official Zermatt, Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise websites.
Know before you go
- Where: Zermatt, canton of Valais, southern Switzerland.
- Cars: not allowed in Zermatt; private cars stop at Täsch, 5 km away.
- Täsch shuttle: 12 minutes, every 20 minutes through the day, CHF 17.20 return.
- Gornergrat: 3,089 m, 33 minutes by cogwheel railway from Zermatt.
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: 3,883 m, the highest mountain station in Europe.
- Matterhorn: 4,478 m.
- Last checked: 3 November 2026.
In this Article
Why Zermatt is worth the trip
The Matterhorn is the reason most people come. Its steep pyramid shape shows up from the village streets, from the railway platforms above town and from lakes on the hillsides, and the views change a lot with the light and the season. Zermatt itself is compact. Hotels, shops and restaurants line the main street, Bahnhofstrasse, which starts at the station, and small electric vehicles carry luggage and guests around in place of cars.
The village also works as a base for more than sightseeing. In summer the area is known for hiking, and in winter for skiing on slopes that reach high up towards the Italian border. If you are planning a wider Swiss route, Zermatt fits well alongside Interlaken and Lucerne in a 7 day Switzerland itinerary.
How to get to Zermatt
By train
Zermatt tourism puts it simply: there are no cars in Zermatt, so the train is the way in. Trains run right into the village and stop at Zermatt Bahnhofplatz, in the centre. Connections from Zurich, Geneva and other Swiss cities usually involve at least one change, so check the SBB timetable for your date before you book hotels around a fixed arrival time.
By car via Täsch
Private cars can only go as far as Täsch, 5 km before Zermatt. From there you take the shuttle train, a taxi or a limousine service. The Matterhorn Terminal in Täsch has 2,100 covered parking spaces, and private operators run more than 1,000 more. Free luggage trolleys are available at the terminal against a CHF 5 deposit.
The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn runs the shuttle. According to its website:
- Trains run every 20 minutes from 5:55 to 21:55, then hourly into the night, with all night service at weekends.
- The journey takes 12 minutes.
- A return ticket costs CHF 17.20 and is valid for 30 days.
- The GA travelcard and the Swiss Travel Pass are valid on the shuttle.
- Half Fare Card holders and children aged 6 to 15 pay half, and children under 6 and Junior Card holders travel free.
Getting around the village
Zermatt is small enough to walk. The Gornergrat railway starts from its own station close to the main railway station, and the Gornergrat Bahn notes that its trains bring you back to the centre of Zermatt. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable cars leave from a separate valley station in the village, so allow time to walk between the two.
Gornergrat railway
The Gornergrat Bahn opened on 20 August 1898 as the first electric cogwheel railway in Switzerland. It climbs from Zermatt at 1,604 m to the summit station at 3,089 m, a ride of 33 minutes. On the way up it passes through stone pine forest at Riffelalp, then pasture at Riffelberg, before the ground turns to rock and ice near the top.
You can get off and back on at the intermediate stations of Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden, and each has its own view of the Matterhorn. At the top, the view takes in glaciers and peaks over 4,000 m, and the summit station has the interactive exhibition ZOOOM the Matterhorn.
Riffelsee
Riffelsee is a small lake below the Gornergrat, a short walk from Rotenboden station. On a calm morning the Matterhorn reflects in the water, which makes it one of the most photographed spots in Zermatt. Plenty of visitors ride up to Gornergrat, then walk down to Rotenboden past the lake and catch the train back from there.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the name for the top of the Klein Matterhorn, at 3,883 m. The official site describes it as the highest mountain station in Europe. From its viewing platform you can see 38 peaks over 4,000 m and 14 glaciers across three countries. Snow and cold are normal up there in every season, so bring warm layers even in summer.
The trip up uses a series of cable cars from the valley station in Zermatt. The cabins pass over glaciers on the final stretch, and the Matterhorn is in view for much of the ride.
Doing both in one day
The Peak2Peak ticket combines Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat on a single day. The suggested order is the Glacier Paradise first, then a cable car across to Riffelberg and the Gornergrat railway up to the summit, and finally the train back down to the centre of Zermatt. You can do it in reverse too. The official page advises checking cable car departure times, because the last connections set the limits of the day.
Comparing the two viewpoints
| Gornergrat | Matterhorn Glacier Paradise | |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 3,089 m | 3,883 m |
| How you get up | Cogwheel railway from Zermatt, 33 minutes | Cable cars from Zermatt |
| Starting point | Gornergrat Bahn station near Zermatt main station | Cable car valley station in Zermatt |
| Stops on the way | Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg, Rotenboden | Cable car changes on the way up |
| Good for | Matterhorn views, Riffelsee, easy walks | Glacier views, high altitude, snow all year |
If you only have time for one, the Gornergrat is easier on a first visit because the train starts near the main station and the Matterhorn faces you for most of the ride. The Glacier Paradise suits travellers who want the higher altitude and the glacier views.
When to visit Zermatt
Summer brings open hiking trails and green pastures, while winter brings ski season and a snow covered village. The high viewpoints keep snow and ice all year. Clouds can hide the Matterhorn for hours or days at a time, so it helps to keep your mountain day flexible and go up when the forecast is clear. For a broader look at seasons across the continent, see our guide to the best time to visit Europe.
How many days to spend
One full day lets you ride up to the Gornergrat and walk around the village. Two days give you time for both the Gornergrat and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, with a spare half day in case of cloud. Hikers and skiers usually stay longer. Zermatt is also the western end of the Glacier Express, which runs to St. Moritz in about 8 hours, so some travellers arrive or leave that way.
If you are also considering the Jungfrau region, our guide to Jungfraujoch tickets and the route up covers how that trip compares.
Tips for Indian travellers
- Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for Switzerland, so sort that out before booking anything that cannot be refunded.
- Carry warm clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen for the high viewpoints, since the sun is strong on snow.
- Check whether your rail pass gives a discount on the mountain railways and cable cars before you buy tickets.
- Vegetarian food is available in Zermatt, but menus on the mountains are smaller, so carry snacks for long days.
- Book hotels early for the peak summer and winter weeks.
FAQ
Can you drive to Zermatt?
No. Private cars can go as far as Täsch, 5 km away, and you continue by shuttle train, taxi or limousine. The shuttle takes 12 minutes.
How long is the Gornergrat train ride?
The Gornergrat Bahn takes 33 minutes from Zermatt to the summit station at 3,089 m.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on the Täsch shuttle?
Yes. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn says the GA travelcard and the Swiss Travel Pass are both valid on the Täsch to Zermatt shuttle.
Which is higher, Gornergrat or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at 3,883 m, is about 800 m higher than the Gornergrat at 3,089 m.
How do I get from Zermatt to Zurich?
Take the train from Zermatt station. Most journeys involve a change, so check the SBB timetable for the times on your travel date.
Official resources: Zermatt tourism; Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn Täsch shuttle; Gornergrat Bahn; Matterhorn Glacier Paradise; Glacier Express
Photo credits
Featured image: Alltheswissthings / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Why Zermatt is worth the trip: flamouroux / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; By car via Täsch: Abxbay / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Gornergrat railway: Patryk Hejduk / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Gornergrat railway: calflier001 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Riffelsee: Deralpinbergsteiger / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: Roy Egloff / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: Whgler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; When to visit Zermatt: Deralpinbergsteiger / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
