Zermatt

Updated October 2026 · Sources: Zermatt Bergbahnen (Matterhorn Paradise), Gornergrat Bahn, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, Zermatt Tourism, SBB timetable

Find a place to stay in Zermatt

Zermatt is in Switzerland, in the canton of Valais (Visp district), at the head of the Matter Valley (Mattertal), right below the Swiss side of the Matterhorn. The village sits at 1,608 m (about 5,275 ft), has around 6,100 residents and speaks German. It is not in Italy: on the other side of the mountain is Breuil-Cervinia, in the Aosta Valley.

Zermatt has been closed to private cars since 1931. You drive as far as Täsch, 5 km down the valley, leave the car in the covered car park of the Matterhorn Terminal and take the shuttle train: 12 minutes, every 20 minutes. Most visitors fly into Geneva, Zurich or Milan Malpensa. By train it is about 4 hours from Geneva Airport and about 3 hours 35 from Zurich Airport, with one or two changes. By road to Täsch: Geneva about 233 km (3 hours), Zurich about 225 km (3½ hours), Milan Malpensa about 189 km (3 hours).

Why go: the Matterhorn up close, the Gornergrat cog railway, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883 m and one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, linked to Cervinia in Italy, with skiing even in summer. In summer there are high lakes, numbered hiking trails and mountain huts. It is an expensive resort: below you will find verified 2026/27 prices and practical ways to spend less.

The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn rises to 4,478 m on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is not part of the Monte Rosa massif: they are two separate mountains of the Pennine Alps. From Zermatt you see the east face and the Hörnli ridge, the Swiss normal route. You can already see it from the streets in the centre, but the best views are higher up: Gornergrat, Riffelsee, Stellisee, Schwarzsee.

The first ascent was made on 14 July 1865 by Edward Whymper’s party. On the way down four climbers fell to their deaths, three of them British; Whymper and the two Taugwalder guides, father and son, survived. You will meet this story again at the museum and in the mountaineers’ cemetery.

Gornergrat and its cog railway

The Gornergrat Bahn leaves from opposite Zermatt station and climbs to 3,089 m in 33 minutes. It opened on 20 August 1898 and was the first electric cog railway in Switzerland. It stops at Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden. At the top the Matterhorn is in front of you, with Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier below.

2026/27 adult fares from Zermatt: in summer (May to October) CHF 66 one way and CHF 132 return; in winter (November 2026 to April 2027) CHF 51 and CHF 102. With the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Half Fare Card you pay half. Tip: ride up and walk down from Rotenboden to Riffelberg past the Riffelsee.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

On the Klein Matterhorn (Little Matterhorn) the viewing station sits at 3,883 m, the highest lift station in Europe. You reach it from Zermatt with a chain of lifts via Furi and Trockener Steg. It is open all year. The ticket includes the Glacier Palace, carved into the ice, and the Cinema Lounge. The air is thin up there: move slowly and bring a warm jacket, even in August.

To see both Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat in one day there is the Peak2Peak ticket: CHF 165 per adult from 28 November 2026 to 18 April 2027, CHF 212 in high summer. Children up to 8.99 years ride free.

Hinterdorf, the old village

The oldest part of Zermatt is the Hinterdorf, a few lanes behind the church. More than 30 barns and granaries in dark larch wood still stand here, raised on wooden stilts topped with round stone slabs that kept mice away from the grain. Some buildings date from the 16th century, one barn has beams dated 1383, and a large communal granary was built in the 19th century. It is a free half-hour walk, best early in the morning or at sunset.

Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis

The museum is underground, in the village centre near the church. It recreates the old village with houses, stables and furniture and tells how Zermatt went from farming village to resort. The most famous exhibit is the rope that broke on the descent in 1865. Opening hours and prices change with the season, so check on site or at the tourist office.

St Maurice church and the mountaineers’ cemetery

The parish church of St Maurice, in the centre, was built between 1910 and 1913. Next to it is the mountaineers’ cemetery, with graves of climbers and guides who died on the Matterhorn and the surrounding peaks. A quiet place that reminds you how serious high mountains still are.

Sunnegga, Leisee and Rothorn

The Sunnegga funicular runs entirely underground: in about 4 minutes it takes you from Zermatt to 2,288 m. It opened in 1980 and was renewed in 2013. Just below is the Leisee, a small lake with a beach, barbecue spots and a playground, ideal with children. From Sunnegga a gondola goes up to Blauherd (2,571 m) and a cable car to the Rothorn (3,103 m), facing the Matterhorn.

Gorner Gorge

Just outside the village, towards the hamlet of Blatten, the Gornera stream has cut a narrow gorge into the rock. You walk through it on wooden boardwalks fixed to the walls. It is open roughly from late May to mid-October, with an entrance fee.

Zermatt is part of the Matterhorn Ski Paradise: 360 km of pistes and 52 lifts across Zermatt, Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche. The top point is 3,899 m. The Swiss side, covered by the Zermatt-only pass, has up to 200 km. The link to Italy crosses the Theodul Glacier and Testa Grigia: with the International pass you ski down to Cervinia and back in a day.

The area has three sectors:

• Sunnegga – Blauherd – Rothorn: sunny, wide runs for families and intermediates, with a children’s area at the Leisee.
• Gornergrat: served by the cog railway and chairlifts between Riffelberg and Gornergrat, many scenic red runs.
• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: from Furi and Schwarzsee up to the glacier; this is where the link to Cervinia is and where you ski in summer too.

Summer skiing sets Zermatt apart: on the Theodul Glacier about 21 km of pistes stay open in summer, depending on snow, plus a snow park.

Ski passes 2026/27. The winter season runs from 1 November 2026 to 3 May 2027. Prices are dynamic, changing with date and demand, and the official figures are “from” prices. One day Zermatt from CHF 89, one day International (with Cervinia) from CHF 104, half day from 12:15 from CHF 68. Six days from CHF 384 (Zermatt) or 432 (International), seven days from 436 or 492. Children up to 8.99 ski free, ages 9 to 15.99 pay half, young people up to 19.99 get 15% off. On Saturdays the Zermatt pass is free for children and teens up to 15.99. Prices and calculator on the lift company’s website.

Dates: Sunnegga and Rothorn open on 28 November 2026 and close on 11 April 2027; the Gornergrat area runs from 28 November to 18 April 2027; Glacier Paradise is open all year. Level: mostly red, with blue and black runs. Beginners will find nursery slopes and ski schools, but this is not the cheapest place to learn. There is also cross-country skiing on the valley floor, sledging and winter walking trails.

Summer in Zermatt runs from June to September. The lifts take you high in minutes and trails are numbered. A few routes, with official data from Zermatt Tourism:

• 5 Lakes Walk (no. 11): Blauherd (2,571 m) – Stellisee – Grindjisee – Grünsee – Moosjisee – Leisee – Sunnegga (2,288 m). 9.8 km, about 2 h 30, 165 m up and 454 m down, moderate. On a still day the Matterhorn is reflected in the Stellisee; the Moosjisee is milky with glacier water; you can swim in the Leisee.
• Riffelsee trail (no. 21): from Rotenboden, a Gornergrat Bahn stop, to Riffelberg. 3 km, about an hour, 53 m up and 289 m down, easy. This is the lake of the classic Matterhorn reflection photo: go early.
• Hörnli Hut trail (no. 27): from Schwarzsee (2,583 m) to the hut at the foot of the Hörnli ridge (3,260 m). 4.3 km, about 2 h 15, 693 m of ascent, about 1 h 30 back. Hard: exposed sections on metal walkways, you need a sure foot and a head for heights. Check snow and ice first.

If you plan several lifts a day, look at the Peak Pass: it covers Glacier Paradise, Rothorn, Schwarzsee, Gornergrat, the Riffelberg-Express and the train between Randa, Täsch and Zermatt. One day costs CHF 234 in June to August 2026 and CHF 190 from November 2026 to April 2027; it is not valid for skiers. Besides hiking you can mountain bike, climb, paraglide or climb a 4,000 m peak with a mountain guide.

Zermatt is one of the most expensive resorts in the Alps. Some practical ways to spend less:

• If you spend several days in Switzerland, the Half Fare Card halves train and Gornergrat fares; the Swiss Travel Pass covers the trains (Täsch shuttle included) and gives 50% off the Gornergrat.
• With young children: up to 8.99 they pay neither the ski pass nor Glacier Paradise; on Saturdays the Zermatt pass is free up to 15.99.
• Pick low season: November and late April have the cheapest ski passes, and in winter the Gornergrat costs less than in summer (CHF 102 instead of 132 return).
• If you do not ski, do the maths: the Peak Pass only pays off if you go up two or more mountains a day.
• Stay in Täsch or Randa and take the shuttle: the return ticket costs CHF 17.20 and is valid for 30 days.
• Buy the Zermatt pass and add Cervinia for a single day instead of paying for the International pass all week.

• Breuil-Cervinia (2,050 m, Aosta Valley): on the other side of the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, open since 2023, takes you there by cable car in 1½ to 2 hours via Glacier Paradise and Testa Grigia (3,480 m). Official one-way fares: CHF 127.50 from November 2026 to April 2027, 147.50 in May–June and September–October, 161.50 in July–August; return CHF 208 / 240 / 264. Closed from 7 September to 23 October 2026 and from 7 January to 26 February 2027. By car it is about 226 km and over 3½ hours. Details on the Matterhorn Paradise website.
• Saas-Fee (about 1,800 m): Valais’s other car-free village, in the next valley, with a glacier and skiing into spring. About 2 hours from Zermatt by train and bus via Visp.
• Täsch (1,449 m): 12 minutes by shuttle, quieter and cheaper, home of the Matterhorn Terminal.
• Brig: 1 h 20 by train, the town of the Stockalper Palace and the rail hub for the Simplon and Lötschberg lines.
• St. Moritz on the Glacier Express: about 8 hours on a panoramic train with no changes; seat reservation is compulsory and charged. Timetable on the Glacier Express website.
• Monte Rosa: you see it from the Gornergrat; on the Italian side you reach it from Gressoney, Alagna and Champoluc.

Zermatt has hotels of every category, apartments and chalets to rent. The areas:

• Centre and Bahnhofstrasse: near the station and the Gornergrat Bahn, everything on foot. For train arrivals, short stays and non-skiers.
• Near the Sunnegga funicular (along the Vispa river): handy for skiers and families, easy runs a few minutes away.
• The south end of the village, towards the Matterhorn Express station: for those skiing mainly at Glacier Paradise and heading to Cervinia.
• Hinterdorf and Winkelmatten: quieter, chalets and apartments, Matterhorn views; Winkelmatten is uphill, so budget for electric taxis.
• Täsch and Randa: the budget option. Lower prices, car at the door, 12 minutes by shuttle.

For a week with family an apartment works best; for two or three nights a hotel near the station. Over Christmas, New Year, February half-term and July–August, book well ahead.

By car

Zermatt is car-free: you can only drive as far as Täsch. From Geneva follow the Rhône valley via Lausanne, Martigny and Sion to Visp, then up the valley to Täsch: about 233 km and 3 hours. From Milan cross the Simplon Pass to Brig: about 230 km and 3 hours 20. From Zurich allow about 3½ hours. Swiss motorways require a vignette; in winter you need winter tyres and should carry chains. There is no road from Cervinia: by car the detour is over 220 km.

By train

Zermatt is the terminus of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. From Visp it takes 1 h 06 to 1 h 13, from Brig 1 h 20 to 1 h 30, both direct. From Bern about 2 h 10, from Zurich HB 3 h 15, from Geneva 3 h 45, each with one change at Visp. In some low-season periods replacement buses run on part of the line during engineering works: check the timetable on the SBB website.

By bus

No scheduled buses run to Zermatt. From Saas-Fee and the Saas valley the PostBus takes you to Visp, where you change to the train. In the village there are electric buses and electric taxis.

By plane

The most convenient airports are Geneva (about 4 hours by train with one change at Visp, or 3 hours by road to Täsch), Zurich (about 3 h 35 by train) and Milan Malpensa (about 189 km and 3 hours by road to Täsch). Sion airport is closer but has few flights.

Parking

The Matterhorn Terminal in Täsch has 2,100 covered spaces, EV charging and the shuttle station in the same building; luggage trolleys can go on the train. Parking costs about CHF 16 to 17 a day, a little less from the eighth day; booking online is recommended. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes from 05:55 to 21:55, then hourly until about half past midnight, and all night at weekends. Return CHF 17.20, one way CHF 8.60. Täsch also has private open-air car parks and taxis to Zermatt.

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