Are you spending a few days in Zermatt with your family, friends or loved one? Or planning a longterm workation stay in Zermatt? This Guide is brought to you by our Zermatt Holidays team and gives you all the insights from a local perspective. Zermatt is our home and we love to share our passion with you. We’ve gathered our knowledge about Zermatt since 1988 to help you get the most out of your stay! Enjoy our comprehensive Zermatt travel guide.
Zermatt Village is located at the end of a valley in the south of the canton Valais (Wallis). Zermatt and its ski area is linked with that of Cervinia (Italy), very close to the Italian border. You can literally have lunch in a different country while skiing, quite James Bond like, right?
(© Google Maps)
Despite its remoteness, Zermatt is quite easy to get to. The nearest airports to Zermatt are Sion, Geneva, Basel, Zurich and Milan. All of the airports have good connections to Zermatt via Brig or Visp, but the airports with the best connections definitely are Zurich, Geneva and Basel. So if you are looking for flights, check those airports.
The most environmentally friendly and convenient way to travel to Zermatt is by train. Zermatt is car-free since 1931(!), only residents with special permission are allowed to drive to the entrance of Zermatt by car. Everyone else has to park their car on one of the 2400 spots of the parking lot in Täsch and then take the 12-minute trainride from Täsch to Zermatt. The train infrastructure in Switzerland is one of the most reliable and efficient in the world.
Arrival to Zermatt by Train
Get a break from traffic, Zermatt has remained a uniquely car-free resort making the air as fresh and clean as you can imagine. Your first breath will sooth those traveling from cities and comfort nature fans.
Zurich to Zermatt – 3h10min
Basel to Zermatt – 3h15min
Geneva to Zermatt – 3h30min
St.Gallen to Zermatt – 4h30min
Tip: Book an SBB day card in advance, especially if you are travelling in a group or if you are visiting Zermatt with kids, you can save a lot of money! If there is no day card available, download the SBB App, here you can check the departure times and book train tickets on your phone. If you book your train ticket in advance, prices are significantly cheaper (to benefit from the best price, book your ticket 30 days in advance).
Travelling by car will increase the time (by around 15%) especially when there’s traffic, which is often the case. Reminder: ZERMATT IS CAR FREE! Don't try to drive to Zermatt because the fines are expensive, but rather enjoy a few more nights in Zermatt instead of paying that fine!
Traveling to Zermatt by car
Transport in Zermatt - getting arround in the village
Dominated by Switzerland’s most famous landmark – the Matterhorn – Zermatt is definitely the best known Swiss ski-resort. A fun-filled place in the Alps, Zermatt continues to attract visitors from all over the globe. Check out our Zermatt ski vacation packages.
The Mattherhorn can be seen from almost everywhere in the village. (© Pascal Gertschen)
Autumn atmosphere in the tranquil village of Zermatt. (© Pascal Gertschen)
The winter season in Zermatt traditionally opens in the middle of November, when skiers from Bavaria spend a week on the slopes of the largest summer skiing area in Europe. Until mid-December, the skiers have the slopes almost to themselves. The prices for our Zermatt Rentals usually are at its lowest at this time.The few visitors spend their days walking the paths that are not yet covered with snow, and appreciate the atmosphere of this village as it must have been before winter tourism began after the Second World War.
From mid-December onwards, visitors from five continents arrive to create the international atmosphere. There are many options in Zermatt for non-skiers, but also ski enthusiastics come here to breathe in the uplifting mountain air, wander the narrow cobbled streets and hill paths, admire the breathtaking Matterhorn, and enjoy the cosmopolitan ambience on the main street (Bahnhofstrasse) with its many shops and some of the best Zermatt restaurants. Maybe, one day, they decide to take Europe’s highest cableway up to the Klein Matterhorn, to look over into Italy, or to walk up to one of the hamlets above the village where cosy mountain restaurants serve local dishes accompanied by a carafe of Valais wine. The horse-drawn carriages on the narrow streets enhance the fairytale atmosphere and the Christmas tree at the train station and Advent music in the background truly add to this magical experience.
View of the Bahnhofstrasse at Christmas time. (© Leander Wenger)
After the exciting hustle and bustle of a authentic Zermatt Christmas and New Year has passed, some calm returns to the valley, and January is quieter now. One can easily imagine what sort of village the first climbers discovered when they came out here in the middle of the last century. January is also the curler's month, and many visitors come to watch the daily events on the ice rink in the middle of the village.
Curling is a popular winter sport in Zermatt. (© Pascal Gertschen)
The longer days of February and March bring thousands of skiers to the slopes. These are also the months for the sun worshippers and those who are fleeing the damp climates of northern Europe. This area is well known as the sunniest area of Switzerland. The mists, that block out the sun until midday in the plains, are unknown here. Until a couple of weeks after Easter, Zermatt is in full swing.
February is usually the month with the best snow conditions for skiing. That's because it has already snowed quite a few times during the season and there are a hand full of fresh snow days in February. We experienced some of the best powder days in February and can really recommend this time for off piste- and on piste skiiers.
Numerous pistes and breathtaking views make skiing in Zermatt so unique. (© Pascal Gertschen)
If you visit Zermatt in March, most probably you will still find great conditions on the slopes and snow on the tops of the picturesque chalets. The days are getting longer and warmer, and from time to time, we encounter massive snowfall during March, which can be a great opportunity to search for some powder (although there is no guarantee). Now is also a great time to just sit in a café, enjoy the sun and take some time off. Let the astonishing mountain views sink in and relax.
The winter season is coming to an end and Zermatt celebrates this with a big bang: The Zermatt unplugged festival. Since 2007 people from all over the world come to Zermatt to see big and upcoming musical artists perform. There are concerts next to the slopes and in the village, making the festival a unique and fun experience. Imagine, skiing from concert to concert while enjoying an amazing view!
The Zermatt Unplugged Festival attracts many music enthusiasts every year. (© Marc Kronig)
There is an abundance of activities to do in Zermatt ski season. You won’t only enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe but you will discover what pure alpine air can do for your well-being.
Zermatt is not just a world-famous winter ski resort! Long and sunny summers, endless of hiking- and biking trails, climbing activities, sightseeing activities, cable car excursions and summer skiing await you! For the super fit thrill seekers, a glacier traverse above 3000m or a climb to one of the highest peaks in Europe is all in the range of possibilities. Check out our Zermatt packages for more inspiration.
June is the month for wild flowers. The alpine roses present a lush red carpet decorating the wooded hillsides above the village. The serious hikers are returning, taking advantage of the fact that this is still pre-season, prices are lower and not even the Bahnhofstrasse (main shopping street) is crowded.
By July the summer is in full swing. In the early mornings, groups of young people can be seen hurrying to the cable-car stations to make the most of the morning skiing. Hikers with their rucksacks set out for a day in the mountains. The more leisurely visitors enjoy breakfast on a sunny restaurant terrace before planning their day. Day trippers pour from the trains, and make their way up the main street eager for a first glimpse of the fabled Matterhorn. The goats returning to the village in the evenings are a popular tourist attraction.
Many of September’s visitors return to Zermatt year after year. The valley almost invariably has long sunny autumns, which frequently extend into November. On the occasional rainy day in late autumn it is fascinating to watch the snow gradually creeping further down the mountains, until one morning, a sprinkling of snow covers the meadows surrounding the village and Zermatt knows that once again it will be having a white Christmas.
You can find more information about summer in Zermatt in our guide. If hiking is on our list, we recommend you our blog for hikes in Zermatt.
As you can see, Zermatt is always worth a visit, no matter the weather or season we guarantee it will never get boring. We will continuously update this guide to become your go-to guide when visiting Zermatt. You can find more information in our other guides, which we also regularly update.
If you're looking to elevate your Zermatt experience to the next level, there's no better choice than booking your stay with Zermatt Holidays. We proudly stand as the no.1 choice with an impressive track record of 500+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ratings from satisfied guests. When you choose Zermatt Holidays, you're not just booking accommodations; you're unlocking a world of exceptional service.
Our commitment goes beyond the ordinary. We offer more than just a place to stay; we offer an unforgettable experience. From complimentary pickup and drop-off services at the train station to seamless assistance in organizing your ski passes and train tickets, we've got you covered every step of the way. With Zermatt Holidays, your Zermatt adventure will be nothing short of extraordinary.
Book your Zermatt Holidays experience with us today!
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