Planning a trip to Zermatt can be as exhilarating as it is daunting. If you're seeking a comprehensive guide to streamline your journey and help you experience Zermatt at its best, then this article is perfect for you.
This guide provides detailed information on the best transport options, getting around the village, the best season for your visit, insider tips, and much more.
What sets this guide apart? It's tailored to help you immerse yourself in the local culture and make the most of your time in this car-free, tranquil paradise. Whether skiing or dining across the border in Italy, this guide equips you with the necessary know-how.
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Brought to you by your Zermatt Holidays team, our blog offers insights from a local perspective. Zermatt is our home, and we love to share our passions with you. In our articles, we gather our knowledge about Zermatt to help you get the most out of your stay! Enjoy our comprehensive Zermatt guide.
Zermatt Village is located at the end of the Mattertal valley in the south of the canton of Wallis in Switzerland. Zermatt's ski area is linked with that of Cervinia in Italy; to get there, you ski across the glacier at Klein Matterhorn. You can literally have lunch in a different country while skiing. Quite James Bond-like, right?
(© Google Maps)
You get to Zermatt either by train via Visp or by car to Täsch, and then take the train from Täsch to car-free Zermatt. Either way, it is a magical journey through the Swiss mountains with lots of breathtaking sights.
There are three main Swiss airports: Geneva Airport, Zurich Airport, and Basel Airport. The nearest one to Zermatt is Zurich Airport. All of the airports have good train connections to Zermatt via Visp. To get to Zermatt by train, you take the train from the airport you arrived at to Visp, and from there you take the panoramic Matterhorn Gotthard Railway shuttle train to Zermatt.
Arrival to Zermatt by Train
Train Journey Duration
Zurich to Zermatt – 3h 10min
Basel to Zermatt – 3h 15min
Geneva to Zermatt – 3h 30min
St.Gallen to Zermatt – 4h 30min
Tip: Book an SBB day card in advance, especially if you are traveling 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.
From Zurich Airport or Zurich city, there are direct trains that take you to Visp in 2 hours and 15 minutes. From Visp, there is a shuttle train that will take you directly to Zermatt in 1 hour. It's best to book your tickets directly at the offical Swiss ticket office.
From Geneva Airport, there is also a direct train to Visp. The duration is 2 hours and 13 minutes from Geneva to Visp, and then from Visp, the shuttle train again takes you directly to Zermatt in 1 hour. From Zermatt train station, there are electric taxis that can take you to your holiday home.
Note: If you have booked your accommodation with us, we will pick you up at the train station, as advised in our welcome mail.
Traveling by car will increase the time a little (around 15%), especially when there's traffic, which is often the case. It's a beautiful drive through the Swiss Alps and an amazing experience.
Zermatt is a car-free village! Private vehicles are not allowed to enter Zermatt. Don't try to drive to Zermatt because the fines are expensive! Only residents with special permission are allowed to drive to Zermatt by car. Everyone else has to park their car in one of the 2,400 spots at the parking lot in Täsch and then take the 12-minute train ride from Täsch to Zermatt. Trains leave regularly and run until late at night, so no worries. The train infrastructure in Switzerland is one of the most reliable and efficient in the world.
Traveling to Zermatt by car
Electric Taxi: The most unique but also pricey way of getting around. The small taxis all run on electricity and are truly unique to Zermatt. Charged up and produced in Zermatt, you should definitely check them out at least once!
Buses: The electro bus is free of charge but can be very busy at times. There are two bus routes, red and green, and the color on the bus bumper indicates which route it takes.
Bicycle: Especially in the warm months, it is a great feeling to ride through the streets with a refreshing breeze around you. Many spots will let you rent their modern E-Bikes.
On foot: There is no better way to go for an extended walk than in Zermatt. Everything in the town of Zermatt is fairly close together, and you will often discover unique spots on less beaten paths.
Transport in Zermatt - getting arround in the village
A big part of Zermatt's international prominence originally comes from the mountaineering scene. In the 19th century, English mountaineers came to Zermatt in droves to climb the Swiss mountains, most notably the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn was long considered unclimbable. On 14 July 1865, in a historic event, the British climber Edward Whymper, together with three mountain guides and three Englishmen, succeeded in reaching the summit.
Zermatt in winter is the best-known Swiss ski-resort. A fun-filled place in the Alps, Zermatt continues to attract visitors from all over the globe. There is something to do for every age and interest.
Pro Tip: You can book Zermatt ski vacation packages to get a pre-organized package full of fun activities.
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. Until mid-December, skiers have the slopes almost to themselves. The prices for Zermatt Apartment Rentals are usually at their lowest at this time for the winter season. The few visitors appreciate the atmosphere of this village as it was before winter tourism began after the Second World War.
From mid-December onwards, visitors from all five continents arrive, creating the atmosphere of an international hotspot. There are many options in Zermatt for non-skiers and ski enthusiasts. They come to breathe in the uplifting mountain air, wander the narrow cobbled streets and hill paths, admire the breathtaking Matterhorn, and enjoy the cosmopolitan ambiance on the main street (Bahnhofstrasse) with its many shops and some of the best restaurants in Switzerland. Maybe, one day, they decide to take Europe's highest cableway up to the Klein Matterhorn, look over into Italy, or walk up to one of the hamlets above the village where cozy 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 Christmas in Zermatt and New Year has passed, some calm returns to the valley, and January is quieter. 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 handful 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 skiers.
Numerous pistes and breathtaking views make skiing in Zermatt so unique. (© Pascal Gertschen)
If you visit Zermatt in March, you will most likely 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 have 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)
Pro Tip: The Glacier Express. A popular activity all year round is to ride the Glacier Express, a spectacular train ride that takes you across the Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
There is an abundance of activities to do in Zermatt during ski season. You won't only enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe, but you will also discover what pure alpine air can do for your well-being.
Zermatt is not just a world-famous winter ski resort. Summer in Zermatt offers endless hiking trails, mountain biking routes, climbing, sightseeing activities 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 within the range of possibilities.
Zermatt in June
June is the month for wildflowers. The alpine roses present a lush red carpet decorating the wooded hillsides above the village. Serious hikers are returning, taking advantage of the fact that this is still pre-season. Prices are lower, and even the Bahnhofstrasse (main shopping street) is not crowded.
Zermatt in July
By July, 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.
Zermatt in September and October
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 have a white Christmas.
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.
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