Zermatt Transportation

4 more images

One thing is for certain, there is no subway in a mountain resort like Zermatt, right? Wrong. The Sunnegga-Bahn, a part of the "Rothorn Paradise" transportation system to get from Zermatt to the Rothorn, will whisk you from Zermatt to Sunnegga in about 3 minutes. You actually have to walk into the mountain about 150 meters (200 yards), then board the sloped train by a series of steps. When you get to Sunnegga, you have to exit and climb stairs to make your way out to Sunnegga. You'll have to climb the same number of stairs, so choose whether you want to climb them as you enter or as you exit. There is elevator access for those with limited mobility.

Travel between Zermatt and Sunnegga costs CHF 14.50 one way, CHF 22.50 round trip. Cost with Swisspass or half-fare card is CHF 7.50/11.50. The subway is closed for maintenance from late April through late May.

Zermatt is off limits to car traffic so you park at the nearby town of Tasch and then either take the train or one of the passenger vans that are allowed to drive into Zermatt.

We spotted a sign to park for 4CHF and the lot was right across the street from the train station. When we went to pay the fee, they said for slightly less than the train ticket they would take us by van to Zermatt and throw in the parking for free. That actually worked really well, we only waited for about 5 minutes on the way over and maybe 10 minutes on the way back.

1 more image

The Riffelalp tram is the highest tramway in Europe.

It links the train station Riffelalp with the 5-starred Hotel Riffelalp (2222 m) and was built to transport guests of the hotel.

The 675 m long route is only served by the tram from June until October. The original tram was opened in 1899 but had to be closed 60 years later due to a fire which destoyed the hotel.

The hotel was rebuilt in 2000 and the replicated tram was inaugurated in June 2001.

1 more image

The Gornergrat Railway leads from Zermatt (1620 m) to the 3089 m high located Gornergrat. From there panoramic views of the various 4000 m high mountains including the Matterhorn can be enjoyed.

The train needs about 45 minutes for the 9,4 km long trip and also stops in Riffelalp and Riffelberg. Both places are located in the middle of Zermatt's hiking region.

Although we didn't use the Gornergrat Railway, we crossed the route several times on our hikes and always enjoyed watching it creeping up the mountain.

In summer 2007 the single fare was 38,00 CHF and the return fare was 76,00 CHF (about 48 Euro). Various discounts are available.

Several funiculars and gondolas serve the mountain region of Zermatt.

For one of our hikes we used the undergorund funicular which took us from Zermatt to Sunnegga paradise. Sunnegga paradise is good starting point for many hikes.

The trip takes only a few minutes and covers a difference in altitude of about 650 m.

In summer 2007 the single fare was 14,50 CHF and the return fare was 22,50 CHF (about 14,00 Euro). Various discounts are available.

1 more image

As Zermatt is car-free most tourists arrive by train. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn company runs an hourly service on the route Brig - Visp - Zermatt.

The narrow gauge cog railway needs about 90 minutes for the scenic trip through the Vispa Valley.

The single fare is about 35 CHF (23 Euro, 2007).

Please note that the Eurrail pass is not valid on this route, but allows a 25 % discount.

drive by car to Täsch, this is the last place you are allowed to reach by car before Zermatt.
The people where we parked the car owned some mini busses who brought us to Zermatt. Parking and drive back and forwards with 4 persons cost 37 CHF.
After three o’clock a minivan is there to take you back to Täsch, you never have to wait more then 10 minutes.

Or you can park your car and drive that last part from Täsch to Zermatt by train, I think it takes 10 minutes.

Because Zermatt is car free we took the train from Visp to Zermatt.
For adults you pay 67 CHF for children till 16 year you pay 32 CHF.
We had to take a child ticket for our little dog.
The stations as well in Visp as in Zermatt are right in the centre