Zermatt Transportation

This high altitude train delivers a very scenic trip up to a glacial area. There are great views of the Matterhorn along the way and at the top. What many do not expect are the other high mountains in the region. This is a good chance to see Mount Rosa, which is the highest peak in all of Switzerland. Also, the Breithorn, Castor, Pollux, and many others are visible in all directions. Below the top station is the Gorner Glacier. It is massive and has carved its way down the mountains. The train stops a few times before reaching the uppermost Gornergrat station. There is a hotel at the top. All along the way are various hiking trails. They can be as easy or challenging as one desires. The train ticket allows the rider to stop at the intermediate stations and explore. I highly recommend doing this. The mountains and panoramic views are among the best I have seen. If you have a Swiss Pass, the ticket will have a 50% discount.

It is easy to get around in Zermatt. Most distances can easily be covered on foot.

In winter the bus service is included in the ski-pass : two routes with electrically-powered buses serve all major intersections.

Taxi companies (electrically-powered taxis)

Taxi Zermatt (24h):
*** Taxi Dorsaz, Imboden & Bolero Tel 0848 11 12 12

*** Taxi Schaller Tel 027 967 12 12

A taxi trip will cost you around CHF 5.- per person from the railwaystation to your hotel.

Tip: ask your hotel for a lift with the free courtesy bus (usually each hotel own one)

Horse drawn carriages (round-trips)
*** Imboden Werner Tel 079 436 76 12

One road and one railway lead to Zermatt, but all visitors by car change at Tasch and finish the journey by train into Zermatt.

Connections form the rest of Switzerland are made at either Visp or Brig. Visp tends to connect with trains from the west and Brig from the north and east parts of the country.

The service appears to be convenient for all visitors, with something like an hourly service from places like Geneva and Zurich, each with International airports.

My impression at Brig was that the train to Zermatt was almost an add on, the platforms were outside the main station, no roof cover and little identification for first time visitors.

As I hiked valiently up to Z Mutt, the cable car seemd to glide past quietly laughing at the efforts of the human trying to reach the same destination.

Well it is transport but not on any scheduled passenger trip.

I have used trains all my life, far longer than cars or any other form of transport.

So there is an attraction for me towards this means of travel.

I have been transported to many mountain heights by cable car and chair lift, they have their place. On this final day in Zermatt the train to Gornergrat won out over the Cable car to either Schwarzsee or Klein Matterhorn or both locations.

The prices are competitive, special rates are in effect for both systems of ascent.

The schedules are also comprehensive.

It also comes down to several questions.

Is the means of ascent convenient to where you you are staying in Zermatt?
Do you want to be close to the Matterhorn?
Do you want to visit the Ice Grotto at Klein Matterhorn?
Do you prefer to see the Matterhorn from a distance?
Will your camera give you close ups to satisfy your wishes or needs?
Are the stops / stations of value to you for hiking, taking photos or seeing some other views?

However you have to decide which is better for you

For me the Gornergrat train was the desired means of transport on this occasion.

There are 3 mountain transportation systems that take one from the town to the mountain ranges above Zermatt.

I believe all are competitive, it depends on which view of the Matterhorn you want to see.

The cable car system that gets you closest to the Matterhorn is the Zermatt Bergbahn , which reaches Schwarzsee in two stages via Furi. There are several other combinations, all cable cars, one in particular climbs to Klein Matterhorn in two more stages from Furi.

This Small Matterhorn is further east along the range of mountains, it is not close to the Matterhorn, any view of the Matterhorn will be across a major snow/ice field/glacier.

I say any view of the Matterhorn simply because the mountain is often hidden in cloud.

The other two elavation systems will be covered later.

Take the famous GLACIER EXPRESS train from Zermatt to Andermatt, then down the Gotthard route to Fluelen and Zürich. The ride is one of the most breathtaking in Switzerland. This is one of the famous Swiss Mountain Railway. A panoramic trip through the Alps in the heart of Switzerland.