How to get there
Zermatt is car-free: drive to Täsch and take the shuttle train (12 minutes), or arrive by train from Visp. The Gornergrat cog railway and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car give the two classic viewpoints.
SwitzerlandSwitzerland, Switzerland
Matterhorn & Zermatt
The iconic pyramid-shaped peak towering over the charming car-free village of Zermatt, a mecca for mountaineers and skiers.
Written and reviewed by Anas Morsali, founder of travellerseasyLast reviewed 11 September 2026Based on the author's own tripHow we research
Photograph by Anas Morsali, taken during his own trip
The Matterhorn, standing at 4,478 metres, is one of the most recognisable mountains in the world and a symbol of Switzerland. Its near-perfect pyramidal shape, formed by the erosion of glaciers on all four sides, rises dramatically above the car-free resort village of Zermatt in the Valais canton. First summited in 1865 by Edward Whymper in a climb that ended in tragedy when four of the seven climbers fell to their deaths during the descent, the Matterhorn continues to attract experienced mountaineers from around the globe. For those who prefer to admire from a distance, the Gornergrat railway — Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway — climbs to 3,089 metres, offering breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and 29 other peaks over 4,000 metres. The Riffelsee lake near the Gornergrat station provides the classic reflection shot of the Matterhorn at sunrise. Zermatt itself is a world-class ski resort with 360 km of pistes and year-round glacier skiing on the Klein Matterhorn.
Planning the wider trip? The Switzerland planning guide covers how to get there, how to move around, where to stay, realistic costs and a day-by-day itinerary that includes Matterhorn & Zermatt.
Visiting Matterhorn & Zermatt: practical information
Best time to go
July to September for hiking, December to April for skiing.
Time needed
Two to three days.
What it costs
Gornergrat return around CHF 130, Glacier Paradise around CHF 120; hotels CHF 200–400 per night.
Good to know before you go
- The Riffelsee, one stop below Gornergrat, gives the famous mirror reflection on a windless morning.
- Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card holders get significant discounts on both railways.
- The mountain is often clear at dawn and clouded over by midday in summer.
Other highlights in Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen Valley
A breathtaking glacial valley with 72 waterfalls cascading down sheer cliff walls, said to have inspired Tolkien's Rivendell.
Lake Lucerne
A stunning lake surrounded by mountains and the historic city of Lucerne with its famous Chapel Bridge and medieval old town.
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Europe's highest railway station at 3,454m, offering panoramic views of the Aletsch Glacier and the surrounding alpine peaks.