The Zermatt is the place in Switzerland where you can come any time of the year, and its beauty never fails to mesmerize. Located in the Italian region of Swiss, the Zermatt is surrounded by the high mountains of the Pennine Alps at an elevation of approximately 1,600 m (5,315 ft). This gorgeous mountain range includes the iconic pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak, a major draw for visitors from many vantage points throughout the mountain village.
To prevent air pollution from spoiling the views of the Matterhorn since the 1970s, cute electric vehicles, mostly taxis and buses, quietly zip people around. You will most likely arrive by train on the superb modern and efficient Swiss rail network. From Geneva it’s a 4-hour scenic train journey to Zermatt through the gorgeous countryside. You can do the same from Zurich in around 3 hours.
Zermatt’s Transformation
Zermatt underwent a transformation in the mid-19th century as Europe became more accessible for travel, and people flocked to the green Alpine pastures and impressive mountain regions. Seizing the opportunity, many wooden chalet hotels were set up for the visitors. Zermatt was elevated further by the first ascent of the Matterhorn by Edward Whymper, his companions, and two Zermatt guides.
One of Switzerland’s most famous and arguably best hotels, the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, opened in 1879. It has been run by the same group of families since operations began and is now a member of Historic Hotels Worldwide. Besides the hotel is the Matterhorn Museum, which you can visit, if you’d like to learn more about how Zermatt evolved and the tragic first ascent of the Matterhorn, this is the place to go. You can get half-price entry with the Half-Fare Card.
How to Travel in Zermatt
The easiest, most comfortable way by Swiss SBB trains over Switzerland. Take advantage of a tourist offer providing half-price train travel around the country, known as the “Half-Fare Card”. It costs 120 Swiss Francs per person and is valid for one month
You get a QR code to keep on your phone or print, and this allows you to buy train tickets at half price. It must be shown to the ticket inspector along with a valid train ticket during travel. When you buy your tickets online or at an automatic SBB booth, you can select the option to say you have the Half-Fare Card, and the cost will be reduced.
If buying in person at a station, ensure you advise the counter staff that you have the Half-Fare Card, as they may not ask you and sell you a full-price ticket. The card also provides half-price travel on buses and boats, along with discounts on museums, gondolas, mountain heritage railways, and panoramic trains like the famous Glacier Express.
The initial outlay of 120 Swiss Francs gives a good saving over the course of our trip. You will need to work out if it’s advantageous for you depending on your travel plans and the length of your stay. Spend a bit of time pricing it up before you go. Zermatt station is at the end of the line and where 99% of visitors arrive. It’s right in the center of the Alpine village.
For More Information:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Choices | |
| – Budget Accommodation | Hostel or budget hotel: $60 – 100 per night |
| – Mid-Range Accommodation | 3-star hotel: $150-$300/ night on average |
| – Luxury Accommodation | 4-5 star hotels or chalets: $400+ per night |
| Travel Costs (to Zermatt) | |
| – From Zurich | Train from Zurich to Zermatt: $80 – $120 a person one way |
| – From Geneva | Train from Geneva to Zermatt: ~$60-100 (one-way) |
| – At Zermatt (Electric Taxis, etc) | The entire region is car-free. Electrics taxis and horse-drawn carriage will run you about $10-30 |
| Key Attractions & Activity Costs | |
| – The Gornera River | Free to Visit: Riverside Walking Trails. |
| – The Matterhorn Express Cable Car | Return tickets: about $50 – $100 (price varies with season) |
| – Gornergrat Railway | Round trip: about $100 to 120 |
| – Bahnhofstrasse | Free: Shopping, dining and walking along the main street in Zermatt. |
| – Roman Catholic Parish Church of St. Mauritius | Free entry: A historic church worth it for architecture and local culture. |
| Average Meal Costs | |
| – Budget Meals | Casual dining: about. $15 – $25 per meal |
| – Mid-range Meals | Restaurants: about. $30 – $50 per meal |
| – Fine Dining | Upscale restaurants: about. $80 – $150 per meal |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | |
| – Ski Rental | Approx. $40 – $60 per day |
| – Local Taxes & Fees | Zermatt has a small local tourism tax, approx. $4 – $6 per person per night |
Read more: https://trekandtrade.com/understanding-debt-how-to-manage-stay-debt-free/
Attractions not to miss in Zermatt
While you can explore the beauty as it may come in Zermatt and lying on a grass only can give you the satisfaction, but if you are someone to tick of places from itineraries here are the places worth visiting.
The Gornera River
The Gornera River flows right through the center of Zermatt, originating from the Gornera Glacier, high in the Alps. It also provides hydroelectric power to the area. A stroll along the river, crossing the many bridges, takes you through some lovely, quieter parts of the village. Explore outside the main visitor areas, and you’ll come across some lovely wooden buildings, homes, and accommodations.
The Matterhorn Express Cable Car
Matterhorn Express Cable Car, Europe’s highest! This will take you to the Matterhorn Viewing Platform, almost 4,000 meters up (13,000 ft). The views are incredible, as you rose high into the mountains. At the top, you can find various activities and a restaurant. Climbing the last few meters by lift and steps, and you reach the viewing deck to take in the breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. The platform offers the best close-up view of the epic Matterhorn. Back inside, the Glacier Palace offers a unique chance to walk inside a glacier, with tunnels and caves carved into the ice, 15 meters below the surface. There are photo opportunities, an ice slide, and sculptures to enjoy.
Gornergrat
At Gornergrat Station, one of the highest open-air railway stations in Europe, you can enjoy panoramic views of 29 mountains, all over 4,000 meters high. On the summit is the Gornergrat Kulm Hotel and observatory. The hotel includes two restaurants and a small shopping mall, and it has been here since before the railway started. Due to increased tourist traffic from the railway, it was rebuilt between 1897 and 1900. Since light pollution is non-existent up here, telescopes were installed in the observatory in 1996.
Bahnhofstrasse
There is a wealth of shopping opportunities, from your usual tourist trinkets to many high-end boutiques selling watches and other decorative items. Famed for its distinctly smooth and creamy flavor, Swiss chocolates can be found in abundance, along with other sweet treats. And of course, there are plenty of places to grab a beer, from traditional wooden chalets, sitting inside or outside, soaking up the sun.
One of the side streets off Bahnhofstrasse was particularly nice, showcasing traditional wooden chalets synonymous with Switzerland. These old wooden outbuildings feature “straddle stones” or “mushroom stones” as some call them. They raised the buildings to reduce the risk of vermin and water seepage, as some of the buildings might have housed hay or grain or been game larders. Today, many have been converted into sweet chalets.
Roman Catholic Parish Church of St. Mauritius
The Roman Catholic Parish Church of St. Mauritius was first mentioned in 1285. The current, larger church was built in 1913 to accommodate more parishioners as the village grew. The First World War hampered the building work, and the tower was not added until 1925. It is well worth entering and having a look around. Also, check out the cemetery, where you’ll find the graves of many climbers who, sadly, didn’t make it back from their expeditions. Just to the side of the square, in front of the church, is a large bronze Swiss horn and a viewing platform to take photos of the Matterhorn.
Conclusion
Zermatt is a wonderful place to visit and it’s for all season and truly you can never get tired of visiting it. Be it summer, winter, autumn or spring. It’s easy to travel and comfortable to stay or just roam around. Make sure to include this in you next Switzerland trip.
