How To Get To Zermatt: Train, Plane & Car

Zermatt is located in the heart of the southern Swiss Alps and is extremely well connected. You can reach it easily by both train and car, once you land in Switzerland.

Zermatt has a huge range of exciting activities and adventures just waiting for you. This includes hiking, skiing, mountain biking, helicopter rides and relaxing days at the spa!

The following are the various options you have for getting to Zermatt. I have included information about trains, parking, airports and other helpful information.

Getting To Zermatt By Train

The easiest and best way to get to Zermatt is by train. Because Zermatt is a car-less village, the train is the only way to get right into the heart of Zermatt.

You can catch a train from any major city in Switzerland to get to Visp, which is where the Zermatt train starts. It will then take you right to Zermatt train station in the heart of the town.

Here are some examples of train times to Zermatt:

• Geneva to Zermatt – approximately 3 hours 45 minutes
• Zurich to Zermatt – approximately 3 hours 20 minutes
• Basel to Zermatt – approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
• Bern to Zermatt – approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
• Lucerne to Zermatt – approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
• Interlaken to Zermatt – approximately 2 hours 25 minutes

You can plan your exact travel times on the SBB website and also buy tickets. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, then the whole trip is covered with that.

Getting To Zermatt by Car

Zermatt is also relatively easy to get to by car. You just need to be aware that you will have to leave your car in the Täsch car park and catch the train from there into Zermatt.

Because Zermatt is car-free you are not allowed to drive into the village. 

The train travel time from Täsch to Zermatt is 12 minutes. Trains typically depart from Täsch three times per hour at 8, 28 and 45 minutes past the hour.

Parking In Täsch

The main car park in Täsch is called the Matterhorn Terminal Täsch. It has 2100 car parking spaces, so there is plenty of space

The price for parking in Täsch is 

• 1 day – 16 CHF
• 2 days – 24 CHF
• 3 days – 40 CHF
• 4 days – 56 CHF
• 5 days – 72 CHF
• 6 days – 88 CHF
• 7 days – 104 CHF

So, parking here is definitely not cheap. And if you stay for a longer period, you might start to question the price of car rental, the cost of gas, the train ticket and the parking. Compare this to the individual cost of a train ticket, as well as the relaxation of just sitting in the train!

Closest Airports To Zermatt

The closest airport to Zermatt is the local airport in Sion, located i hour and 15 minutes from Zermatt.

However, if you are arriving in Switzerland at a major airport then your two best options are Zurich and Geneva. Zurich is the closest airport by train, however, if you are coming by car, it is faster to drive from Geneva by around one hour.

Best Way To Get To Zermatt

If you are looking for the fastest travel time, then driving by car from Geneva Airport is your best bet. However, it is faster to get to Zermatt from Zurich by train.

If you are looking for comfort, then the train is by far the best and most direct option, with one train change along the way.

In terms of price, it the train definitely is your best bet if you have a Swiss Travel Pass. Otherwise, you will have to calculate the cost of each ticket for your travel party vs car rental, parking and the train from Täsch.