Exploring Matterhorn: Best Views, Ticket Prices from Zermatt

Matterhorn best views | matterhorn tickets | matterhorn switzerland |

Matterhorn best views, the mountain often depicted on Toblerone chocolate, has a distinctive pyramidal shape and stands at a height of 4,478 meters. If you want to see it, it requires not physical effort, but rather a financial one.

It is part of the Alpine mountain range, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. For Italians, it is known as Monte Cervino.

matterhorn best views | matterhorn tickets | best spot to see matterhorn |

To see the Matterhorn, you need to reach the Swiss town of Zermatt. Situated in the canton of Valais, at an altitude of 1,616 meters, Zermatt’s name derives from „Zur Matte,” which means „in the alpine meadow.” As a particularity, in the town of Zermatt, access for vehicles is not permitted. You can either take the train or park your car in Tasch and then take public transportation. From Tasch to Zermatt, it’s only 5 kilometers, which you can cover in 10 minutes by train.

You have three options to get Matterhorn best views:

• Take the cogwheel train up to the Gornergrat plateau.
• Take the cable car up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
• Take the Sunnegga-Blauherd-Rothorn funicular.

Please note that children under 3 years old cannot ascend above 3,000 meters due to their small size. You will be asked for the children’s ages when purchasing tickets at ticket counters or by the personnel on board cable cars/trains.

Gornergrat

gornergrat switzerland | gornergrat altitude | gornergrat train station |

You will ascend in a cogwheel train that will take you to an altitude of 3,089 meters. From here, be prepared to be amazed by the view of the colossal Matterhorn, glaciers, and the 29 mountain peaks over 4,000 meters high! As a peculiarity, Switzerland boasts no less than 48 mountain peaks situated at over 4,000 meters, 41 of which are in the canton of Valais.

Once you reach Gornergrat, you will find a panoramic terrace with a restaurant, viewing areas through binoculars, a map with explanations of the peaks you are seeing, as well as a souvenir shop and a chapel. Don’t miss the chance to take a picture with the Grand Tour of Switzerland logo in the background, with the Matterhorn.

grand tour of switzerland mattheron | matterhon best views | matterhorn from gornergrat | tickets to gornergrat | views of matterhorn from gornergrat |

Accomodation at 3100 meters

If you wish to stay overnight, you’ll find nearby the 3100 Kulmhotel, situated at 3,100 meters altitude. Prices for a night’s stay start from 440 CHF for a double room with breakfast and dinner included. You can choose between rooms with views of the Matterhorn or Monte Rosa. The hotel will not disappoint you, with a score over 9 on Booking. More details about Kulmhotel.

A ticket for Gornergrat with the cogwheel train in 2024 will cost differently depending on the period you go. If you choose the months of June-August, it’s the most expensive at 66 CHF/segment or 132 CHF/round trip. The cheapest is during November-April, costing 46 CHF/one way and 96 CHF/round trip. In May and September-October, prices reach 55 CHF/one way and 110 CHF/round trip.

If you want to enjoy the view of the Matterhorn throughout the train journey from Zermatt to the summit, choose a seat on the right side. Seats are not reserved and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

gornergrat train | gornergrat station | gornergrat switzerland |

You may want to take spectacular photos with the Matterhorn reflected in Lake Riffelsee. For this, you can either walk downhill for 2 kilometers on an easy trail for 40 minutes or take the train to the Rotenboden station.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

gornergrat glaciers | gornergrat glaciers | best views of matterhorn |

The Klein Matterhorn is the cable car situated at the highest altitude in Europe, at 3,883 meters. It will take you approximately 40 minutes to reach it, where you can see the Matterhorn and the snow-covered peaks of the Alps. On sunny days, you will see 38 mountain peaks, and in the distance, another giant, Mont Blanc. The cable car cabins are state-of-the-art, with panoramic windows and glass floors for optimal viewing.

It’s no wonder it’s called the paradise of glaciers. An ice cave has been arranged, decorated with ice sculptures, ice slides, and a bar. Exiting through the underground tunnel, you will directly reach the glacier, where ski slopes begin. If you need to cool down or warm up, there is a cafe available.

Tickets for Matterhorn Glacier Paradise start from 62 CHF for a one-way trip and go up to 78 CHF. A round trip will cost between 95 and 120 CHF per person. Afternoon tickets, with departures from 2:30 PM onwards, are slightly cheaper, ranging between 76 and 96 CHF for a round trip. Reserve a ticket for Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and enjoy a day in the glacier paradise!

A Peak2Peak ticket, which gives you access to both the Gornergrat train and the cable car from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, costs between 150 and 200 CHF per person per day.

You can also take the cable car to Italy from here. The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing will cost between 124 and 156 CHF one way, and between 190 and 240 CHF round trip, depending on the time of year.

Sunnegga Funicular

gornergrat observation station | gornergrat kulmhotel |

It takes you up to 2288 meters in altitude, where there is a panoramic terrace and a playground for children. The ticket between Zermatt and Sunnegga costs 8 CHF for children aged 9-15, and adults pay 16 CHF per trip.

From Sunnegga to Blauherd (2,571 meters), you can take a 6-person gondola or an 8-person chairlift. What more could you see at Blauherd? The most interesting trail is the Marmot Trail, which starts from Blauherd, goes towards Stellisee, and descends to Sunnegga. On this trail, you will encounter playful alpine marmots. You can see them quite often in Swiss advertisements, especially in Ricola commercials.

By the time you reach Rothorn, you’ll be at an altitude of 3,103 meters, where you can experience unobstructed panoramas of Matterhorn and Weisshorn, skiing, paragliding, etc. The ticket between Zermatt and Rothorn costs 42 CHF for adults and 64 CHF round trip.

The Peak Pass grants you access (excluding skiing) to Rothorn, Gornergrat, and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car. Prices start from 170 CHF per adult per day and 85 CHF per child aged 9-15 per day. Details about Peak Pass.

What can you do in Zermatt?

zermatt switzerland | transportationin zermatt | zermatt canton valais | zermatt matterhorn |

Zermatt is a mountain town with nearly 6,000 inhabitants. In just 30 minutes, you can walk through its streets lined with small shops, restaurants, traditional wooden houses, hotels, and a few supermarkets.

In Zermatt, you can ski all year round on the three ski areas: Rothorn, Gornergrat, and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. In winter, there are over 350 kilometers of ski slopes, while in summer, 21 kilometers are guaranteed. Cable car facilities take you not only within Switzerland but also to neighboring Italy, to the Cervinia ski area. A ski pass in Zermatt will cost from 65 CHF for one day, and for 3 days, from 196 CHF. If you choose a ski pass for the Zermatt-Cervinia region, one day will cost from 97 CHF, and for 3 days, from 219 CHF.

Also departing from Zermatt is the Glacier Express, a panoramic train that travels to Chur and reaches the famous resort of St. Moritz. Through its huge windows, you’ll admire nature and impressive engineering achievements: 91 tunnels and over 291 railway bridges.

Don’t hesitate and book a vacation to see the Matterhorn and beautiful Switzerland!

Read other articles about Switzerland

Experiencing Panoramic Rail Travel in Switzerland

Guide to Rhine Waterfall in Switzerland

Photos Trip Instinct Team