Things to Do in Zermatt

Zermatt is car-free and sits directly beneath the Matterhorn, which means the view is essentially free the moment you step off the train. Getting there from Zurich takes about 3 hours 15 minutes, usually changing in Visp for the private Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. The Gornergrat railway, a rack railway running since 1898, climbs to 3,089 metres for a return fare of around CHF 105 and gives the closest rail-accessible view of the mountain's east face. The village itself, with electric taxis instead of cars, is pleasant to wander but expensive even by Swiss standards; a coffee near the station can run CHF 6-7. Zermatt is a long day trip from Zurich or better as an overnight, since the best light on the Matterhorn is early morning and late evening.