The Matterhorn (4,478 m / 14,692 ft), on the border between Switzerland and Italy, is seen from Zermatt, a car-free village, and from two viewpoints open all year: the Gornergrat train (3,100 m / 10,171 ft; CHF 132 return until the end of October 2026, CHF 102 from November 2026 to April 2027) and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car (return CHF 104 in winter 2026–2027, CHF 138 from May to October 2027). Climbing the summit is a mountaineering route. This page brings together official prices and access, the best viewpoints listed by the tourist office and a month-by-month table of sunrise and weather in Zermatt. Zermatt is in the canton whose valleys and resorts are covered in our guide to things to do in Valais.
For the rest of the country, read our guide to visiting Switzerland and our page on the best time to visit Switzerland. For passports and visas, see entry requirements for Switzerland.
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Matterhorn: the essentials
- Height: 4,478 m (14,692 ft); first ascent on 14 July 1865 by the Hörnli ridge (Edward Whymper’s party).
- Getting there: Zermatt is car-free; park in Täsch, then take the shuttle train (departures every 20 minutes, 12-minute journey) or an authorised taxi — checked 24 October 2026 on zermatt.swiss
- Gornergrat: Zermatt – Gornergrat return CHF 132 (May 2025 – October 2026), CHF 102 (November 2026 – April 2027); train out of service from 2 to 14 November 2026 — checked 24 October 2026 on gornergrat.ch
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: return from Zermatt CHF 104 (1 November 2026 – 30 April 2027), CHF 138 (1 May – 31 October 2027) — checked 24 October 2026 on matterhornparadise.ch
- Discounts: 50% off with the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half Fare Card on both lifts; children free up to age 5 (5.99) at the Gornergrat and up to age 8 (8.99) at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
- Booking: not compulsory; online tickets with a QR code.
Tickets and prices: the two main viewpoints
| Journey from Zermatt (adult) | One way | Return | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gornergrat (rack railway) | CHF 66 | CHF 132 | May 2025 – October 2026 |
| Gornergrat | CHF 51 | CHF 102 | November 2026 – April 2027 |
| Rotenboden (Gornergrat Bahn) | CHF 57 / CHF 48 | CHF 114 / CHF 96 | Summer 2026 / winter 2026–2027 |
| Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (cable cars) | CHF 64 | CHF 104 | 1 November 2026 – 30 April 2027 |
| Matterhorn Glacier Paradise | CHF 69 | CHF 138 | 1 May – 31 October 2027 |
| Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, « Afternoon ticket » (from 1:30 pm) | — | CHF 84 / CHF 110 | Winter / summer |
| Schwarzsee | CHF 33 / CHF 35 | CHF 53 / CHF 70 | Winter / summer |
- Gornergrat: 50% discount with the Half Fare Card, the GA Travelpass, the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Half Fare Card; children aged 6 to 15 (15.99) half price (free with the SBB Junior Card), under 6 and dogs free; « Priority Boarding » +CHF 7.
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: children free up to age 8 (8.99), 50% from 9 to 15 (15.99); 50% with the GA Travelpass, the Half Fare Card or the Swiss Travel Pass on the Swiss lifts; dogs free. « Afternoon tickets » cannot be combined with these discounts.
- Closure to note: the Gornergrat train is out of service from 2 to 14 November 2026 for works, with no replacement transport.
Buying your tickets: online, at the counter or as a package
Both operators sell tickets online (QR code scanned at the entrance) and at the ticket counters in Zermatt. Resellers also offer day excursions from Geneva, Lausanne or Zurich with transport. Compare with the official prices, check whether the mountain ticket is included and whether the Swiss Travel Pass you already hold gives the 50% discount: in that case an all-inclusive package is rarely worth it.
Where to see the Matterhorn: the official viewpoints
- Gornergrat (3,100 m / 10,171 ft): panoramic platform with a view, according to the operator, of the Matterhorn, 28 peaks above 4,000 m (13,123 ft) and the Gorner Glacier; the « Golden Spot », a golden historic locomotive, is a free photo spot all year according to Zermatt Tourism.
- Rotenboden: a Gornergrat train station, close to Lake Riffelsee where the Matterhorn is reflected (according to loisirs.ch).
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: the highest excursion site in Europe open all year, according to Zermatt Tourism.
- The Riedweg, in Zermatt: a path recommended by the tourist office for photographing the Matterhorn shortly before nightfall.
- Tufteren (2,215 m / 7,267 ft): a hamlet of wooden granaries and barns with the Matterhorn behind, listed among the official « photo points ».
- The Rothorn: another panoramic summit served above Zermatt.
Sunrise and weather in Zermatt
The Matterhorn is often in cloud; the low morning light is the most sought after. The table combines the MeteoSwiss normals for Zermatt (1,638 m / 5,374 ft) with the theoretical sunrise and sunset times at the summit, plus one calculation: the number of days with precipitation in a week.
| Month | Max °C (°F) | Min °C (°F) | Precip. mm (in) | Days with precip. | Days per 7 days | Sunshine (h) | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.8 (33) | −7.4 (19) | 42.2 (1.7) | 6.3 | 1.4 | 84 | 8:07 am | 5:10 pm |
| February | 1.7 (35) | −7.3 (19) | 29.7 (1.2) | 5.5 | 1.4 | 109 | 7:32 am | 5:55 pm |
| March | 5.7 (42) | −4.0 (25) | 33.3 (1.3) | 5.3 | 1.2 | 151 | 6:42 am | 6:34 pm |
| April | 9.8 (50) | −0.7 (31) | 39.9 (1.6) | 6.3 | 1.5 | 147 | 6:43 am | 8:15 pm |
| May | 13.9 (57) | 3.2 (38) | 77.4 (3.0) | 9.5 | 2.1 | 155 | 5:57 am | 8:54 pm |
| June | 17.8 (64) | 6.6 (44) | 69.9 (2.8) | 9.7 | 2.3 | 171 | 5:38 am | 9:21 pm |
| July | 20.0 (68) | 8.3 (47) | 58.9 (2.3) | 9.0 | 2.0 | 185 | 5:53 am | 9:17 pm |
| August | 19.6 (67) | 8.3 (47) | 68.4 (2.7) | 9.8 | 2.2 | 176 | 6:28 am | 8:38 pm |
| September | 15.4 (60) | 5.0 (41) | 51.2 (2.0) | 7.3 | 1.7 | 156 | 7:07 am | 7:41 pm |
| October | 11.2 (52) | 1.4 (35) | 57.0 (2.2) | 7.0 | 1.6 | 133 | 7:45 am | 6:43 pm |
| November | 5.1 (41) | −3.1 (26) | 65.2 (2.6) | 7.1 | 1.7 | 89 | 7:29 am | 4:58 pm |
| December | 1.5 (35) | −6.3 (21) | 47.3 (1.9) | 6.9 | 1.6 | 83 | 8:04 am | 4:44 pm |
What the figures show: from May to August, Zermatt averages about two days with precipitation a week, but it is also the sunniest period (more than 170 hours in July). Average minimum temperatures are below freezing in the village from November to April (−7.4 °C / 19 °F in January), and it is colder still at the viewpoints. September combines highs of 15 °C (59 °F) with fewer days of precipitation than in summer.
Climbing the Matterhorn: what to know
The climb, by the Hörnli ridge on the Swiss side, is a mountaineering route reserved for experienced climbers, generally with a high-mountain guide. The first ascent, on 14 July 1865, ended with the death of four of the seven members of the party on the descent, and the Matterhorn remains the Swiss mountain with the most recorded climbing deaths. For a hiker, the marked trails around Schwarzsee or the Gornergrat offer the view without that risk. At high-altitude viewpoints, be aware of altitude sickness.
Getting to Zermatt
- By train: the train arrives in the centre of the village; Zermatt Tourism gives about three and a half hours from Zurich airport and four hours from Geneva or Basel, with trains every half hour.
- By car: park in Täsch (Matterhorn Terminal, 2,100 covered spaces, plus more than 1,000 spaces with private providers), then take the 12-minute shuttle train or a taxi. Driving towards Zermatt without authorisation risks a heavy fine, electric cars included.
- From Italy: the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing links Cervinia to Zermatt by cable car (from CHF 147.50 according to the operator).
- On site: almost everything is done on foot; free electric buses, electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages.
Common mistakes
- Going up to the Gornergrat from 2 to 14 November 2026: the train is not running.
- Planning to drive to Zermatt: the road stops at Täsch for the public.
- Paying full price with a Swiss Travel Pass in your pocket: the discount is 50%.
- Going up in village clothes: at the high-altitude viewpoints, temperatures are much lower than in Zermatt (see the table).
- Waiting until midday for the photo: cloud often covers the summit; check the official webcams before going up.
What to see in Switzerland
Combine Zermatt with Geneva, Lausanne or Zurich, the rail gateways. Our map of Switzerland shows the main stops. Switzerland is not in the European Union: check your mobile roaming plan or consider a travel eSIM, and compare with our Switzerland eSIM guide before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you see the Matterhorn?
From the Gornergrat (train), the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (cable car), the Riedweg path and the hamlet of Tufteren, listed by Zermatt Tourism, as well as Lake Riffelsee near Rotenboden.
How much does the Gornergrat train cost?
CHF 132 return from Zermatt until the end of October 2026, then CHF 102 from November 2026 to April 2027. Half price with the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half Fare Card.
How much does the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cost?
CHF 104 return from Zermatt from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027 and CHF 138 from 1 May to 31 October 2027; children free up to age 8 (8.99).
Can you drive to Zermatt?
No. Cars stop at Täsch; a shuttle train reaches Zermatt in 12 minutes, every 20 minutes.
How high is the Matterhorn?
4,478 m (14,692 ft). The summit was first reached on 14 July 1865.
Can you climb to the top of the Matterhorn?
Only as a mountaineering route, reserved for experienced climbers, generally with a guide. The viewpoints served by train and cable car offer the view without a climb.
Our sources
- Zermatt Tourism (zermatt.swiss): « Arrival », « Attractions » and « Photo points » pages, consulted on 24 October 2026
- Gornergrat Bahn (gornergrat.ch): « Tickets and prices » page, consulted on 24 October 2026
- Zermatt Bergbahnen (matterhornparadise.ch): « Excursion tickets » page, consulted on 24 October 2026
- loisirs.ch: feature « The best spots to photograph the Matterhorn around Zermatt » (Riffelsee), consulted on 24 October 2026
- Wikipedia: « Matterhorn » article (height, first ascent, coordinates)
- MeteoSwiss: Zermatt station, 1991–2020 normals (WMO, distributed by NOAA), relayed by the weather box of the Wikipedia article « Zermatt »
- Sunrise, sunset and days of precipitation per 7 days: calculation by Destination de Voyage, NOAA solar algorithm, Europe/Zurich time zone, coordinates of the Matterhorn summit, 15th of each month (year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
