Last updated on September 15th, 2024
Wondering how to spend 2 days in Zermatt? This detailed Zermatt travel guide will help you plan your Zermatt itinerary.
Located in southern Switzerland’s Valais canton, Zermatt is a charming town well-known for its mountain peak. This little town lies at the foot of the iconic mountain Matterhorn. When visiting Zermatt, travelers will fall in love with its spectacular alpine scenery, thrilling hiking trails, ski slopes, and breathtaking mountain peak views. It’s an amazing experience to hike or ride a series of cable cars or a cogwheel train up into these mountains. Explore the natural beauty by planning a trip to this world-famous attraction in Zermatt.
In this Zermatt Travel Guide blog, we have listed out the things to do and see in order to help you plan your Zermatt itinerary. You can then choose your favorites and make adjustments based on your interests. Whether you have just a few days or an entire week, we have some great options to share with you..
How To Get To Zermatt
Zermatt is conveniently located nearby Geneva and Zurich airports. The nearest airport is Geneva, which is 244 kilometers away, but flight tickets can be expensive, especially during ski season. Another option is Zurich Airport, which is 248 kilometers away. Both airports are well connected by the Swiss railway network.
Once in Switzerland, traveling by train to Zermatt from major cititoes is very convenient. From Geneva, Zurich, Lucerne, or Interlaken, you can get to Visp and then transfer to Zermatt (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn). The train journey is varies depending on the distance.
Getting to Zermatt by Swiss Train:
- Bern to Zermatt: 2 hours 15mins
- Lucerne to Zermatt: 3 hours 15mins
- Zurich to Zermatt: 3 hours 15mins
- Geneva to Zermatt: 3 hours 30mins.
Besides, Zermatt can also be reached by the Glacier Express from St. Moritz. This is a popular scenic train route.
It’s important to note that Zermatt is a car-free town. For self-driving travelers, you need to park your car at Täsch, a little village close to Zermatt. From Tasch, take a taxi or shuttle train to Zermatt.
Pro Tips: If you want to rent a car and drive in Switzerland, you can use Rentalcars from Booking.com.
Getting Around in Zermatt
Zermatt is a car-free town, so most people arrive by train. Once there, you can get around by walking, using a bike, taking the e-Bus, or using an e-Taxi. The Zermatt town is small and easily walkable. There are several bus stops throughout the town where you can easily hop on any bus. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you can use it for free.
To reach the mountain tops, you can use cable cars and trains. These services operate all year, although some cable cars may temporarily close for maintenance. Before your trip, you can check the operational times of the lifts on the official website.
Money Saving Pass When Visiting Zermatt
When visiting Zermatt, there are several pass options available that can save you money:
Peak Pass: This pass offers unlimited access to all three alpine regions (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Rothorn, and Gornergrat). You can purchase the pass for the number of days you plan to visit Zermatt. There is also the option to buy non-consecutive passes, available for up to one full month.
Peak2Peak Pass: This pass is valid for one day and provides access to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat. Prices start at CHF 202. Click [here] to learn more.
Swiss Travel Pass: If you will be visiting multiple destinations across Switzerland, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass. This pass allows you to travel on any train, bus, or ferry service in Switzerland and also offers discounted tickets to many attractions. Valid for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. Clike [here] for more detail.
With the Swiss Travel Pass, you get a 50% discount on individual tickets to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat. Additionally, there is a 25% reduction on the price of the Peak Pass and a 50% reduction on the price of the Peak2Peak Pass.
Get the Swiss Travel Pass (E-Ticket) from Klook here
Swiss Half Fare Card: Offers a 50% discount on all SBB routes, most other transport (including some cable car journeys), buses, boats, and trams for half price. It is valid for 30 consecutive days.
Get the Swiss Half Fare Card from Klook and start enjoy the discount
Zermatt Travel Guide Tips: Depending on your Zermatt itinerary, if you plan to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gornergrat, and Rothorn, it’s advised to purchase the Peak Pass. A 3-day Peak Pass is cheaper than buying these tickets individually. If you are visiting all three peaks within 2 days, it is even cheaper with only a 2-Days Peak Pass.
How Many Days for Zermatt itinerary
Zermatt is a world-famous destination for skiing, climbing, and hiking. You could easily spend a whole week here and never run out of things to do.
If you are short on time but want to visit the top tourist attractions, we suggest spending at least 2 to 3 days in Zermatt. It is possible to see everything in two full days in Zermatt. Spend your first day exploring the bustling town of Zermatt and dedicate the next day to the mountain tops. Ensure that the weather is good for visiting the mountain peaks.
If possible, we recommend allocating an additional day to the Zermatt itinerary, just in case of unexpected weather. All in all, 3 days in Zermatt will provide more leisure time and is highly recommended.
Zermatt Accommodation Choices
Accommodation in Zermatt can be expensive, particularly during the skiing season. Although a day trip to Zermatt is possible, it may feel rushed due to a packed Zermatt itinerary. If time and budget are not constraints, we highly recommend staying in Zermatt for at least one night to explore the town and its attractions.
If you are planning to stay in Zermatt during your visit, here are our recommendations:
Top Choice: Alpen Resort & Spa – This elegant and modern hotel has a great central location close to restaurants, cafes, and bars. It offers clean, comfortable, and cozy beds with an unbeatable view of the Matterhorn from the spacious balcony outside the room. Check the current rates for Alpen Resort & Spa.
High-Mid Range: Hotel Bristol is a well-maintained, family-run property that offers various room types, from standard double rooms to family rooms. Most rooms at Hotel Bristol provide stunning views of the Matterhorn.
Mid-Budget: Le Petit CHARME-INN offers budget-friendly, comfortable rooms in the center of Zermatt. Guests have the option of single, twin, and triple rooms for their stay. Despite being quite basic, it provides everything needed for a comfortable stay. Check the current rates and availability for Le Petit CHARME-INN.
For more options, you can read the complete accommodation guide: Where To Stay in Zermatt.
Planning for Zermatt Itinerary
Here’s a quick 2-day Zermatt itinerary for what to do and see in this charming town. This itinerary is more to non-skier. Feel free to adjust it based on your needs and interests.
What To do for 2-Days Zermatt Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrived in Zermatt. Stroll at Zermatt Town and enjoy the View of Matterhorn.
- Day 2: Visit Zermatt Mountain Peaks (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat).
Arrived in Zermatt
We arrived in Switzerland and spent our first day in Geneva. We took an early morning train to Zermatt with a change at Visp on the Lausanne/Bern line. Thanks to the reliable efficiency of Swiss trains, we enjoyed a comfortable train ride with panoramic views along the journey. Finally, we arrived in Zermatt after nearly a 4-hour train ride.
Stroll at Zermatt Town – Bahnhofstrasse Streets
After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we headed out to explore the beautiful village center. Strolling through the town center is one of the top things to do in Zermatt. The town is incredibly romantic, resembling a small, old Christmas village. The houses are charming, and the scenery makes everything more beautiful.
Bahnhofstrasse, Zermatt’s main street, is lined with bars, restaurants, boutiques, and souvenir shops. You can enjoy some shopping or leisurely walks along the streets.
Enjoy the View of Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is a mountain in the Alps, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The Matterhorn in Zermatt has a summit that reaches 4,478 meters high. It is one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe. The mountain featured in the Toblerone chocolate logo is inspired by the Matterhorn. A popular photo opportunity is to take a picture of a Toblerone chocolate bar next to the mountain!
There are many cafes and restaurants along the river where you can sit down and relax. You can also bring your own snacks, sit on a bench, and enjoy the impressive views of the Matterhorn.
Visit Zermatt Mountain Peaks
Zermatt offers three peaks that can be visited using the mountain lifts: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3,883 m), Gornergrat (3,089 m), and Rothorn (3,100 m). You can visit all three or choose your favorite. They are all accessible from the town of Zermatt by train or cable car.
We recommend visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat if possible. You will need a well-planned Zermatt itinerary with a full packed action or spread it over 2 days.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise or Gornergrat
While planning our Zermatt itinerary, we were concerned about the weather and made plans for the worst-case scenario. As a backup plan, we needed to decide between Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise if time or weather conditions didn’t allow for both. Gornergrat is accessed by railway, while Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is accessed by cable car. Both offer fantastic views of the Matterhorn.
In the end, we decided to choose Gornergrat over Glacier Paradise. We made this choice because Gornergrat provides a more traditional view of the Matterhorn. Additionally, the cogwheel rides were an unforgettable experience that we didn’t want to miss.
Fortunately, we were able to visit both attractions during our time in Zermatt, and we were grateful for the opportunity.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
We had an amazing time at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. The journey started in the early morning as we embarked on our Zermatt itinerary. We took a series of cable cars to reach Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
Get your Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Ticket from Klook
From the bottom station, we took a small gondola and then switched to a larger gondola halfway through the journey. The gondola system was a remarkable piece of engineering created by Swiss engineers. After 30 minutes cable car ride, we make our way to the top.
Upon reaching the top at 3,883 m, we were treated to breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, also known as Klein Matterhorn is the highest cable car station in Europe. The view of the Matterhorn was truly spectacular, and the surrounding glaciers and peaks were equally impressive.
We spent about 2 hours exploring Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, visiting the viewpoints. We also strolled through the Glacier Palace to see with its beautiful ice sculptures, and watched all the films in the Cinema Lounge. Additionally, for ski enthusiasts, the ski area on the Theodul Glacier is open 365 days a year.
Overall, it was an unforgettable alpine adventure, and I highly recommend visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise if you’re in the area!
Gornergrat
Next, we headed to Gornergrat to enjoy a breathtaking view of the snowy mountains using the cogwheel train. We first take the gondola back to Zermatt and then the Gornergrat Railway to reach Gornergrat.
Pre-book your Cornergrat Railway Ticket from Klook
The journey on the Gornergrat Railway is an adventure itself, with breathtaking views during the ascent. Note that the cogwheel train fills up quickly, so it’s best to arrive a little early. The train route is entirely scenic and takes about 20-30 minutes due to the steep climb to the Gornergrat last station.
Pro Tips: If you are visiting Zermatt between the end of June and mid-August, the Riffelberg Express is a convenient option for transferring between Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat. Travelers can take the Matterhorn Express to Furi, then transfer and take the Riffelberg Express to Riffelberg. From there, they can continue to Gornergrat with the Gornergrat Bahn.
Once at the top, the vista is spectacular, with iconic peaks like the Matterhorn dominating the horizon. There are several viewing platforms overlooking the area, including the Gornergrat Glacier. Additionally, there is a church, a couple of shops, a restaurant, and a new exhibit called Zoom Experience, which is free to enjoy.
The view at Gornergrat Bahn station is glorious, offering 360-degree views of the breathtaking surroundings. We were fortunate to be there when the clouds cleared out. About an hour after we arrived, the mountain panorama was covered with clouds again, and it started snowing. It was delightful to experience such natural phenomena.
A visit to Gornergrat is definitely worth a visit, although we felt the ticket price was a bit high. It was certainly one of the highlights of our Zermatt trip. Don’t miss it!
More Time for Zermatt Itinerary?
Hiking in Zermatt During Summer Months: Zermatt is a popular destination for summer hiking, offering spectacular trails. Popular trails including Gornergrat to Riffelberg hike, Hörnlihütte, Matterhorn Glacier Trail, and Breithorn summit.
Paragliding in Zermatt: Enjoy a tandem paragliding flight in Zermatt at altitudes of 3000-4000 meters. It is an amazing adventurous activities to enjoy in Switzerland. We did the paradling over the Swiss Alps from Lauterbrunnen when visit Jungfrau Region.
Zermatt Travel Tips
1. To make the early start as hassle-free as possible, it’s best to begin travel before 9:00 or as early as possible to beat the crowds. We recommend purchasing all the tickets you need at least a day in advance.
2. Be sure to check the weather before going up to avoid disappointment. Mornings are usually clearer, and clouds can cover the Matterhorn in the afternoons.
3. The operating hours of Zermatt cable cars and Gornergrat Bahn are determined by sunrise and sunset in each season, so it’s important to check the timetables beforehand to plan so you don’t get caught out.
- Gornergrat Bahn operates from 7:00 and last descent time is 20:07 (check the timetable for your season: here).
- Cable cars begin operating from 8:30 AM, with the last descents ranging between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM (check the timetable for your season: here).
Pro Tip: As the cable cars close earlier than the train, I do recommend following the order I’ve shared here for your Zermatt itinerary. Still, it is up to you.
4. Don’t forget what to pack for a Zermatt summer and winter season. Remember to bring an umbrella, scarf, or sunglasses and apply layers of sunscreen.
5. If you’ll be visiting multiple destinations across Switzerland, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. Both are great options and allows you to travel on any train, bus, or ferry service in Switzerland and you also get discounted tickets to many attractions.
Overall: A Visit to Zermatt
All in all, we hope you found this Zermatt travel guide blog helpful and will use it when planning your Zermatt itinerary. In my opinion, Zermatt is a must-see place that should be on any Switzerland itinerary. I loved every second of my trip and wish I could have stayed longer. Even with only 2 days in Zermatt, there are still so many things to do. We hope to come back for another visit. Enjoy your trip to Zermatt!
More inspiration for travel in Switzerland:
- Switzerland itinerary: A Complete Travel Guide Blog
- Zurich Itinerary: A Complete Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Zurich: Best Areas and Hotels
- Lucerne itinerary: A Complete Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Lucerne
- Travel Guide to Mount Titlis Day Trip
- Bern Itinerary: A Day Trip Travel Guide Blog
More Jungfrau Region travel stories:
