How To Get To Zermatt From Zurich Airport [2024]? Revealed!

Are you about to land at Zurich airport in a few days, and one of the destinations you want to see is the magical village of Zermatt? You’re right here. In this article, I’ll show you how to get to Zermatt from Zurich airport in the fastest and easiest way.

I’ve spent 3 years living and traveling around Switzerland and have found the most convenient ways to get to Zermatt from Zurich.

So these are the two fastest and most convenient ways to get to Zermatt, as I experienced.

How To Get To Zermatt From Zurich Airport

You have two options to get to Zermatt from Zurich airport. Either take trains and change twice or opt for a private transfer.

Swiss trains are the most organized and reliable in the entire world. They’re almost always on time. If you need to change trains, your connecting one will be waiting for you on the platform or coming soon. 

From Zurich airport to Zermatt, you’ll need to change trains twice. In this article, I’ll explain everything step-by-step so you have the most comfortable journey. I’ll also recommend a pass to make the journey much cheaper than booking a regular train ticket.

You can also book a private transfer if you want more comfort. A private transfer will drive you directly from Zurich Airport to Zermatt. But remember that we’re in Switzerland, so it’ll be costly.

Also, Zermatt is a car-free village, so your private transfer can only drive you close to Zermatt, called Matterhorn Terminal. From there, you’ll have to take a train (about 12 minutes ride).

1. Take Swiss Trains From Zurich Airport To Zermatt

If you want to enjoy the comfort of trains and already see this country’s beautiful landscape on the way, take Swiss trains.

✨ The train journey from Zurich Airport to Zermatt takes between 3 hours & 30 minutes to 3 hours & 45 minutes.

Generally, you’ll have to change the train once or twice. The changes are always made in Visp town. In addition, you might also have to change at Zurich main station or in Bern.

Here you have the most popular train connections between Zurich Airport and Zermatt:

• Zurich Airport – Visp – Zermatt
• Zurich Airport – Bern – Visp – Zermatt
• Zurich Airport – Zurich main station – Visp – Zermatt

Use SBB App For Your Orentation

Sometimes, navigating the Swiss train stations in bigger cities such as Zurich and Bern might be tricky. The train connections are well organized and run after one another. This usually gives you only 7 to 10 minutes for the change.

The SBB App shows you all train, bus, and boat connections within Switzerland. So I recommend downloading it before your journey. It’ll help you with navigation.

The best part about the SBB app/website is that it shows the exact platform from which the next train departs. This way, you can prepare to get off the train and immediately walk to your next platform.

➡ Get SBB App here or check train connections via SBB website.

How Much Does A Train Ticket From Zurich Airport To Zermatt Cost?

I think you’ve already heard that Switzerland is not the cheapest country. The great news is that there is always a way to make your Swiss journey more affordable, so stick with me.

A regular train bought in an office, or a ticket machine at the train station costs approx. 106 Swiss Francs, almost $115. Just for a one-way ticket to Zermatt.

PRO TIP: If you want a discount, go into the SBB App. You’ll get a deal if you buy your ticket via the SBB App one or two days before your journey. But not much, it still costs almost $100 with the discount.

How To Get A Discount For A Train Ticket To Zermatt?

Luckily, there are a few ways to make your train ride from Zurich airport to Zermatt cheaper. These options are:

✅ Half-Fare Card
✅ Swiss Travel Pass

These 2 passes will make your travel in Switzerland much more economical. So, let’s have a look at each option.

👉 READ ALSO: Best Of Switzerland Itinerary: 8 Days By Train

✅ Half-Fare Card

A Half-Fare Card is a transportation card you buy for 120 Swiss Francs (120 CHF). It’s valid for a month. Once you have this card, you’ll get all other trains, bus, and boat tickets for half price.

In this case, traveling from Zurich airport to Zermatt, you would pay 53 CHF instead of the full price of 106 CHF. However, you must pay 120 CHF upfront to obtain the Half-Fare Card.

With the card, you’ll also get a 50% discount for cable cars and funiculars in Zermatt.

So, let me do the math for you. Let’s say you want to visit Zermatt for 3 days.

The Half-Fare Card costs 120 Swiss Francs per person. Once you have it, you’ll pay the following:

1. Day: Travel from Zurich Airport to Zermatt (53 CHF one-way ticket for all trains) 2. Day: Spend a day in Zermatt doing a mountain excursion, seeing local museums 3. Day: Travel from Zermatt back to Zurich (53 CHF one-way ticket for all trains)

So you’ll pay 226 CHF for 3 days getting to and from Zermatt just for train transportation.

➡ Get Half-Fare Card by clicking this link.

✅ Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Travel Pass enables you to travel the entire Switzerland using trains, buses, and boats on the Swiss lakes ”for free’. You can have it for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days. Additionally, you’ll have public transportation in cities included and entry to over 500 museums in the country. 

Children under 16 years old can travel entirely free. Also, you’ll get a 50% discount for mountain excursions in Switzerland.

Let’s do the math again, assuming you’ll visit Zermatt for 3 days.

The Swiss Travel Pass costs 229 Swiss Francs per person. With this Pass, you can travel as follows:

1. Day: Travel from Zurich Airport to Zermatt (all trains included) 2. Day: Spend a day in Zermatt doing a mountain excursion, seeing local museums 3. Day: Travel from Zermatt back to Zurich (or wherever you want) – option to take any train and even take a boat on a Swiss Lake.

You can do these activities and train/bus/boat rides without extra cost for 229 CHF.

➡ Get Swiss Travel Pass & learn more about it here.

👉 READ ALSO: Fastest Way From Paris To Zermatt: Revealed!

Comparision Half-Fare Card vs. Swiss Travel Pass Price For 3-Day Trip

As you can see, the cost of getting to and from Zermatt is almost the same whether you have a Half-Fare Card or a Swiss Travel Pass.

The main difference between these two passes is the number of activities and journeys you want to make. If you only want to make a return journey to Zermatt, a Half-Fare Card is cheaper.

But if you want to take advantage of the Swiss Pass and take a boat on a Swiss Lake or visit a museum, the Swiss Travel Pass will be more economical.

PRO TIP: Swiss Travel Pass gives you more travel options and unlimited travel in Switzerland. Whereas with a Half-Fare Card, you’ll always have to pay the 50% for every journey. So it only depends on your preferences and what you want to do.

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2. Book A Private Transfer From Zurich Airport To Zermatt

The second option for you to get to Zermatt from Zurich Airport is by getting a private shuttle. 

✨ Private Transfer ride from Zurich Airport to Zermatt takes approx. 3 hours & 30 minutes.

The main advantage of a private transfer is that your driver will wait for you at the airport, holding a sign with your name. Then, you’ll follow him to the car, and he’ll drive you directly to your destination. You don’t have to think about anything, carry luggage, or think about changes. So it’s super convenient.

I recommend booking your transfer with Welcome Pickups. They offer shuttles all over the world and are very reliable. They have professional drivers, funny, and some of them even explain a little bit about Switzerland on the way.

The private transfer from Zurich Airport to Zermatt will cost around 700 CHF per transfer.

➡ Book your private transfer from Zurich Airport here.

Zermatt Is Car-Free Village: Taking A Train & Hotel Shuttle

Bear in mind that Zermatt is a car-free village. So your private shuttle will only drive you to the last parking lot before the village. It’s called Matterhorn Terminal.

You’ll have to take a short train ride (12 minutes) from there. Ask the driver for directions. Some might even guide you to the train and show you the exact way.

Most hotels in Zermatt always offer a free shuttle from the train station to the hotel. So, contact your hotel and request one to pick you up.

👉 READ ALSO: 5 Best Panoramic Trains In Switzerland

Best Hotels In Zermatt

Lastly, I’d like to give you some accommodation tips in Zermatt. These are my top 4 hotels in the beautiful car-free village.

They have great service, a free shuttle from and to the train station, a relaxing wellness area, and professional staff.

➡ Matthoil Boutique Hotel
➡ The Omnia
➡ CERVO Mountain Resort
➡ Alpenhotel Fleurs De Zermatt

If you want to stay in the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps, book yourself at the Kulmhotel on Gornergrat. You’ll be surrounded by mountains, with the best views of Matterhorn. Breakfast and dinner are included:

➡ 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat – higest hotel in the Swiss Alps

FAQs

To help you get easily from Zurich airport to Zermatt, I’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked questions. Check them out below:

Is There A Direct Train From Zurich To Zermatt?

No, there is no direct train from Zurich to Zermatt. You’ll have to change at least once. The fastest connection from Zurich to Zermatt is by taking 2 trains, with a change in Visp town.

The entire train journey takes 3 hours & 30 minutes.

How Much Is A Taxi From Zurich Airport To Zermatt?

A taxi from Zurich Airport to Zermatt costs approximately 800 CHF. The cost will vary depending on the company you’ll book the transfer with and the travel time.

Which Airport Is Easiest To Get To Zermatt?

Milan Malpensa Airport is the easiest airport to get to Zermatt (169 km/105 miles away). It’s the fastest journey that takes only 2 hours & 35 minutes, so it’s the airport closest to Zermatt. After that, Geneva Airport (230 km/142 miles away) is also close, followed by Zurich Airport (254 km/157 miles away).

Is Zermatt Very Expensive?

Yes, Zermatt is an expensive destination. Plan to spend at least $200 per day on average. The cost will vary depending on the activities you’ll do each day and the cable cars you’ll take. Get a Swiss Travel Pass if you want to lower your costs in Zermatt significantly.

How Many Days In Zermatt Is Enough?

3 days is the perfect time for Zermatt. This way, you’ll have enough time to enjoy this car-free village’s beauty and some of the best hiking trails and mountain excursions.

WRAP-UP: How To Get To Zermatt From Zurich Airport?

As you can see, getting from Zurich Airport to Zermatt is relatively easy. All in all, you can look forward to stunning views from a train or your private shuttle.

Getting to Zermatt by train is slightly more complicated as you have to change trains once or twice. But it’s more economical. Booking a private transfer is super convenient, and if you can share the cost with your family and friends, it would be the best way to get to Zermatt overall.

If you have more questions, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you or design a customized travel itinerary for you.

Happy travels!