Gornergrat Cogwheel Railway Ticket, Zermatt

The Gornergrat Railway: a cogwheel train since 1898

The Gornergrat Railway leaves from its own station directly opposite Zermatt's main railway station, so you can be on board minutes after arriving in the village. Opened in 1898, it was the first electrically powered cog railway in Switzerland, and it remains one of the highest open-air railways in Europe. The track climbs about 1,500 m over a little more than 9 km, with trains running roughly every 24 minutes.

The ride takes about 33 minutes. Sit on the right-hand side going up for the best views of the Matterhorn as the train leaves the larch forest, crosses the Findelbach bridge and passes the stations of Riffelalp and Riffelberg. If you are wondering how to get to Gornergrat from Zermatt, this train is the only way up apart from a long, steep hike, and it runs every day of the year.

Gornergrat summit: Matterhorn, Gorner Glacier and Monte Rosa

At 3,089 m, the Gornergrat summit station opens onto a rocky ridge with one of the most famous panoramas in the Alps. The Matterhorn rises straight ahead as a perfect pyramid, while to the south the Gorner Glacier, the second largest glacier in the Alps, flows from the Monte Rosa massif. Its highest summit, the Dufourspitze at 4,634 m, is the highest mountain in Switzerland.

A short path leads from the station to the viewing platform, past a small stone chapel and a summit building crowned by two observatory domes. Is Gornergrat worth visiting? For the classic Matterhorn view combined with a sea of glaciers, it is one of the highlights of any Swiss trip. Allow one to two hours at the top, and remember that it is far colder than in the village.

The interactive exhibition and the stops on the way

Your ticket includes the interactive exhibition at the summit, where films, screens and installations bring the Matterhorn region to life: the mountains, the glaciers, the wildlife and the people who live in the valley. It is a good stop for families and a warm place if the wind is strong outside, and it takes about 30 minutes.

On the way down, many travellers get off at Rotenboden, the station below the summit at 2,815 m, and walk about 20 minutes on a gentle path to the Riffelsee. On calm mornings this small lake mirrors the Matterhorn perfectly. From the lake you can continue on foot to Riffelberg and board the train there. Snowshoe and ski routes start from these stations in winter.

Gornergrat opening hours and best time to visit

The railway runs every day of the year, with the first trains early in the morning and departures through the day; the ticket can be used between about 8:30 and 16:30, so check the timetable for your last train down. Plan three to four hours in total including the ride, the summit and a stop at Rotenboden.

The best time to visit Gornergrat is a clear morning, when the air is sharp and the Matterhorn is usually free of clouds; sunrise trains in summer are especially beautiful. Winter brings a white, silent world and crystal views, while summer offers green slopes below the ice. Check the live webcams before you go, because views depend on the weather and are never guaranteed. Halal food is limited in Zermatt, so bring snacks if needed.