Montreux: Day Tour to Zermatt Matterhorn & Glacier Paradise
About This Experience
The same Zermatt day as the Geneva trip, but starting from Montreux - which cuts roughly two hours of coach time off the round trip. For anyone staying on the eastern end of Lake Geneva, this is the more sensible of the two departures.
The coach follows the Rhone valley to Tasch, where an electric shuttle runs the final leg into car-free Zermatt. You get free time in the village at 1,620 m, with the Matterhorn directly above and 38 peaks over 4,000 m and 14 glaciers in the surrounding basin.
An optional cable-car upgrade climbs to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883 m. As with the Geneva departure, the Gornergrat Railway is not part of the itinerary - if the cogwheel train is the point of your trip, treat this as a scouting visit rather than the main event.
Highlights
- Two hours less coach time than the equivalent Geneva departure
- Free time in car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn
- Views across Swiss, French and Italian Alps from the Zermatt basin
- Optional Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable-car upgrade
- Air-conditioned coach with a driver-guide and hotel pickup in central Montreux
What's Included
- ✓ Air-conditioned coach travel from and back to Montreux
- ✓ Driver-guide during the drive
- ✓ Electric shuttle transfer between Tasch and Zermatt
- ✓ Free time in Zermatt village
- ✓ Cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, if that option is selected
Not Included
- Gornergrat Railway ticket - the cogwheel train is not part of this itinerary
- Food and drinks
- Tips
- A guide accompanying you outside the vehicle
What to Bring
- Passport or ID card
- Warm layers for the mountain
- Snacks and water for the drive
Good to Know & Caveats
- An 11-hour day, about two hours shorter than the same trip from Geneva
- The Gornergrat Railway is not included - buy that ticket separately if you want the cogwheel train
- Pets are not carried, and infants under 3 cannot go up on the cable car, though they can stay in the village
- The whole day hinges on cloud cover over the Matterhorn
Not Suitable For
- People with heart problems
- Wheelchair users
- Travellers who suffer at altitude
Meeting Point
Central Montreux departure point confirmed on your voucher; hotel pickup is available for some central Montreux hotels.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.6/5 by 21 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Great visit to Zermatt and the Glacier Paradise. It would be a long trip just for zermatt so glad we booked the cable car ride as well. Remember to bring warm clothes as it is very cold at the top. Food at the top was decent and varied but expensive as you would expect. Highly recommended tour and well run.
— Gareth, August
Roger was a great driver and guide. Really great trip to Zermatt and the paradise glacier. Well worth a visit
— marian, August
Rodger was a great guide. The day was amazing. Would highly recommend this trip!
— Reagan, July 16
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Montreux trip better than the one from Geneva?
If you are staying near Montreux, yes - the itinerary in Zermatt is the same but you spend about two fewer hours on the coach. From Geneva itself, the Geneva departure saves you the transfer.
Does it include the Gornergrat train?
No. Only Zermatt village and, as a paid option, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car. The Gornergrat Railway is a separate ticket.
How much free time do you get in Zermatt?
Enough for the village, the Kirchbrucke viewpoint and lunch, or for the cable car if you have taken that option - but not enough to add the Gornergrat round trip comfortably.
Is there hotel pickup?
Pickup is offered for some central Montreux hotels. Your voucher confirms the exact point and time.
