Zermatt: Gornergrat Railway Cogwheel Train Ticket
About This Experience
The Gornergrat Railway is the reason most travellers put Zermatt on the map. Opened in 1898 as the first electric rack railway in Switzerland, it climbs 9.3 kilometres and almost 1,500 vertical metres from the village at 1,605 m to the summit station at 3,089 m - and the Matterhorn stays in the window for most of the way up.
The ride takes about 33 minutes each way. Trains cross bridges and thread through galleries and larch forest, passing the stops at Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden before the treeline falls away and the Gorner Glacier opens up below you. Your ticket lets you break the journey at any of those stations, which is what separates a good visit from a rushed one.
At the top, a sun terrace and a year-round viewing platform at 3,131 m look out over 29 peaks above 4,000 m - among them Dufourspitze, at 4,634 m the highest mountain in Switzerland - and over the Gorner Glacier, the third-largest in the Alps. Admission to the Zooom the Matterhorn exhibition is included with your ticket.
Highlights
- Ride Europe's first electric rack railway from Zermatt to 3,089 m, with the Matterhorn in view for most of the climb
- Stand on the year-round viewing platform at 3,131 m and pick out 29 peaks over 4,000 m, including Dufourspitze
- Look down on the Gorner Glacier, the third-largest glacier in the Alps
- Break your journey at Riffelberg or Rotenboden and rejoin a later train on the same ticket
- Included entry to the Zooom the Matterhorn exhibition at the summit station
What's Included
- ✓ Round-trip Gornergrat Railway ticket, Zermatt to Gornergrat
- ✓ Unlimited stopovers at Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden on the day of travel
- ✓ Entry to the Zooom the Matterhorn interactive exhibition at the summit
- ✓ Access to the summit viewing platform and sun terrace
Not Included
- Travel to Zermatt (Zermatt is car-free - arrive by train, or park in Tasch and take the shuttle)
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup
- Seat reservations (seating is unreserved, first come first served)
What to Bring
- Your booking voucher, to exchange for a ticket at the desk or a vending machine
- A warm layer and a windproof jacket - the summit is typically 15-20 C colder than the village
- Sunglasses and high-factor sun cream; glare off snow and glacier is severe at altitude
- Sturdy shoes if you plan to walk any part of the descent
Good to Know & Caveats
- The first train from Zermatt leaves at 07:00; in the main season departures run roughly every 24 minutes from 08:00
- In high season (July-August) the last train down from Gornergrat is at 19:22; in the other seasons it is 18:22 - check the board before you go up
- Your ticket is valid for one day and allows stopovers, so you can ride up early and walk part of the way down
- Views are entirely weather-dependent. Check the summit webcam on the morning of travel - a clouded-in Matterhorn is the single most common disappointment
- Sit on the right-hand side going up for the Matterhorn views; the left side faces the valley wall
- Trains fill quickly at peak times and seats are not reserved - board early if you want a window
- The railway is scheduled to close for construction work from 2 to 14 November 2026, with no replacement service
Not Suitable For
- Travellers who are unwell at altitude - the summit is above 3,000 m
Meeting Point
Gornergrat Bahn station, Bahnhofplatz, Zermatt - directly opposite the main Zermatt railway station. Exchange your voucher at the ticket desk or a vending machine before boarding.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.7/5 by 677 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Overall, a great experience with an incredible view of the mountains around Zermatt. The train runs on time, and everything is super well maintained and clean! The only thing that is really expensive is the price of almost €140 (for a round-trip), but it is still a MUST for every visitor!
— Stefan, August
Well organized, voucher exchanged for tickets at vending machines, fantastic scenery en route,
— Wojciech, August
It's a must-do, a nice experience, especially if the weather is nice, but nobody decides that except Ms. Metro 🤭. The train is in perfect condition and clean, the frequency of the trains is perfect, and the fact that you can get off and walk to the train stations along the route to board is great. I recommend it, and with Get Your Guide it's perfect 👍
— Monique, August
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Gornergrat train take from Zermatt?
About 33 minutes each way. Allow three to four hours for a comfortable round trip with time at the summit, and longer if you plan to break the journey at Riffelberg or Rotenboden.
Can I get off at the intermediate stations?
Yes. The ticket is valid for the day and allows stopovers at Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden. Rejoin any later train with the same ticket - this is the best-value way to use it.
Which side of the train has the Matterhorn view?
The right-hand side on the way up from Zermatt. Going down, it is the left. Seats are not reserved, so board a few minutes early at busy times.
Is the Gornergrat Railway included in the Swiss Travel Pass?
No - it is not free with the Swiss Travel Pass, but pass holders get 50% off the fare. The same 50% reduction applies with a Swiss Half Fare Card.
Do I need to book in advance?
Booking ahead is not required to board, but it saves queueing at the Zermatt ticket desk in high season and locks in your price. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before means there is little downside to reserving early.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The train runs in almost all conditions, but the view is the product. If the summit is clouded in, the ride is far less rewarding. Check the Gornergrat webcam the morning of travel and use free cancellation to move your date if it looks poor.
