Zermatt: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car Ticket
About This Experience
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the other great Zermatt ascent, and the natural companion to the Gornergrat train. Where Gornergrat gives you the classic postcard view of the Matterhorn's north-east face, this cable car takes you around to 3,883 m - the highest mountain station in Europe reachable by lift - and puts you level with the glacier world instead.
The journey runs in two stages. An eight-seat Matterhorn Express gondola climbs from the valley station past hamlets and forest to Trockener Steg, where the landscape turns to moraine and ice-polished rock. From there the 3S Matterhorn Glacier Ride, a heated panoramic cable car, crosses the Theodul Glacier to the summit station in a single span.
At the top there is a viewing platform reached by lift, a cinema lounge, and the Glacier Palace - a chamber carved into the ice 15 metres beneath the surface, with ice sculptures and a short tunnel walk. On a clear day you can see across into Italy and pick out peaks in France.
Highlights
- Ride to 3,883 m, the highest mountain station in Europe served by cable car
- Cross the Theodul Glacier in the heated 3S Matterhorn Glacier Ride panoramic cabin
- Walk through the Glacier Palace, an ice cave carved 15 m below the glacier surface
- Panorama taking in Swiss, Italian and French peaks from the summit platform
- Cinema lounge and exhibition on the alpine world at the summit station
What's Included
- ✓ Return gondola and cable-car ride to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
- ✓ Access to the summit viewing platform
- ✓ Access to the Glacier Palace ice cave
- ✓ All entrance fees at the summit station
Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup
- Crystal Ride gondola upgrade
- Ski or snowboard equipment
What to Bring
- Passport or ID card - the summit sits on the Swiss-Italian border
- Warm clothing and a windproof outer layer; it is below freezing at the top year-round
- Warm, closed shoes with grip - surfaces at the summit and in the ice cave are cold and slippery
- Sunglasses and sun cream
Good to Know & Caveats
- The last descent from the summit is at 15:45 - later than that and you are staying the night
- Zermatt is car-free; reach the valley station on foot, by electric taxi or by the village bus
- At 3,883 m altitude effects are real. Move slowly at the top, and skip it if you have heart or breathing problems
- The Glacier Palace occasionally closes for maintenance; access is not guaranteed
- Allow at least half a day including queueing time in high season
Not Suitable For
- Children under 3 years
- Pregnant travellers
- People with heart or respiratory conditions
Meeting Point
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise valley station, Zermatt - at the southern end of the village, about a 15-minute walk from Zermatt railway station.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 1,306 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Wonderful experience! The darn clouds covered Matterhorn the whole time were in Zermatt but the weather was amazing! The Glacier Paradise was very cool (literally!) Definitely worth the trip!
— Tiffany, August
The roundtrip in the cable car was very nice. Would recommend to check the weather before purchasing the tickets or arrive early in the morning (there is live webcam for the area). We arrived in Zermatt end of morning so we managed to get to the cable car around 13:00. There were so many clouds and no visibility at all when we arrived on top. However, we still enjoyed the experience and the scenery when going up the mountains. Take into consideration that it is cold on top. Wear layers and windproof jacket.
— Caroline, July 30
It was beautiful. Go early so you avoid the crowds
— Nadia Herrera, July 29
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise better than Gornergrat?
They answer different questions. Gornergrat gives the classic head-on Matterhorn panorama from a railway you can hop on and off; Glacier Paradise goes higher, onto the glacier itself, with an ice cave and a cross-border view. If you only do one and you came for the Matterhorn view, choose Gornergrat.
How high is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?
3,883 metres - the highest mountain station in Europe that you can reach by cable car.
Do I need my passport?
Yes, bring a passport or ID card. The summit station sits on the Swiss-Italian border and there is a crossing to the Italian side.
Is it cold at the top in summer?
Yes. The summit is on a glacier and stays below or near freezing all year, with strong wind chill on the platform. Warm layers are not optional even in August.
Can I do both Gornergrat and Glacier Paradise in one day?
It is possible but tight, and you will rush both. Two half-days, or two separate mornings, gives you a far better chance of good light and clear air on at least one of them.
