Zermatt, Matterhorn & Gornergrat Small Group Tour from Basel
About This Experience
This is the only tour in this comparison that actually puts you on the Gornergrat Railway with a guide. It runs from Basel, crossing roughly half of Switzerland by train, and it keeps the group small.
In Zermatt the day begins on foot: a walk through the car-free village and its old quarter of weathered timber granaries, with a stop at the Kirchbrucke for the view every visitor photographs. Then the group boards the cogwheel train to the Gornergrat summit at 3,089 m for the glacier and Matterhorn panorama, with priority boarding included.
It is a twelve-hour day and priced accordingly. What you are paying for is a guided version of a trip most people assemble themselves - useful if you are based in northern Switzerland, short on planning time, or want somebody to handle the connections.
Highlights
- The only guided option here that includes the Gornergrat Railway ascent itself
- Small group, with a local guide throughout the day
- Scenic rail journey across half of Switzerland from Basel
- Guided walk through car-free Zermatt and its old timber-granary quarter
- Stop at the Kirchbrucke photo point for the classic Matterhorn shot
- Priority boarding for the Gornergrat cogwheel train
What's Included
- ✓ Rail travel from Basel SBB to Zermatt and back
- ✓ Local guide for the full day
- ✓ Gornergrat Railway ascent with priority boarding
- ✓ Guided village walk in Zermatt
- ✓ All entrance fees, taxes and handling charges
Not Included
- Travel to the starting point at Basel SBB
- Food and drinks during the tour
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the guide
What to Bring
- Passport or ID card - a copy is accepted
- Warm layers for the 3,089 m summit
- Comfortable walking shoes for the village walk
- Sunglasses and sun cream
Good to Know & Caveats
- A full 12-hour day, most of it travelling - this suits travellers already based in the Basel area
- Group size is deliberately small, which is much of what the price reflects
- If you are staying in Zermatt itself, buying the Gornergrat ticket direct costs a fraction of this
- As with every option here, the summit view depends on the weather that day
Meeting Point
Basel SBB railway station - your guide meets the group in the main concourse at the time shown on your voucher.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.9/5 by 15 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Joelle was an amazing guide! We also got lucky with the weather in Zermatt.
— Keith, July 26
Long, spectacular day. Emil our guide was outstanding! Beautiful scenery on the train ride. The Alps are spectacular, Zermatt a neat town. Would advise to pack some snacks, water (even wine and cups for the train) - not much time for getting lunch or shopping (but that was not purpose of the trip). Moderate walking, not strenuous, if needed they even have an elevator at top of Gornergrat. We got lucky with the weather and the Matterhorn being fully visible. We appreciated our guide making that happen, haha. Truly an amazing day.
— Vicki A, May 28,
The trip was anazing. The travelling by train was comfortable and on time. The most exciting part was the cogwheel train ride up and down from Mt. Gornergrat. Our guide Emil was very kind, knowledgeable and gave us a lot of information about Switzerland. He also gave us hints what to visit next time when we come here. Since it’s a private tour you don’t have to wait for too many people to gather and move on. Totally recommended.
— Kalin, May 23,
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour actually go up the Gornergrat?
Yes - it is the only guided tour compared on this site that includes the cogwheel train ascent to the 3,089 m summit, with priority boarding.
Where does it depart from?
Basel SBB station, despite the tour title naming Zermatt and the Matterhorn. Check that against where you are staying before booking.
Is it worth the price?
It depends where you are based. From Basel, with no plan and no desire to make one, it buys a complete guided day. From Zermatt, the same ascent is a train ticket at a small fraction of the cost.
How large is the group?
Small by design - the operator caps numbers to keep the day personal, which is a large part of what the fare covers.
