Zermatt – is one of those places you remember for a long time. It is a small car-free village in the Swiss Alps, with the Matterhorn right above it. I live in Switzerland, and this was my first trip there. We went at the end of October, and there was already snow on the mountains.

How to Get to Zermatt from Ticino (Locarno)

If you are in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, you can reach Zermatt by train and bus. The journey by public transport takes about 4 hours, depending on connections. There are two route options:

1. Locarno – Domodossola – Brig – Visp – Täsch – Zermatt (the one we took).
2. Locarno – Domodossola – Visp – Täsch – Zermatt.

The first part goes on the Centovalli Railway from Locarno to Domodossola, a scenic line through green valleys and small villages. Between Visp and Täsch there was a replacement bus instead of a train, and from Täsch we took the train to Zermatt. Check the current situation before you go, because this can change.

If you come by car, you can only drive to Täsch. Leave the car there and take the shuttle train to Zermatt, which takes about 12 minutes.

Where We Stayed: Hotels

We did not book anything in advance. We walked into the La Couronne Hotel & Spa, asked at reception, and got a room with a balcony and a view of the Matterhorn for CHF 250 per night, with a free upgrade. The hotel also has a spa with amazing view on the mountain Matterhorn, which was great after a day outside.

WHERE TO STAY IN ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭

⭐⭐⭐ Hotel Bristol 
Cozy alpine charm and beautiful Matterhorn views. ↗ Check availability & book

⭐⭐⭐ Hotel Butterfly
A comfortable stay in central Zermatt, perfect for exploring the village. ↗ Check availability & book

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Alpen Resort & SPA 
A relaxing alpine retreat with a beautiful spa, swimming pool and stunning mountain views — perfect for unwinding after a day in Zermatt. ↗ Check availability & book

Gornergrat: The Red Train to the Top

We took the red train up to Gornergrat, where you can see the Matterhorn, the glaciers and the observatory. The views from the top are incredible and well worth the trip.

After that, we walked around the village, relaxed in the spa and had dinner in a pizzeria. The food was delicious, and the restaurant was very busy.

If you love exploring the Swiss Alps on foot, check out my guide to the best hikes in Switzerland for more scenic trails and mountain views.

Other Places Worth Visiting in Zermatt

• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: the highest cable car station in Europe, with views of glaciers and the Alps.
• Sunnegga: a great spot for photos and walks, with some of the best views of the Matterhorn.
• Zermatt village: wooden houses, cafés and small streets, perfect for a relaxed walk around the village.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

Zermatt is beautiful all year round. Summer is great for hiking, autumn brings beautiful colors, and winter is perfect for skiing. Check the weather forecast before you go, because clear skies make the mountain views much better.

Summer is also a great time to explore the mountains and enjoy scenic hikes. If you’re planning more outdoor adventures, take a look at my guide to the best mountain hikes in Switzerland for inspiration.

How Much Did It Cost?

Zermatt is not cheap, but our trip was quite budget-friendly for Switzerland.

Our train tickets from Locarno to Zermatt cost around CHF 50 per person with the Half Fare Travelcard.

For dinner, we spent just around CHF 100 for two people at a restaurant in Zermatt.

We also took the red train up to Gornergrat and bought our tickets with the Half Price Travelcard, which gives you a 50% off many train, bus, boat, cable car and mountain railway tickets with a Half Fare Card, which is available for one month or one year. There are also other ways to save on transport in Switzerland, such as the Saver Day Pass, which lets you travel across the country for an entire day, the Swiss Travel Pass, which offers unlimited public transport for several consecutive days, and Supersaver Tickets for discounted journeys. It’s worth comparing the options to find the best deal for your trip!
However it’s all depend on the season, so check the official Gornergrat Railway website for current fares.

Overall, Zermatt is an expensive destination, but travelling by train with a Half Price Travelcard or other can help you save money.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll enjoy this trip to Zermatt as much as we did! The Matterhorn is the visiting card of Switzerland, and seeing this iconic mountain in person is an unforgettable experience.

If you’re planning to explore more of Switzerland, check out my other travel guides about Interlaken, San Bernardino and Ticino for more beautiful places to discover around the country