If you’re anything like us, seeing the Matterhorn is a requirement for our first trip to Switzerland. As avid Disney fans, how could we not? Gornergrat Station is a great option for seeing the iconic mountain, but it’s also special in it’s own right. The Gornergrat Railway is Europe’s highest open-air cog railway, taking you from Zermatt Station at 1620m above sea level all the way up to Gornergrat Station at 3089m all on a single train!
Once you arrive in Zermatt you should have a clear view of the mountain (depending on the weather), but it’s natural to want to get a closer look. Taking the Gornergrat Railway is one of the best ways to see panoramic views of the Alps, Zermatt, and most importantly for any Disney fan… The Matterhorn!
- History of Gornergrat Station & the Railway
- Gornergrat Fun Facts
- Things to consider before going to Gornergrat Station
- When to visit Gornergrat Station
- What to wear at Gornergrat Station
- How to get to Gornergrat Station
- Ticket Prices
- Priority Boarding
- Riding the Gornergrat Railway
- What to do at Gornergrat Station
- Hiking down from Gornergrat Station
- How long to visit Gornergrat Station
- Gornergrat, Glacier Paradise or Rothorn?
- Peak2Peak Ticket for Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat
- Where to Stay
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History of Gornergrat Station & the Railway
The Gornergrat Railway opened in 1898 after a train line was built between the nearby Visp and the town of Zermatt. It was built as an eco-friendly electrified railway meaning that the braking system saves energy on the descent. Every 3 downhill trips generates the electricity for 1 to 2 uphill trips.
The train runs year round, but was originally only open in the summer. The lower section started running year round in 1929, and the summit went year round in 1941.
The Gornergrat Railway is the second highest railway in Europe (it was the highest at the time it was built) and is still the highest open-air cog railway in Europe.
Gornergrat Fun Facts
- The trip takes 33 minutes, goes over 2 bridges, and through 5 tunnels, the longest of which is 179m long.
- The railway can carry approximately 2,500 people per hour from Zermatt to the Gornergrat Station at the top.
- The railway is 9,339m in length, including 3,790m of double track, and has a vertical climb of 1,469 m.
- Uphill Speed: maximum 30 km/h
- Downhill Speed: maximum 20-27 km/h
Things to consider before going to Gornergrat Station
Cloudy weather
The main point of visiting the Gornergat is the views! If it’s a cloudy day, you might be disappointed in this arena. Before you head to the Zermatt GGB station make sure to check the weather. Check for clouds, along with the general temperature. If it’s cloudy, all is not lost! Check the weather at Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn) or Rothorn. These are nearby view points similar to Gornergrat that offer their own wonderful views. Even though they’re not too far away, they can sometimes have slightly different weather that might lead to a better experience.
High Altitude
Most people won’t have any issues when visiting the Gornergrat, but altitude sickness can be an issue for anyone when you’re this high up. If you’re feeling dizzy or out of breath remember to take things slow, take breaks, and reduce the amount of time spent at the Gornergrat.
When to visit Gornergrat Station
The Gornergrat railway and viewing point are open all year long! However, many of the Zermatt hiking trails are closed in the winter because of snow. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some incredible ski routes! Zermatt is a winter spots destination so there is so much to do!
If you’re looking for views, you’re more likely to have clear skies and green hills in the summer. If you can visit in early Fall or late Spring you have a chance to hit less crowds and still have decent weather.
photo tip
For less crowds and good light for pictures, head up the railway first thing in the morning! The first train leaves Zermatt GGB at 7am, with the last train leaving Gornergrat Station at 5:18pm.
What to wear at Gornergrat Station
Even in the summer, it’s going to be cold at 3,000m! You’ll want to dress warmly in thin layers that can be easily removed. This allows you to stay warm at the top but keep cool as you hike down the mountain.
Some items you might consider bringing: gloves, sun glasses, hiking shoes, and an extra pair of dry socks.
How to get to Gornergrat Station
You board the Gornergrat Railway at Zermatt GGB, located right across the street from the Zermatt Railway Station.
It is a single 33-minute train ride from Zermatt GGB to Gornergrat Station at the top. The route runs every 24 to 48 minutes (depending on the season) and the whole fleet of trains has seating and standing places for 4,018 passengers. There are several optional stops along the way:
| Station | Height |
|---|---|
| Zermatt GGB (entry point) | 1,605m |
| Findelbach | 1,770m |
| Riffelalp | 2,211m |
| Riffelberg | 2,582m |
| Rotenboden | 2,815m |
| Gornergrat | 3,089m |
Ticket Prices
Tickets to the top of the Gornergrat are not cheap – a nondiscounted adult rate is up to CHF 63 each way. Prices change with the season – most expensive in the summer – so make sure to check the prices for your timeframe. I recommend using the SBB Mobile app to purchase your tickets. You can also check Google Maps or the the railways website.
discounts
A 50% discount on these tickets are available if you have the Swiss half-fare card, Swiss Travel Card, or are ages 6-16. Dogs and children with a Junior Card travel free!
If you’re concerned about budget consider taking the train from Zermatt to Gornergrat, and then walking down from Gornergrat to Riffelberg. Taking the train from Riffelberg back to Zermatt costs a little bit less and provides an excuse for a beautiful Zermatt hike (see Hiking down from Gornergrat Station below). Even if you’re independently wealthy and don’t care about a CHF 50 train ticket, I would still recommend the hike to Riffelberg if you’re up to it!
Priority Boarding
If you’re concerned about getting the best possible view from the train on your way up the mountain you may want to consider purchasing a priority boarding ticket. Priority boarding allows you to access a special waiting area where you get to board the train 3 minutes before general boarding. There is no assigned seating; the ticket just allows you to access the train before those without the priority ticket.
The train starts boarding 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time, so you will need to arrive at least 13 minutes before your departure time in order to take advantage of priority boarding. If you arrive later than that there are no refunds and you must board the train with general boarding.
| trains departing before noon | CHF 10 |
| trains departing after noon | CHF 5 |
| Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | Free |
Priority boarding is a separate ticket from your train ticket and is for a specific train. It can not be used on a later train if you miss your original time.
If the crowds are light or you arrive early to the station, this priority boarding may not be necessary. However, the train can be pretty crowded on nice days; if you care about the view then I might recommend you splurge on priority boarding.
quick tip
If you plan to do a hike you might want to purchase your return ticket separately. If you’re not sure, just buy a one-way ticket and you can purchase your return ticket later. There is no cost saving by buying a roundtrip ticket!
Riding the Gornergrat Railway
Once you board the Gornergrat railway you will want to find a seat on the right-hand side of the train (looking upwards). This is the side where you will get views of the Matterhorn for most of your ride.
From the train you will see views of the forests, lakes and mountains as you cross over 2 bridges and through 5 tunnels. The ride takes 33 minutes from bottom to top so sit down, relax, and enjoy the view!
What to do at Gornergrat Station
Once you arrive at Gornergrat Station you can exit the train and then get ready for panoramic views! Hopefully it’s a clear day and you’ll be able to see the 29 surrounding peaks (all taller than 4,000m), including Dufourspitze (the highest mountain in Switzerland) and the Matterhorn. You can also checkout the second longest glaciers in the alps: the Gorner Glacier.
There is a viewing platform, lots of space to walk around and explore, restaurants, and few unique experiences:
Eat Lunch at 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat
The Gornergrat is home to Europe’s highest hotel: 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. This iconic hotel offers meals on the terrace which we hope to be able to do when we visit! If it’s too cold, even the views from inside are pretty dreamy!
Meet Sheep (summer)
The famous black-nosed sheep of Zermatt graze at the Gornergrat from June through September. They wear GPS collars so you can check out exactly where they are grazing that day. The sheep are accompanied by a shepherdess who can answer any questions you might have. These guys look so cute and I’m so excited to meet them! Click here for more info
Igloo Village (winter)
If you’re traveling during the winter you might want to make your way down towards Riffelberg to the Igloo Village. You can actually spend the night in one of these igloos… but for those of us who don’t love the cold, you can just stop by for fondue! For more information, check out their website.
Zooom the Matterhorn
For those who wish they could get a little closer to the Matterhorn, check out Zooom the Matterhorn for a virtual-reality experience that makes it seem like you’re paragliding across the alps. The experience also features periscopes and some other multimedia exhibits.
Hiking down from Gornergrat Station
Once you’ve checked out the beautiful views from the top, it’s time to start heading down the Gornergrat. You can turn right around and take the train down. You can ski down (if you’ve brought the equipment). Or, you might consider a hike down to a lower station. We plan to hike past Riffelsee Lake down to Riffelberg where we will catch the Gornergrat Railway down to Zermatt.
From Gornergrat Station follow the orange signs towards Riffelberg. This hike is 6.5 km (about 4 miles) and goes down 860m of elevation. This should take around 2-3 hours depending on how fast you go. On your way you will pass by the beautiful Riffelsee Lake where (on a clear day) you can see a reflection of the Matterhorn in the water. How cool!
Once you reach Riffelberg you can board the train down to Zermatt GGB.
quick tip
If you plan to do the hike make sure to bring sunscreen. Any skier knows that just because it’s cold, that doesn’t mean you can’t burn on a clear day!
How long to visit Gornergrat Station
You should allow for 30-60+ minutes at the top of the Gornergrat depending on what actives you plan. I would estimated 2.5 hours for the standard trip and about 5 hours if you want to include lunch and a hike. Here is the breakdown I’m planning for our trip:
Gornergrat, Glacier Paradise or Rothorn?
The Gornergrat is one of three popular summits/viewpoints in Zermatt for viewing the Matterhorn. Each is special in it’s own way:
Gornergrat
- Classic views of the Matterhorn
- Views of Gorner Glacier and Switzerland’s tallest peak: Dufourspitze
- Includes a ride up Europe’s highest open-air cog railway
- More restaurant/shop options with more space at the top
Glacier Paradise
- Highest of the three locations with a unique view of the Matterhorn’s south side
- Includes a ride up Europe’s highest cable car
- Closer to the The Matterhorn but with the non-classic view
- Glacier Palace experience
Rothorn
- Classic views of the Matterhorn
- Includes a funicular railway ride to sunnegga, and a gondola ride up to the top.
- Farthest view from the Matterhorn
In general I would recommend Gornergrat, with Glacier Paradise as a second choice. Pick you favorite, and then on the day-of let the weather be the final deciding factor!
Peak2Peak Ticket for Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat
If you can’t choose between Gornergrat and Glacier Paradise there is actually a great way to do both in one day! First visit Glacier Paradise. On your way down take the cable car to the Riffelberg, transfer to the Gornergrat Railway, and then take the ride back up towards Gornergrat. You can also do this in the opposite direction if you want to visit the Gornergrat first.
This is an especially good idea if you’re planning to do both experiences and find that you have awesome weather on your first day!
Where to Stay
There are so many beautiful hotels in Zermatt; there are even some up the mountain like 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat! We plan to stay at Europe Hotel & Spa Zermatt in their Design Matterhorn Room. We could not be more excited!
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**Featured image by Victor He
