Gornergrat Bahn
Gornergrat Bahn is Zermatt's cog railway to the 3,089 m Gornergrat, with Matterhorn views. Trains run about every 24 minutes; fares are in CHF.
- Country
- Switzerland
- Official website
- Official website
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Gornergrat Bahn is the cog railway that climbs out of Zermatt to the Gornergrat, a 3,089 metre viewpoint facing the Matterhorn. The valley station sits directly opposite Zermatt's main railway station. No need to cross town to find it.
The journey and the view
As a rack railway, the Gornergrat Bahn climbs steadily rather than swinging on a cable, which makes it a comfortable choice even for travellers who are not especially sporty or who are uneasy with heights. From the top, the payoff is the Matterhorn itself, alongside 28 other four-thousand-metre peaks including the Dufourspitze and the Dom, plus a wide view over the Gorner Glacier. Weather in the mountains changes quickly, so dress for conditions colder than in the valley and check the forecast beforehand, whatever the season. When cloud rolls in, the interactive ZOOOM the Matterhorn exhibition at the top still gives visitors a way to experience the mountain, independent of the weather outside.
Timetable
In the main season, trains run every 24 minutes from around 08:00 to 17:00, with extra early and late departures outside that window. Services are suspended entirely for a short window of construction work in early to mid November, then resume on a reduced schedule, every 48 minutes, for the rest of the month. The schedule shifts through the year, so check the current season's timetable before planning a specific departure.
Tickets and fares
A return ticket from Zermatt to the Gornergrat costs up to CHF 132 in the higher-priced season and CHF 102 in the lower-priced season, with cheaper fares to intermediate stations such as Riffelberg, Riffelalp and Rotenboden for a shorter climb. Holders of the Swiss Half Fare Card, GA travelcard, Swiss Travel Pass or the standard half-fare season subscription get 50 percent off. Children get a discounted fare, and children travelling with a Junior Card ride free.
Who runs it
Gornergrat Bahn belongs to the same corporate family as the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway, one of the operators behind several rack and cog railways in this part of the Valais.
Where to book
Train tickets
- Buy direct from Gornergrat Bahn
Gornergrat Bahn
Frequently asked questions
How often does the Gornergrat Bahn run?
In the main season, trains run every 24 minutes from around 08:00 to 17:00, with extra early and late departures. The schedule is suspended for a short construction window in November, then resumes on a reduced timetable for the rest of the month, so check the current timetable.
How much does a return ticket to the Gornergrat cost?
A Zermatt to Gornergrat return costs up to CHF 132 in the higher-priced season and CHF 102 in the lower-priced season, with cheaper fares for shorter trips to intermediate stations.
Is my Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card valid on the Gornergrat Bahn?
Yes. The Swiss Half Fare Card, GA travelcard, Swiss Travel Pass and the standard Swiss half-fare subscription all give a 50 percent discount on Gornergrat Bahn fares.
Where does the Gornergrat Bahn start from?
The valley station is directly opposite Zermatt's main railway station, so no onward transfer in town is needed to reach it.
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