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Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn

Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn runs 144 km of Alpine track from Zermatt to Disentis, with its own multi day pass and a car shuttle at Furka.

Country
Switzerland
Official website
Official website
Train tickets
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A 144 kilometre Alpine network

Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) links Zermatt in Valais with Visp, Brig, Andermatt or Goschenen, and Disentis in Graubunden, a network of 144 kilometres and 44 stations. Part of the route climbs on rack sections, 32 kilometres across 13 sections using the Abt system, to reach the line's highest point at the Oberalp Pass, 2,033 metres above sea level. Visp, at 625 metres, is the lowest point on the journey. It carries commuters and hikers between valley towns as much as it carries visitors up to Zermatt, more everyday railway than pure scenic line.

Reaching car-free Zermatt

Zermatt itself is closed to private cars, so drivers leave their vehicle at Matterhorn Terminal Tasch and finish the trip on the Zermatt Shuttle, a dedicated MGB service that covers Tasch to Zermatt in 12 minutes. The terminal at Tasch combines parking with a ticket counter, making it the usual starting point for anyone arriving by road.

Tickets and the Matterhorn Gotthard Pass

MGB sells through the same integrated system as the rest of Swiss rail: tickets to Zermatt can be bought from any station in the country via sbb.ch, as well as at MGB's own stations. Buying in advance matters here, since a service surcharge applies to tickets purchased on board the train.

For a multi day stay, MGB sells its own Matterhorn Gotthard Pass, previously called the AdventureCard, valid for 2, 3 or 5 days within a 30 day window. It gives free travel across the whole MGB network, plus BLS trains between Kandersteg and Domodossola, the SBB line between Salgesch, Brig and Domodossola, and PostBus and RegionAlps routes around Upper Valais and between Visp and Leuk. It also cuts many mountain railways and leisure facilities by 50 percent. An adult 2 day pass costs CHF 114.00. The family version is not sold online; it has to be bought at a station or on a bus within the pass area.

The Furka car transport

Separately from passenger trains, MGB runs a car transport service between Realp and Oberwald through the Furka Tunnel, letting drivers put their vehicle on a train instead of taking the winding pass road over the top. It is booked and paid for as its own product, not part of a passenger rail ticket.

Part of the BVZ Group

MGB belongs to the BVZ Group, which also owns the Gornergrat Bahn and the Glacier Express among its ten subsidiaries. The Glacier Express, the roughly 8 hour panoramic run between Zermatt and St. Moritz, shares track with MGB at Zermatt but is timetabled, ticketed and reserved as its own product through Glacier Express AG, with its own tickets and reservations separate from an ordinary MGB regional fare or the Matterhorn Gotthard Pass.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn network?

The network runs 144 kilometres from Zermatt through Visp, Brig and Andermatt or Goschenen to Disentis, serving 44 stations and stops.

How do I get from Tasch to Zermatt if I am driving?

Leave the car at Matterhorn Terminal Tasch, which has parking and a ticket counter, then take the Zermatt Shuttle, which covers Tasch to Zermatt in 12 minutes.

What does the Matterhorn Gotthard Pass cover?

The pass, sold in 2, 3 or 5 day versions valid for 30 days, gives free travel on the whole MGB network plus named BLS, SBB, PostBus and RegionAlps sections, and 50 percent off many mountain railways. An adult 2 day pass costs CHF 114.00.

Does a Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn ticket cover the Glacier Express?

No. The Glacier Express is a separate product booked through Glacier Express AG, with its own tickets and reservations, even though it shares track with Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn at Zermatt.

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