--- title: "Trains from Zermatt to Zurich | EveryRail" description: "Zermatt to Zürich HB takes about 3 hours 25 minutes, with one change at Visp from the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to an SBB InterCity." image: "https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/zermatt-to-zurich/" --- [Home]()[Europe by train]()[Switzerland]()Zermatt to Zurich by train [Home]()[Europe by train]()[Switzerland]()Zermatt to Zurich by train **Share** - - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on X]() - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share by email]() **On this page** - [About Zermatt to Zurich by train]() - [Where to book]() - [Find places to stay in Zurich]() - [Frequently asked questions]() - [More routes]() [Book now]() Last updated October 2026 # Zermatt to Zurich by train Zermatt to Zürich HB takes about 3 hours 25 minutes, with one change at Visp from the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to an SBB InterCity. ![Historic riverside buildings with Swiss flags beside a river.]() Typical duration About 3 hours 25 minutes via Visp. Some weekend trains take up to 3 hours 40 minutes. Frequency At least one connection leaves Zermatt every hour, often two, with the MGB train timed to meet an SBB InterCity at Visp. Changes One-change journey: Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn from Zermatt to Visp, then SBB InterCity to Zürich HB. Origin [Zermatt]() Destination [Zurich]() Country [Switzerland]() [Zermatt]() to Zürich HB takes about 3 hours 25 minutes on a typical one-change connection. The MGB train takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to [Visp](), and the SBB InterCity takes about 2 hours from there. Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn runs from Zermatt to Visp, where you change to an SBB InterCity service for Zürich HB. The change at Visp usually takes about 7 minutes. ## Start at Zermatt station Zermatt is car-free, and Zermatt station is the starting point for this journey. If your accommodation is farther away or you have heavy luggage, electric taxis and buses can help you reach the station. Allow time to get to the MGB platform and check that your booking shows Zürich HB as the destination. The MGB train runs from Zermatt through the Matter Valley to Visp, passing through Täsch on the way. Visp is the change station for the onward SBB leg. From 12 October to 8 November 2026, buses replace the MGB trains between Täsch and Visp, which adds about 10 minutes to the journey. ## Change at Visp At Visp, leave the MGB train and change to an SBB InterCity service for Zürich HB. The complete journey normally has one change, although the transfer time varies by itinerary. At least one connection leaves Zermatt every hour, often two, and the MGB train is timed to meet an SBB InterCity at Visp. Zürich HB is the main arrival station in central [Zurich](), with local trams, buses and trains for the rest of the city. ## Tickets, passes and reservations Buy a ticket for the complete journey, or check that your pass covers both legs before boarding. Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are valid on both legs: the MGB train from Zermatt to Visp and the SBB InterCity to Zürich HB. Neither leg needs a seat reservation. Ordinary MGB and SBB services are different from the Glacier Express. Glacier Express is a separate branded panoramic journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz that takes eight hours. Its price consists of a ticket plus a mandatory seat reservation. Interrail and Eurail travel cards can cover the ticket where accepted, but the reservation remains an extra requirement. Do not add a Glacier Express supplement or reservation to an ordinary Zermatt to Visp connection unless you have deliberately chosen the scenic service. For the ordinary MGB and SBB itinerary, carry the valid ticket or pass product for your exact journey. The mandatory reservation described above applies to Glacier Express, not to this ordinary connection. ## Planning a return or a missed connection If you are making a same-day visit, choose the return to Zermatt before leaving Zürich and leave enough margin for the change at Visp. The last through journey from Zürich HB to Zermatt leaves at about 20:30, so check the return for your date. If a delay makes you miss the connection at Visp, take the next suitable service shown for your ticket or pass and ask SBB or MGB staff before boarding if you are unsure whether it is valid. ## Arriving at Zürich HB Zürich HB is in the city centre. Follow the station signs for local trains, trams and buses, or walk into the surrounding central districts. If you are continuing to Zürich Airport, check that onward connection separately after the long-distance train arrives. ## Where to book ### Train tickets - Omio Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning. [Check times & prices]() - Trainline Trainline sells rail and coach tickets worldwide on behalf of major UK and European transport companies. ### Train service - [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. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() - [SBB CFF FFS]() SBB is Switzerland's national railway, connecting cities, towns and mountain villages. InterCity trains generally do not require reservations. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() ## Find places to stay in Zurich [![Bright bedroom with white bedding and a breakfast tray on the bed]()**Browse stays in Zurich**Hotels and apartments via Booking.com]() ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a direct train from Zermatt to Zurich? No. The normal journey changes once at Visp: Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn runs from Zermatt to Visp, then SBB continues to Zürich HB. ### How long does Zermatt to Zurich take by train? A typical connection takes about 3 hours 25 minutes. Some weekend trains take up to 3 hours 40 minutes. ### How often do trains run from Zermatt to Zurich? At least one connection leaves Zermatt every hour, often two. The MGB train is timed to meet an SBB InterCity at Visp, and the change takes about 7 minutes. ### Do Interrail or Eurail passes cover Zermatt to Zurich? Yes. Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are valid on both the MGB leg from Zermatt to Visp and the SBB leg to Zürich HB. Glacier Express journeys have separate reservation rules. ### Do I need a seat reservation on the Zermatt to Zurich train? No. Ordinary MGB and SBB InterCity trains on this route need no seat reservation, only a ticket or valid pass. Glacier Express is a separate product with a mandatory seat reservation. ### Is the Glacier Express the same as the train from Zermatt to Zurich? No. The normal route changes at Visp and takes about 3 hours 25 minutes. Glacier Express is a separate eight-hour panoramic journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz with a mandatory seat reservation. ## More routes [![Matterhorn reflected in an alpine lake near Zermatt]()Geneva to Zermatt by trainNo direct train from Geneva to Zermatt: change at Visp to the MGB. It takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. Swiss Travel Pass, Interrail and Eurail cover both legs.]()[![Historic buildings along the Limmat River in Zurich's old town]()Geneva to Zurich by trainDirect SBB IC1 trains leave Genève hourly for Zürich HB, calling at Lausanne and Bern, in just under 3 hours. No seat reservation needed.]()[![View of the old town in Zurich, Switzerland]()Interlaken to Zurich by trainTrains from Interlaken to Zurich take about 2 hours, direct or with one change at Bern. Services run at least hourly; a second-class ticket costs about CHF 76.]()[![View of Zurich, Switzerland]()Milan to Zurich by trainDirect EuroCity trains take about 3h11 from Milano Centrale to Zürich HB via the Gotthard Base Tunnel. A seat reservation is compulsory.]()[![View of the old town in Zurich, Switzerland]()Munich to Zurich by trainDirect EuroCity trains link Munich Hbf and Zurich HB in about 3 hours 32 minutes, with 8 to 10 daily departures. Advance fares start from around €30.]()[![View of the old town in Zurich, Switzerland]()Paris to Zurich by trainDirect TGV Lyria trains take about 4 hours from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zürich HB, with advance fares from €29.]()[![Waterfront skyline and mountains beside a lake at sunset.]()Zermatt to Geneva by trainZermatt to Geneva takes about 4 hours by train, with one change at Visp. Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and SBB run it, and no reservation is needed.]()[![Geneva's Jet d'Eau fountain rising from the lake under a blue sky]()Zurich to Geneva by trainDirect SBB IC1 trains leave Zürich HB hourly for Genève, calling at Bern and Lausanne, in just under 3 hours. No seat reservation needed.]() ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization", "name": "EveryRail", "url": "https://everyrail.com/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://everyrail.com/_astro/everyrail-logomark-2026.VJ4vNX1T.webp", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization-logo-1" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/everyrailtravel/", "https://www.facebook.com/everyrail", "https://www.threads.com/@everyrailtravel" ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#website", "name": "EveryRail", "url": "https://everyrail.com/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/zermatt-to-zurich/#webpage", "name": "Trains from Zermatt to Zurich | EveryRail", "description": "Train travel information for Zermatt to Zurich. Typical duration: About 3 hours 25 minutes via Visp. 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