Destination
Zermatt, Switzerland
A car-free village under the Matterhorn with Europe's highest ski area, year-round glacier skiing and hiking trails that stare at the mountain all day.
Trips to Zermatt from every city
No live trip to Zermatt right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | avoid |
| June | fine |
| July | best |
| August | best |
| September | best |
| October | fine |
| November | avoid |
| December | best |
- December, January, February, March, April: Main ski season; Christmas to New Year and February are the busiest weeks
- July, August, September: Hiking season with the Haute Route and Matterhorn climbs; glacier skiing continues in the mornings
May, November: Off-season: the village largely shuts between the ski and hiking seasons
Where to stay in Zermatt
- Zermatt village centre (Bahnhofstrasse): Shops, restaurants and the lifts within a short walk.
- Winkelmatten: Quieter chalet quarter with Matterhorn views and ski-in access.
- Findeln / Sunnegga: Mountain restaurants and slope-side lodges above the village.
- Täsch: The car park village below, cheaper, 12 minutes by shuttle train.
What to do in Zermatt
- Ride the Gornergrat railway for the classic Matterhorn view
- Ski from Klein Matterhorn across to Cervinia in Italy
- Hike the Five Lakes Walk and see the Matterhorn reflected
- Take the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car to 3,883 m
- Dinner at a mountain restaurant in Findeln
- Arrive on the Glacier Express from St Moritz
Good to know
| Airports | Zurich Airport (ZRH), Geneva Airport (GVA) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | luxury |
| Time zone | Europe/Zurich |
| Kind of trip | ski, lake-mountain, nature, romantic, adventure |
Questions about Zermatt
When is the best time to visit Zermatt?
December, January, February, March, April, July, August and September. May, November: Off-season: the village largely shuts between the ski and hiking seasons
Do US citizens need a passport for Zermatt?
Yes. Zermatt is in Switzerland; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Zermatt on the ground?
Zermatt is luxury by US standards: plan about $190 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.