Zermatt travel guide
Zermatt Tourism | Zermatt Guide
You're Going to Love Zermatt
With a population of 6 629, Zermatt is a must-see destination in Valais, Switzerland. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Zermatt has to offer.
Activities & attractions in Zermatt
Where to Eat in Zermatt
If you’re looking for affordable options, Sonnmatten (Winkelmattenweg 96) and Stockhorn by the rex (Riedstrasse 11) are great picks.
When to visit Zermatt
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Zermatt in July, when the average temperature is 55.4 °F, and the highest can go up to 68 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 17.6 °F, with an average temperature of 24.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in May, when precipitation is around 2.9″. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Zermatt, with an average rainfall of 1.4″.
How to Get to Zermatt
Plane
Although Zermatt doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Lugano (LUG), which is located 90 km from Zermatt. The shortest flight to Zermatt from the United States departs from New York and takes around 7h 35m.
Train
SNCF is the most popular train carrier serving Zermatt, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Zermatt to Lyon takes 1h 56m and costs around $36 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Zurich, expect to pay about $58 for a 2h 43m trip. The train station in Zermatt is called Zermatt, and is located 0.4 km from the city center.
Car
Another option to get to Zermatt is to pick up a car rental from Zurich, which is about 162 km from Zermatt. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Hertz, among others, in Zurich.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Zermatt, including BlaBlaBus, FlixBus and Itabus. From Annecy, the bus ride to Zermatt takes 80 km and will cost you around $19. From Lyon, the ticket costs about $33 for a journey of 209 km.
Airlines serving Zermatt
Where to stay in Zermatt
From 5-star hotels such as the Mont Cervin Palace to great affordable options like the Hotel Bellerive, Zermatt offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $218 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $482 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hotel Bahnhof and Le Petit Charme-inn.
Where to stay in popular areas of Zermatt
Most booked hotels in Zermatt
Renting a car in Zermatt
Renting a car in Zermatt costs $119 per day, on average, or $358 if you want to rent if for 3 days.
You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 57% more expensive than at Geneva Geneve-Cointrin.
Expect to pay $7.91 per gallon in Zermatt (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $94.94 and $126.58. The most frequently booked car type in Zermatt is Economy (Volkswagen Polo or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Volkswagen Golf or similar) are, on average, 35% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.