Hello, this is Mong Travel
Today, I’d like to share updated travel information for Gornergrat, Zermatt, 🇨🇭Switzerland, in 2025.
■ What’s New at Gornergrat in 2025?
1. Complimentary noodle soup is no longer available.
2. Ticket prices for the Gornergrat Bahn have increased.
While traveling in Switzerland largely revolves around enjoying its stunning natural scenery, which remains consistent apart from seasonal changes, the rising costs are noticeable—especially with the strong Swiss franc.
■ Gornergrat Ticket Prices (2025)
• Until April: CHF 96
• From April to October: CHF 132
(50% discount available with a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card)
Last year, ticket prices for May-June and September-October were lower compared to the peak season of July-August. Unfortunately, this year such seasonal discounts are no longer offered.
For those who prefer video content over text, feel free to check out the video linked below.
■ How to Get to Zermatt
Zermatt is located in southern Switzerland. While not everyone includes it in their itinerary, those spending more than four days in Switzerland often choose to visit depending on their preferences. Travel times vary:
• From Interlaken or Bern: About 2 hours one way
• From Lausanne or Lucerne: About 3 hours one way
This means some travelers may skip Zermatt depending on where they are staying.
▶ For Travelers Renting a Car
Zermatt is car-free. You’ll need to park at Täsch Station, where a large parking garage is available. Parking fees are paid upon exit. From Täsch, take the shuttle train to Zermatt Station.
▶ For Train Travelers
Transfer at Visp or Brig to reach Zermatt Station.
■ Gornergrat Train Station
Once you arrive at Zermatt Station, you’ll find the Gornergrat Bahn station directly across the street. Before heading straight into the station, turn around and check if the Matterhorn is visible or hidden behind clouds—it’s worth a quick glance!
There are three main routes to the observatories where you can view the Matterhorn.
• Gornergrat Observatory: Open year-round and the most popular among tourists.
• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: Also open year-round, but the viewing angles are less appealing, so it’s mainly visited by summer skiers.
• Blauherd-Sunnegga Region: Accessible from June to October, this area is ideal for hiking the Five Lakes Trail during the summer.
Most visitors choose to go to the Gornergrat Observatory.
■ Gornergrat Observation Deck
You can purchase tickets from a station attendant on your way to Zermatt or at the Gornergrat train station itself—either at a manned counter or through an unmanned vending machine.
Holders of a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card receive a 50% discount.
While there’s an option to pay extra for a priority boarding pass, it’s not particularly necessary. I wouldn’t recommend spending more for early boarding.
For the best views of the Matterhorn, sit on the right side of the train on your way up. However, even if you miss this, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery on your way back down.
When you step off the train at the station, you’ll be greeted by the iconic triangular peak of the Matterhorn.
The observatory also features a restaurant and the Kulm 3100 Hotel, offering a unique experience at high altitude.
Behind the hotel, there’s an additional observation deck that can be reached with a short 10-minute walk.
■ Rotenboden to Riffelberg Hike
From late June to October, visitors to Gornergrat can enjoy the Rotenboden to Riffelberg hike, which offers some of the most stunning frontal views of the Matterhorn.
One of the highlights of this hike is seeing the Matterhorn reflected in the serene waters of nearby lakes.
While it’s possible to walk down from Gornergrat to Rotenboden, the trail is rocky and can be inconvenient. A simpler option is to take the train down to Rotenboden and start your hike from there.
If you purchase a round-trip ticket to Gornergrat, you’re allowed to get off and back on at intermediate stops, making it flexible whether you decide to hike or not.
▶ Tip
If hiking isn’t possible due to seasonal conditions, I recommend simply getting off at Rotenboden Station or Riffelberg Station for photos.
The view of the Matterhorn from these stations is closer and more picturesque than from Gornergrat itself.
For photography enthusiasts, stepping back slightly and using a zoom (e.g., 2x) on your camera or phone can capture a larger and more dramatic image of the Matterhorn. When I zoomed in at Rotenboden, I was thrilled with how prominently the Matterhorn appeared in my shots.
The photo below was taken without hiking—just by walking 20 meters from Rotenboden Station.
■ Is It Worth Staying in Zermatt?
If the weather is poor, you won’t be able to see the Matterhorn, which might make staying in Zermatt feel like a waste of money. For this reason, many travelers opt for day trips based on favorable weather conditions.
■ What About Staying at a Mountain Hotel?
Unlike other mountain destinations like the Himalayas or Italian Dolomites where you must hike up to stay overnight, Switzerland offers the convenience of reaching mountain hotels via public transportation.
Some options include:
• Kulm 3100 Hotel (at Gornergrat’s summit)
• Riffelhaus 1853 (at Riffelberg)
• Riffelalp Resort 2222m (at Riffelalp)
While accommodations are pricey and somewhat inconvenient to access, they can feel like wasted expenses if the weather turns bad. However, these hotels remain popular among tourists, reflecting an improvement in independent travel quality.
One unique perk of staying overnight is witnessing the Golden Horn—the phenomenon where the Matterhorn glows red at sunrise. This rare sight depends on good weather and is a privilege reserved for hotel guests. Those who experience it often describe it as unforgettable.
Enjoy your trip to 🇨🇭Switzerland!
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