Switzerland
City guide · Switzerland
Zermatt
About Zermatt
Zermatt is a car-free mountain village in the canton of Valais, at the foot of the Matterhorn (4,478 metres). It grew from a farming community into a renowned resort after the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865, and remains a base for skiing, hiking and mountain views throughout the year.
The Gornergrat railway, a cogwheel line climbing to over 3,000 metres, gives a classic view of the Matterhorn and surrounding glaciers. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car reaches Europe's highest cable car station, and the Sunnegga funicular leads to lakes that reflect the peak on calm days.
One to two nights are ideal, with an early start for the best light on the mountain. Zermatt is the starting point of the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, a full-day journey of about eight hours, and Interlaken and Lucerne can be reached by train via Visp.
The snow at high altitude, even in summer, is a highlight for many Indian families.
Practical Information
Useful to know before your group arrives in Zermatt.
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Zermatt lies at about 1,600 metres, and the excursions climb far higher.
- Summer (June–August): highs around 18–21°C in the village, cool nights, and freezing temperatures at the high viewpoints.
- Autumn (September–November): clear days, cooling from about 15°C to 3°C.
- Winter (December–February): snowy, with highs around 0°C and lows of about −8 to −10°C.
- Spring (March–May): skiing continues at altitude while the village warms.
June to September suits sightseeing groups. Always pack warm layers, gloves, sunglasses and sun cream; thermals in winter. Take the altitude slowly.
- Arriving: Zurich and Geneva airports are each about three and a half to four hours away by train, changing at Visp.
- Car-free village: private cars and coaches cannot enter Zermatt. Vehicles park at the Matterhorn Terminal in Täsch, from where a frequent shuttle train reaches Zermatt in about 12 minutes.
- Getting around: the village is walkable; electric buses and electric taxis carry luggage and guests.
- Passes: the Swiss Travel Pass covers the train to Zermatt and gives discounts on the Gornergrat railway and some cable cars.
Switzerland is not in the EU, so an EU data plan may not cover it. Indian travellers usually save by buying an eSIM or data plan before departure that clearly includes Switzerland, rather than using Indian international roaming packs. Local prepaid SIMs are sold in shops; a passport is needed to buy one.
Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés. The power supply is 230 V with Type C/J sockets; Indian Type D plugs do not fit, so bring a universal adapter.
Indian food is limited in Zermatt, with very few options, so many groups arrange Indian or vegetarian meals in advance through their hotel or the DMC. Larger cities such as Zurich, Geneva or Lucerne have a much wider choice. Halal food is hard to find. Jain meals must be requested in advance, and packed snacks are useful for long excursions.
Swiss dishes that suit vegetarians include raclette, which comes from Valais, cheese fondue (traditionally made with white wine) and rösti (ask whether it is cooked with bacon or lard). For supplies, the village has branches of Coop and Migros.
Itineraries in Switzerland
None of our set itineraries includes an overnight stay in Zermatt yet. These Switzerland itineraries can be adapted to include it, or we can build one around Zermatt for your group.
