Scenic train ride Visp-Zermatt + tickets for Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn?
Sanya is planning a trip with her family to Visp in August, where they'll stay for 2 nights. She wants advice on traveling from Visp to Zermatt, specifically about scenic train options and ticket purchasing, as well as concerns regarding potential disruptions on the railway line.
- The journey from Visp to Zermatt takes about 70 minutes, and trains run twice an hour.
- Investing in a Swiss Travel Pass allows you to travel to Zermatt for free.
- If you don’t have a pass, tickets can be bought online or at the Visp station.
- In case of railway disruptions, consider taking a bus to Saas Fee, which is another beautiful destination.
- For scenic trips, explore the towns of Brig and Leukerbad, both easily accessible from Visp.
AI-generated summary-
Hi everyone!
I will be traveling with my family in August and will be staying in Visp for 2 nights. On the second day that I am in Visp, I want to visit Zermatt. Are there any scenic trains from Visp to Zermatt? I saw something online regarding the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, but could not understand where to buy tickets from and if its worth doing. Any advice will be much appreciated! Thank you
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Hello again Sanya.
Welcome back!
I say welcome back because I noticed that you posted a thread six months ago. Please re-read the replies to that thread,
In particular you need to become familiar with the electronic timetable resources which Anna refers to in her reply three and which I refer to in my reply two. (You also need to have a map in front of you.)
If you consult those resources you will see that there is a railway line (actually very scenic) running south from Visp to Zermatt. Trains are twice an hour, and the journey takes about seventy minutes.
If you invest in a Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) or in a Global Eurail Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/eurail-global-pass/) , the railway line to Zermatt is free with the pass. If you are not investing in a pass, tickets can be bought on line, or from Visp station booking office, or from ticket machines at Visp station.
A POSSIBLE Problem
For the benefit of everyone reading this thread I am stressing ‘possible’. In the last few days much of Europe has been hit by severe very hot weather.
Today (2nd July), the Zermatt railway line is blocked, seemingly by debris from a severe thunderstorm. A railway replacement bus service is in operation.
It is just possible that there is damage to the line which will take weeks to repair.
If, as is just possible, the line is still closed in early August, cancel the proposed Zermatt trip. Instead take the 511 bus to stunningly beautiful Saas Fee (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/saas-fee/). The scenic bus ride takes just under an hour; the buses run twice an hour.
(Note that while the Swiss Travel Pass is valid on the bus route, Eurail (and Interrail) passes are not valid.)
Kind regards
Roger
Hi Sanya,
Good tips from Roger’s reply.
Just to add, in regard to any interruptions that maybe in place, using the Swiss timetable (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/) is useful, as any disruptions will be displayed in real time. You can key in your route and if there is a situation, delay or otherwise, it will be shown.
Yes, the Visp to Zermatt route is scenic indeed and also traveling on this picturesque route, the red mountain train is special in itself.
If you are not investing in a rail pass, and you only require the individual ticket, some online purchase options for your tickets can also be found in the link below:
Another Swiss rail pass that could be worth considering, of course depending on plans is the Matterhorn Gotthard Pass. This would also cover your Visp-Zermatt trip. You can read all about this pass here:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Roger,
Great to hear from you again!
I’ve been checking the SBB website and app for the route from Visp to Zermatt, and I see that the journey takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. I wanted to check with you—does this follow the same route that the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn takes?
I’ve already purchased my Swiss Travel Pass and made seat reservations for both the GoldenPass Express and the Luzern–Interlaken Express. Is this a similar situation, where I would just need to reserve a seat separately on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn website?
I hope that makes sense—thank you so much for your help!
Thank you so much Yolanda! I will definitely take a look into this. As of now on the SBB site, I am not seeing any closures or delays so I am hoping that remains true when I get there in August.
Hello Sanya
Firstly, the blockage on the Visp to Zermatt railway line has been removed, and as from this morning (3rd July) services are back to normal.
I see that the journey takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. I wanted to check with you—does this follow the same route that the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn takes?
Yes! The ‘Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn’ (‘MGB’) is the name of the railway company which owns and operates the line from Visp to Zermatt (and some other lines in the area). The trains numbered in the timetable RE41 and RE42 are operated by the ‘MGB’.
One of the marvels of Swiss public transport is the way operators co-operate with each other. The SBB electronic (and paper!) timetables show all operators services!
Is this a similar situation, where I would just need to reserve a seat separately on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn website?
No! You do not need reservations to travel on the RE41 and RE42 trains. These are ordinary trains, used by local Swiss people to get to work, school, shops, medical appointments
and leisure activities like hiking!Very best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Ah this makes so much more sense! Thanks Roger!
Would you recommend any other scenic train rides or towns to visit near Zermatt or Visp? I would have already visited Luzern, Interlaken, Gstaad and Montreux before reaching Visp.
Hello Sanya.
If you look at a map you will see that Visp is a very good public transport ‘hub’; Zermatt is not. There are many possible short excursions from Visp.
If the weather is good, try and fit in Saas Fee (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/saas-fee/) as well as Zermatt. I mentioned this spectacularly situated resort at the end of my reply one.
For a historic town, BRIG is only a few minutes train ride from Visp. (But note that Bern (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/) is only an hour’s ride from Visp, and most of the attractions of the Swiss capital are very close to the station.)
For something different, go to an open air thermal ‘spa’. Brigerbad is a very short bus ride from Visp. To get to Leukerbad you take a local train to Leuk and then a very spectacular bus ride. (Remember Swiss buses are free with your STP.)
Best wishes
Roger
Hi Sanya,
Some nice suggestions from Roger.
That’s right, no seat reservations will be necessary when you are on board the regular trains in Switzerland. Seat reservations are generally only necessary when you are traveling on one of the panoramic scenic trains. (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/seat-reservation/)
Do use the Swiss timetable so you can research and gauge journey times. (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/)
Also depending how far you would like to travel. Other ideas below.
- Lausanne maybe another option for you: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lausanne/
- Slightly further afar is the Glacier 3000: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-3000/
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thanks Roger, I will definitely take a look into these places!
Thank you Yolanda! The Glacier 3000 looks like something my family will be interested in, so I will have to look into it.
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