Circular 1-day trip to Zermatt from Interlaken
A traveler is planning a trip from Interlaken to Zermatt, using fast trains via the Lötschberg base tunnel, and is looking for advice on the best return route. They want to know the best time to see the Matterhorn from Gornergrat and are considering different scenic routes for their journey.
- Take a full day for Zermatt to truly enjoy it, instead of rushing through.
- For a varied experience, consider traveling one way through the base tunnel and returning via Kandersteg.
- Gornergrat offers the best views of the Matterhorn, with great perspectives from the right side of the train.
- If you're interested in exploring smaller villages, Ferden or Kippel are great options for a picnic.
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Hello people of the forum! Again needing your advice. I will be based in Interlaken and wish to visit Zermatt. From Spiez I will take the fast train through the Lötschberg base tunnel (I will do the beautiful mountain route in another walk) and from Visp I will arrive at Zermatt. I need advice for the return: a) from Visp to Montreux and then train (resigning the Golden Pass by schedule) to Interlaken? b) Visp to Andermatt, rack railway to Göschenen and then Treno Gottardo (although I will also do this on another tour) c) Visit Oberwald and then bus to Meiringen? then train. d) Do everything the other way around: leave Interlaken boarding the new MOB towards Montreux (or the traditional one with change in Zweisimmen) then Visp/ Zermatt/ Visp and fast train through the base of Lötschberg, Spiez and Interlaken. Another question is what would be the best time of day to observe Mount Matterhorn from Gornergratt (of course it is assuming that the sky is clear that day in early May) Thank you very much for your guidance and advice!
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I don’t recommend any of these options – sorry! A circular tour on a the same day as Zermatt itself will all be far to brisk. Zermatt needs a whole day – otherwise you miss the feel of the place
Ok, then I understand that the appropriate thing would be to retrace the same path as the first leg. Thank you 1960 again for answering!
If I was doing an Interlaken – Zermatt day trip I would go one way via the base tunnel and the other way via Kandersteg, just for the variety, even if it is a repeat
You’re right! I’ll do that! Maybe I can even take advantage of a little ride on the rolerbahn on my way back through Kandersteg! You have given me an idea 1960 thank you!!
Hi Liana!
If you’d make such a round trip for the sake of simply train traveling, then the circular tours you described are perfectly possible. But if you also want to spend some time in Zermatt, and maybe visit one of the mountains there (https://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt/activities), I totally second the idea to just travel to and from Zermatt, using the quick tunnel route and/or the Lötschberg mountain route (https://www.myswissalps.com/lotschberger) however it suits you.
Something else you could do which would be VERY DIFFERENT !:
Get off the Lötschberg mountain line train at Goppenstein (the south end of the old tunnel) and take the bus up the Lötschental. It is not well known but is utterly beautiful.
Also quick to access (the valley is comparatively short) with the hourly post bus:
http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_pdf_fields/2023/12.591.pdf
Think of all those people going to the beautiful mediaeval village of Gruyeres but look how Swiss the villages in the Lötschental look:
I agree! The Lötschental is beautiful and absolutely worth a visit. Maybe combined with a hike, such as this one from Fafleralp: http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/langglacier.
Hello Arno! Thanks for the links that made me look at other options. In your opinion, from where would I have the best view of the Matterhorn? Gornergrat? Sunnegga? Maybe another lookout? Thanks for your help!
The best general views of the Matterhorn are from the Gornergrat railway, because the views are constantly changing slightly as you go up (sit on the right hand side mostly) . Sunegga is further away from the Matterhorn itself.
When you reach Gornergrat summit you also get the best view of the highest mountain in Switzerland, Dufourspitz, which is right opposite the viewing wall next to where the train arrives.
To get closer to the Matterhorn without going up to Klein Matterhorn, take the Matterhorn Express gondola as far as Schwarzsee.
Thanks 1960 and Annika! It seems like a perfect plan for that day! I was looking at the area on google. I see several villages connected by bus like Ferden, Kippel, Wiler, Blatten. I would like to spend some time in one of them and have a snack. Which do you advise?
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Hi Liana,
I recommend Gornergrat for the best view of Matterhorn. This is my favourite. 🙂
If the bus stops there, I would recommend Ferden or Kippel for a picnic.
Something else, I would like to ask you to write only in English in this forum. please find the forum rules here: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/rules.
Thanks for your understanding,
Ildiko
Hello Ildiko! I am well aware of the language issue. I use Google translate to be able to communicate correctly since my English is too basic. I don’t understand what could have happened in that message, maybe I made an involuntary mistake. Very sorry! Thanks for helping me on my journey!
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