Need help planning 3 days in Zermatt

Hi there, new to this forum but stumbled upon it after trying to plan my first trip to Switzerland.

We arrive at Basel airport on the 4th of jan around 1.30pm, and need to get to Zermatt where we stay for 3 nights then need to get to Milan for 3 nights. Just wondering which pass will be best to get, if any. Or we best to pay per fare? Was thinking about the transfer pass but the way I understood it it only works if you are returning to the same place you left from? Don't think this will work as we are going from Basel-Zermatt-Milan.

also never done any skiing before, thinking about doing it for 2 days, best to get a lesson to start? Also heard the mountain train up at Zermatt is worth the trip?

thanks in advance,

Darren

Hi Darren, welcome to MySwissAlps!

The Swiss Transfer Ticket would be a good option for your trip. You can use it for different entry and departure towns, as explained at myswissalps.com/swisst ransferticket/howtouse, so you'd get free trips from Basel to Zermatt and from Zermatt to the Swiss-Italian border (depending on your connection to Milan this will most probably be Domodossola). If you expect to use local public transportation and cable cars during your stay in Zermatt, the Swiss Transfer Ticket Combi is even a better option, as this also allows a 50% discount on journeys between your inbound and outbound trip: http://www.myswissalps .com/swisstransfertick et/price.

If you've never skied before, you won't be able to learn this within a few days. Learning to ski takes about a week. You can of course take a few beginners' classes, but don't expect to be able to ski on your own. That wouldn't be safe for yourself and for others on the slopes. There are fun alternatives though, like snow hiking, sledging and toboggan runs. Please see www.zermatt.ch for ideas.