Zurich to Zermatt by train (4 routes) and by car (2 routes) 

Route maps Zurich to Zermatt

There are 4 train routes and 2 routes by road. The train routes start at the airport train station “Zürich Flughafen” or the main station “Zürich HB”. These stations are 10 minutes apart.

Train route 1: fast from Zurich to Zermatt

You need route 1 if you want the quickest, most comfortable connection. It includes the long Lötschberg Base Tunnel, bypassing the best scenery.

• Duration: 3h30 hours from Zurich Airport, 3h15 from Zurich HB (main station). Check the timetable.
• Minimum transfers: 1, in Visp.

Route details:

1. Take the train to Visp.
2. Transfer to the train to Zermatt.

Train route 2: Gotthard and Glacier Express lines

Route 2 combines parts of the historic Gotthard line with parts of the famous Glacier Express route.

• Duration: 6 to 6.5 hours. Check the timetable.
• Minimum transfers: 2, in Göschenen and Andermatt.

Route details:

1. Take a train to Göschenen.
2. Transfer to the cogwheel train to Andermatt.
3. Transfer to the Glacier Express (reservation required) or a regional train to Zermatt.

Train route 3: GoldenPass and Lötschberg Mountain Railway

Route 3 is extremely beautiful. It takes you on part of the GoldenPass line and the entire Lötschberg Mountain Railway. The trains pass 5 lakes, the Brünig Pass, spiral loops and high bridges overlooking the Rhône Valley.

• Duration: 7 to 8 hours. Check the timetable.
• Minimum transfers: 4, in Lucerne, Interlaken Ost, Spiez and Brig.

Route details:

1. Take a train to Lucerne.
2. Transfer to the Luzern-Interlaken Express (GoldenPass line) to Interlaken Ost. via Meiringen and Brienz.
3. Transfer to Spiez.
4. Transfer to a regional train on the Lötschberg Mountain Railway to Kandersteg and Brig.
5. Transfer to the train to Zermatt.

Train route 4: Emmental and Lötschberg Mountain Railway

Route 4 is the hidden treasure. It’s perfect if you want different scenery or have visited Switzerland before. You’ll go via the beautiful Emmen Valley (“Emmental” in German), famous for its rolling hills, classic farmhouses, and the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere reserve. From Bern, you join the Lötschberg Mountain Railway, just like in route 3.

Tip: the Kambly cookie factory shop is right next to the station of Trubschachen between Lucerne and Bern.

• Duration: 6 – 7 hours. Check the timetable.
• Minimum transfers: 3, in Lucerne, Bern, and Brig.

Route details:

1. Take a train to Lucerne.
2. Transfer to the regional train to Bern via Trubschachen and Langnau im Emmental.
3. Transfer to the regional train on the Lötschberg Mountain Railway to Brig.
4. Transfer to the train to Zermatt.

Must-knows before you drive from Zurich to Zermatt

• You can’t drive to or in Zermatt. You’ll have to park your car in Täsch and take the train to Zermatt. Annika explains all about it in our Zermatt travel guide.
• You’ll have to cross the Alps. Bad weather can easily cause delays or tricky road conditions, especially from October through April. Check the opening dates of pass roads in advance.
• Both routes include a car train.

My advice: take the train if you’re not comfortable or not experienced driving in the mountains. It is safer and quicker. Check our car section if you do want to drive.

Car route 1: via the Furka Pass or car train

A beautiful route along lots of Alpine scenery. Good spots for a break are Andermatt, the Furka Pass and Brig.

• Duration: 4.5 hours, or more if you take the Furka Pass road rather than the car train.
• Special sections: Furka Pass (closed in winter, so take the car train), Täsch to Zermatt (you can’t drive here: park and take the train).

Route details:

• You’ll first drive from Zurich to Arth-Goldau on the A4 motorway.
• Continue to Göschenen, leave the motorway to Andermatt.
• Drive to Realp.
• Take the car train from Realp to Oberwald. Alternatively, in summer, you can drive across the Furka Pass road with its hairpin bends.
• Continue west to Visp, and then south to Täsch.
• Park your car and take the train to Zermatt.

Car route 2: via the Lötschberg car train

Route 2 includes the Lötschberg car train and good scenery, especially from Spiez. This route is a little less likely to be affected by traffic jams. It includes more motorways than route 1, making it the better option in case of bad weather.

• Duration: 4.5 hours.
• Special sections: Kandersteg to Goppenstein (you can’t drive here: take the car train), Täsch to Zermatt (you can’t drive here: park and take the train).

Route details:

• Drive from Zurich to Bern on the A1 motorway.
• Continue south to Thun and Spiez on the A6 motorway.
• Leave the motorway and drive up to Kandersteg.
• Take the Lötschberg car train to Goppenstein.
• Drive down to Gampel and join the A9 motorway to Visp.
• Before Visp, leave the motorway and drive south to Täsch.
• Park in Täsch and take the train to Zermatt.