Frequently Asked Questions

An independent review from Scott Leach

FAQ > Weather

In January 07 - January 31, when you are planning to travel, the average high temperature is 29.5 oF and the average low temperature is 17.5 oF.

FAQ > Who Should Go?

Zermatt is a great place for a vacation. But, since the prices of lodging, food, and nightlife are so high, it can be expensive to travel here on your own. If finances aren't a problem, then you should have a great time here alone; with such a great nightlife scene, you may not go home alone. It's also important to remember that much of the clientele in Zermatt is above 40.

Zermatt is an excellent place for a romantic getaway during any part of the year. The magnificent views of the Matterhorn and surrounding Swiss Alps create a perfect setting for a honeymoon or anniversary. The village and traditional Swiss setting complete the picture. The varied nightlife allows couples to either have a relaxing dinner in a quiet restaurant or to dance the night away.

If you're traveling to Zermatt with a group of friends, it is important to make sure the whole group is on the same page as far as activities. If this is the case, then Zermatt is a great place to go. The summer months can be filled with endless hikes through mountain scenery or walks through the shops in the village. During the winter, the vast skiable terrain can occupy a group of friends for a long time. Unfortunately, if you are with a group of beginner skiers or people who don't like doing the same thing, Zermatt may not be for you.

Due to the lack of abundant childcare and small child skiing programs, Zermatt is not the best choice for families with small children. While childcare can be found and there is a ski-wee program for children, Zermatt doesn't really cater to young ones.

For a family of adults, Zermatt is a much more hospitable place. The wide variety of skiable terrain (though not that abundant for beginners), the beautiful summer months, the nightlife, and wide variety of restaurants all is much better suited for an older family. There is enough variety during both the winter and summer season to allow people to go off on your own to shop or to ski expert terrain during the day and then reconvene later at night.

Since Zermatt offers a truly unique experience with the combination of great skiing, old traditional Swiss architecture, and the famous Matterhorn, it is a good place to come with a group. The major problem with traveling to Zermatt in a group is its location. While it is not very difficult to get to Zermatt from major international airports, it does take four to five hours (depending on what airport). This long of a time in a large group could be more of a hassle than needed. For this reason, Zermatt may not be the best resort to travel to in a group, but once in the actual village, the close proximity of everything makes local transportation a non-issue.

FAQ > Accommodations

Even now with the reputation of being a world-class ski resort, Zermatt maintains a small-village feel, with only 5,500 permanent residents. Yet at the same time, there are approximately 13,500 guest beds and 118 hotels. Almost every single one of these is located right in the middle of the village and, as a result, within walking distance to the lifts, shops, and restaurants. In addition, every hotel holds true to the charming, traditional Swiss architecture and most are still run by a local family or owner.

Like many things in Zermatt, there is a wide range of accommodations, from luxury and first-class hotels to friendly and simple budget hotels. The majority of hotels are in the mid-range category. Most hotels offer either bed and breakfast or half-board (breakfast and dinner) rates.

To book one of the two five-star hotels in Zermatt (Mont Cervin und Residence or Grand Hotel Zermatterhof), a two-person standard room runs between $423 (CHF 520) in low season and $585 (CHF 720) in high season.

A four-star hotel room in Zermatt for two peole ranges from $260 to $350 (CHF320 to 430) during the low season and $406 to $456 (CHF500 to 560) in the high season.

Among the three-star hotels that come recommended are the Biner and Perren. NOTE: Zermatt marks the high season during the last week of December, the last week of February and the first week in March.

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FAQ > Travel Time

While Zermatt is located in a rather remote section of the southern Swiss Alps, there are two major international airports within a five-hour radius. Both Geneva International Airport or Zürich International Airport offer an easy way to begin your trip to Zermatt. From either of these two airports, the only two ways to get to Zermatt is by car or train.

For most international travelers, the easiest way to get to Zermatt is by train. This is largely due to Switzerland’s excellent railway system, especially when arriving or leaving from the airport. Both airports in Geneva and Zürich have the Swiss rail network integrated into them, and it is possible to board the train to Zermatt in under an hour after landing.

From both airports, trains to Zermatt leave hourly. It is also possible to check your luggage through to Zermatt upon arriving at either airport.

The total travel time to Zermatt from the Geneva Airport is approximately four hours, while from Zürich it is five hours. Once on the train from either airport, there is usually one change required in Brig or Visp to finally arrive at Zermatt. This final leg of the trip is on a train called the BVZ or Brig-Visp-Zermatt, which is a cog-wheel train that takes you the remaining 80 minutes up into the Alps and the valley where Zermatt is located.

If you have already booked a hotel before arriving at the Zermatt train station, a free electric car or sleigh ride is usually ready to take you to your accommodation, but it is important to arrange this beforehand.

If you arrive in Zermatt without any accommodations, there is a large board in the train station with a list of all the hotels in Zermatt, displaying those with vacant rooms and how much they cost.

It is also possible to rent a car to drive most of the way to Zermatt before getting on the train for the last leg of the trip. If you are planning on renting a car from either the Geneva or Zürich airports, it is important to remember that walk-up car rentals in Switzerland are expensive. It is possible to save as much as half the walk-up rental price if you get a reservation before hand. Also, the Swiss government requires all out-of-country drivers to have a motorway permit. This can be bought at all rental agencies for $18 (CHF 30). If you are pulled over without a permit, there is a $60 (CHF 100) fine in addition to having to buy a permit.

The driving time from the Geneva Airport is roughly three-and-a-half to four hours, while from Zürich it takes four-and-a-half to five hours. Motorists can drive all the way to Täsch, which is roughly three miles (seven kilometers) outside of Zermatt. In Täsch, you can park your car in one of the 2,000 uncovered, outdoor parking spaces ($3 or CHF 5) per day) or in one of the 1,200 covered parking spaces ($6 or CHF 10 per day). During the winter season, it is especially important to reserve a parking spot before you get there.

Once in Täsch, you can travel the remaining distance into Zermatt by either train or taxi. The train costs $4 (CHF 7) per person, while a taxi costs $4 (CHF 8) per person with a minimum charge of CHF 30. It is easier to take a taxi into Zermatt, since it removes that hassle of dragging around luggage on the train, and taxis will drive right up to your parked car.

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