Gornergrat Railway: Switzerland’s Most Beautiful Train Ride?

The Gornergrat Railway is a historic cogwheel train connecting Zermatt to the Gornergrat summit ridge in the Swiss Alps. Covering roughly 9 kilometres in around 33 minutes, the train climbs from 1,604 metres in Zermatt to 3,089 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest and most scenic railway journeys in Europe.

The biggest reason travellers book this excursion is simple: the Matterhorn view. Unlike many mountain viewpoints where the Matterhorn appears from a distance, Gornergrat places you directly opposite the mountain with almost nothing obstructing the view.

On clear days, you can also see:

• 29 peaks above 4,000 metres
• The massive Gorner Glacier
• Monte Rosa massif
• Breithorn and Dufourspitze
• Endless snow-covered Alpine ridges stretching into Italy

For many travellers visiting Switzerland, this becomes the defining mountain experience of the trip.

Summer (June–September)

Summer is the most popular season for the Gornergrat Railway thanks to hiking access, long daylight hours, and mostly stable weather. Trails around Riffelalp, Rotenboden, and Riffelsee become fully accessible. This is also the best season for combining the train journey with hiking.

Autumn (Late September–October)

Arguably, the most photogenic season. Golden larch forests below the snow-covered Matterhorn create some of the best scenery Switzerland produces all year. October is especially beautiful for photographers.

Winter (December–March)

Winter transforms Gornergrat into a snowy Alpine landscape straight out of a movie. The train journey through frozen forests and snow-covered slopes feels extraordinary. Visibility can sometimes be softer due to snowfall, but clear winter mornings are unforgettable.

Spring (April–May)

Spring is quieter and less crowded, though snow usually remains at higher elevations. The weather becomes more unpredictable during this period.

The railway departs directly from Zermatt station, which is incredibly convenient because Zermatt itself is fully car-free.

Getting to Zermatt

Most travellers reach Zermatt via train:

• From Zurich: Approx. 3.5 hours
• From Lucerne: Approx. 3.5–4 hours
• From Interlaken: Approx. 2–2.5 hours
• From Geneva: Approx. 4 hours

All mainline trains to Zermatt are fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, which also gives 50% off the Gornergrat Railway, making the combination highly cost-effective for visitors on multi-day itineraries. 

Once at Zermatt station, the Gornergratbahn valley station is directly opposite, a 1-minute walk.

Check out: Local transport in Switzerland 

Priority boarding: For an additional amount, reserve access to the exclusive waiting area and board 3 minutes before general boarding, strongly recommended in July–August when trains fill to capacity. Book at gornergrat.ch.

Buying tickets: Online at gornergrat.ch or swissrailways.com, or at ticket machines at Zermatt valley station. Mobile tickets load directly onto the SwissPass app.

If you are travelling from Zermatt to Gornergrat, sit on the right-hand side of the train for the best Matterhorn views during the ascent. On the return journey, the left-hand side becomes the better option. Morning departures usually offer the clearest visibility before clouds begin building around the peaks later in the day.

The summit station opens directly onto a panoramic viewing area with immediate Matterhorn views. Unlike some Swiss mountain excursions where you need long walks to reach viewpoints, Gornergrat is remarkably accessible.

At the top, you will find:

• Panoramic viewing terraces
• Observation platforms
• Restaurants and cafés
• Short walking trails
• Glacier viewpoints
• Photography spots

The altitude is noticeable at 3,089 metres, especially if you ascend quickly from lower cities. Walking slowly and staying hydrated helps.

One of the most iconic photography locations in Switzerland sits below Gornergrat: Riffelsee Lake. On calm mornings, the lake perfectly reflects the Matterhorn, creating the classic Swiss postcard image seen everywhere online.

The best way to experience it:

• Take the train down to Rotenboden station
• Walk around 10 minutes downhill to Riffelsee
• Visit early morning for calmer water and softer light

Autumn is especially spectacular because of the golden larch trees surrounding the area.

1. Summit Panorama Platform

At 3,089 metres above sea level, the Gornergrat summit platform offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in any Switzerland tour package. From here, you can see 29 snow-covered four-thousand-meter peaks, the massive Gorner Glacier below, and on exceptionally clear days, even stretches of northern Italy.

The historic Kulmhotel Gornergrat, the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps, sits directly at the summit. Its panoramic terrace provides a more sheltered viewing experience while still delivering uninterrupted Matterhorn views. Sunrise and sunset train services are especially magical, transforming the mountains with completely different colours and lighting conditions.

2. ZOOOM the Matterhorn Exhibition

Included with your Gornergrat Railway ticket, the ZOOOM the Matterhorn exhibition combines immersive projections, large-format visuals, sound effects, and interactive displays to tell the story of the Matterhorn’s geology, mountaineering history, and fragile Alpine ecosystem.

Unlike a traditional museum, the experience feels modern and engaging, especially for families travelling on a Switzerland tour package with kids. Allow around 45–60 minutes to explore the entire exhibition comfortably.

3. Riffelsee Reflection Walk (Rotenboden)

On your descent, stop at Rotenboden and take the easy 10–15 minute walk to Riffelsee. On calm mornings, the lake perfectly reflects the Matterhorn, creating one of the most iconic photographs in Switzerland.

Right beside the trail, you will also find Europe’s Highest Alpine Garden, home to over 150 high-altitude plant species labelled with QR-coded information boards. It is one of the most underrated experiences around the Gornergrat region.

4. Hiking Between Stations

One of the biggest advantages of the Gornergrat Railway is that your ticket allows you to hop off at intermediate stations and board the next train later. This flexibility makes it ideal for scenic hiking.

Some of the best routes include:

• Rotenboden → Riffelalp (Moderate | 1.5 hrs):
  A spectacular trail passing Riffelsee, alpine meadows, and continuous Matterhorn viewpoints.
• Riffelberg → Zermatt (Moderate | 2 hrs):
  One of the most scenic descents in Switzerland, especially during autumn when the larch forests turn golden.
• Riffelalp → Riffelberg (Easy | 45 mins):
  A gentle alpine walk with open mountain scenery and impressive Monte Rosa views.

The Gornergrat trail network is considered among the best high-altitude hiking regions in the Alps and is often included in premium Switzerland package itineraries focused on nature and outdoor experiences.

5. Black-Nosed Sheep Encounters

During July and August, Zermatt’s iconic Walliser black-nosed sheep graze around the Gornergrat region. Local shepherds often conduct small guided sessions where visitors can learn about the breed and interact with the sheep up close.

For families, this becomes one of the most memorable and unexpectedly charming experiences of the entire journey.

The summit has several dining options ranging from cafés to full-service restaurants. Popular dishes include:

• Swiss fondue
• Raclette
• Rösti
• Hot chocolate
• Alpine desserts

Dining with Matterhorn views is easily one of the highlights of the visit, especially during winter snowfall or autumn sunsets. Prices are naturally higher at this altitude:

• Coffee: CHF 5–7 (approx. INR 500–700)
• Main meals: CHF 22–40 (approx. INR 2,200–4,000)

The Peak2Peak ticket combines Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat in a single circular day, the most complete mountain experience available from Zermatt and the recommended choice for visitors with only one full day in the resort.

This is probably the most common question travellers ask about Switzerland.

Choose Gornergrat if you want:

• Better Matterhorn views
• A calmer experience
• Scenic train journeys
• Easier photography
• More outdoor panoramas
• Better value

Choose Jungfraujoch if you want:

• Europe’s highest railway station
• Glacier attractions
• Snow activities
• Indoor experiences
• Bigger “bucket-list” branding

Honestly, many travellers end up preferring Gornergrat because it feels less rushed and more naturally scenic.

• Start early for the clearest views and fewer crowds
• Dress in layers even during summer
• Carry sunglasses, as snow glare can be intense
• Check the live webcam before booking
• Avoid cloudy afternoons if possible
• Reserve seats during peak travel months
• Spend at least 3–5 hours, including stops and short hikes

Absolutely. Among all mountain excursions in Switzerland, Gornergrat delivers the most direct, panoramic, and immediate Matterhorn experience available without technical climbing. The 33-minute cogwheel journey, the 29-peak summit panorama, the Riffelsee reflection, and the hiking trail network between stations make this one of the finest half-days in the Alps, and one of the best attractions in Switzerland regardless of season or budget.