The Gornergrat Railway

The Gornergrat Railway (Gornergrat Bahn in German) is the highest open-air railway in Europe, giving uninterrupted views for the whole journey. It climbs from the centre of Zermatt to a viewing platform at 3,089 metres, directly overlooking the Matterhorn and the glacier basin below. The appeal is not only the panorama at the summit but the climb itself, passing through larch forest, open alpine slopes and high rocky ground, with the landscape shifting noticeably as altitude increases.

Built more than a century ago, this mountain railway was considered a major technical achievement when it opened in 1898. It became the first fully electrified cog railway in the world and still operates in the same way today, using a rack-and-pinion system to grip the steep gradients safely. For visitors staying in Zermatt, it makes an ideal half-day or full-day excursion, with regular services that allow time to explore the summit and still return to the village the same afternoon.

This guide takes you through the journey in detail, from practicalities such as timings and tickets to what you’ll see along the route, and how to make the most of every stop.

No author/Philip Gross/CC BY-SA 3.0

Map of the Gornergrat Railway/

The Gornergrat Railway: the train

Route and facilities

Operated by Gornergrat Bahn AG, the Gornergrat Railway runs between Zermatt and the Gornergrat summit, a distance of just under 9.3 kilometres. The full ride takes around 33 minutes if you travel directly to the top without stopping. There are four stops in total between Zermatt and Gornergrat, which are Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden. Trains operate all year, roughly every 30 minutes during the day, with a slightly reduced service in the early morning and late evening. 

The train itself consists of two to three comfortable yet simple carriages with wide windows that allow unobstructed views of the peaks. The carriages are heated in winter and cooled in summer. Luggage racks are available, and there is level boarding for those using wheelchairs or pushchairs. 

There is no café carriage on board the train, but you can bring food or drink on board. There are also special ‘culinary’ tickets that include dining at restaurants on the route, from fondue at the igloo village above Zermatt to the ‘Nostalchic’ service in a historic carriage with food service at stations along the way.

Michael Lammli

The Gornergrat Railway train.

Tickets and passes

Ticket prices vary by season. A standard return from Zermatt to Gornergrat starts from 96 CHF. Swiss Half Fare Card and Swiss Travel Pass discounts apply. Interrail passes do not cover the line, as it is a private mountain railway. All trains are hop-on, hop-off services and you can break your journey at the four intermediate stops between Zermatt and Gornergrat, then rejoin the train using the same ticket.

You can buy tickets at Zermatt station or online in advance on the Gornergrat Bahn website. As services may be disrupted due to weather, buying a ticket when you’re in Zermatt is recommended. 

Breaking the journey

One of the best features of the Gornergrat Railway is the freedom to stop off en route. Each station offers something different: a short forest walk, a hotel terrace, or a hiking trail that rejoins the line. If time allows, it is well worth hopping off once or twice. If you decide stay on board for the full journey, sitting back and soaking up the scenery is just as special.

Joshua Kettle

The Gornergrat Railway with the Matterhorn in the background.

The Gornergrat Railway: the journey

The journey begins in Zermatt, a car-free resort at the foot of the Matterhorn and one of Switzerland’s busiest year-round mountain destinations. It’s worth spending a morning exploring the old Hinterdorf quarter or visiting the Matterhorn Museum to understand the area’s mountaineering history. For something to eat, Restaurant Schäferstube is known for dishes made with locally-sourced lamb and Valais specialities, served in a cosy, low-ceilinged wooden dining room.

Gabriel Garcia Marengo

Zermatt.

Leaving Zermatt, the train climbs steeply through the forest. Within minutes, the rooftops disappear below and the Matterhorn begins to dominate the skyline. The first stop, Findelbach, is mainly for walkers and photographers, with a trail that follows the railway back down to the valley.

The next stop, Riffelalp sits at 2,211 metres above sea level, is the first major viewpoint. Here you will find the historic Riffelalp Resort and the world’s smallest tramway, a short connection that runs from the station to the hotel in summer months.

Radek Kozak

Views on the route.

As the line continues, trees give way to alpine meadows in summer and scree. At Riffelberg, Riffelhaus 1853 sits directly opposite the Matterhorn, and its terrace is one of the best spots for lunch with a view. In summer, the hotel is a good starting point for the Mark Twain Trail, a well-marked path descending back towards Riffelalp. The author walked the route in 1878 and detailed it in his book “Climbing the Riffelberg”. Alight at Riffelberg station, hike the path and hop back on to the train at Riffelalp to continue your journey to Gornergrat.

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Riffelsee.

A little higher up, Rotenboden is the best stop for the short hike to Riffelsee, a small mountain lake about ten minutes’ walk away. On still days, the lake reflects the Matterhorn perfectly. It is one of the most photographed scenes in Switzerland, though conditions can change quickly with the wind.

David Gubler bahnbilder.ch

The Gornergrat Railway between Rotenboden and Gornergrat.

From Rotenboden to Gornergrat, the train climbs above 3,000 metres. The terrain becomes bare and rocky, with patches of snow even in summer. The summit station opens directly onto a large viewing platform. From here, you can see 29 peaks above 4,000 metres, including Monte Rosa, Liskamm and the Breithorn. The Matterhorn appears in full view, close enough to see the texture of its rock and snowfields.

Claudio Schwarz

3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat.

At the top, there is a hotel, the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps, with a restaurant and terrace, plus an observatory run by the University of Zürich. In clear weather, it is worth staying for a meal or even overnight at the hotel to see the sunset and the stars.

Razvan Sassu

Views from beside Gornergrat station.

Onwards from Gornergrat

To return to Zermatt, simply board any downward train with your return ticket; there is no need to reserve a seat. If you are continuing your journey after Zermatt, regular connections run to Visp, where you can join the mainline towards Bern, Geneva or Milan.

Many travellers combine the Gornergrat Railway with the famed Glacier Express route, which departs from Zermatt daily and can also be done using regular local trains (with connections). It’s the perfect slow travel route and an entirely different kind of journey, taking its time crossing hundreds of bridges and tunnels, passing glacial lakes and running through deep gorges to reach St. Moritz. For a shorter onward trip, Gornergrat can also be paired with the Sunnegga funicular or the Klein Matterhorn cable car to explore the surrounding peaks from other directions.

Take a day trip along the Gornergrat Railway on a slow travel trip to Zermatt by train, or check out our other Switzerland train holidays. 

Read about more scenic Swiss Railways, like the Bernina Express route, the Golden Pass Line and the Arlberg Railway. 

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