How to get from Interlaken to Zermatt
Zermatt is the home of the mighty Matterhorn. If you want to see this world-famous mountain at close quarters but are based in or visiting Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region first, then you will need to know how to get from Interlaken to Zermatt.
As well as the Matterhorn, there are lots of other reasons to visit Zermatt. This charming Swiss resort is known for winter sports, summer hiking, ice skating, climbing, and curling, and has a vibrant apres-ski scene to boot.
Bahnhofstrasse, the main street, also offers stylish boutiques and smart restaurants.
Zermatt is also the home of the historic Gornergrat Bahn, a scenic railway linking the resort with a Swiss mountain summit. It’s also a car-free resort, making it a more peaceful and pleasant place to be.
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise can also be found here, and is accessed via Europe’s highest cable car.
With so many things to do in Zermatt, it’s not surprising that people want to take a day trip from Interlaken to Zermatt – or in many cases, stay for longer.
But should you travel by train from Interlaken to Zermatt, take an organised day tour, drive, hop on a bus, or arrange a private transfer?
If you’re wondering about the easiest way to get to Zermatt from Interlaken – or vice versa – then this article answers your questions.
In this guide we provide all the details for travelling by all modes of transport so you can make an informed choice about whether to get from Zermatt to Interlaken by private transfer, train, car, or day tour.
Also included is information on parking, how the Interlaken to Zermatt train cost works out for Swiss Travel Pass holders, average travel times, and much more.
Read on so you can plan how to cover the distance from Interlaken to Zermatt, or from Zermatt to Interlaken, if you’re headed in the opposite direction.
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Interlaken – Zermatt Transport Comparison
| Transport | Route | Travel time | Fare (standard adult) | |
| Train | Via Spiez and Visp | About 2 hours 15 minutes | 2nd class: from CHF 861st class: from CHF 147 | Book here |
| Car + shuttle | Drive to Täsch + shuttle to Zermatt | About 2 hours 15 minutes + 12 minute shuttle | Lötschberg Tunnel: from CHF 25 Parking: from CHF 16 for 24 hours Shuttle: from CHF 17 | Lötschberg Tunnel Täsch to Zermatt shuttle |
| Private transfer | Via Lötschberg Tunnel | About 2 hours 15 minutes + 12 minute shuttle | About CHF 700 per vehicle | Book here |
| Day tour | Includes Gornergrat Bahn or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise | About 2 hours 15 minutes (by train) + mountain railway or cable car | With Gornergrat With Matterhorn Paradise |
Interlaken to Zermatt transport options
The Zermatt to Interlaken distance – or vice versa – is about 110 kilometres, or 70 miles.
How long your journey takes will depend on whether you’re taking the train, a day trip, or driving from Interlaken to Zermatt. Travel times are from about two hours and 15 minutes plus, depending on your mode of transport.
Covered below are all the options regarding how to get to Zermatt from Interlaken.
Train from Interlaken to Zermatt
Fastest route
Taking the train from Interlaken to Zermatt in Switzerland is a popular option. The Swiss transport system is renowned for being affordable, clean, and efficient, making train travel a great choice. Swiss rail passes also make the Zermatt to Interlaken train price even more attractive.
Zermatt’s main train station is known as Zermatt Bahnhof. When travelling from Interlaken Ost to Zermatt, you’ll need to change trains twice en route. The fastest route is via Spiez and Visp, with changes at both of these stations.
When travelling via Spiez and Visp, the Interlaken to Zermatt train time taken is around two hours and 15 minutes. Services depart approximately hourly throughout the day, between around 6 am and 8 pm.
When you’re checking the Zermatt to Interlaken train time, timetables may show alternative routes, too.
You could also change trains in Thun and Visp, or Spiez and Brig, instead of Spiez and Visp. However this route takes around half an hour to an hour longer, so it’s not really worth considering, particularly when there are hourly services via Spiez and Visp.
A typical example of the Interlaken to Zermatt train route is as follows:
Interlaken Ost to Zermatt Bahnhof
- Interlaken Ost to Spiez – 22 minutes
- Transfer time – 14 minutes
- Spiez to Visp – 26 minutes
- Transfer time – 6 minutes
- Visp to Zermatt – 1 hour 6 minutes
- Total travel time – 2 hours 14 minutes
When you’re working out how to get from Zermatt to Interlaken, you might be wondering if there is a Zermatt to Interlaken scenic train.
In fact, this is a very picturesque route, offering panoramas over Lake Thun, plus the peaks of the Bernese and Valais Alps.
If you’re travelling from Interlaken to Zermatt, sit on the right-hand side for the best experience. This will give you sweeping views over glimmering Lake Thun. The opposite is true when travelling in reverse.
Seat reservations are not necessary when travelling between Interlaken and Zermatt, or vice versa. Though you may prefer to pay a fee to guarantee a window seat, particularly if you’ll be travelling at peak times.
The low floor trains used on this route are suitable for child buggies or strollers, and wheelchairs. There are two classes of travel to choose from – first or second class.
Summary of one way train fares between Interlaken Ost and Zermatt with different ticket options
| 1st class | 2nd class | ||
| With regular point-to-point ticket | CHF 147 | CHF 86 | BUY HERE |
| With Saver Day Pass* | CHF 88 | CHF 52 | BUY HERE |
| With Swiss Travel Pass | Free | Free | BUY PASS HERE |
| With Swiss Half Fare Card | CHF 73.50 | CHF 43 | BUY PASS HERE |
| With Eurail Global Pass | Free | Free | BUY PASS HERE |
If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass and want to take a Zermatt day trip from Interlaken by train, the good news is your fare is fully covered by the pass. Otherwise, buying a Saver Day Pass may be the best option. You can find out more about which might suit you best in this complete guide to Swiss travel passes.
Children aged 5 and under travel for free on trains in Switzerland. Kids between 6 and 15 pay half price, the same as holders of the Half Fare Card.
The Swiss Half Fare Card gives you 50% off train fares in Switzerland. You can use this pass when buying adult and child tickets via the following link, as well as when you’ll be paying standard fares.
> Click here to buy Interlaken to Zermatt tickets
Interlaken to Zermatt by bus
Currently, there is no Interlaken to Zermatt bus, coach or Postbus service. The same applies between Zermatt and Interlaken, in the opposite direction.
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Interlaken to Zermatt by car
Zermatt is a car-free resort – so how does that work if you want to drive from Interlaken to Zermatt? If you want to drive to Zermatt, the closest you can get is Täsch.
You can then board a shuttle train which will transport you to Zermatt in 12 minutes.
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Driving from Interlaken to Täsch takes around two hours and 15 minutes. The distance is around 110 kilometres, or 70 miles.
The route takes you via the Lötschberg Tunnel. This involves driving onto a special train which will take you through the tunnel in about 16 minutes. There are two trains per hour in each direction.
Lötschberg Tunnel fares start from CHF 25 for a car and up to 9 passengers, and you’ll stay in your vehicle while on board the moving train. It’s a unique experience!
You can buy tickets online in advance, which is not only cheaper, but also gives you fast-track access.
If you are hiring a car, it’s best to book one with SatNav to help you find your way. As you cannot drive into Zermatt, though, your vehicle must be left in Täsch before taking the shuttle train.
There is plenty of parking in Täsch for this purpose, including a large car park with over 2,00 covered spaces right by the shuttle station.
Between them, private companies also provide about 1,000 further parking spots, if you cannot find a space here.
The trip from Täsch to Zermatt takes 12 minutes, and services depart every 20 minutes. With three services per hour, it’s not too long to wait, though you will need to factor in this time when working out how long the whole journey will take.
The shuttle train service is operated by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, or MGBahn. It covers a distance of around five kilometres, or three miles.
Expect to pay about CHF 16 to park in Täsch for 24 hours. The Täsch to Zermatt shuttle train ticket standard adult fare is around CHF 17 return.
You can buy tickets online in advance, or from machines at the station. Instructions are available in English.
Private transfers from Interlaken to Zermatt
If you wish to travel by car, but don’t want the hassle of hiring a vehicle or navigating, then another option is to pay for a private transfer between Interlaken and Zermatt.
This is a private transfer for your group only. Your driver can share local knowledge along the way, and can also assist with your luggage. Eco-friendly cars that run on biogas are used for these journeys.
The private transfer option is a really easy way to travel. It includes hotel pick-up, so you don’t need to worry about how to get from your accommodation to the train station. You’re also likely to pick up many useful tips from your driver en route.
Do keep in mind, though, that you will be dropped off in Täsch, so in this case it’s not a full door-to-door service. You’ll still need to take the shuttle from Täsch to Zermatt to complete your journey.
Though this option can seem expensive, it’s a lot more affordable when you calculate the cost per person, rather than the total.
It can also be worth paying extra for the convenience. As hotel pick-up is included, you won’t have to factor in travel costs from your hotel to the train station.
> Click here to book a private transfer from Interlaken to Zermatt
Day trip from Interlaken to Zermatt
You can take the train to Zermatt from Interlaken, or travel by car to Täsch before boarding the shuttle to Zermatt. But a third option is also available. You could book an organised day trip to visit Zermatt from Interlaken.
Private tour from Interlaken to Zermatt with Gornergrat Bahn
If you like the idea of travelling by train, but would prefer some guidance regarding what to see and do in Zermatt, then a 9-hour private tour from Interlaken could be an appealing option.
As well as your train tickets to and from Zermatt, the tour cost includes the services of a local expert guide, plus your fare for an exciting trip on the historic Gornergrat railway.
The summit of Gornergrat gives you magnificent views of the Matterhorn, and there are plenty of things to do there, too.
Whether you’re short of time for planning or simply prefer to have your day trip itinerary all sorted, taking this day tour is a great way to see Zermatt from Interlaken.
The cost covers return travel by train, Gornergrat Bahn tickets, and the services of your private guide throughout. They will even provide a meet-and-greet service at your accommodation.
In addition to your trip on the Gornergrat railway, you’ll get a fully guided tour of Zermatt, too.
> Click here to book a private day trip from Interlaken to Zermatt with a ride on the Gornergrat Bahn
Private tour from Interlaken to Zermatt with Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Another option is to take a private tour to Zermatt which includes Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, instead of the Gornergrat railway. The tour is otherwise similar, lasting for 9 hours, and including return train tickets from Interlaken.
This one includes a ride on the Alps’ highest cable car, for stunning views over the Matterhorn, and the surrounding mountains of the Monte Rosa region.
Your Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Priority Pass also gives you access to all the attractions here, including the Glacier Ice Palace, a 360-degree panoramic viewing platform, the Cinema Lounge and a restaurant.
(For the latter, bookings are advised and your meal will of course be at an additional cost.)
During the day, your guide will also share lots of local information and history regarding both Zermatt village and the Matterhorn mountain.
Interlaken to Zermatt | Final thoughts
For many, the Matterhorn is the most famous Swiss icon of all, and seeing it for yourself is a must.
There are other reasons to visit the charming, car-free resort of Zermatt, too. These include the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and cable car ride, the historic Gornergrat Bahn, summer hiking and winter sports, shopping, dining, and the lively apres-ski scene.
At a little over two hours from Interlaken, Zermatt is a destination that’s not to be missed, and there’s plenty of choice regarding the best way to see the area.
Whether you drive to Täsch before boarding the local shuttle train, let the train transport you all the way, book a private transfer, or take an organised day trip, you’ll never regret making time for the lovely, car-free resort of Zermatt.
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