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How to get from Interlaken to Zermatt
The fastest way from Interlaken to Zermatt is by train via Spiez and Visp, about 2 h 15 to 2 h 30 with two changes. Zermatt is car-free: drivers park in Täsch and take the shuttle train for the last few kilometres, using the Lötschberg car train from Kandersteg on the way.
Best option: Train. The train goes all the way into Zermatt, which cars cannot enter, and the connections are timed.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Train from Interlaken Ost (or West) to Spiez, through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel to Visp, then the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt | about 2 h 15 to 2 h 30 | hourly | about CHF 80–100 one way at full fare | The Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card are valid; saver day tickets can be cheaper booked ahead. |
| car Drive to Kandersteg, car train to Goppenstein, drive to Täsch, then the Täsch–Zermatt shuttle train | about 2 h 30 to 3 h | car trains roughly every 30 minutes | car train fare plus parking in Täsch and the shuttle ticket | Private cars are not allowed in Zermatt; parking in Täsch is paid. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Sit on the right side from Visp to Zermatt for the best valley views.
- Check the Matterhorn weather forecast before going; cloud often hides the peak.
- Luggage can be sent ahead by rail between Swiss stations.
- In Zermatt, electric taxis and hotel shuttles meet trains at the station.
Common questions
How long is the train from Interlaken to Zermatt?
About 2 h 15 to 2 h 30, with changes at Spiez and Visp. Trains run hourly and the connections are timed. The Spiez–Visp section goes through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, and the last part from Visp is on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the whole journey.
Can I drive to Zermatt from Interlaken?
Only as far as Täsch. Zermatt is car-free, so drivers park in Täsch and take the shuttle train, about 12 minutes. From Interlaken, the quickest road route uses the Lötschberg car train from Kandersteg to Goppenstein. Allow about 2 h 30 to 3 h in total.
Can I do Interlaken to Zermatt as a day trip?
Yes, but it is a long day: about five hours of travel in total. Leave on an early train, go up to Gornergrat or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise if the weather is clear, and return in the evening. Check the forecast first, because cloud often hides the Matterhorn.
Is there a cheaper way to get from Interlaken to Zermatt?
Saver day tickets bought ahead on the SBB app can be well below the full fare of about CHF 80–100. The Half Fare Card halves most prices and the Swiss Travel Pass covers the trip entirely. Driving rarely saves money once the car train, Täsch parking and the shuttle are added.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.