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Where to stay in Zermatt
Zermatt is a tight, car-free Alpine village wedged into a steep valley where the Matterhorn dominates the skyline. Because motor vehicles are banned, your boots or the electric taxis do the moving. Choosing where to stay is entirely about your tolerance for the uphill trudge to the lifts versus the central, train-station hustle where the electric buses rumble by.
Bahnhofstrasse
This is the bustling central spine of Zermatt, lined with high-end outfitters, watch shops, and busy restaurants. It feels energetic and commercial rather than purely rustic. From here, the Gornergrat railway station is right across the tracks, and the Sunnegga funicular is a five-minute walk away. You step out of your hotel straight into the thick of village life, with bakeries and bars on your doorstep.
Winkelmatten
Perched on the southern edge of the village, Winkelmatten feels like an authentic Swiss hamlet with traditional wooden chalets and narrow lanes. It is quieter and significantly less frantic than the centre. The Matterhorn Express gondola is walkable from here, and you can ski nearly back to the area via the slopes. It takes about fifteen minutes to walk downhill into the main village.
Stein
Tucked just off the main commercial drag near the Mattervispa river, Stein offers a more relaxed village atmosphere while keeping you central. The streets are narrower and residential, giving you a breather from the daytime tourist crowds. You are a short, flat walk from the base lifts and the central church square, with local bakeries and traditional taverns right around the corner.
Rent a car in Zermatt
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Compare car rentals in ZermattOne thing to think about
Avoid booking cheap accommodation way up the steep slopes of Schfluh or far into the upper reaches of Winkelmatten unless you enjoy hauling ski gear up severe inclines in heavy winter boots. The electric taxis are expensive, and walking back after a day on the mountain is punishing.
Other places to stay in Switzerland: lastminute.com · Megabon
Once you have a bed
The things that sell out first in Zermatt are the small-group tours and the skip-the-line tickets.
Top tours & activities in Zermatt
Common questions
Are cars allowed in Zermatt?
No, Zermatt is strictly car-free. You must park your vehicle in the large multi-story garage in Täsch, nine kilometres down the valley, and take the frequent Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn shuttle train or a taxi the rest of the way into the village.
How do I get around Zermatt without a car?
Everything in the main village is easily walkable on foot. For longer distances, heavy luggage, or getting to the ski lifts, battery-powered electric taxis and local electro-buses operate constantly throughout the village and connect to the major valley cable car stations.
Which ski lift is easiest to reach from the centre?
The Sunnegga funicular is the most centrally located, accessed directly via a tunnel from the main village street. The Gornergrat railway is directly across from the arrival train station, while the Matterhorn Express gondola sits on the southern edge in Winkelmatten.
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