Zurich to Zermatt Train Route: Matterhorn Travel Guide
Embark on an epic Swiss adventure from Zurich Airport to Zermatt. Learn how to navigate Zurich Airport, use the SBB app, and board the right train.
0:55 07:05 | KL0856 ICN - AMS 10F, 10G |
09:40 11:05 | KL1957 AMS - ZRH 06E, 06F |
Incheon - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Zurich, Switzerland
With just one layover,
we finally arrived in Zurich!
There were no direct flights available at the time,
so this was actually my very first layover experience!
We're finally here... Zurich!
Flughafen Zurich
Welcome to Zurich
Welcome to Zurich! Züri! Zoo-rich!
Walking excitedly, clutching my duty-free shopping bags.
Let's go grab our baggageeeeee!
The baby wearing a little doll backpack
was just way too cute, haha.
But oh my, look at how much luggage the mom had to carry! ㅠㅠ
Quickly grabbed our bags...
and headed straight to the train station connected to the airport.
Switzerland's train system is incredibly efficient and well-connected.
If you use the SBB app, you can get just about anywhere!
Just make sure to double-check the transfers!!
before you hop on, lol.
The train we needed to catch was
the IC81.
Wait, is this Korea?
Specifically, a lakeside town in Korea, haha.
Wow, looking back at it now,
it took us a whopping 3.5 hours to get from Zurich to Zermatt!
Hahaha.
Since there are quite a few
transfers to other trains,
you really have to keep your eyes peeled! lol
Once you're on board, there's a super helpful route map displayed.
And just like the family seats on Korean trains,
the seats are arranged for four people to sit facing each other, haha.
Since we traveled during the winter off-season,
we practically had the entire train car to ourselves.
We even put our huge suitcases on the empty seats across from us.
But during peak season,
I bet you'd end up facing strangers
quite often! lol
Our matching couple sneakers for this trip:
The Nike Vomero 5.
I wonder what this says?
Starting to feel more and more like I'm actually abroad!
Since it's winter,
the tree branches are looking a bit bare... haha
As we get closer to our destination,
the weather is clearing up beautifully!!!!
This is what Swiss trains look like!
And more and more snow starts appearing!
And just like that, we've arrived in Zermatt!!!!!!
So many people here!
This is the very first view you see
when stepping off at Zermatt Station!!
Welcome to downtown! lol
There's even a gorgeous horse,
a white horse~~
And my absolute favorite, McDonald's!
I actually ended up eating here on my last day lol
Doesn't the building look incredibly historic?
Occasionally, you'll spot mascot characters walking around.
There are also a few luxury boutiques here and there.
But somehow, nobody seems to be going inside (?)
My accommodation wasn't too far away,
so I'm just walking and pulling my suitcase along.
A Zermatt taxi
You can even go paragliding in Zermatt!
And there are so many skiers here,
you'll see tons of people just walking around in their ski boots!
This bar seems to be super popular among skiers.
Everyone is standing around having a drink, haha.
The vibe here is absolutely unreal.
This is pretty much what most chalets and buildings
look like in Switzerland.
Wait, what?
I saw photos of beautiful emerald water, but...!?
At the end of this tiny river... stream?
Lies the Matterhorn...
The closer we get to our lodging,
the fewer people we see, lol.
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
That peak peeking out right in the middle
is the Matterhorn! 😭
Ah...
After walking for a bit, the Matterhorn
finally reveals itself...
They call it the "Golden Matterhorn" during sunrise.
Isn't it just stunning?
But honestly, today was the only day we got to see
the Matterhorn this clearly! ^^
The weather changes so fast here, haha.
We couldn't see it at all the next day,
and it was completely hidden on our last day too... 😭;;;
If I had known, I would have taken way more photos!
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
When booking our stay, we really went back and forth on
whether to pay extra for a Matterhorn view or not...
If we did, we would've been so disappointed.
Since it was pretty expensive, lol.
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋccccc
Apparently, we have to climb 28 steps
to reach our place, haha.
Hang in there, hubby... lol.
Our Swiss Zermatt Airbnb review coming up in the next post...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the travel time and what should I be aware of when taking a train from Zurich Airport to Zermatt?
It takes about three and a half hours by train from Zurich to Zermatt. Since you often need to transfer to another train, you should check the transit stations accurately using the SBB app before boarding.
What was the seating atmosphere like on the Swiss train during the winter off-season?
The train seats are arranged so that four people face each other. During the winter off-season, it was so spacious that it felt like having an entire train car to ourselves, to the point where we could put our luggage on the opposite seats.
What shops and attractions are there in the downtown area around Zermatt station?
In the downtown area around the station, there is a McDonald's located in an old building and a few luxury boutiques. You can also easily see white horse-drawn carriages and people walking around wearing skis.
Can I see the Matterhorn clearly every day in Zermatt?
The Matterhorn is heavily affected by the weather, so it is difficult to see it clearly every day. In the article, it was only clearly visible on the first day, and not visible at all on the next and last days.
What difficulties did you have when dragging your luggage to the booked accommodation in Zermatt?
The accommodation wasn't far from the station, so it was possible to walk there, but we had to climb 28 stairs directly at the entrance of the accommodation. If you have heavy luggage, you might struggle when climbing the stairs.
Share this article
Featured in Collections
Discover more travel stories curated around the same theme.
Related Travel Stories
Zermatt Airbnb Review 2026: Cozy Alpine Stay
Planning a trip to Zermatt? Here is an honest review of a cozy, budget-friendly Airbnb that became our favorite stay during our 5-night Swiss adventure.
Zermatt Winter 2026: Swiss Travel Pass Guide & Gornergrat Discounts
Unlock the magic of a Zermatt winter wonderland in 2026! This guide covers everything from using your Swiss Travel Pass to scoring Gornergrat discounts.
Swiss Air Business Class Review: Incheon-Zurich Direct Flight 2026
Curious about flying Swiss Air business class on the Incheon-Zurich direct route? Discover what it's like, from luxurious seats to delicious in-flight meals.
Swiss Air Economy Review 2026: Incheon-Zurich A350 Flight
Curious about flying Swiss Air's new A350-900 economy from Incheon to Zurich? Get an insider look at the seats, delicious meals, and top-notch service for your next Swiss adventure!
Switzerland Paragliding 2026: Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen & Zermatt Compared
Dreaming of flying over the Swiss Alps? Discover the best paragliding spots in Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Zermatt, complete with price comparisons and essential booking tips for 2026.
Hotel Prealpina Lavaux Review 2026: Lake Geneva Views & Value
Discover Hotel Préalpina in Lavaux, Switzerland, for stunning Lake Geneva views, amazing value, and easy access to UNESCO vineyards. Perfect for road trips and family stays in 2026.