Zermatt Gornergrat Railway Cogwheel Train: Is it Worth It?

Visiting the Swiss Alps is that dream for many, and when you’re looking at Zermatt, the Gornergrat Railway usually comes up as something you should do. So, is it truly worth the money? After all, a train ticket up a mountain doesn’t exactly come cheap. I’m going to share what I think, give you a rundown of what you could experience, and hopefully, help you decide if it is the right thing for you.

What Is the Gornergrat Railway?

Okay, first off, let’s chat a bit about what the Gornergrat Railway really is. That Gornergrat Railway is almost a cogwheel train that begins in Zermatt, so a famous car-free village that’s super scenic. Then that train chugs its way up to the Gornergrat, which is that peak sitting at around 3,089 meters, that is, 10,135 feet, offering what they say is absolutely breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and that surrounding Alps.

Built way back in 1898, it’s almost one of the first fully electric cogwheel railways around the world. So it has been taking tourists and locals up there for more than a century. It is not just transportation; it’s almost like a historical experience, giving you time to soak up that scenery without the concerns of driving or maybe even hiking all the way up.

What You’ll See on the Ride Up

The trip itself is pretty gorgeous, too it’s almost more than just getting from A to B. I think, as that train starts to climb, you start seeing things you might have missed if you were walking around Zermatt. At first, it is those cute chalets and that green, green countryside.

As you keep going higher, then you’re seeing thick forests and those rocky landscapes. That best bit is that constant, ever-growing view of the Matterhorn, just that pyramid of rock standing tall, dominating that view. You know, depending on the season, too it’s almost different sights, wildflowers during summer or even a snow-dusted landscape in the winter.

The View from the Top: Is It Really That Great?

So, okay, that million-dollar question: Is that view really all that? Short answer: yes, very. Very yes! I have seen many mountain views, yet standing on the Gornergrat, seeing that iconic Matterhorn in its glory, that’s a vista I will remember.

It isn’t just about the Matterhorn. So, you’re getting these crazy panoramic views of all those surrounding peaks and that glaciers. You’ll find that it’s marked viewpoints that point out what each peak is, and in a way, too it’s almost good to give you context to everything you’re seeing. Very honestly, that air feels crisper up there, and in some respects that landscape stretches out forever. Bring a camera; your phone does not capture what your eye sees.

Activities at Gornergrat

Gornergrat is more than just a spot for taking photographs, it’s also this hub of possible activities. In some respects, for those who love to hike, multiple trails start from Gornergrat, going through various terrains and viewpoints. In that case you could spend a whole day hiking, too it’s almost coming back to Zermatt later.

In that winter, naturally, everything is a bit ski-focused. So there are slopes and trails for snowshoeing, giving you very different ways to enjoy those snowy landscapes. In the summit, too it’s almost the Kulmhotel Gornergrat, that has restaurants and that an observatory. Can you only imagine having dinner while the sun goes down behind those Alps? I wish!

Breaking Down the Ticket Price

Let’s get down to that serious matter: Those tickets. I will not lie; that Gornergrat Railway tickets don’t come cheap. In 2024, so expect to pay around CHF 126 for a return ticket in the high season. Okay, breathe, I understand. It does sound like quite a lot, however very few things to keep in mind.

There is that ‘peak season’ versus ‘low season’, with differing prices, which might influence that timing of your trip. Check that website before you go to see the full range of prices. They’ve got discounts if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass or even the Half-Fare Card, that gives you some good savings. Look into if that works out to be the better deal, given other trips you could take in Switzerland. Consider what it would cost you to do something similar somewhere else. I mean, you can sometimes get the same views for a slightly more reasonable price!

Is the Gornergrat Railway Ticket Worth the Splurge?

So, getting to that main thing: that worth. Very honestly, in my book, that Gornergrat Railway experience gets two big thumbs up, basically given everything it offers.

The Views: Seriously incredible. Like nothing else.
Convenience: So, for every single person that might struggle hiking or doesn’t have time for it, that train is almost a really effortless way of getting some insane alpine views.
Activities: From hiking to even a mountaintop hotel experience, that Gornergrat is more than only a viewing platform; it’s like an adventure hub.

That said, yes it’s really expensive, so really factor in your travel style. Are you that type of person who just loves seeing gorgeous views? And also would usually splurge on cool experiences? Or are you that budget traveler trying to save money and maybe more happy with some cheaper trails?

Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip

You want to have that Gornergrat trip be as great as it could be? That are my fast tips:

Go Early: Get up and on that first train! It tends to get packed around midday, and those earlier views are much quieter.
Weather Check: Alps weather is like, well you cannot really describe it; it switches fast. You want to look at that forecast the day before and then again in that morning to be very sure. No view is really good if you’re just stuck in that fog.
Layer Up: Very honestly, altitude = cold. Layer so that you can adjust your level of warmth.
Sun Protection: That sun feels intense up there due to the altitude, so it’s more important to slather on some SPF and to also wear shades.
Water and Snacks: Even if you plan on buying stuff up there, bringing some snacks is a smart idea. High-altitude adventures call for sustenance.

Other Options: Alternatives to the Gornergrat Railway

Now, I know that, sometimes, it’s also great to be familiar with the other possible choices, mainly if we’re keeping an eye on that budget or are not feeling a railway ride. In this instance you’re set on viewing that Matterhorn without using that Gornergrat Railway, these few could be a better fit:

Hiking: There are many trails around Zermatt giving different viewpoints. In the end this choice is free, besides that snacks and drinks you could need.
Sunnegga Paradise: Get to it with an underground funicular, that area provides great views of that Matterhorn, along with some family-oriented things like Leisee lake, which has swimming.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: Accessible via a cable car, this takes you up to Europe’s highest cable car station. In some respects it gives views which are great and this glacier experience.

Conclusion

In the end, too it’s almost a ticket to the Gornergrat Railway is that ticket to one crazy alpine experience. Sure, that price could sting a bit, yet for that views, possible things to do, and this ease of just getting there, that, I think it is something worth doing for the people wanting a fantastic view with really zero effort. If you are more on that budget side, this trails in that region are really rewarding. Just, whatever choice you pick, going up into those Swiss Alps around Zermatt is not something you are going to regret!

Key Points:

That Gornergrat Railway provides some exceptional views of that Matterhorn and its neighborhood.
There is a fair amount of outdoor and sightseeing things to do up there to make it the trip up worth it.
Keep an eye on weather and try to go in those earlier hours.
Think about what you want to splurge on, to see if you are someone who may like other great options!