How to get to Zermatt from Chamonix

Posted by biwang on 02/05/24 02:39 AM

I would like to go to Zermatt from Chamonix after my Tour of Mont Blanc (TMB) trekking in July. What is the best way to get to Zermatt from Chamonix? I would like to see Matterhorm in Zermatt. Besides that, what other things I could do in Zermatt. How many nights I should stay in Zermatt given I will have 11 days in Switzerland trip? I will travel solo most likely at this point. Any hotel recommendations for Zermatt?

Also what is the best way to go from Geneva airport to Chamonix as I will fly into Genena for TMB trekking trip? Should I use some pass to go from Geneva airport to Chamonix?

Thanks for your help.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

02/05/24 03:02 AM

21140 posts

I believe you will find bus service from Geneva airport to Chamonix.

Chamonix to Zermatt is straight forward: train to Valorcine where you change to a waiting Swiss train to Martigny, then a train to Visp, then a train to Zermatt.

There are lots of hotels in Zermatt. My favorite is the Hotel Ambiance, one of the last family owned and operated hotels in Zermatt. They have Matterhorn-view rooms.
https://www.hotelambiance.ch/en/

Posted by biwang OP

02/05/24 04:04 AM

39 posts

Thank you Sam.
It seems that it will take 3.5 hrs to get to Zermatt from Chamonix. I thought it would be quicker.
I booked Hotel Parnass at Zermatt. Does anyone have any feedback on that hotel? I booked two nights there.
If I leave Chamonix early in the morning, I will get to Zermatt by noon. So I would have half day on the first day, and then the full day on the second day. Could anyone suggest an itinerary for my stay there? thank you so much.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

02/05/24 04:14 AM

21140 posts

I remember seeing the Parnass when I was there last week, but know nothing about it otherwise. Most hotels in Zermatt are pretty decent. PS Actually, it was almost directly across the river from the hotel I was staying at, the Exclesior.

There is this little thing called The Alps that slows down travel in the region. It is more than 1 hour on the train from Visp to Zermatt, But the engineering of the rail line will make your jaw drop when you ride it with many steep climbs requiring the use of the rack and pinion mechanism.

Your itinerary will be weather dependent. If the weather is clear when you arrive, take the Gornergratbahn to the top, as you cannot be sure of tomorrow's weather.