Just in case anyone is planning to go to Zermatt in the upcoming days and is not aware, please keep informed about the current flooding danger and travel complications. At the moment, travel to/from Zermatt is not possible.
https://www.zermatt.ch/en/Media/Liveticker-Zermatt-Matterhorn/Aktuelle-Situation-Zermatt-Matterhorn
Travel safe everyone!
Thank you hopper - we are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I’m crossing my fingers..
Please keep us updated.
Thanks
Morning update is that road/rail connections are still closed. Next update at 11am local time.
According to someone who is onsite, the good news is that it's currently sunny and not raining anymore. There is still a lot of water, but the flow is more stable and without loads of debris. Forecast looks decent for the next few days, so hopefully things are calming down and they can start cleaning up and checking for damage, etc. How long that will take and when it would be wise to travel there remains to be seen. The main part of the village and areas uphill seem to be more or less fine, but there is visible damage/flooding on areas next to the streams that flow through town and they will also have to do safety checks on all the bridges. I'd imagine that some hotels in the affected areas will probably have to remain closed.
@Gene re your ticket:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact/products-services/tickets/switzerland/supersaver-tickets-saver-day-passes.html
You should be ok since the cancellation is outside your control. In the event you have to change plans entirely, you can always talk to the SBB employees at any train station.
Thanks hopper! Gene good luck!!
Currently on the Rick Steves tour of Switzerland.
We were scheduled to spend time in Zermatt yesterday, and of course that didn't happen.
Plan B was a long lunch break at Barryland https://barryland.ch/en/
then an earlier arrival to Lausanne. It has been raining off and on today, too.
Barryland did have a restaurant for a nice lunch.
Thank you Hopper and Carrie…
My original ticket was for 1042 - I spoke to SBB ticket agent - and she reassured me this ticket is good anytime today… I just hope that’s true, because one leg of that trip Visp to Zermatt is cancelled.
I was just gonna hop on the train to Visp and await the situation- but my hotel manager from Zermatt told me there are many people stranded at Visp from yesterday- so they recommended awaiting at Wengen until further development.
Right now I am at Wengen train station nervously waiting - there is 1212 train leaving Wengen that has not cancelled Visp line yet. I’m hopeful this won’t get cancelled. My hotel in Zermatt is non refundable- so if I miss check in - don’t know if there are exceptions.. I booked thru Booking.. I’m researching my credit card benefits to see if I have trip interruption insurance…
Hello everyone,
We were supposed to check in at hotel in Zermatt but got stuck in Visp yesterday after the roads and rail traffic were stopped midday.
We decided to train back to Montreux for the night after seeing so many people at the station in Visp. Both hotels near the station there were full.
We are planning on staying here 2 more nights.
The hotel didn't charge us for yesterday and awaiting weather and situation update in 30minutes.
I would recommend staying away from Visp at least today. Doubtful access to Zermatt will open today. Another river is very high and more rain is in the forecast.
We will make the best of this rainy day in Montreux. Stay safe out there!
Yes, I think chances of getting to Zermatt today are pretty slim. There is no news on reopening the rail lines and next update isn't until 3pm. Based on what I have read, a lot of the hiking and bike trails will also be closed for some time as well as they have to inspect everything and clear debris/damage. Gornergrat Bahn is also suspended.
The forecast is somewhat unpredictable and does call for some rain in the next couple of days, so personally, I would probably try to change my itinerary and avoid the area right now. Hopefully travel insurance can recover some costs if needed. When the rail lines open, the priority will be on getting people out of Zermatt rather than in, as well as getting supplies/personnel up to the village. As disappointing as it is to miss out on a planned visit, travelers also have to think about what is sensible and appropriate for the circumstances. Keep checking the website I linked to above for the latest updates.
In any case, good luck to everyone on the road right now and stay safe!!
Looks like no trains still as of the 11:30 update. Next update at 3.
Sorry for everyone impacted. I hope it doesn’t put too much of a damper on things.
I’m bored at my gate at the very busy Zurich airport. The end of the passport control line was all the upstairs at the duty free shops. I’m glad I decided to take an earlier train here even though it meant giving up my super saver ticket.
Try to stay positive and safe travels.
I was about to book a hotel at Kandersteg - then I got a notice - train will run around 8pm today..
So I’m stuck in Spiez.. trying to make the best situation. There is another tourist I met - waiting since 8am..
finally made it.. yeah.. I'm in Zermatt..
I was at Spiez, contemplating whether to go to Kandersteg for a hotel stay, then I checked the update from Zermatt.ch that says possible rail opening..
I kept checking the link hopper provided, and it finally said, there will be bus shuttle service from Visp to Tasch at 8pm... but Tasch to Zermatt rail will start at 5:50PM..
I took the next train from Spiez to Visp - there were at least 200 people lining up for a bus to Tasch.. it was around 5:30 when we arrived at Visp..
Around 7PM, first bus arrived, and 10min later, we got on the second bus to Tasch..
25 min later, we arrived at Tasch.. there was a train waiting for us.. and hoard of people waiting to take the bus back Visp (they were stuck in Zermatt all day)
we took the train... and finally arrived in Zermatt... felt very grateful for this day..
Just want to thank hopper18, without your post, I would never have known about the disruption... and the link you provided were invaluable... Even looking at the SBB app, all the train connection from Visp to Zermatt is cancelled for rest of the night.. without the link update, I would never have known there was a bus shuttle bypassing the cancelled rail services..
And Carrie,thank you for your encouragement.. felt very stressed, and harried.. but somehow felt, confident that everything will turn out ok...
So… we’re scheduled to travel from Grindewald to Zermatt tomorrow (Sunday June 23) for 2 nights on our one-week Switzerland tour. I booked directly with the hotel, and I spoke with them today and they said call back at 8:00am Sunday, but seemed to think things would be “better”. My questions are 1) does it make any sense at all to travel into an area that people are struggling to get out of and likely many features and/or trails will be closed, and 2) if I don’t go, should I be able to get my hotel charges refunded?
@Gene Glad my info helped and that you got there in the end - hope you are able to make the best of it while you're there! Let us all know how it goes.
Seems like Gornergrat Bahn may be down through at least Monday and hiking/biking will be limited for some days. For anyone else considering Zermatt, just keep up to date with information and latest conditions. Looks rainy tomorrow but ok on Monday. Whether it's worth visiting right now is hard to say - maybe Gene can fill us in tomorrow and give us some eyewitness input?
For those interested, below is a news story about the wider effects beyond Zermatt in other parts of southern Switzerland. Sadly there are 3 people missing and, as the photos show, there has been extensive damage in some places.
https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-landslide-flooding-46dca51d77155fadf097bbc85c064d36
What a tragedy this is…. not only damage and disruptions for many, but I read that 3 people in the area were missing. I hope things can be resolved soon for everyone’s sake.
Plan B was a long lunch break at Barryland https://barryland.ch/en/
Is Barryland a scheduled stop on the RS tour or an added bonus because of the flooding? I've wanted to go for a long time.
This forum is awesome. Thank you so much.
My situation right now is that I’m in Chamonix now with our next 3 day stop being Zermatt - scheduled to arrive June 25.
The hotel I’ve booked told me “ No refunds , everything in Zermatt is under control”.
I’m trying to decide whether to proceed to Zermatt in a couple days or to pivot elsewhere entirely.
All current Zermatt info is extremely useful to me and much appreciated.
Your recommendations on what to do ?
Thanks in advance.
it's drizzling little bit in Zermatt.. still can't see Matterhorn as it is covered in clouds..
Tomorrow weather looks promising.. thinking of going up and do 5 lakes hike..
and maybe Tuesday - go to glacier paradise...
I'm just exploring the town of Zermatt.. nothing to do as weather is not cooperating..
As far as Zermatt currently, it does look like everything is back to normal... GP is open.. and all the stores are open.. and there are no sign of any flooding...
I'll know more tomorrow after the hike...
Really appreciate the updated information here. I will go to Zermatt in two days ahead. Hotel told me everything is back to normal now. But SBB web still showed the train service is interrupted. I just wonder how to go from Visp to Zermatt. It looks like a not easy ride.
Also, how is all the cable cart and trains go up to Mountain. If it would not make sense to go if everything is closed.
Thank you very much
Hi Everyone. Really appreciate all the valuable information here. Do we know when the SBB train service will be back to normal service again? I have heavy luggage, the shuttle bus transition would be very challenging. Any information will be highly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Don't worry about luggage with shuttle bus service from Visp - The bus tugs big trailer where all the luggage goes.. after securing the luggage onto the trailer, you just get on the bus...
Thanks for the valuable information on this forum, everyone.
My current plans are to head to Zermatt late evening of 6/28 and do various hikes from 6/29-30 with the Peak Pass. But I'm having a hard time determining whether the various hiking routes (5 lakes, Gornergrat, or Matterhorn Glacier Trail, for exp), and the necessary cable cars are/will be open. This (https://www.gornergrat.ch/en/stories/hikes-on-gornergrat) suggests that they're currently not operational, though they may be in a few days.
If anyone on the ground can share the latest on these, it would be most appreciated! Thanks so much in advance, and hope everyone stays safe!
There's probably a Zermatt Facebook group one can join and receive up-to- date, on-the- ground info. Safe travels.
Just did the 5 lakes hike... we had beautiful morning and unobstructed view of the matterhorn.. When there is no cloud covering the top of the mountain, it is so majestic... The view lasted maybe 90 minutes and the clouds started rolling in..Gosh, I thought weather in Norway was unpredictable, but Swiss weather is in another level...
We are in Zermatt for 2 days, and we had total of 90 minutes of perfect Matterhorn view.. sigh..
Good thing we started hike as soon as the furnicular opened...
Stellisee was wonderful, Grindjisee was ok.. ... rest of the lake was meh...
Originally planned Stellisee to Riffalp to Gonergrat hike... but those routes were closed and Gornergrat is closed as well..
tomorrow's weather looks ok in the morning.. so plan is for Matterhorn glacier paradise tomorrow morning..and then off to Montreux..
BTW, lot of hiking trails are closed.. Gonergrat is close until at least till thursday.... lower level hiking are open, but higher elevations, many trails are closed.. so disappointed..
Hello, does anyone know about the hotels that are along the river in zermatt such as the tradition julen hotel? Are these hotels open or were they affected by the flooding?
Hi everyone, do you know whether Gonergrat will open this Thursday June 27.?
How about the glacier paradise?
It is very important for us because Thursday will be only nice weather around next few days.
Thank you very much
bekop101, I would check with your hotel directly.
gzhao60026, Gornergrat is scheduled to reopen on Thursday. That of course can change. I believe glacier paradise is open, but the bus service to it may still be suspended. Your best bet is to check when you are there for what is open and what is closed.
I can confirm, glacier paradise is open.. and we had majestic view of the Matterhorn from there.. and then it started snowing.. and clouds came in.. Gornergrat is still closed...
We just left Zermatt, using the bus shuttle service from Tasch to Visp.. it is running on schedule and sometimes faster than train because there are no intermediate stops.. only direct Tasch to Visp..
So, do I understand correctly that part of the train line from Zermatt to Visp is closed? And there’s a replacement bus shuttle? Does this mean no Scenic Glacier Express train departing from (or going to) Zermatt?
Roger,
All Glacier Express trains will run exclusively between St. Moritz and Brig until the line is opened. For Glacier Express travelers from/to Zermatt, an appropriate alternative transport service is in operation in an extra train from Zermatt to Täsch and separate buses between Täsch and Brig. Guests affected will be informed directly by Railservice Glacier Express as soon as possible.
https://www.glacierexpress.ch/en/menu/services/traffic-information/
Hi everyone,
Not specifically Zermatt related but people currently in Switzerland are things under control at Jungfrau alpine region and no severe rain / rain warnings ?
We are visiting in 8days with an infant and wanted to make sure it’s still safe . We are traveling to Zurich , lucerne , interlaken , Grindelwald / lauterbrunnen, thune , jungfrau , Bern . We’ve cancelled Zermatt for now .
Any guidance will be appreciated.
Nobody will know what weather will be like in 8 days.. Swiss weather fluctuates constantly…
Just come, with no expectations- and be grateful for any sunny days you’ll get…
