Matterhorn

I took the train from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt for the "classic" view of the Matterhorn. RS book has a very informative section on Zermatt & how to get closer to the Matterhorn.

You can't drive to Zermatt. You have to take a train for the last miles up the hill. Also, before you go, check the weather. The Matterhorn is frequently socked in by clouds.

Given the choice between the Lauterbrunnen Valley and surrounding Alpine Villages including the Jungfrau and Schilthorn - or going to see Zermatt and the Matterhorn... Lauterbrunnen Valley area wins by a landslide. I was very unimpressed when I finally saw the Matterhorn. Had I not been to the LV on previous occasions, maybe Zermatt would have had a greater appeal. But it's just too touristy, glitzy, bar-hopping and tourist-packed for me.

Jimmy, for the Matterhorn, Zermatt is where you want to be. Zermatt itself is car-free, so you leave your car in.....(Tosh, if I recall the name of the town) then take train into Zermatt. Zermatt is a very pretty mountain village, pedestrian friendly, and I loved just wandering around the town, etc. I ski, so took the cable car up, spent the day skiing and was able to take some amazing pics of the Matterhorn from many vantage points on the slopes. Lauterbrunnen is in the Jungfrau region. Lauterbrunnen is where Schilthorn/Piz Gloria is located (don't miss that; take the cable up to the peek, you get out and get to enjoy frightful, in a good way,!, head spinning Alpine views that seem to go on forever), whereas Zermatt is much further South, near the Italian border. Skiing in Zermatt was an amazing experience I'll never forget, BUT, that said, if you are pressed for time, and you've enjoyed the Bernese Oberland/Jungfrau region, you PROB could bypass Zermatt on this particular trip. I had the time, so did both areas, but forced to pick THE quintessential Alpine experience, I'd go with the Jungfrau region, which is breathtakinly beautiful NO exageration! IF you do end up in Zermatt, a great, reasonable hotel option is Hotel Romantica Zermatt (link: http://www.reconline.ch/romantica/)- not "luxurious," but very clean and comfortable, rustic atmosphere, etc., as opposed to some of the true luxury hotels in Zermatt which would run you MANY hundreds of $$ per night.

Ditto with what Lawrenece wrote. Zermatt is very expensive but the best place to see this mountain. I was fortunate to scale it, with our guide of course. A very long day/night to say the least. And very mentally/physically demanding. Hundreds attempt this climb daily (in peak season). Most with a guide which increases your chances of success greatly.

According to www.viamichelin.com the shortest route is 170 km and takes 3.5 hours each way. They calculate the cost each way at about €45.