My Way Alpine Europe and the Matterhorn

You can check the train times from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt, but I think it's close to 3 hours each way, with multiple changes. And of course there is no guarantee that it wouldn't be cloud covered by the time you got there.

I’ve been to Switzerland several times and am also signed up to take this tour next year. As much as I love Zermatt, with only 2 full days in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, I think it would be a mistake to take the long day trip to Zermatt. There’s just so much to see in and around Lauterbrunnen.

We’ll be spending a good amount of time on the bus during the tour. I wouldn’t want to spend 6 hours one day on the train.

You don’t have to make any decisions now. You could always decide on the spur of the moment to head to Zermatt if you want. No need to buy tickets in advance in Switzerland.

My priorities for the Switzerland part of the tour are repeats of some of my favorites. Cable car from Wengen to mannlichen and walk to kleine Scheidegg. It’s worth going to mannlichen even if you don’t want to walk to kleine Scheidegg. You can always take the cable car both ways. I love walking down in Lauterbrunnen past the town. You can always take the bus part way.

Another favorite is the walk from Murren down to Gimmelwald, then the cable car back up. Last year I discovered a new favorite. Funicular from Murren to allmendhubel and then walk down to Murren.

You could take a boat ride on Lake Thun or Brienz. Having done both, my favorite is Brienz for the incredible water color.

Of course, there’s the Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch. Having seen both, I much prefer the Schilthorn. But, I’ll be skipping both on this tour as I prefer the walks and scenery at the lower elevations.

Forum member shoe has some great info. on the area:

https://lauterbrunnenhiking.wordpress.com/

Another option is to add a couple of extra nights at the end of the tour and head to Zermatt after Chamonix.

Enjoy the tour. I’m looking forward to mine.

It’s “logistically possible” to do a day trip and get to Zermatt and back but whether the weather cooperates is a coin toss. We were in Zermatt August of 2024 and it was visible all four days we were there, the week before it had been covered in clouds. As others have suggested it would make more sense to take a few days after the tour ended if the Matterhorn is a must see rather than potentially sacrificing seeing the sights in and around Lauterbrunnen which in my opinion are stunning.

I’m signed up for this tour in late June - early July and can’t wait to go. While this will be my first time in Switzerland, I couldn’t imagine veering off to another destination during the tour. The itinerary includes 2 days in the Lauterbrunnen valley for a good reason and I fear it will not be nearly enough time to do all that I want to do in the area alone.
Thank you, Carrie for sharing so much information about the area.

I’ve been on this tour as well as the Best of Switzerland and found so many beautiful hikes and walks and gondola and train rides that going to see the possibly fog-obscured Matterhorn would be a waste of time. I’m with others who suggest if you must go, add a couple days post tour. But realize 50% of the time it’s not visible behind cloud cover.

Thank you everyone who responded. You have all been a great help.

I did this tour a few years ago, I agree with what others have said about all the beautiful things to see and do in/around Lauterbrunnen. When we were in Chamonix, I went up the Aiguille du Midi and the weather was so clear I could see the Matterhorn. I know this isn’t the same as going to Zermatt, but there’s a chance to see it that way….weather depending. It’s a fabulous tour, happy travels!

@thigpen.katie: thanks for that info. Good to keep in mind if and when in Chamonix.