Zermatt on a Budget: 5-Day Alpine Adventure

Discover the beauty of the Swiss Alps on a budget-friendly trip to Zermatt.

21 June 2023

A trip to Zermatt, Switzerland on a limited budget is possible, but careful planning is required. Stay in a budget-friendly hostel or apartment close to the town center and explore the stunning Swiss Alps on foot with free hiking trails available. Take advantage of happy hour deals at local bars and restaurants for budget-friendly eating and drinking options.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Arrival and Exploring

Check-in at Hotel Rhodania cozy yet affordable in the perfect location!
Take a stroll through the charming town and admire views of the Matterhorn
Visit the Matterhorn Museum to learn about the history and culture of Zermatt
Indulge in some Swiss chocolate from the Confiserie Schneider or Läderach
Dine at Restaurant Walliserkanne for traditional Swiss cuisine and great alpine vibes

Day 2

Hiking and Hot Springs

Hike to the Riffelsee for stunning views of the Matterhorn reflecting in the water
Relax at the thermal pools of Leukerbad, just a scenic train ride away
Have a picnic lunch with cheese and bread from a local bakery
Walk through the forest to the Stellisee lake for more breathtaking views
Dinner at Papperla Pub for hearty pub food and live music

Day 3

Glaciers and Gondolas

Take the Gornergrat train for panoramic views of the mountains and glaciers
Visit the Glacier Palace and walk through ice tunnels and sculptures
Drink hot cocoa at Restaurant Gornergrat while admiring the scenery
Take the gondola to the Sunnegga Paradise for more hiking or a zip-line adventure
Relax with a traditional Raclette dinner at Chez Vrony

Day 4

Mountain Biking and Fondue

Rent a mountain bike and explore the trails around Zermatt
Stop for a picnic lunch with views of the mountains
Spend the afternoon at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest cable car station in Europe
Try some apricot schnapps at the Glacier Palace bar
Enjoy a classic Swiss fondue dinner at Schäferstube

Day 5

Adventurous Last Day

Try paragliding for a thrilling way to see the valley below
Take the train to the picturesque village of Brig for some souvenir shopping
Visit the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world
Take the cable car to Klein Matterhorn for even more breathtaking views
Enjoy a farewell dinner at underground Z'ART after a day of adventure
No summary paragraph needed just enjoy the memories of your amazing trip to Zermatt!

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Zermatt by plane is to fly to Geneva Airport and take the train or bus to Zermatt. The train journey takes around 3.5 hours and involves changing trains at Visp. Alternatively, you can fly to Zurich Airport and take the train to Zermatt, which takes around 4 hours.

Car

The best way to get to Zermatt by car is to drive to the town of Täsch and park your car there. From Täsch, you can take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train or a taxi to Zermatt. The journey from Täsch to Zermatt takes around 12 minutes by train or 15 minutes by taxi.

Train

The best way to get to Zermatt by train is to take the train to Visp and then change to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train to Zermatt. The journey from Visp takes approximately 1.5 hours and involves a scenic train ride through the mountains.

Boat

There is no direct way to get to Zermatt by boat as the town is located in the mountains. However, you can take a boat from various locations in Switzerland to towns such as Montreux or Thun and then take the train to Zermatt.

Bus