How to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

At 3,883 m, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise packs in 38 glaciers, 14 peaks, a cinema lounge, and the world’s highest Glacier Palace, a dazzling variety that rewards good planning. Add fast-changing alpine weather into the mix, and planning ahead isn’t optional, it’s the difference between a rushed ride and a rich, seamless experience.

Navigating your way

Glacier Paradise can only be reached via gondola (cable car) from Zermatt, and in peak seasons, queues at the cable car can stretch 30–45 minutes. By pre-booking tickets and knowing your flow, you’ll save time and get the best out of your day.

Start at Täsch

Zermatt is car-free, so if you’re driving, your journey begins at Täsch, the last village accessible by road.
Here, you’ll find over 2,000 covered parking spaces at the Matterhorn Terminal Täsch.
From Täsch, frequent shuttle trains (every 20 minutes, ~12 minutes ride) take you directly to Zermatt, where all Glacier Paradise visits begin.

The gondola ride

First, board the Matterhorn Express gondola in Zermatt, gliding over meadows and villages up to Trockener Steg.
From there, switch to the 3S Matterhorn Glacier Ride, which takes you to the summit station at 3,883 m.
The return route follows the same flow, with panoramic views both ways.

Back in Zermatt

All Glacier Paradise tickets include local bus access, handy for exploring spots like the Sunnegga valley station for hiking and/or Winkelmatten district for old chapels and chalets.
Don’t miss Zermatlantis, the underground Matterhorn Museum; tickets (CHF 12) are sold on-site.

How to time your visit?

Snapshot visit

Duration: 2–3 hours
Route: Zermatt → Glacier Paradise (via gondola) → Viewing Platform → Glacier Palace → Return.
What you get: Fastest way to check off the highlights. Best if you’re day-tripping, you still get the big-ticket sights without losing half a day.

Half-day visit

Duration: 4–5 hours
Route: Täsch (shuttle) → Zermatt → Glacier Paradise → Viewing Platform & Glacier Palace → Alpine Lunch → Return.
What you get: Easier start coupled with more time at the summit station, capped off with comfort food so you can savor the atmosphere without rushing.

Full-day immersion

Duration: 13 hours
Route: Geneva (AC bus, 5 hrs) → Zermatt → Glacier Paradise → Cinema Lounge → Viewing Platform & Glacier Palace → Explore Zermatt village → Optional Paragliding → Return to Geneva.
What you get: A complete alpine adventure that is multi-layered with summit station highlights and adventure activities.

Handy tips

Book in advance: Cable car queues at Zermatt can reach 30–60min in peak summer (July–Aug) and ski season (Dec–Feb). Pre-book tickets 3–5 days ahead to skip lines and secure preferred times, especially if weather is uncertain.
Insider flow: Arrive early (8:30–9:30am) at the Zermatt gondola to beat crowds. Stop mid-station at Trockener Steg or Schwarzsee to explore trails without backtracking.
Timing matters: April-May is a tricky time to visit the station, snow is inconsistent and summer hiking trails may be closed. To gain the best winter or summer experiences, try booking in Dec–Feb or July–Aug respectively.
Skiing & snow activities: Start at Sunnegga. Lessons are essential to avoid injury. Summit Ski School offers English-speaking instructors, equipment rental, and safe slope guidance.
Weather matters: Alpine weather changes rapidly. Use the Matterhorn App for live updates on lift operations, snow conditions, and visibility.

Explore Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Viewing platform

Spot peaks across three nations (Italy, France, & Switzerland) using telescopes and about them in detail through info-panels.

Step onto the viewing deck

Glacier Palace

Walk inside a glacier, see natural and man-made ice-sculptures, and enjoy the smooth ice slide.

Explore the ice palace

Cinema lounge

Watch short films about Zermatt, Matterhorn climbs, and Alpine life.

Summit restaurant

Enjoy meals at 3,883 m overlooking the Matterhorn and surrounding Alps.

Before you get there

👉 Timings

👉 Location

👉 Weather

Know before you book your Glacier Paradise tickets

Booking the right ticket can shape your entire Glacier Paradise experience. From how much time you’ll spend at the summit to whether you need to factor in parking or meal stops, it pays to know the details before you buy. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Standard tickets: Include round-trip cable car to the summit with access to Glacier Palace, Cinema Lounge, and the viewing platform.
Premium extras: Crystal gondola rides, lunch at the summit restaurant, skiing, and hiking activities are not included and must be booked on-site.
Combine with Gornergrat: While Glacier Paradise offers a comprehensive summit experience, pairing your visit with Gornergrat gives you access to Europe's highest open-air cogwheel train in one day.
Starting point tip: Booking a full-day trip from Geneva avoids Täsch shuttle hassles and Zermatt car restrictions.
Travel pass savings: Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card cuts costs up to 50% and covers Glacier & Bernina Express (valid 3–30 days).

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ticket types explained

Ticket type	What’s included	Best for	Price range
Standard tickets	Cable car ride + Glacier Palace + viewing platform + cinema lounge access	Budget-friendly alpine experience	From CHF 109
Direct transfers from Täsch	Cable car ride + Glacier Paradise highlights + shuttle transfers from Täsch	Hassle-free start, no juggling Zermatt car restrictions	From CHF 127
Combo with Gornergrat	Cable car to Glacier Paradise with its highlights + cogwheel train to Gorngerat peak at 3,089m	Maximum exploration in a day	From CHF 235
Day trip from Geneva	Round-trip AC coach from Geneva to Zermatt + cable car to Glacier Paradise (all highlights included)	Variety of experiences in a day, from countryside views to summit highlights	From CHF 324
Paragliding experience	25-minute tandem paragliding experience with a pro-pilot	Adventure seekers, best experienced as an add-on to day-trip or std tickets	From CHF 300

Glacier Paradise timings & best time to visit

Attraction	Timings	Last entry
Glacier Paradise	9am – 4pm	3:30pm
Glacier Palace	9am – 3:30pm	3pm
Cinema lounge	9am – 3:30pm	3pm
Viewing platform	8:30am – 4pm	3:30pm

Best time to visit

Weekday vs weekend

The best time to visit is early in the morning before 10am, when skies are clearest and cable cars less crowded. Weekends see heavier traffic as against weekdays, particularly Tuesdays to Thursdays, are your best bet for fewer crowds.

Peak season vs low season

Peak crowds arrive in July–August (summer holidays) and December–February (ski season). For a calmer visit with fewer queues, target April–May or late September–October.

Note: All attractions at the Glacier Paradise are open daily subject to weather conditions.

Check detailed schedule here →

Where is Glacier Paradise located

Address: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Talstation Matterhorn Express, Schluhmattstrasse 121, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland

Find on maps

Closest landmark: Gornergrat Railway Station (1 km from Zermatt station, offering another famous mountain viewpoint)

How to get to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

By public transport

Train: Take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn from Brig or Visp to Zermatt (30-min intervals)

Taxi/Shuttle: From Täsch, reach Zermatt in 10 minutes by electric taxi or hotel shuttle

Cable Car: From Zermatt’s Matterhorn Express station, ride via Furi and Trockener Steg to Glacier Paradise (45 minutes)

By car

Matterhorn Terminal Täsch: Located directly at the shuttle station, offering the most convenient access

Taxi Fredy parking: About a 5-minute walk from the shuttle station

Parking Schaller: Next to the railway station, with approximately a 1–2 minute walk to the shuttle platform

Find directions to the summit station →

Facilities

Clothing & gear rental: Forgot gloves or a jacket? The summit shop stocks alpine clothing basics, including gloves, scarves, and sunglasses. Ski and snowboard rentals are available down in Zermatt and Trockener Steg, not at the summit.
Medical facilities: The summit station has an emergency room equipped with oxygen and first-aid for altitude sickness. Staff are trained for mountain emergencies, and air-rescue service Air Zermatt is based in the valley below.
Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available in the summit station, Glacier Palace entrance, and Matterhorn Restaurant. Mobile networks (Swisscom, Sunrise) have strong coverage, though signal on open decks may fluctuate in storms.

Accessibility

General facilities

All Zermatt–Trockener Steg–Glacier Paradise stations have lifts, wide-entry gondolas, barrier-free restrooms, and trained staff.
Accessibility support can be requested at the Zermatt base station.

For visitors with physical disabilities

Cables are wheelchair-accessible with level boarding.
The Glacier Palace features ramps and smooth ice walkways, though assistance may be required on slippery surfaces.
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available at the summit and mid-stations.

For visitors with hearing impairments

No dedicated sign-language tours are currently offered.
The Cinema Lounge at the summit uses visual displays rather than spoken commentary.

For visitors with visual impairments

While no tactile tours or braille materials are officially provided, staff are available to offer escort assistance from base to summit on request.
The Cinema Lounge supports audio-visual content, and the panoramic platforms feature secure railings with high-contrast markings to aid navigation.

Note: Accessibility support should be arranged in advance via the Zermatt Bergbahnen booking desk or on-site help desks at the Zermatt base station.

Visiting with family

Baby & toddler amenities: Baby changing facilities are available at the Trockener Steg and summit stations.
Stroller access: Cable cars and stations are stroller-friendly (however, families with kids under 3 are allowed to travel only up to Trockener Steg), with elevators and level boarding. Zermatt shops stock baby essentials and stroller rentals.
Kid-friendly highlights: Older kids will love the Glacier Palace with its ice tunnels and sculptures, the Cinema Lounge with immersive mountain films, and telescopes at the 360° platform to spot peaks like Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
Medical services: Emergency first aid is available at Trockener Steg and the summit; Zermatt itself has a well-equipped medical center (Bahnhofstrasse, 10 minutes from station).

Rules & restrictions

Age & altitude: Children under 3 are not permitted on summit gondolas due to oxygen levels at 3,883m. For ages 3–5, visits should be short, with acclimatization stops at Trockener Steg.
Bags & luggage: Only small backpacks and handbags are allowed on gondolas; large suitcases and bulky ski bags must be checked in at Zermatt base or carried via ski transport passes.
Food & drinks: Bringing snacks is permitted, but large picnics are discouraged inside the station buildings. Hot food and alcohol are not allowed in gondolas for safety reasons.
Pets: Dogs are allowed on the gondolas with a half-fare ticket (common Swiss rail rule), but they must remain leashed. Access to the Glacier Palace is not recommended for pets due to slippery ice floors.
Drones: Flying drones is strictly prohibited at the summit and in Zermatt without a special permit, in line with Swiss aviation regulations.
Weather closures: In strong winds or whiteouts, the final gondola to the summit may close. In such cases, tickets are still valid for Trockener Steg (2,939m), which offers panoramic views, restaurants, and snow sports.
Safety: Walking outside marked decks is prohibited. Temperatures at the summit can drop below –15 °C in winter; visitors must dress appropriately.

Dress essentials

Wear layered clothing; temperatures are often below freezing.
Sunglasses & sunscreen are essential due to glare from snow.
Sturdy shoes with grip for icy walkways.
Windproof jackets & gloves are recommended even in summer.

Where to shop & eat

Shop

Summit gift shop sells Swiss souvenirs, snow gear, and Matterhorn keepsakes.

Eat

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Restaurant – Fondue, rösti, and views at 3,883 m.
Zermatt village cafés – Pastries, coffee, and après-ski vibes.

Where to stay

Matterhorn Focus Design hotel: ~10 minutes’ walk from the cable car station, design-focused hotel with spa and Matterhorn views.
Europe Hotel & Spa: ~8 minutes’ walk from the cable car station, modern comfort with alpine touches and wellness facilities.
Hotel Bristol Zermatt: ~12 minutes’ walk from the cable car station, centrally located, family-run hotel with easy access to the Matterhorn Express.

Insider tips

Arrive early (8:30am): The first gondolas often run almost empty, letting you bypass queues and capture clear views before milky skies set in.
Use webcams: Check live summit/webcam feeds before heading up, some guests say even a cloudy vista at Zermatt can clear by Trockener Steg.
Matterhorn App = must-have: Real-time lift updates, weather alerts, and route closures help you adjust plans on the fly.
Split your ascent: Pause at Trockener Steg; many visitors say clouds clear later and stopping here gives time to adapt to altitude.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Absolutely. Even in summer, the summit offers snow activities, ice sculptures, and panoramic views. It’s also cooler than the valley, making it a refreshing escape.