The train ride between Interlaken to Zermatt takes about 2 - 2.5 hours depending on which connection you select.

In all cases, you will need to change trains twice, in Spiez and Visp. The transfer times are typically 5- 10 mins and trains can be busy. So you should familiarize yourself with the track numbers before you arrive and move with purpose.

On weekends, these trains can be very busy, particularly between 16:00 - 19:00 when people are traveling to and from their weekend getaways. When checking the schedule on SBB.ch, look for the red people icon next to the train connection. This indicates that they expect the train to be very busy.

Tickets

In 2024, a one way ticket between Interlaken and Zermatt costs CHF 86/adult, 2nd class.

This journey is free with the Swiss Travel Pass, discounted 50% with the Swiss Half Fare Card.

You don't need to book tickets in advance. You can purchase them shortly before your journey at ticket machines, the train ticket office, or on the SBB Mobile app.

Seat reservations

On most regular trains (unlike special panorama trains), it's not necessary to reserve seats. It's usually not difficult to find a seat, unless the train is very busy during commute hours.

But if it's very important that your group sits together, you may want to make a seat reservation. You can do this online a couple days before your trip. Make seat reservations here.

However, on this connection from Interlaken - Zermatt, you would need to make three seat reservations, one for each train on the journey. I find this too much of a hassle. and only for trains that go for at least an hour.

Note that unlike Point-to-Point train tickets that are good any time during the day, the seat reservation is only good for a specific time on that day.

Where to sit

It's not super important which side of the train you sit on during this ride, particularly since you have to change train twice. But here are a few tips, direction Interlaken to Zermatt.

• Interlaken - Spiez: Sit on the right side, which faces the lake.

• Spiez - Visp: Most of the journey is in a tunnel, so it doesn't matter.

• Visp - Zermatt: Both sides are fine, but I slightly prefer the left side of the train.

When to ride

This train ride is easy to include in your itinerary, simply as your transfer from Interlaken to Zermatt.

If you ride in the morning, you could arrive in Zermatt by 10 or 11am, with plenty of time for an afternoon in the mountains. In this case, we would suggest the Gornergrat for the afternoon since it closes later than other mountain transport.

If you ride in the evening, I suggest leaving around 18:00 on weekdays to avoid the worse of the business commute hours.