With its proximity to an international airport and the Rhine river, where river cruises run, Basel is a preferred starting point for many people from abroad. From Basel, Zermatt is a popular destination.
Zermatt is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. You’ve probably heard of it. It’s near a famous mountain, the Matterhorn. This car-free mountain village is beautiful. You’ll find it in Valais, one of the southernmost regions of Switzerland.
If you are thinking of taking the train from Basel to Zermatt or the other way around, read on below.
You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.
Getting tickets from RailEurope is definitely a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. A global leader in train tickets and passes, RailEurope is headquartered in Paris, France. A Swiss Pass and a Half Fare Discount Card can also be obtained from RailEurope.
Using the Swiss Pass, you can travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, and more. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
How To Get From Basel To Zermatt by Train
There is no direct train from Basel to Zermatt. It’s easiest to go to Visp and change then to the connecting train to Zermatt, but it’s not the fastest.
You cannot bring your car directly to Zermatt. Zermatt is car-free.
Option 1: Basel Train Station to Zermatt (Easiest)
The easiest way to get from Basel to Zermatt by train is to take the following trains:
- Take the Eurocity/Intercity train from Basel to Visp.
- In Visp, take the train to Zermatt.
Option 2: Basel Train Station to Zermatt
When you can’t board the train that runs directly from Basel to Visp, you can travel via Bern. The following trains will get you there:
- Take the Intercity train from Basel to Bern.
- In Bern, take the Intercity train to Visp.
- In Visp, take the train to Zermatt.
How To Get From Basel EuroAirport To Zermatt by Train
- From Basel Airport, you can take bus that will bring you from Basel EuroAirport to Basel Train Station (Basel, Bahnhof SBB).
- In Basel, take the Intercity train to Bern.
- In Bern, take the Intercity train to Visp.
- In Visp, take the train to Zermatt.
Taking the Eurocity/Intercity from Basel to Visp is also an option.
How to Travel From Zermatt to Basel by Train
There is no direct train from Zermatt to Basel. The easiest and fastest way is to go to Visp, then change to a connecting train. However, this route doesn’t run every hour. That means you’ll probably have to change trains in Bern.
To travel by train from Zermatt to Basel, you will have to take the following trains:
- Take the train from Zermatt to Visp.
- In Visp, take the Intercity train to Bern.
- In Bern, take the Intercity train to Basel.
If the train to Basel is available in Visp, take it.
Is there a direct train from Basel to Zermatt?
As of the time of writing (December 2022), there are no direct trains from Basel to Zermatt.
In Visp, you’ll need to change to a connecting train for Zermatt and vice versa.
How Long Is the Train Ride From Basel to Zermatt?
The following table shows the train ride duration from Basel to Zermatt or the other way around (updated December 2022):
| Route | Duration |
|---|---|
| Basel – Visp – Zermatt | 3 hours 18 minutes |
| Basel – Bern – Visp – Zermatt | 3 hours 18 minutes |
| Basel EuroAirport – Basel – Visp – Zermatt | 3 hours 51 minutes |
| Basel EuroAirport – Basel – Bern – Visp – Zermatt | 3 hours 44 minutes |
| Zermatt – Visp – Basel | 3 hours 19 minutes |
| Zermatt – Visp – Bern – Basel | 3 hours 24 minutes |
| Zermatt – Visp – Basel – Basel EuroAirport | 3 hours 48 minutes |
| Zermatt – Visp – Bern – Basel – Basel EuroAirport | 3 hours 54 minutes |
Is the Train Route From Basel to Zermatt Scenic?
Intercity trains from Basel to Visp are not scenic trains. There are fast trains that travel from one big city to another, whose main purpose is to transport passengers as quickly as possible.
Besides that, the route from Visp to Zermatt is pretty scenic.
How Much Will the Train Ticket From Basel to Zermatt Cost?
As of the time of writing (updated December 2022), here are the train ticket prices from Basel to Zermatt:
| Route | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Basel – Zermatt | 121.00 | 60.50 |
| Basel EuroAirport – Zermatt | 127.00 | 63.50 |
As you can see, if you avail of the Half Fare Travel Card, you can definitely save on your fare for long train journeys. So this is definitely something to consider during your travel to Switzerland. You can do simple calculations and decide from there if it will be worth it for you.
Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?
No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.