The Glacier Express across the snowy Alps
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz
Zermatt to Andermatt
Zermatt and Andermatt sit about 92 km (57 mi) apart in a straight line, with Andermatt to the north-east. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz itinerary, a 7-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 92 km · 57 mi
- Est. road distance
- 111–129 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 30 min – 2 h 30 min
- Direction
- Heading north-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By train
Our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz itinerary is planned around rail, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.
By car
Driving is an estimated 111–129 km (69–80 mi) and 1 h 30 min – 2 h 30 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.
The Glacier Express takes about 8 hours from Zermatt to St. Moritz: roughly 3 hours to Andermatt and 5 more to St. Moritz. Seat reservations with a supplement are required, and a Swiss Travel Pass covers the fare but not the reservation. Zermatt is car-free; drivers park in Täsch and take the 12-minute shuttle train. Zurich airport is about 3.5 hours by train from both Zermatt (via Visp) and St. Moritz (via Chur); regional Matterhorn Gotthard and Rhaetian Railway trains cover the same line without reservations.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Andermatt
Snowy village at the Gotthard crossroads; 1-2 nights for Gemsstock and the Oberalp line.
Gemsstock
Cable cars climb from the village to 2,961 m, serving steep north-facing runs and a viewing platform over the Alps.
Oberalp Pass
Pass at 2,044 m between Uri and Graubünden; the road shuts in winter but trains keep running through the snow.
Teufelsbrücke
The Devil's Bridge spans the Reuss in the Schöllenen Gorge, a short way below Andermatt on the old Gotthard route.
The Chedi Andermatt
Five-star hotel in timber and stone with a large spa, a short walk from the station and the Gemsstock lift.
Nätschen
Sunny ski area and railway halt on the Oberalp line above Andermatt, part of the linked SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun.
Urseren cross-country trails
Groomed cross-country ski trails run along the flat floor of the Urseren valley from Andermatt toward Hospental and Realp.
Before you leave Zermatt
Car-free village under the Matterhorn; 2-3 nights for Gornergrat and the high lifts.
Gornergrat Railway
Rack railway running since 1898 from Zermatt to Gornergrat at 3,089 m, with the Matterhorn in view for much of the climb.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Europe's highest cable-car station at 3,883 m on the Klein Matterhorn, with a glacier palace and summit viewing platform.
Matterhorn Museum
Underground museum built as a reconstructed old village, telling the story of the 1865 first ascent and Zermatt's climbing history.
On this curated route
Where Zermatt → Andermatt sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Andermatt to Zermatt is the same 92 km in a straight line, heading south-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in January, when Andermatt averages highs 3°C cooler than Zermatt. Over a year, Andermatt gets about 520 mm more rain.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zermatt high | -2° | -1° | 2° | 7° | 12° | 17° | 19° | 18° | 14° | 10° | 4° | -1° |
| Andermatt high | -4° | -4° | 0° | 4° | 10° | 15° | 17° | 16° | 12° | 7° | 1° | -3° |
| Zermatt rain | 63 | 50 | 63 | 70 | 109 | 97 | 96 | 99 | 68 | 72 | 91 | 68 |
| Andermatt rain | 74 | 66 | 87 | 111 | 162 | 163 | 156 | 181 | 120 | 122 | 133 | 89 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Andermatt month guides.
Zermatt to Andermatt: questions travelers ask
How far is Zermatt from Andermatt?
Zermatt is about 92 km (57 mi) from Andermatt in a straight line, with Andermatt to the north-east. By road, we estimate 111–129 km (69–80 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Zermatt to Andermatt?
An estimated 1 h 30 min – 2 h 30 min, assuming 111–129 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.
Which itineraries include the trip from Zermatt to Andermatt?
Our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz itinerary includes this leg. Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz runs about 7 days across 3 stops, best in Dec – Mar.
Onward from Andermatt
- Andermatt to St. Moritz 97 km
Guides for both ends
- Zermatt travel guide
- Zermatt weather best time to visit
- Andermatt travel guide
- Andermatt weather best time to visit
Andermatt by month
Plan Zermatt → Andermatt with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.