A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Zurich vs. Zermatt for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Zurich or Zermatt?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Zermatt. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Zurich or Zermatt?

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

Zermatt

Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.

Which city is cheaper, Zermatt or Zurich?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $211, while the average daily cost in Zermatt is $178. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zurich and Zermatt in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $133
    Zermatt $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $266
    Zermatt $200
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Zermatt

Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Zermatt? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Zurich


Hotels in Zermatt


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zurich Hotel Prices and Zermatt Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $28
    Zermatt $42
Typical Local Transportation prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Train Station to Zurich Airport ZRH: $9.41
  • Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Train Station to Zurich City Centre: $9.41
  • Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Zurich City Centre to Train Station: $9.41
  • Ultra - Davos Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Davos: $9.41
  • Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to City Centre: $9.41
  • Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Zurich Airport ZRH: $9.41
  • Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Train Station: $9.41
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport to Hotel: $31
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Zurich Airport: $31
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Zurich Airport: $39
  • Private Departure Transfer from Zurich City to ZRH Zurich Airport: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer from ZRH Zurich Airport to Zurich City: $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:

  • Airport Transfer to Zermatt or vice versa: $1,078
  • Airport Transfer Zermatt to Geneva or vice versa: $1,219

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Zermatt?

Prices for flights to both Zermatt and Zurich change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zurich $49
    Zermatt $45
Typical Food prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.

  • Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner: $154
  • Overnight Mount Titlis including 4-course dinner: $545

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $28
    Zermatt $45

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • Zurich Private Tour: Albert Einstein Old Town Exploration Game: $7.45
  • Historical Zürich: An audio tour through the city of a thousand fountains: $9.99
  • Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket: $16
  • Museum Rietberg Zurich Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $27
  • Shopping and History Tour of Zurich: $30
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: $30
  • Zürich Historic District Tour: $30
  • Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich: $36
  • Zurich Highlights Tour: $40
  • Zurich City Tour Experience: $40
  • Zurich Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $45

Tours and Activities in Zermatt

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:

  • Standard Flight Experience with Matterhorn View from Zermatt: $261
  • Zermatt Village plus Mt. Gornergrat Private Tour: $305
  • The best of Zermatt walking tour: $496
  • Guided tour “Love stories of Zermatt”: $496
  • Zermatt and Gornergrat Private Day Tour: $512

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $23
    Zermatt $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Zurich: $29

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Zermatt, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Zermatt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zermatt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zermatt and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Zermatt.


When is the best time to visit Zurich or Zermatt?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Zurich or Zermatt in the Summer?

Both Zermatt and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zurich is generally around the same temperature as Zermatt. Temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Zermatt stays around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Zermatt. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zermatt during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. In July, Zurich usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zurich 21°C (70°F) 
    Zermatt 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Zermatt in the Autumn?

Both Zermatt and Zurich during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Zurich is cooler than Zermatt in the autumn. The temperature in Zurich is usually 13°C (56°F) in October, and Zermatt stays around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Zermatt. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 152 hours of full sun.

Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Zermatt. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zurich 13°C (56°F) 
    Zermatt 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Zermatt in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Zermatt. Most visitors come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Zermatt can be very cold. Zurich can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Zurich is much colder than Zermatt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January are around 3°C (37°F), and Zermatt is about 5°C (41°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Zermatt during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zermatt. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zurich 3°C (37°F) 
    Zermatt 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Zermatt in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Zermatt. The spring months attract visitors to Zurich because of the natural beauty.

In April, Zurich is generally cooler than Zermatt. Temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Zermatt stays around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Zermatt. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Zermatt. Zurich usually gets less rain in April than Zermatt. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zurich 12°C (53°F) 
    Zermatt 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Zermatt and Zurich

Zurich Zermatt
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 5°C (41°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 6°C (44°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 17°C (62°F) 194 mm (7.6 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (69°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)


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Zurich vs. Zermatt Travel Comparison

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