Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, from Zermatt to Cervinia by cable car

What it is

The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing is the passage from Switzerland to Italy over the glaciers, all by cable car. You leave Zermatt, go up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at 3,883 m, and from there the Matterhorn Glacier Ride II, opened on 1 July 2023, crosses in about four minutes to Testa Grigia, on the border, at about 3,480 m. Then you go down on the Italian side's installations, via Laghi Cime Bianche and Plan Maison, to Breuil-Cervinia, in the Aosta Valley. It is the highest cable-car crossing of the Alps in existence, and throughout the journey you have the Matterhorn beside you.

The journey

1. Zermatt – Furi – Trockener Steg. You leave from the Matterhorn Express station, south of the village.
2. Trockener Steg – Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. The Matterhorn Glacier Ride I climbs over the Theodul Glacier to the Klein Matterhorn. At the top you have the viewing platform, the ice palace and the Cinema Lounge, included in the ticket.
3. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Testa Grigia. The Glacier Ride II covers 363 m of altitude difference in about four minutes. At Testa Grigia, in summer, the ticket includes the Plateau Rosa SnowXperience, a snow area to play in.
4. Testa Grigia – Cervinia. You go down by cable car on the Italian side to Breuil-Cervinia.

Allow half a day to go from village to village with stops at the top. If you return to Zermatt the same day, allow the whole day.

Prices

Zermatt Bergbahnen tickets distinguish winter (1 November to 30 April) and summer (1 May to 31 October). From Zermatt to Cervinia, single, costs CHF 127.50 in winter and CHF 138 in summer; return, CHF 208 and CHF 276. Only as far as Testa Grigia, return, CHF 151 in winter and CHF 220 in summer. From the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to Cervinia, single, CHF 63.50 and CHF 69.

The single ticket is valid for two days and the return for ten, so you can sleep in Cervinia and return another day. It also includes the local Zermatt bus.

Discounts, children and dogs

With the Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or GA travelcard you get a 50% discount, but only on the Swiss section, between Zermatt and Testa Grigia; the Italian section is paid in full. Children aged 3 to 8 travel free and those aged 9 to 15 pay half. Children under 3 cannot go up beyond Trockener Steg, because of the altitude. Groups of 20 or more get a 20% discount. Dogs travel free; in Italy they must be on a lead and muzzled.

Documents

Take your DNI or passport. You cross a border and, besides, the company asks for an official document with your date of birth to apply the age discounts.

When to go and closures

It runs all year, but closes for maintenance: from 7 September to 23 October 2026 and from 7 January to 26 February 2027, according to the Cervinia tourism website. Check the dates before planning your trip. In strong wind or storm the high cable cars stop: check the forecast and the state of the installations on the morning of your departure, and go up early, when there is usually less cloud.

Altitude and clothing

You will spend a while above 3,800 m. It is normal to notice breathlessness, headache or dizziness; move slowly and go down if you feel unwell. Take winter clothing even in July, sunglasses and sun cream: there is snow up there all year.

With children

With children it works thanks to the ice palace, summer snow and changing country by cable car. Remember that children under 3 cannot go beyond Trockener Steg and keep an eye on how the others cope with the altitude: if anyone feels dizzy, go down.