Can you visit both St. Moritz and Zermatt in one trip?

Yes, beautifully: the Glacier Express runs directly between them in about eight scenic hours, so a classic Swiss itinerary pairs the two with a night or two at each end.

Which is more expensive, St. Moritz or Zermatt?

Both are pricey, but St. Moritz sits at the very top of the Swiss scale, especially in winter and around its events. Zermatt is expensive too, but St. Moritz's grand-hotel glamour pushes it higher.

Town comparison

St. Moritz vs Zermatt: Which Iconic Swiss Resort Is Better?

Two of Switzerland's most famous names, offering different kinds of glamour. Zermatt is the car-free village beneath the Matterhorn, all about that one perfect peak and high-mountain hiking and skiing. St. Moritz is the glittering capital of the Engadine, a string of high lakes, grand hotels, and panoramic trains. Here's how to choose.

St. Moritz

Engadine, Graubünden

Zermatt

Valais

Best forLuxury & glamourFirst-timers who want the icon

Ideal stay3–4 nights2–3 nights

Price level$$$$$$$$$$

Getting thereTrain-friendlyTrain-friendly

Crowds (1–5)4/54/5

Scenery

Food scene

Romance

Family-friendly

Hiking

Value for money

The winner, by traveler type

First-timers

Zermatt

The Matterhorn is the single most iconic mountain in the Alps, and the car-free village is built around the view.

Glamour & grand hotels

St. Moritz

The original luxury resort: belle-époque palaces, designer boutiques, and a scene with no equal in the mountains.

Hikers & high-mountain days

Zermatt

More dramatic high-alpine hiking and skiing straight from the village, all under that one unforgettable peak.

Panoramic trains & the lakes

St. Moritz

The start of both the Bernina and Glacier Express, on a chain of turquoise lakes made for sunny high-valley walks.

St. Moritz guide Zermatt guide

Common questions

Can you visit both St. Moritz and Zermatt in one trip?: Yes, beautifully: the Glacier Express runs directly between them in about eight scenic hours, so a classic Swiss itinerary pairs the two with a night or two at each end.
Which is more expensive, St. Moritz or Zermatt?: Both are pricey, but St. Moritz sits at the very top of the Swiss scale, especially in winter and around its events. Zermatt is expensive too, but St. Moritz's grand-hotel glamour pushes it higher.

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