Question about Zermatt, Switzerland
 

Has anyone been to Zermatt? We will be there in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if it was necessary or possible to purchase tickets for the Gornergrat Bahn train or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car?

Yes, it is necessary unless you want to hike up to the viewpoints. I assume you really mean is it possible/necessary to buy them in advance, right?

I've been several times and my immediate response would be to wait until you get there. Why? because there are times when the peak is shrouded in clouds but the weather is more clear in the village itself.

The Gornergrat has a live cam feed in its waiting room so you can "see" the view up above before you buy tickets.

Not necessary to go thru pains of buying in advance - I think there are no reserved seats for individuals but for groups - not sure but these type of trains to mountain tops always seem to put more trains/cars on to meet demand - like dukey1 says just buy the ticket when you want to go - there are usually no long lines, etc.

For lots of great info on Swiss mountain trains, regular trains and lifts, etc in that area and around Switzerland I always spotlight these IMO superb sources: www.swisstravelesytem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com. If you have a Swiss Pass it should give you 50% off I think - ditto for half-Fare Card and Swiss Card (which offers everything Half-Fare Card does but more and can be a better all around deal than the half-Fare Card.

In Zermatt check hotels for having some kind of discount travel card for local conveyances.

Cards and passes do absolutely nothing to guarantee good weather.

Everybody buy the tickets to Gornergrat, Kleinmatterhorn, Sunnegga-Oberrothhorn, Scharzsee, etc. just before boarding the train/cablecar/gondola. If there are too many people for 1 train (usually after the arrival of a train from Visp), the company adds a second one which will start about 2 min after the first one, etc......
BTW: there are excellent hiking trails from Zermatt to Gornergrat, Schwarzsee, Trockener Steg, Sunnegga, Oberrothorn too

Thank you everyone for your replies. Yes, I meant was it necessary to purchase in advance. Glad you all figured that out! I am happy I don't have to worry about buying them in advance.