Niklaus and Zermatt was closed to automobiles in 1931. Thirty years later, citizens voted to uphold the ban. Instead, there's something like a park and ride facility. Visitors to Zermatt have to leave their cars in T?sch, five kilometers downhill, and transfer to a train that runs every twenty minutes.

Zermatt has been car-free since long before it was a modern trend, primarily to preserve its pristine Alpine air and the iconic view of the Matterhorn. The ban on internal combustion engines was formalized by a vote of the local citizens in 1961, though the village was essentially unreachable by car for much of its history due to the rugged terrain. By banning private gasoline and diesel vehicles, the town has effectively eliminated smog and significant noise pollution, ensuring that the "crisp mountain air" tourists expect remains a reality. Today, the only motorized vehicles allowed within the village are small, whisper-quiet electric shuttles and taxis, as well as horse-drawn carriages. Visitors must park their cars in the nearby village of Täsch and take a 12-minute shuttle train to reach Zermatt, maintaining the town’s unique, tranquil atmosphere.