Switzerland has one of the most evolved national integrated transport systems in the world and it runs like clockwork, which is not surprising as it’s run by the Swiss!
Zermatt’s remote location has motivated development of a unique transport infrastructure which ensures reliable communication with the outside world.
At the heart of this is the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn mountain railway which links Visp in the valley to the centre of Zermatt.
No fewer than four international airports serve Zermatt:
Zurich-Kloten is both headquarters of the flag carrier, Swiss International Airlines, and an intercontinental hub into which there are regular flights from most of the word’s major cities. There are also good services from many of Europe’s capitals. Kloten has excellent road links and there is a mainline train station within the airport confines.
This blog post details the options for travelling from Zurich to Zermatt.
Geneva-Cointrin is best known for its UK ski charter flights and as Easyjet’s Swiss headquarters. Geneva is also served by a number of intercontinental routes, particularly from the USA. Like Zurich, there are excellent road communications with the rest of Switzerland, as well as neighbouring France, and there is a mainline train station adjoining the airport terminal.
This blog post details the best options for travelling from Geneva to Zermatt.
Basel-Mulhouse 'EuroAirport' is on Switzerland’s northern border with France and Germany and is another major Easyjet European hub. Often overlooked, it can be a cheaper high season alternative for visitors from Europe. Sitting on an international crossroads, road links are again good and access to the city’s mainline train station is by a frequent shuttle bus.
Milano-Malpensa is another less obvious choice for coming to Zermatt but as northern Italy’s principal intercontinental hub, it is served by many of the world’s major carriers as well as the ubiquitous Easyjet. Located far to the north west of the city, Malpensa has good road access to the Simplon pass and road tunnel through to Brig in Switzerland and from there, up to Zermatt close by.
From Europe
Conveniently situated on the main lines from Geneva and Bern through to Italy, Visp is easily reached by train from nearly everywhere in Europe, including the UK on the Eurostar and TGV via Paris and Geneva or Lausanne. From Visp, it is about an hour’s ride on the cog railway up to Zermatt through beautiful Alpine countryside.
The famous Glacier Express starts in St Moritz and terminates in Zermatt. Passing through the City of Chur and then Andermatt, this exceptional train journey ranks among the most dramatic in the Europe and provides for a useful connection between two of Switzerland’s most well known winter sports centres.
From an airport
The stations at Geneva and Zurich airports form part of the main national railway network and provide for a quick and efficient link to Zermatt with just one change of train at Visp. Every day, including Christmas, from early in the morning to late afternoon, there is at least one service every hour and more often than not, two.
The journey time is about 3.30 hours from Zurich and 4 hours from Geneva and with the generous discounted fares available to foreign visitors who book in advance, it can be the most pleasurable and economic way of transferring from airport to resort.
Basel airport has an efficient shuttle bus bringing passengers from outside the terminal building to the main rail station in the city centre. The shuttle takes about 15-20 minutes and for much of the day there is a twice-hourly train service through to Zermatt, with just one change at Visp. The train journey takes about 3 hours 40 minutes.
Rail tickets online
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Since the abolition of the Swiss Transfer Ticket we recommend that you contact us directly to help with arranging your Swiss rail travel at the best price possible.
You can also travel by train from the UK. Find out more train travel from the UK to Zermatt here.
Perhaps Zermatt’s greatest charm is that there are no private cars in the resort. You leave one of the most stressful aspects of normal life in the valley and can concentrate on enjoying your holiday. In the village, everyone gets about by electric taxi or bus, bicycle or on foot.
Park your car
There are extensive parking facilities in the neighbouring village of Täsch which acts as Zermatt’s gateway and is the next stop down the railway line. Apart from the main Matterhorn Terminal which adjoins the station for the frequent shuttle train up to Zermatt, there are several private car parking garages which also provide a taxi service up to the outskirts of the resort.
The road between Visp and Täsch is well maintained and rarely disrupted by snow in the winter. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes by car although during the high season at weekends, it can be longer due to the weight of traffic.
Find out about electric car chargers in Zermatt.
Airport taxi transfers to Zermatt
As the Täsch taxi companies are authorized to use the restricted single track road to Zermatt, this can be the quickest practical way of getting from airport to resort.
A private limousine or minibus meets you off your flight and drives you to the outskirts of Zermatt itself, from where an electro-taxi takes you to your chalet or hotel.
Typical journey times are 2.45 hours from Geneva or an hour longer from Zurich airport, while Sion airport is about an hour away.
The road transfer from Milano-Malpensa however takes 3.15 hours and is considerably less costly although you will have to change vehicles at Täsch for the final leg of the journey up to Zermatt.
The very quickest transfer is by helicopter. With flight times to Zermatt of about 45 minutes from Geneva and an hour from Zurich, this is certainly the best way to get to the mountains in a hurry!
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