Getting There
Traveling To Zermatt By Plane
The closest international airports to Zermatt are Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Bern, Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate. Each of the airports are roughly the same distance from Zermatt and the journey times are between 3 and 4 hours by train, or car transfer. There is also an option to take a helicopter transfer which takes a fraction of the time from each location. Don’t be put off by the time it takes to get to Zermatt by train as the journey from each of the locations is absolutely stunning. Along the way you will be able to see some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet and of course when you reach your destination of Zermatt, you will feel like you have arrived in paradise.
For private plane arrival, there is an airport in Sion which is just 40 minutes by car or 10 minutes by helicopter transfer.
Traveling To Zermatt By Train
Each of the International airports in Switzerland has a train station located directly underneath the airport. Switzerland also has one of the most sophisticated train systems in the world making getting to Zermatt by train very easy indeed.
For the Swiss full Swiss Train timetable click on these links:
- Train Times in English
- Les horaires des trains en français
- Zug mal auf Deutsch
- Orari dei treni in italiano
If you are travelling from either of the Milan Airports, you will have to take either a taxi or bus to Milan Centrale Train Station. You should give yourself roughly an hour for this transfer. From here the journey is easy to Zermatt with just one change in Brig.
Transfer Times For The Main Points Of Access Are As Follows:
| Transfer | By Train | By Car |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 3:35 | 4:15 |
| Geneva | 3:45 | 2:45 |
| Basel | 3:14 | 4:00 |
| Milan Malpensa | 4:00 | 2:45 |
| Milan Linate | 4:00 | 3:20 |
| Sion | 2:00 | 1:15 |
| Paris | 6.00 | - |
| Frankfurt | 6.00 | - |
Top Tips For Value
The Swiss Transfer Ticket available from SBB offers the most cost effective way of getting to Zermatt by rail. You can save up to 30% on your journey. The return fare to and from any train station to Zermatt is approximately CHF 141 second class and CHF226.00 first class.
The Swiss Family Pass is a great value option if you are travelling with children up to the age of 16. It must be booked in advance online to avail of the discounts.
If you plan on travelling within Switzerland or come on a regular basis then it is worth while buying a Half Price Card where you can avail of a 50% discount on all your journeys.
Top Tips For Speed To Zermatt
The two most convenient airports to arrive with the most frequent access to Zermatt are Zurich and Geneva airports. In the high season there are two trains per hour from each Airport with one connection at Visp to Zermatt.
Top Tip For Comfort
The trains departing from Zurich are more comfortable and luxurious then the Geneva trains. They also offer a dining car and snacks and drinks throughout your journey.
Please contact our concierge Julie with your arrival times and we will ensure you are met at the Zermatt Main Station and brought smoothly and directly to your chalet or apartment.
Arriving By Helicopter
Without a doubt the quickest and most exhilarating way to get to Zermatt is by helicopter transfer. Please contact Julie to make arrangements.
The approximate cost and flying times are as follows
| Airport | Flying Time | Cost Single Engine(5 pax) | Cost Twin Engine(7 pax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 60 Mins | CHF 6’140.00 | CHF 10’130.00 |
| Geneva | 45 Mins | CHF 5’060.00 | CHF 8’350.00 |
| Sion | 15 Mins | CHF 1’630.00 | CHF 2’690.00 |
| Basel | 70 Mins | CHF 6’580.00 | CHF 10’860.00 |
| Bern | 35 Mins | CHF 3’620.00 | CHF 5’970.00 |
| Milan Malpensa | 30 Mins | CHF 3’450.00 | CHF 5’650.00 |
| Milan Linate | 45 Mins | CHF 5,050.00 | CHF 8’300.00 |
Arriving By Taxi Or Limousine
Another good way of getting to Zermatt is by Limousine. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to 4 hours travelling time from each of the main Swiss International airports. In the case of Geneva it is the fastest way to get to Zermatt. It is important to note that only the local taxi and limousine companies are allowed to drive all the way to Zermatt. All other companies can only go as far as Täsch. And from here you will have to take a train or local taxi for the last 15 minutes.
In each case when you arrive at the airport, your chauffeur will be waiting for you just outside of the customs area with your name clearly printed so that you can meet your driver easily.
The approximate costs from the main airports are as follows:
| Airport | Estate | Minivan | Minibus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basel | CHF 950 | CHF 1050 | CHF 1200 |
| Bern-Belp | CHF 750 | CHF 850 | CHF 1000 |
| Geneva | CHF 850 | CHF 950 | CHF 1100 |
| Milano Linate | CHF 950 | CHF 1050 | CHF 1200 |
| Milano Malpensa | CHF 900 | CHF 1000 | CHF 1150 |
| Lugano-Agno | CHF 950 | CHF 1050 | CHF 1200 |
| Sion | CHF 400 | CHF 480 | CHF 600 |
| Torino | CHF 1000 | CHF 1100 | CHF 1250 |
| Zürich | CHF 950 | CHF 1050 | CHF 1200 |
Our concierge department at Exceptional Villas will organise all the details for you ensuring a seamless journey all the way to Zermatt as well as an electro taxi from the outskirts of the village to your chalet or apartment.
Please contact Julie to arrange all the details.
Arriving By Self Drive
Zermatt is a car free village with limited car parking but all visitors can avail of good car parking facilities at Tasch. If you are planning to drive your own car, it is important to note that you can only drive as far as the village of Tasch. From here you will have to take a shuttle train or taxi to Zermatt. The trains from Tasch go every 20 minutes and take 12 minutes to get to Zermatt.
Times Of Last Trains
When planning your trip to Zermatt it is very important to take note of the times of the last trains and first trains to Zermatt. You should double check these on the SBB timetable Train Times in English or ask our concierge Julie who will be delighted to provide you will all the necessary information. Should you be arriving late in the day a very good option is to take a train to Visp and a taxi to Zermatt from there we can organise a taxi transfer. Please find below an indication of these times to help you with planning your journey:
From Geneva Airport
| Last train with connection to Zermatt: | |
|---|---|
| Geneva Airport Depart | 20:24 |
| Zermatt Arrive | 00:18 |
| Last Direct train To Visp: | |
| Geneva Airport Depart | 22:24 |
| Visp Arrive | 00:53* |
| *Then Taxi to Zermatt | |
| First Train from Zermatt to Geneva: | |
| Zermatt Depart | 05:37 |
| Geneva Airport Arrive | 09:38 |
From Zurich Airport
| Last train with fast connection to Zermatt: | |
|---|---|
| Zurich airport depart | 18:40 |
| Zermatt arrive | 22:13 |
| Last train with connection to Zermatt: | |
| Zurich airport depart | 20:13 |
| Zermatt arrive | 00:18 |
| Last direct train to Visp: | |
| Zurich airport depart | 20:43 |
| Visp arrive | 00:53* |
| *Then Taxi to Zermatt | |
| First train from Zermatt to Zurich: | |
| Zermatt depart | 05:37 |
| Zurich Airport arrive | 09:16 |
From Milan Malpensa
| Last connecting train from Milano Centrale to Zermatt (change in Brig): | |
|---|---|
| Milan depart | 19:25 |
| Zermatt arrive | 23:44 |
| First connection from Zermatt to Gallarate (close to Malpensa): | |
| Zermatt depart | 08:13 |
| Gallarate arrive | 11:03 |
| First connection from Zermatt to Gallarate (close to Malpensa): | |
| Zermatt depart | 08:13 |
| Gallarate arrive | 11:03 |
From Milan Linate
| Last train from Milano Centrale: | |
|---|---|
| Main station depart | 19:25 |
| Zermatt arrive | 23:44 |