Transport from Geneva to Zermatt: all train and car options 

Geneva to Zermatt: the train route in detail

This is what the 3h35 to 3h45 train is like:

• You’ll first make a 2h10 journey all along the northern shore of Lake Geneva. This is a very scenic part of the ride. Sit at the right side of the train for the best lake views.
• At Villeneuve, the train enters the western Rhone Valley. The valley bottom is quite broad here. It gets narrower and more spectacular as you approach Visp.
• From Visp, a regional train takes you south and up into the Matter Valley to Zermatt in around 1h10. This too is an amazing section with views that keep getting better.
• During some connections, there’s an additional change in Lausanne on Lake Geneva. This hardly impacts your overall travel time though.

Geneva Airport to Zermatt by train

A ride from the airport of Geneva to Zermatt is pretty straightforward. The direct train to Visp starts at Geneva Airport. This means you can get straight to Visp from the airport, and then change for the train to Zermatt. The entire journey takes 3h50-3h55.

If you want all details about getting from and to Geneva Airport, please consult our airport guide.

How to plan your trip in the timetable

Enter “Genève” and “Zermatt” as your locations in the timetable. If you’re traveling from or to the airport, use “Genève-Aéroport”.

In case you’ll be using any of the scenic detours suggested in this travel guide, you’ll have to enter via-stations to see options for that specific route. Our timetable guide explains how to do so.

Using the Glacier Express for the section Brig-Zermatt

Theoretically, you could make the last part of the ride from Brig to Zermatt by Glacier Express. Note:

• There are only 1 to 2 Glacier Express trains per day. So the Glacier Express section has to fit your schedule.
• You’ll need seat reservations for the Glacier Express section.
• You can board the Glacier Express in Brig, but not in Visp. So don’t get off the train in Visp, but stay seated until Brig, which is the next stop after Visp.

We think it’s easier to just use regional trains for the last section to Zermatt. You’ll have the same pretty views. The Glacier Express is absolutely worth it for longer sections though!

Sightseeing options between Geneva and Zermatt

There are plenty of options to explore the cities on the route, or to make short side trips. At most stations, you can leave your luggage in lockers. Our suggestions:

• Make a walk in the pretty city center of Geneva.
• Similarly, get out in Lausanne or Montreux for sightseeing.
• Explore the vineyards of the Lavaux area. Get our tips in our Lake Geneva guide.
• Visit the Chillon Castle.
• Make a short boat trip on Lake Geneva.
• Visit the old castles of Sion in the Rhone Valley.

How to continue after arrival in Geneva or Zermatt

If you’ve booked accommodation in Zermatt, you can usually get there on foot. Alternatively, use the electric buses, or inform whether your hotel provides a transfer service. You’ll probably want to explore the mountains of Zermatt once you get there. Our below guides help you plan:

• hotels in Zermatt
• activities in Zermatt
• traveling to and in the village

If Geneva is your destination, you can reach your accommodation on foot if it’s in the old town center south of the rail station. Of course, you can use the urban trams and buses too. If time allows, spend some time exploring the city: it’s well worth it. We help you out with these sources:

• hotels in Geneva
• sightseeing in Geneva
• traveling to and in the city

Our suggestions for scenic train detours

If time allows and you’re not carrying too much luggage, you can turn your Geneva-Zermatt trip into a varied scenic train ride. Below are the options we like best.

Via Lausanne, Fribourg, Bern and Visp (Lötschberg route)

We recommend this varied route if you’d like to combine your transfer with city side trips in Fribourg or Bern. The rolling green hills around Fribourg are wonderful too.

Details:

• This route will take 4h10 to 4h35.
• Enter “Bern” as a via-station in the timetable for details about this route.
• You’ll first travel along western Lake Geneva.
• Then you’ll head north for the cities of Fribourg and Bern. They’re both worth a break: you can explore the town centers on foot from the stations and leave your luggage in lockers.
• From Bern, you’ll head south toward Thun, Spiez, and eventually Visp in the Rhone Valley. You can do so by trains that use the quick Lötschberg Base Tunnel.

As an alternative, you can take a regional train from Bern to Brig that crosses the Bernese Alps. This is the Lötschberg Mountain Railway. Enter “Kandersteg” as an additional via-station in the timetable. The entire ride Geneva-Zermatt will take 5h10.

Via Montreux, Gstaad, and Visp (GoldenPass and Lötschberg route)

This option is a great way to include a large section of the GoldenPass ride in your transfer.

Details:

• The total travel time from Geneva to Zermatt is 5h55 to 6h30 with this option.
• Enter “Gstaad” as a via-station in the timetable to find the right connections.
• You’ll first travel from Geneva to Montreux on the lake.
• Then board one of the GoldenPass trains and get out in Spiez.
• Here, you can get on a quick train to Visp through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel.

The 5h55 duration is based on the direct GoldenPass Express trains between Montreux and Spiez. If you take a GoldenPass Panoramic or a GoldenPass Belle Époque train, count on an additional change in Zweisimmen and about 30 minutes extra. We explain all options in our GoldenPass section.

If you prefer to avoid the Lötschberg Base Tunnel and cross the mountains instead, take the Lötschberg mountain train from Bern to Brig. Based on a ride with the GoldenPass Express train, the entire journey Geneva-Zermatt will be pretty long: about 7h30. But it’s for sure a beautiful option!

Via Chamonix-Mont Blanc in France

Another option is a detour via the popular French mountain village Chamonix-Mont Blanc.

Details:

• This is a 6h45 ride, excluding any time you may spend in Chamonix.
• Enter Chamonix-Mont Blanc as a via-station in the timetable.
• You’ll quickly cross the border as you travel south from Geneva into France.
• Once you’ve reached Chamonix, you can continue your journey north-east to Martigny in the Swiss Rhone Valley.
• There, you’ll continue to Visp and to Zermatt.

Consider the below before you decide on this route:

• This will be a full-day trip, especially if you want to explore the mountains around Chamonix. We’d personally prefer spending the night in Chamonix: this will result in a more relaxed 2-day transfer.
• The entire French part of the ride (to be precise: between Annemasse and Le Châtelard-Frontière), is not included in Swiss rail passes such as the Swiss Travel Pass.

Driving between Geneva and Zermatt

Can I drive from Geneva to Zermatt?

Zermatt is car-free and you can’t drive all the way up to the village. You’ll have to park your car in nearby Täsch and get on the train to Zermatt.

How long does a car trip Geneva-Zermatt take?

The route from Geneva to Täsch is approximately 3h10, excluding possible delays and breaks. Add another 30 minutes to park in Täsch and get on the train to Zermatt.

What’s the route from Geneva to Zermatt?

First, head east to Lausanne over the A1. Then take the A9 further east along Lake Geneva. The A9 continues into the Rhone Valley, all the way to Visp. That’s where you bend south and up into the Matter Valley. Täsch is your destination.

Is it challenging to drive from Geneva to Zermatt?

A car journey from Geneva to Zermatt isn’t too difficult to Swiss standards: there are no mountain passes or car trains involved. However, the last section between Visp and Täsch is a narrower road with some sharp bends.

We advise you to only drive if you’re experienced, cautious, and confident. Otherwise, the trains provide a perfect alternative.

Prepare thoroughly

Any car trip in Switzerland requires good preparation. We tell you all of the must-knows in our car section.