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Geneva is a global city in every sense, and soon after arriving here, you’ll hear people speaking languages from all over the world. On the shores of Lake Geneva, it is the second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in the French-speaking part.
Thanks to its many international organizations, Geneva is a global city, a financial center, and a diplomatic hub. As home to the United Nations, Red Cross, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, and many more, Geneva truly is an important city for diplomacy, international cooperation, and humanitarian engagement.
As one of the most populous and visited cities in Switzerland, people who are in Geneva might consider visiting Crans-Montana by train. Traveling by train in Switzerland is an easy, comfortable, and impressive journey. So I would definitely recommend traveling by train between Geneva and Crans-Montana.
If you are thinking of taking the train from Geneva to Crans-Montana or the other way around, read below.
Overview: Navigating Swiss Trains
You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.
Getting tickets from RailEurope is definitely a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. A global leader in train tickets and passes, RailEurope is headquartered in Paris, France. A Swiss Pass and a Half Fare Discount Card can also be obtained from RailEurope.
Using the Swiss Pass, you can travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, and more. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
How To Get From Geneva To Crans-Montana
The two centers of Crans and Montana are combined to form Crans-Montana. Whether you’re traveling to Crans or Montana will depend on your destination or your hotel’s location. Walking or taking a bus is an easy way to get from one part of the city to another. Crans and Montana are connected by several buses per hour.
How To Get From Geneva To Crans
There is no direct train from Geneva to Crans. To travel by train from Geneva to Crans, you will have to take the following connections:
- Take the train from Geneva to Sion.
- In Sion, take the bus to Crans-s.-S., poste. Take the bus to your desired destination and get off where you need to.
The travel time from Geneva to Crans is 2 hours and 46 minutes.
How To Get From Geneva To Montana
There is no direct train from Geneva to Montana. To travel by train from Geneva to Montana, you will have to take the connections:
- Take the train from Geneva to Sierre/Siders.
- In Sierre/Siders, take the funicular to Montana Gare.
- In Montana, take the bus to your desired destination and get off where you need to.
The travel time from Geneva to Montana Gare is 2 hours and 29 minutes.
Skiing in Crans-Montana
If you would like to ski in the Crans-Montana ski area, you can get off at one of the following bus stops:
- Crans, téléphérique – Crans s. S. Gondola lift station
- Montana, Violettes – Montana Gondola lift station
- Montana, Ycoor – Montana-Arnouva Gondola lift station
How to Travel From Crans-Montana to Geneva by Train
The two centers of Crans and Montana are combined to form Crans-Montana. Whether you’re traveling from Crans or Montana will depend on your current location. Walking or taking a bus is an easy way to get from one part of the city to another. Crans and Montana are connected by several buses per hour.
How To Get From Crans to Geneva
There is no direct train from Crans to Geneva. To travel by train from Crans to Geneva, you will have to take the following trains:
- In Crans, take the bus to Sion.
- In Sion, take the train to Geneva.
The travel time from Crans to Geneva is 2 hours and 56 minutes.
How To Get From Geneva To Montana
There is no direct train from Montana to Geneva. To travel by train from Montana to Geneva, you will have to take the following trains:
- Take the train from Geneva to Sierre/Siders.
- In Sierre/Siders, take the funicular to Montana Gare.
- In Montana, take the bus to your desired destination and get off where you need to.
The travel time from Montana Gare to Geneva is 2 hours and 28 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Geneva to Crans-Montana?
As of the time of writing (updated January 2023), there are no direct trains from Geneva to Crans-Montana.
You will need to change trains in Sion or Sierre/Siders in order to reach Geneva.
How Long Is the Train Ride From Geneva to Crans-Montana?
The following table shows the train ride duration from Geneva to Crans-Montana (updated January 2023):
| Route | Duration (fastest) |
|---|---|
| Geneva – Sion – Crans-s.-S., poste | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Geneva – Sierre/Siders – Montana Gare | 2 hours 26 minutes |
| Geneva Airport – Sion – Crans-s.-S., poste | 2 hours 54 minutes |
| Geneva Airport – – Sierre/Siders – Montana Gare | 2 hours 35 minutes |
Is the Train Route From Geneva to Crans-Montana Scenic?
Although the trains connecting both places are not panoramic trains unlike Bernina Express, the route from Geneva is scenic. From Geneva, you will be treated to fantastic views of Lake Geneva until it reaches Montreux. Besides that, the Valais region is very picturesque.
How Much Will the Train Ticket From Geneva to Crans-Montana Cost?
As of the time of writing (updated January 2023), here are the train ticket prices from Geneva to Crans-Montana:
| Route | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva – Crans-s.-S., poste | 66.00 | 33.00 |
| Geneva – Montana Gare | 66.00 | 33.00 |
| Geneva Airport – Crans-s.-S., poste | 72.00 | 36.00 |
| Geneva Airport – Montana Gare | 72.00 | 36.00 |
As you can see, if you avail of the Half Fare Travel Card, you can definitely save on your fare for long train journeys. So this is definitely something to consider during your travel to Switzerland. You can do simple calculations and decide from there if it will be worth it for you.
Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?
No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.