In case you are in Geneva and would like to travel to Zermatt, find out exactly how to get from Geneva to Zermatt with this guide. Having been to Zermatt many times, I highly recommend the lovely and scenic journey from Geneva to Zermatt.
Travel from Geneva to Zermatt
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 Zermatt 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 Zermatt.
If you are thinking of taking the train from Geneva to Zermatt or the other way around, read below.
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 (1-month validity) 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.
Using the Swiss Pass, you get unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat in Switzerland. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
>Getting tickets from RailEurope is a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. Having been in operation since the 1930s, RailEurope‘s extensive history, user-friendly website and mobile apps, flexible currency payment options, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strategic partnerships with leading rail operators, collectively establish it as a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking European train travel.
You can obtain from RailEurope the following travel passes:
- Swiss Travel Pass – choose between continuous or flexible Swiss train passes for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days. The perks? unlimited use in over 90 Swiss cities, free admission to more than 500 museums, and discounts on mountain railways and cable cars. You also get discounts on high-speed Lyria trains between France and Switzerland as well as Nightjet trains that go through Switzerland. See RailEurope for more information.
- Eurail Global Pass – unlimited train travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for non-EU residents
- Interrail Global Pass – access to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for citizens and permanent residents of the EU
How To Get From Geneva To Zermatt by Train
There is no direct train from Geneva to Zermatt.
To travel by train from Geneva to Zermatt, you will have to take the following trains:
- Take the train from Geneva to Visp.
- In Visp, take the train to Zermatt.
The travel time from Geneva to Zermatt is 3 hours and 31 minutes to 3 hours and 45 minutes.
How To Get From Geneva Airport To Zermatt by Train
There is no direct train from Geneva Airport to Zermatt.
To travel by train from Geneva Airport to Zermatt, you will have to take the following trains:
- Take the train from Geneva Airport to Visp.
- In Visp, take the train to Zermatt.
The travel time from Geneva Airport to Zermatt is 3 hours and 50 minutes to 3 hours and 56 minutes.
You cannot bring your car directly to Zermatt. Zermatt is car-free.
How to Travel From Zermatt to Geneva by Train
To travel by train from Zermatt to Geneva, you will have to take the following trains:
- Take the train from Zermatt to Visp.
- In Visp, take the train to Geneva.
The travel time from Zermatt to Geneva is 3 hours and 37 minutes to 3 hours and 54 minutes.
How To Get From Zermatt to Geneva Airport by Train
To travel by train from Zermatt to Geneva Airport, you will have to take the following trains:
- Take the train from Zermatt to Visp.
- In Visp, take the train to Geneva Airport.
The travel time from Zermatt to Geneva Airport is 3 hours and 46 minutes to 4 hours and 4 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Geneva to Zermatt?
As of the time of writing (updated December 2023), there are no direct trains from Geneva to Zermatt. There are also no direct trains that will take you from the international airport in Geneva to Zermatt.
In Visp, you’ll need to change to a connecting train for Zermatt and vice versa.
How Long Is the Train Ride From Geneva to Zermatt?
The following table shows the train ride duration from Geneva to Zermatt or the other way around (updated December 2023):
| Route | Duration (fastest) |
|---|---|
| Zermatt – Geneva | 3 hours 37 minutes |
| Geneva – Zermatt | 3 hours 31 minutes |
| Zermatt – Geneva Airport | 3 hours 46 minutes |
| Geneva Airport – Zermatt | 3 hours 50 minutes |
Is the Train Route From Geneva to Zermatt Scenic?
Although the trains connecting both places are not panoramic trains unlike Bernina Express, the route from Geneva to Zermatt is scenic. From Geneva, you will be treated to fantastic views of Lake Geneva until it reaches Montreux.
Besides that, the route from Visp to Zermatt is pretty scenic.
Other Scenic Trains
In case you would like to check out other scenic trains, then there are more scenic trains recommended below. These are the Golden Pass Line, the Glacier Express, and the Bernina Express. Another interesting train is the Historical Train that goes from Davos to Filisur.
Your other options in detail are the following:
- Golden Pass – The Golden Pass departs typically from Lucerne, Interlaken, or Montreux. The Golden Pass has panorama coaches and is scenic.
- Glacier Express – Glacier Express is a long journey that starts from Zermatt, home of Matterhorn. It then traverses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels before stopping in St. Moritz. Both Zermatt and St. Moritz are beautiful mountain resorts worthy of a longer stay. The Glacier Express passes by several idyllic mountain villages.
- Bernina Express – Bernina Express is another train route that begins in Chur. Chur is the oldest alpine city in Switzerland and definitely worth visiting. This train route spans 196 bridges. It goes through 55 tunnels and passes 20 beautiful villages in Switzerland. For you to go on this scenic train, you will have to go from Zurich or Lucerne to Chur first.
- Historical Train Davos to Filisur – May through October, vintage carriages are pulled by the century-old crocodile locomotive from Davos Platz to Filisur. The train line covers a total length of 4,200 meters through 14 tunnels and 28 bridges. Its scenic highlights include the Wiesen Viaduct and the Zügen Gorge.
How Much Will the Train Ticket From Geneva to Zermatt Cost?
As of the time of writing (updated December 2023), here are the train ticket prices from Geneva to Zermatt:
| Route | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva to Zermatt | 102.00 | 51.00 |
| Geneva Airport to Zermatt | 106.00 | 53.00 |
As you can see, if you avail of the Half Fare Travel Card, you can save on your fare for long train journeys. So this is 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.
Recommended Hotels in Zermatt
If you would like to spend more time in Zermatt, you can check out our hotel recommendations below:
- Mont Cervin Palace (5-star) – The 5-star Mont Cervin Palace was opened in 1851 and belongs to the “Leading Hotels of the World.” Almost all of the guest rooms have a balcony or patio with a view of the Matterhorn. There is also an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness area of 18,300 square feet, an indoor play area, a game room, and a bar at the hotel.
- Naco Aparthotel Arca (4-star) – A 5-minute walk from Zermatt’s train station, Naco Aparthotel offers spacious rooms with a fully equipped kitchen, a microwave, a dining area, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a shower and bathrobes. Guests can enjoy a continental or buffet breakfast, as well as a swimming pool.
- Schlosshotel Zermatt Active & CBD Spa Hotel (4-star) – Just a few steps away from the Zermatt and Gornergrat train stations is this elegant hotel with an indoor pool and spa area. You can reach the Sunnega Cable Car easily and the bus to the Klein Matterhorn Ski Area is right outside the hotel.
- Hotel Arca Solebad & Spa (3-star) – ARCA Solebad Wellness & Spa in Zermatt offers modern wellness facilities including an indoor swimming pool. It is located close to Zermatt Train Station, as well as the Gornergrat and the Sunnegga-Rothorn trains.
- Zermatt Youth Hostel (Hostel) – It is possible to stay in Zermatt for less at a hostel. This hostel has everything you need, including internet access, laundry, board games, free breakfast, a microwave, and a security locker.
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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.