Geneva to Zermatt Train: All You Need To Know

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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. 

Image of the mountains around Zermatt by TouringSwitzerland.com

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.

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.

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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 Zermatt by Train

Image of Geneva’s Train Station by TouringSwitzerland.com

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:

  1. Take the train from Geneva to Visp.
  2. In Visp, take the train to Zermatt.

The travel time from Geneva to Zermatt is 3 hours and 45 minutes. There are also trains that go to Visp from Geneva Airport.

You cannot bring your car directly to Zermatt. Zermatt is car-free.


How to Travel From Zermatt to Geneva by Train

Image of Matterhorn by TouringSwitzerland.com

To travel by train from Zermatt to Geneva, you will have to take the following trains:

  1. Take the train from Zermatt to Visp.
  2. 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. There are also trains that go from Visp to Geneva Airport.


Is there a direct train from Geneva to Zermatt?

As of the time of writing (updated December 2022), there are no direct trains from 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 2022):

RouteDuration (fastest)
Zermatt – Geneva3 hours 37 minutes
Geneva – Zermatt3 hours 41 minutes
Zermatt – Geneva Airport3 hours 46 minutes
Geneva Airport – Zermatt3 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.


How Much Will the Train Ticket From Geneva to Zermatt Cost?

As of the time of writing (updated December 2022), here are the train ticket prices from Geneva to Zermatt:

RouteFull Fare (CHF)Half Fare (CHF)
Geneva – Zermatt98.0049.00
Geneva Airport – Zermatt102.0051.00

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.