The Rhône Glacier is the eighth-largest glacier in Switzerland and one of the oldest in the Alps. It gave birth to one of Europe’s most important rivers, the Rhône River, which flows through Switzerland and France before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. In this article, we will discuss how to get to the Rhône Glacier.
For those who want to visit the Rhône Glacier, it is inevitable that logistical concerns will arise. Visiting the Rhône Glacier by public transport isn’t easy. In this article, we will explore your options to visit the Rhône Glacier.
How do you get to Rhône Glacier, Switzerland? Let’s find out.
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.
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How to Get from Zurich to the Rhône Glacier
If you plan to use public transportation to travel from Zurich, it’s important to note that buses to Furka Pass do NOT run frequently. To ensure you can return on time, I recommend starting your journey in the morning. This way, you can better coordinate your trip and avoid any scheduling issues.
Considering the infrequent bus schedule for this trip, I strongly suggest visiting the SBB website for additional information before you start your journey. This will help you plan your travel more effectively.
Once you get to Furka Pass, you can easily get to the Rhône Glacier and the Ice Grotto. The glacier and ice cave are only a short distance away from the entrance gate.
How to Get from Zurich to the Rhône Glacier (6:05 AM Departure)
If you’re an early riser, you’re in luck. The fastest and cheapest way to get to the Rhône Glacier from Zurich is by catching the earliest possible train connection.
- There’s a train departing from Zurich at 6:05 AM headed to Göschenen.
- In Göschenen, take the regional train to Realp.
- In Realp, take Bus 681 (Direction; Oberwald, Bahnhof). Alight at Belvedere Furka.
- In Belvedere Furka, go to the Eisgrotte Belvédère am Rhonegletscher and pay the entrance fee to see the Rhône Glacier and the Ice Grotto.
How to Get from Zurich to the Rhône Glacier (8:44 AM or 9:05 AM Departure)
If you can’t catch the 6:05 AM train, there’s another one departing three hours later. Keep in mind that train schedules vary between weekdays and weekends, so it’s a good idea to visit the SBB website to find out the platform’s departure time for your specific day of travel.
- In Zurich, take the Intercity train to Brig.
- In Brig, take the regional train to Oberwald.
- In Oberwald, take Bus 161 (Direction: Meiringen, Bahnhof). Alight at Gletsch.
- In Gletsch, Post, take Bus 681 (Direction: Andermatt, Bahnhof). Alight at Belvedere Furka.
- In Belvedere Furka, go to the Eisgrotte Belvédère am Rhonegletscher and pay the entrance fee to see the Rhône Glacier and the Ice Grotto.
Even though there are other trains and buses later in the day, I think that they might be too late for you to get back to Zurich on time. So, it’s a good idea to stick with the earliest train connection for a safer trip.
How to Get from Andermatt to the Rhône Glacier
Take Bus 681 from Andermatt to Belvedere Furka. It’s important to note that the direct bus from Andermatt runs only twice a day, so you’ll want to make sure you know the bus travel times. As of today, September 2023, the bus leaves Andermatt at 8:30 AM and 3:34 PM.
If you miss the bus that will take you there directly, you may also take the following train connections:
- In Andermatt, take the regional train to Oberwald.
- In Oberwald, take Bus 681 (Direction: Furka Passhöhe). Alight at Belvedere Furka.
In Belvedere Furka, go to the Eisgrotte Belvédère am Rhonegletscher and pay the entrance fee to see the Rhône Glacier and the Ice Grotto.
How to Get from Gletsch to the Rhône Glacier
- In Gletsch, Post, take Bus 681 (Direction: Furka Passhöhe). Alight at Belvedere Furka.
- In Belvedere Furka, go to the Eisgrotte Belvédère am Rhonegletscher and pay the entrance fee to see the Rhône Glacier and the Ice Grotto.
How To Get to the Rhône Glacier by Car
To get to the Rhône Glacier by car, you will have to drive to the Furka Pass, which is open between late May and early November. You can also use a motorcycle or a bike.
You can reach Furka Pass from Andermatt, Uri or Gletsch, Valais.
If you want to learn more about driving on the Furka Pass, you can check out this article: The Legendary Furka Pass in Switzerland.
How to Get to the Rhône Glacier on Foot
You can access all the necessary information for a hike to the Rhône Glacier on the Obergoms Tourist Office’s website: https://www.goms.ch/tour/furkapass-rhonegletscher.
Before embarking on the hike, you will have to make your way to Furka Pass first. In case you have your car, you can park it in the Furka Pass parking lot. From Furka Pass, the 3.64-kilometer circular trail will bring you to the viewpoint over the Rhône Glacier and back.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Keep in mind that rockfalls can happen near the glacier entrances, the grotto, and the surrounding area. Additionally, it’s important to be cautious when staying on the glacier’s tip and near the lake, as there’s a risk of ice melting or ice collapsing in these areas.
How Long Does the Journey to the Rhône Glacier Take?
| Route | Mode of Transport | Duration (Fastest Connection, Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich – Göschenen – Realp – Belvedere Furka | Train + Bus | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Zurich – Brig – Oberwald – Gletsch – Belvedere Furka | Train + Bus | 4 hours 28 minutes |
| Andermatt – Belvedere Furka (Direct) | Bus | 52 minutes |
| Andermatt – Oberwald – Belvedere Furka | Train + Bus | 1 hour 53 minutes |
| Gletsch – Belvedere Furka | Bus | 14 minutes |
How Much Will the Ticket to Belvedere Furka Cost?
As of the time of publishing the article, a single journey ticket to get to Belvedere Furka costs the following:
| Route to Belvedere Furka | Mode of Transport | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich – Göschenen – Realp – Belvedere Furka | Train + Bus | 70.40 | 35.20 |
| Zurich – Brig – Oberwald – Gletsch – Belvedere Furka | Train + Bus | 129.20 | 64.60 |
| Andermatt – Belvedere Furka (Direct) | Bus | 26.00 | 13.00 |
| Andermatt – Oberwald – Belvedere Furka | Train + Bus | 34.00 | 17.30 |
| Gletsch – Belvedere Furka | Bus | 10.40 | 5.20 |
Am I allowed to travel to the Rhône Glacier?
You can get to the Rhône Glacier via Furka Pass as long as the road is open. Furka Pass is only open during the summer, usually starting late May to early November.
Furka Pass also closes when weather and avalanche conditions are bad. Check https://www.alpen-paesse.ch/ to see if it’s open.
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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.