Your guide to how to get to Zermatt and what’s the best option in our opinion. Read on so that you get your adventure of getting to the Swiss Alps will be worry-free.

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Where is Zermatt, Switzerland?

If you’re looking for a unique travel experience, consider flying to Zermatt, located at the base of the Matterhorn mountain range. The town itself is small, quaint, and charming, yet it offers plenty of activities and attractions for tourists.

Zermatt is home to the famous Matterhorn Mountain Resort, where skiers and snowboarders come to ride the slopes. But there are also hiking routes, horseback riding, paragliding, and many other outdoor adventures.

The town was founded in 1730 and is home to many hotels and restaurants. It is one of the most popular destinations in Switzerland due to its gorgeous views.

This small town has been attracting tourists since 1864. Today, it attracts thousands of visitors every year wanting to experience Michelin-starred restaurants, hike with views, and mountain excursions to name a few.

Related Reading: The Haute Route: Hiking From Chamonix To Zermatt

How to Get to Zermatt

There are several ways to reach Zermatt. You can fly directly to Zurich airport and drive to Zermatt. Or you can take the train or bus. Or if you’re really fancy, you can even go to Zermatt in a helicopter ride. Let’s get into more details below!

1. Fly to an Airport Near Zermatt

One option is to fly to Sion International Airport (SIR). Another is from Zurich International Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland. Or fly directly to Geneva airport (GVA), which is only 30 minutes away from Zermatt, making it the nearest airport to Zermatt.

The closest airport from Zermatt is Sion airport.

Sion International Airport: 38.7 km (1:1 hours by car) to Zermatt
Geneva International Airport: 229.7 km (2:45 hours by car) to Zermatt
Zurich International Airport: 253.8 km (3:30 hours by car) to Zermatt

While Sion Airport is the closest airport to Zermatt, I find that it’s often more convenient to fly to either Zurich or Geneva airports. They both have twice-hourly train connections to Zermatt from in-airport train stations.

Flying from Sion International Airport

The closest airport to Zermatt is Sion Airport which is 38.7 km away. If you’d rather stay closer to home, you can fly to Sion. Sion International Airport is located at the foot of the Swiss Alps near the town of Sion.

The airport is served by several airlines including Swiss Air, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, and American Airlines.

Flying from Zurich International Airport

Zurich International Airport is located just north of downtown Zurich. The airport is served by Swiss Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, United Airlines, and many others. It’s a major airport, with lots of connections.

From Zurich International Airport, you can take a train and reach Zermatt in just 50 minutes.

Related Reading: The Best Accommodations in Zermatt

Flying from Geneva International Airport

Geneva International Airport (GVA) is located just outside of downtown Geneva, Switzerland. The airport is served by Swiss Air, Lufthansa, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and many others.

While it’s possible to take the train from Geneva International Airport to Zermatt, it takes around 4 hours, while driving takes only 2:20, so it’s much shorter.

2. How to Get to Zermatt by Train

Thankfully, Zermatt is easily accessible from anywhere in Europe by Swiss trains, thus the easiest option.

You can also take the not-so-high-speed train called the Glacier Express. It is a narrow-gauge train service that travels from Zermatt to St Moritz in Switzerland. It is a popular commuter service that takes you on a train journey with panoramic views. It takes an average train time of seven and a half hours to travel a distance of about 290 kilometres per hour.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the breathtaking views from the Glacier Express. This train ride takes you through snowy mountain passes, past picturesque alpine villages, across rugged gorges, and past famous bridges and even many, many historic chateaux.

If you plan on spending some extra days in Switzerland, then I would definitely suggest buying a Swiss Travel Pass. They’re a great way to save money when visiting Switzerland.

But there’s a catch – you need to book your trip at least two months ahead of time. So, if you’re planning a summer vacation, now’s the perfect time to sign up for the Swiss Travel Pass.

There are many benefits to signing up for the Swiss Travel pass. Not only does it give you access to some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery, but it also gives you unlimited access to the world-famous Matterhorn Mountain range.

Related Reading: What To Do in Zermatt, Switzerland

3. How to Get to Zermatt by Car

Welcome to car-free Zermatt! Yes, car transport is only allowed as far as Täsch which is located 5 km away. From here, the road is closed but regular shuttle trains transport visitors to the resort town. Safe parking is provided at Täsch at a cost.

There are several places where you can park your car. The parking garage is located near the train station. It costs €10 per day. Another option is to park your car in one of the lots along the main road. They cost around €15 per day.

Finally, you can park your car in one of the lots along the lake shore. These lots are free.

When you arrive in Zermatt, you’ll see signs directing you to the car parks, so watch out for those.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to get to Zermatt, you can focus on your adventures in the Swiss Alps.

Also be sure to check out:

How to Get to Zermatt, Switzerland