|

Zermatt: The Best Way to Get to The Swiss Town

ByReanna Dockrell

If the picturesque Swiss town nestled at the foot of the Matterhorn has piqued your interest, you might be wondering how to get to Zermatt and what is Zermatt’s nearest airport.

Whenever we start planning to visit a place working out how we are going to get to our destination is, naturally, the first thing that we do. So, when planning our trip to Zermatt this is exactly what we have done.

Wondering what to pack for a trip to Zermatt? We’ve got you covered.

Getting the train through Zermatt

The best way to get to Zermatt

The quick answer is that you can get to Zermatt by train, taxi or even helicopter. Zermatt is a car-free town, so you can’t drive all the way there. However, you can drive to a nearby town and get a taxi pick-up or train from that town. Getting the train is the best way to get to Zermatt, as the journey is picturesque and pretty quick.

Closest airport to Zermatt

Zermatt has no airport of its own. The closest airport to Zermatt is Sion, which is 81km (50 miles). However, Sion is a small airport which is not well connected to the rest of Europe or further afield. Instead, if you are flying into Switzerland then we, instead, recommend flying into one of the following airports:

Bern: 131km / 81 miles by road

Milan Malpensa (in Italy): 175km / 109 miles by road

Geneva: 235km / 146 miles by road

Zurich:  259km / 160 miles by road

Whilst Sion or Bern are the closest airports, the most scenic routes are from Geneva and Zurich. Once you have reached one of these airports the best way to get to Zermatt from the airport near Zermatt is to get the train.

We travelled from Geneva to Zermatt by train and can confirm it was beautiful.

The Matterhorn, in the snow, Zermatt, Switzerland

How to get to Zermatt by car

As we mentioned, the Swiss town is car-free meaning you can’t technically get to Zermatt by car. Instead, if you want to drive to Zermatt you can drive to the nearby town of Täsch, where you can park your car in designated parking areas. From here, you can get a taxi transfer into the town, or you can take the train.

For more information on the parking options available in Täsch, check out the parking info on Zermatt.ch.

If you opt to drive from one of the closest airports to Zermatt the estimated drive times to Täsch are below:

Sion airport: 1 hour & 5 minutes

Bern airport: 2 hours & 20 minutes

Geneva airport: 2 hrs & 35 minutes

Milan Malpensa airport: 2 hours & 40 minutes

Zurich airport: 3 hrs & 30 minutes

How to get to Zermatt by train

Getting to Zermatt by train is convenient (and also, really beautiful), thanks to the narrow-gauge cog railway line that operates from Visp. Trains depart approximately every half hour making it super convenient to get the train to Zermatt. Unlike travelling by car, the train station is conveniently situated within the town itself so you won’t have to walk far when you arrive.

This is how we travelled to Zermatt. We travelled from Geneva to Zermatt by train which took approximately 3 hours 30 minutes and cost £125 for the return ticket. There is no direct train to Zermatt meaning you have to change at Visp.

For an unforgettable journey to Zermatt, consider the Glacier Express, which runs between Zermatt and St Moritz, offering a scenic, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Is it better to fly into Geneva or Zurich for Zermatt?

Both Geneva and Zurich are great options for flying into Switzerland to visit Zermatt, which is the best option really depends on your preferences and travel plans.

Geneva (GVA):

Travel Time to Zermatt: Approx. 3 hours 40 minutes by train.
Best for: Travellers coming from Western Europe or looking to explore the French-speaking regions of Switzerland (e.g., Geneva, Montreux, or Lausanne) before heading to Zermatt.
Ease of Access: Geneva Airport has a train station directly at the terminal, making it convenient for onward travel to Zermatt with no need to switch transport modes.
Other Benefits: Offers proximity to Lake Geneva and connections to the scenic route through the Rhône Valley.

Zurich (ZRH):

Travel Time to Zermatt: Approx. 3 hours 20 minutes by train.
Best for: Travellers arriving from international destinations (Zurich is Switzerland’s largest airport) or those planning to visit German-speaking regions like Zurich, Lucerne, or Bern before Zermatt.
Ease of Access: Zurich Airport also has a train station within the terminal, meaning you don’t have to make your way into the city centre if you’re short on time and can instead, travel directly to Zermatt.
Other Benefits: Perfect if you’re interested in exploring northern or central Switzerland en route to Zermatt.

Zurich is marginally faster and better for international connections, while Geneva offers a slightly more scenic journey through the Rhône Valley. Both options are excellent, so pick the one that fits your overall travel plans best or which is most budget-friendly if that’s a consideration.

We only travelled between Geneva to Zermatt and can confirm that the journey was beautiful, however, we cannot comment on the journey between Zurich to Zermatt.

How to get to Zermatt from each Swiss airport

Sion Airport To Zermatt Train Station

Sion is the closest airport to Zermatt. To travel from Sion Airport to Zermatt, you’ll first need to get a bus from the airport to Sion train station. From Sion train station, you can get a train to Zermatt, changing at Visp. The journey takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Bern Airport to Zermatt Train Station

To travel from Bern Airport to Zermatt by train, first take a bus to Bern train station. From here you can board a train bound for Zermatt. You will have to change the train at Thun and Visp along the journey.

The journey should take just under 3 hours.

Zurich To Zermatt Train

From Zurich, you can get a train either from the Airport (Zurich Flughafen) or from Zurich’s main train station (Zurich HB). Whichever you decide on, you’ll change trains at Visp. The journey takes around 3.5 hours from the airport and slightly less from Zurich HB.

Geneva Airport To Zermatt Train Station – read our full guide on travelling between the two here.

Geneva Airport has its station and there’s only one change, at Visp. But the train takes a while as the route loops around Lake Geneva. The journey will take 3 hours & 50 minutes

Milan Malpensa Airport To Zermatt Train Station

Milan Malpensa might be close in terms of distance, but the train from there is one of the lengthier ones, with the best routes taking 4 hours.

This route involves taking a bus to Domodossola station, then a train, changing at Visp station before travelling onwards to Zermatt.

How To Get To Zermatt By Helicopter

Perhaps not the most traditional way to travel to a new destination. But, hey, if you can. Then why not? Zermatt has a helipad meaning this is an option if you’ve got the means. You can find out all about the helicopter options here.

The best way to get to Zermatt

So, what’s the best way to get to Zermatt? In our opinion, the best way to get to Zermatt is by train. The journey is incredibly beautiful, it’s the most eco-friendly way to travel and it’s time efficient.

Trains are a great option for getting around Switzerland in general. The rail network is great with regular connections to Zermatt. Plus, the views from the train are incredible!

Visiting the town of Zermatt, Switzerland
Visiting the town of Zermatt, Switzerland. Travel couple

Reanna Dockrell is a worldwide traveller from Dorset, UK, having visited almost 90 countries to date. From a young age, she’s had a passion for exploring lesser-known spots and getting out into nature. Reanna is on a mission to showcase how beautiful the world is through her content and to prove that travelling doesn’t have to be 'stressful' or 'scary'. She also works as a freelance Social Media Manager and Copywriter, combining her love of exploring with creating captivating content.