Genève / Geneva to Zermatt by train

A spectacular rail journey to a beautiful town

Zermatt is one of the more distant resort towns from Geneve, but it is easily accessed by train, with only one connection required.

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Routes

From Genève/Geneva-Cornavin to Zermatt

Journey Summary

Travel Time
3hr 44 - 3hr 51min
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

The journey by train from Geneve/Geneva to Zermatt by train is in a word - fabulous!

As Zermatt famously has no road access you have to step on a train in order to reach the resort; and trust us, opting to do so in Geneve will be a smart move!
The connecting time between trains at Visp station will be around 15 mins so it will be a stress-free transfer.

1 - 2 x connections per hour (Winter)

1 x connection per hour (Summer)

Change trains in: Visp

Tickets

Booking Tickets:

Tickets can be booked online for this end-to-end journey which involves taking a SBB train + the train on to Zermatt which is operated by MGB.

‘Individual tickets’ can be used on any train(s) on your travel date, but they tend to be comparatively expensive.

'Supersaver tickets' are cheaper, the portion of the journey by the SBB train can be discounted by up to 50%, but these tickets are train departure specific.
So if you book a Supersaver ticket and a flight delay etc, causes you to miss a train you are booked on to, you will have to book another full-price ‘Individual Ticket(s).
You can then apply for a refund of the Supersaver ticket, but the application costs CHF 10.

Hence it’s worth comparing the ticket price of a journey with the price of those Saver Day Passes; they might save you money and can also allow for a less stressful journey.

Using Saver Day Passes:

At the time of booking it's worth comparing a Saver Day Pass with the cost of tickets

They can be cheaper than tickets for the end-to-end journey, particularly when the discounted Supersaver tickets aren't available; and if you will be making a day return trip between Geneve and Zermatt they are usually cheaper, even if you can book in advance..

They can be used on;

  • the trains between Geneva Airport/Geneva and Visp
  • the trains between Visp and Zermatt

They are not train specific, so can still be used in the event of a journey to Switzerland being delayed.
Though as they’re only valid for one day’s travel, the clue is the name, so if you will be travelling back on another date, you’ll need to purchase another Saver Day Pass for your return journey.

Saver Day Passes are also discounted if you book online in advance

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
SBB *

SBB Guide

SBB is the main national rail operator in Switzerland, but tickets for journeys by the other significant operators including BLS and SOB can be be booked on the SBB website.

SBB also sells tickets for journeys to many destinations which involve a combination of SBB trains and services provided by the many independent operators who serve the Alpine resort towns.
However, if you will be making a long-distance return day trip, look out for he possibility of SaverDay passes being cheaper than tickets.

Though if you download the SBB app, booking tickets on SBB's mobile services can be simper than using the website.
Also watch out for the fact that booking international tickets can be comparatively quirky.

Trainline *

Trainline Guide

Omio *

Omio Guide

Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

The three key advantages of using Omio are

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.

Happyrail *

Happyrail Guide

Happy Rail is a Netherlands rail ticket agency which sells tickets for both national and international journeys within a range of countries including Belgium France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland.

HappyRail doesn't charge booking fees in the conventional sense, but if you're not Dutch you can expect to pay additional transaction fees, which will be added to the total cost.
That's because the most common form of online payment used in The Netherlands is 'iDEAL' and HappyRail doesn't charge a transaction fee for 'iDEAL' payments, but only Dutch residents can sign up to 'iDEAL'.
Other forms of payment include Visa debit cards will incur a fee.

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLake viewsMountain views

Good to Know

Final Destination: Brig

These trains on IR route 90 commence their journeys at Geneve-Aeroport station.

It takes the trains around 5 mins to travel from there to the main station in Geneve before they then head off to Visp.
So these trains usually depart from the main station in Geneve 10 mins after they have departed from Geneve-Aeroport.

The first train to leave in each hour is usually faster because it makes fewer station calls.

Note that the EC trains that call at Brig on their route to Italy, don't also stop at Visp.

The trains get closer to Lake Geneva after Lausanne The trains get closer to Lake Geneva after Lausanne
Approaching Vevey station, looking right Approaching Vevey station, looking right
Travelling by the shore of the lake south of Montreux Travelling by the shore of the lake south of Montreux
Face forwards on the right to see the best of the views Face forwards on the right to see the best of the views
On the right you can't miss seeing the Chateau Chillon On the right you can't miss seeing the Chateau Chillon
Crossing the river Rhone north of Sion Crossing the river Rhone north of Sion
Travelling through the vineyards between Sion and Visp Travelling through the vineyards between Sion and Visp

This north to south route through Switzerland tends to be eclipsed by other routes through the Alps, but the scenery is very pleasant for virtually the entire trip!

After Lausanne there are some great views over Lake Geneva; from the right hand side of the train, when facing the direction of travel.
So if they're available, a forward facing window seat on the right will provide the optimum views on this journey.

Then between Sion and Visp, the train threads through valleys lined with vineyards...

...the video was filmed from a train travelling in the opposite direction, but it gives a great idea of what to expect on this journey.

Journey Features

Scenic - YesMountain views

Good to Know

In Zermatt the train from Visp will arrive at the MGB station, which is across the street from the CGB station for trains on to Gornergrat.

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