Andermatt is one of the more distant ski resorts from Geneve, but with only one straightforward connection between trains required, it's easily accessed.
When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.
4hr 50min
Daily
1 x connection per hour
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First time bookers using the Omio mobile apps (Find them at www.omio.com/apps) can save 10% on purchasers of up to €100 by using the promo code SEP24 Valid for bookings by September 30th, 2024 (11:59 pm CET).
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
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.
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.
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.
Departing from Geneve/Geneva:
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 Brig.
So these trains usually depart from the main station in Geneve 10 mins after they have departed from Geneve-Aeroport.
The connection in Brig
At Brig the stop that the MGB trains use is in front of the main station building on the station forecourt.
This routing is the simplest, usually cheapest and slightly fastest option for Geneve to Andermatt journeys by train.
The connecting time between trains at Brig station will be around 20 mins which should ensure a stress-free transfer.
Final Destination: Brig
Connect at Brig for MGB trains to Morel, Betten Andermatt, Oberwald and Disentis/Muster.
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.
Final Destination: Disentis/Muster
There are also 'Glacier Express' trains between Brig and Andermatt, but tickets aren't available on those trains between these stations.
To Gemsstock:
The lift up to Gemmstock, the Gemsstockbahn is a 10 min walk from Andermatt station.
There are great views from both sides of the train.
Booking Tickets:
Online bookings open: up to six months ahead of the travel date
SBB and Trainline will sell tickets for this end-to-end journeys which involve taking a SBB train + the train(s) on to Andermatt which are operated by SBB
‘Point-to-Point 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.
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(s) e of Saver Day Passes (see below) – they might save you money and can also allow for a less stressful journey.
Using Saver Day Passes:
Now that the Swiss Transfer tickets have been discontinued a Saver Day Pass may save you money, if you can book at least a couple of weeks ahead (usually), so that you can obtain the pass at a discounted price.
They can be cheaper than tickets for the end-to-end journey, though they are more likely to be a money saver if you will be making a day return trip between Geneva and Andermatt; even if you can book in advance.
They can be used on;
Though as they’re only valid for one day’s travel, the clue is the name, you’ll need to purchase another Saver Day Pass for your return journey, if you'll be coming back to Geneve at a later date,
However the Saver Day Passes need to be booked at least a day ahead of your travel date, so won't be an option if you book tickets at the station on arrival in Switzerland.
They're also (much) cheaper the further ahead that you book.
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This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.
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