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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
3hr 44 - 3hr 51min
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.
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 | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Omio | * | |
| Happy rail | * |
Train 1
Travelling On
Journey Features
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.
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.
Train 2
Travelling On
Journey Features
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.
The best of the views switch between the left and right side of the train during the journey.
The majority of the journey follows a valley up to Zermatt and the train snakes across the valley floor,
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