How to get to the Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are served by several airports. Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern are the gateways, and from each of them you continue by train, bus, transfer or car. How to get to the Swiss Alps therefore depends on where you are heading: Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland, Zermatt in Valais, Lucerne and Engelberg in Central Switzerland, or Graubünden.
Switzerland has a dense rail network, and most mountain destinations are reached by train and then by cable car, bus or a local railway. Prices on this site are in Swiss francs (CHF). For the rail network itself, see our guide to Swiss Alps train journeys.
Our pick: panoramic bus to Interlaken
This panoramic bus links Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken with a guide and free time at three stops; it is not an airport transfer.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and activities in the Swiss Alps
Day trips, scenic train journeys and activities in the Swiss Alps, with live prices and availability.
Taxi and transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH)
For arrivals who want to go straight to the mountains.
Zurich Airport has its own railway station. The train to Zurich main station takes about 15 minutes and runs about every 10 minutes, with connections across the country from there. If you arrive with heavy luggage, a late flight or a group, a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer can be easier than changing trains. Agree the price and the meeting point before you travel, and make sure the booking names your arrival terminal and flight number so the driver can follow delays.
If you plan to head to Interlaken on the same day, look at the timing of your onward trains and compare it with a transfer. Our Interlaken guide explains what the town offers once you arrive.
Reserve your transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Interlaken in advance on Kiwitaxi.
Geneva Airport (GVA), Basel EuroAirport and Bern
The other three gateways at a glance.
| Airport | Link to the city | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva (GVA) | Train to the city centre in 7 minutes, without changing | Change at the city station for onward trains |
| Basel EuroAirport | Bus 50 to Basel SBB, about 20 minutes | No SBB train starts in the terminal |
| Bern | Bus via Belp, Rubigen and Münsingen to Konolfingen | Plan on the bus, not on a long-distance train |
At Basel, change to a train at Basel SBB. At Bern, check the current bus timetable before you travel, because the connection is a bus line and not a train.
By train
The Luzern-Interlaken Express runs between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost in about 1 hour 50 minutes, every hour. Trains leave Lucerne between 06:06 and 21:06 and Interlaken between 07:04 and 20:04, so check the timetable for your travel day. It runs on a normal rail ticket, and the Swiss Travel Pass and the GA travelcard are valid on it.
A seat reservation costs 16 CHF until 1 November 2026 and 12 CHF from 2 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. It is not required for every traveller. Return travel takes about 3 hours 40 minutes on the train alone, which is worth knowing if you plan a day trip. Our day trips guide and the page on the Swiss Travel Pass show how rail tickets and passes fit together.
Coach option from Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken
If you prefer not to plan trains, a panoramic glass-top bus runs with pick-up and drop-off in Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken. It includes a local guide and free time in Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. It has only a few reviews so far, so read the details before you book.
Car rental and parking
What to know before you drive in the Swiss Alps.
Motorway vignette
The vignette costs 40 CHF. The sticker and the e-vignette cost the same, and the 2026 vignette is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027. It applies to vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes. Third-party sellers may add a processing fee, which is not a state charge.
Furka car shuttle
The car shuttle between Oberwald and Realp runs all year through the Furka tunnel and takes just under 20 minutes. The timetable ran until 30 October 2026 and a new one applies from 31 October 2026 to 13 June 2027. Check current waiting times and prices with the operator.
Zermatt is car free
Private cars can drive only as far as Täsch. Park there and continue by shuttle or an approved transfer. The ride from Täsch to Zermatt takes about 12 minutes. The return shuttle costs 17.20 CHF. The Swiss Travel Pass and the GA are valid, and the half fare card and children from 6 to 15 pay half. Children under 6 travel free. For the stretch itself, see Täsch to Zermatt. Rental prices and parking fees in mountain villages vary, so ask the rental desk or the village before you go.
Getting to the Swiss Alps: frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Zurich Airport to the city take?
About 15 minutes to Zurich main station, with trains about every 10 minutes.
Is there a train from Basel EuroAirport?
No SBB train starts in the terminal. Bus 50 takes you to Basel SBB in about 20 minutes, where you change to a train.
Do I need a vignette to drive in Switzerland?
Motorways require a vignette, which costs 40 CHF. The 2026 vignette is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027.
Can I drive to Zermatt?
You can drive to Täsch, park, and continue by shuttle in about 12 minutes. Zermatt itself is car free.
Which currency do I need?
Swiss francs (CHF) are the legal currency in Switzerland, and the prices in this guide are given in CHF.