Valais is Switzerland's third-largest and most dramatically alpine canton, home to 40 of the Alps' 52 four-thousand-metre peaks including the iconic Matterhorn. With the driest climate in Switzerland, over 300 sunny days a year, and the country's largest wine-growing region, it offers an extraordinary blend of high-altitude adventure, luxury resorts, and centuries-old culture.
- Public
- Switzerland has one of the world's best public transport systems. Trains, PostBus, and cable cars are clean, punctual, and frequent — genuinely the best way to get around Valais.
- Taxi
- Taxis are available in all towns but expensive (CHF 3.50/km base rate). Use for short hops or airport transfers; apps like TaxiBeat and local operators serve resort areas.
- Rental
- Car rental is valuable for accessing Val d'Anniviers, Obergoms, and the Simplon Pass. Remember to leave your car in Täsch or Stalden before Zermatt and Saas-Fee.
- Walking
- Sion's old town and Zermatt village are very walkable. Resort villages are compact and generally navigable on foot.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- CHF 15 (Sion Airport to centre) or CHF 350+ (Geneva Airport to Sion)
- Taxi Info
- Book through the hotel or call local taxi companies — Uber not available in most Valais towns
- Shuttle
- CHF 45–60, shared van service from Geneva Airport (book through Alpybus or similar operators)
- Shuttle Info
- Runs to major Valais resorts; book at least 24 hours in advance
- Bus
- CHF 45–55, SBB train from Geneva Airport direct to Sion
- Bus Info
- Trains from Geneva Airport depart every 30 minutes; journey time 1h45m to Sion
- Private
- CHF 250–400, pre-booked private car from Geneva Airport to Sion or Zermatt
- Private Info
- Book online in advance through operators like Sixt Chauffeur or Swiss Transfer Chauffeur
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
PostBus routes cover all Valais communities; fare from CHF 3; free with Swiss Travel Pass or guest cards
Alternatives
Electric shuttle buses in Zermatt and Saas-Fee (car-free villages); e-bike hire along the Rhône Valley; funiculars in Sion (future project)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- CHF 6.50 base fare + CHF 3.50/km by day (higher at night and weekends)
- Apps
- TaxiBeat (limited coverage), Call local operators
- App Names
- TaxiBeat, Uber (Geneva only)
- Typical Fare
- CHF 25–40 for an average town-centre ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
PostBus long-distance services from CHF 6–20; combined with SBB rail for longer journeys
Shared
Shared taxis (Sammelfahrten) operate in some mountain areas; ask at tourist office
Flights
No domestic air services within Valais; Sion Airport serves seasonal charter routes
Private
Private car hire from CHF 60/day from major rental companies at Sion and Martigny
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Valais is exceptionally well-connected by Switzerland's world-class public transport network. The main rail artery runs through the Rhône Valley from Geneva in the west to Brig in the east, with branch lines serving Zermatt (via Visp), Verbier area (via Martigny), and the Aletsch Arena. The PostBus network fills the gaps to mountain villages. A Swiss Travel Pass offers the best value for most visitors.
Airports
Sion Airport
Geneva Airport
Zurich Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
SBB Mobile
Official Swiss Railways app — best for timetables, tickets, and real-time train tracking throughout Valais
Alpybus
Shuttle service booking app for transfers from Geneva and Zurich airports to Valais ski resorts
PostAuto (PostBus)
App for PostBus routes and timetables serving mountain villages not on the rail network
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a Swiss Travel Pass for the best value — unlimited trains, PostBus, and 50% off cable cars and mountain railways
The SBB mobile app (SBB Mobile) is essential for timetables, tickets, and real-time disruptions — works offline
Zermatt is car-free: park in Täsch (CHF 15–20/day) and take the shuttle train (CHF 9 return, 12 minutes)
Saas-Fee is car-free: park in the village entrance car parks (CHF 10–18/day)
Buy a half-fare card (CHF 120 for one month) if staying 2+ weeks — it halves all SBB and PostBus fares
The Glacier Express must be reserved in advance; check-in at Zermatt station with bags
Cable cars often require separate tickets from the ski pass — verify inclusions before purchasing