A week in the Valais can combine three very different places: Crans-Montana, about 190 km and 2 h 15 from Geneva Airport, Sion, the wine capital in the Rhône valley below it, and Zermatt, which is car-free, so you are driven to Täsch, 231 km and 2 h 35 from GVA, and take the shuttle train for the last stretch. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you from the airport to the plateau, on to Täsch mid-week, and home again at the end.
- Crans-Montana: about 190 km, 2 h 15 from GVA
- Zermatt: car-free; drop-off in Täsch, 231 km / 2 h 35, then shuttle train
- Route: along Lake Geneva and up the Rhône valley, entirely within Switzerland
- Structure: three or four nights in Crans-Montana, three in Zermatt, Sion as a day visit
- Best seasons: winter for skiing, June to October for hiking and wine
Why these three places belong together
The Valais is the long, deep valley of the upper Rhône, enclosed by the highest mountains in Switzerland. Its sunny climate makes it the country's largest wine-growing canton, while its side valleys lead to some of the most famous resorts in the Alps. Crans-Montana, Sion and Zermatt show three sides of the canton: a sunny resort plateau, a historic town among vineyards, and a mountain village at the end of a deep valley. Combining them gives variety without long journeys, as the Rhône valley motorway links them all.
Days one to three: Crans-Montana, the sunny plateau
Crans-Montana sits on a broad south-facing terrace high above the Rhône valley, looking across to a wide panorama of peaks from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc on clear days. It is less a single village than a string of resorts linked together, with small lakes, larch woods and a well-known golf course that hosts a professional tournament. In winter, the ski area is sunny and varied, with long cruising runs suiting intermediates and families, and a glacier at Plaine Morte at its highest point. In summer, walking paths follow the bisses, centuries-old irrigation channels cut along the mountainside to carry water to the vineyards and meadows, which make for level, shaded walks with remarkable views.
Day four: Sion and the Valais vineyards
Sion, the capital of the Valais, is one of the oldest towns in Switzerland and is easily recognised by two hills rising from the valley floor, each crowned by a castle: the fortified basilica of Valère and the ruined Tourbillon. The Valère basilica houses one of the oldest playable organs in the world. The old town has narrow streets, a cathedral and a busy Saturday market. Around the city, terraced vineyards held up by dry stone walls produce wines found mostly in Switzerland, such as Fendant (Chasselas), Petite Arvine and Humagne Blanche among the whites, and Cornalin, Humagne Rouge and Syrah among the reds. A chauffeured afternoon visiting a couple of wine cellars is a highlight of the week.
Days five to seven: Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Zermatt is car-free, so the transfer stops at Täsch, where a shuttle train runs up the valley in a few minutes; electric taxis and hotel shuttles meet arrivals in the village. The Matterhorn's pyramid dominates every view. The Gornergrat railway climbs to a viewpoint surrounded by glaciers and many of the highest peaks in Switzerland, while the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car reaches a high station with views into Italy. The Sunnegga funicular gives access to the Five Lakes Walk, famous for reflections of the Matterhorn on calm mornings. In winter, Zermatt's ski area is linked with Cervinia in Italy.
- Moving from Crans-Montana to Täsch is a straightforward run along the valley and up the Mattertal.
- Pack light for Zermatt or let your hotel arrange luggage collection from the station.
- Check weather before booking high excursions; clouds can hide the Matterhorn for days.
The order can be adapted to the season. In winter, skiers often prefer to start in Zermatt while their legs are fresh and finish with the gentler slopes of Crans-Montana, while in late summer the grape harvest around Sion makes the middle of the week especially lively. If one of the group prefers wine and culture to high mountains, a chauffeur by the hour can take them to Sion or to the vineyards while the others ski or hike.
Book your Valais week transfers
AirportsTransfers.ch, available 24/7, offers fixed prices per vehicle shown before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur meets you in Geneva Airport arrivals with a name sign, follows your flight and waits if it lands late. Choose an E-Class sedan for up to three passengers, an S-Class for extra comfort, or a V-Class van for up to seven with skis, which you simply declare at booking. Child seats are available on request and return trips can be booked together. For the transfer between resorts or a Sion wine afternoon by the hour, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
