Davos
Davos is around 410 km from Geneva Airport, and the drive takes roughly 4 hours 45 minutes, crossing Switzerland via Bern and Zurich and then climbing through the Prättigau valley into Graubünden. It is a large Alpine town with several separate ski mountains, a long winter sports tradition and an international profile. AirportsTransfers.ch drives you directly from the arrivals hall to your hotel in Davos Dorf or Davos Platz.
- Distance from GVA: about 410 km
- Drive time: around 4 h 45
- Border crossing: none
- Ski mountains: Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Pischa, Rinerhorn, plus Madrisa from Klosters
- Best for: varied skiing, cross-country, a town with full services
The route from Geneva Airport
The journey begins on the motorway along Lake Geneva, then crosses the Plateau via Bern and on to Zurich. Beyond Zurich the motorway follows Lake Zurich and Lake Walen towards Chur, and at Landquart you turn off into the Prättigau, a long, green valley that rises steadily towards Klosters. From Klosters the road climbs over the Wolfgang Pass, a gentle saddle, and descends to Lake Davos and the town. The road is well maintained and open year-round. Traffic around Zurich is the main variable, along with Saturday holiday traffic towards Graubünden; a fresh snowfall on the final climb can slow things down, but winter tyres and chains are part of our standard equipment.
The ski mountains
Davos is unusual in that its skiing is spread over several separate mountains, each with its own character. The Parsenn, reached by funicular from Davos Dorf, is the largest and most famous, with long, varied runs and a link to Klosters via the Gotschna; some descents run far down towards the Prättigau. The Jakobshorn, above Davos Platz, has a younger, freestyle-oriented atmosphere with snowparks. The Pischa is known for its freeride terrain and quiet slopes, the Rinerhorn for its family-friendly, wooded runs, and Madrisa above Klosters for its sunny, gentle slopes. Moving between mountains is easy with the local buses and the train.
The choice of mountains means you can adapt every day to the weather: the Rinerhorn's trees help visibility in flat light, while the Parsenn's open bowls are at their finest on clear days. Davos is also one of Switzerland's main cross-country centres, with trails along the valley floor and into the side valleys, and the large natural ice rink and sledging runs such as the one at the Schatzalp add to the options.
The town
Davos is a proper town rather than a village, stretching along the valley from Davos Dorf to Davos Platz, with shops, restaurants, conference facilities and museums. It became known in the nineteenth century as a health resort, an era that inspired Thomas Mann's novel The Magic Mountain, and the Kirchner Museum honours the expressionist painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who lived here. In mid-winter the town hosts the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, which brings exceptional traffic and security, so it is wise to check the dates before planning a ski holiday around that time.
Where to stay depends on how you plan to ski. Davos Dorf, at the northern end, is closest to the Parsenn funicular and suits skiers who want to spend most days on the largest mountain. Davos Platz, the more urban southern part, gives direct access to the Jakobshorn and has a wider choice of shops and restaurants. Both are linked by frequent local buses, which also serve the Rinerhorn and Pischa, so most visitors leave the car behind once they have arrived.
The return trip to Geneva
Plan around five hours for the drive back, including a margin for traffic around Zurich and Bern. An afternoon or evening flight is the most comfortable option; for a morning departure, some travellers prefer to spend their final night nearer to Geneva. Your chauffeur agrees the pick-up time in advance and adapts it to snowfall or Saturday congestion if needed.
Best time to go and practical tips
The season usually runs from late November to April. Thanks to the altitude, snow is generally reliable through the main winter months, and March offers longer days and sunny terraces. February is the busiest period, during school holidays. With nearly five hours on the road, a morning arrival in Geneva lets you reach Davos in daylight. Plan for Saturday traffic, especially on the A3 along Lake Walen. Skis and boot bags must be mentioned when booking so that space is allocated, and remember warm clothing: Davos lies high and evenings are cold.
Booking your Davos transfer with AirportsTransfers.ch
Reserve online, see the fixed price for the vehicle and pay securely by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur waits in arrivals with a name sign and tracks your flight, so delays are handled without extra waiting fees. Business travellers often choose the Mercedes S-Class, and companies can receive invoices; families and ski groups usually travel in a V-Class van with room for seven passengers and their skis. Child seats are fitted on request. For questions, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77, day or night.
