Einsiedeln
Einsiedeln is about 317 km from Geneva Airport, a drive of around 3 h 20 min via Bern and Zurich and then up into the hills of the canton of Schwyz. It is Switzerland's foremost place of pilgrimage, built around a vast Benedictine abbey, and a gateway to Lake Sihl and the pre-Alps. AirportsTransfers.ch can take pilgrims, groups and families straight from Geneva arrivals to the abbey square.
- Distance from GVA: about 317 km by road
- Drive time: around 3 h 20 min
- Border crossing: none, the route stays in Switzerland
- Known for: the Benedictine abbey and its Black Madonna, pilgrim routes
- Nearby: Lake Sihl, Rapperswil, Lake Zurich, the Ybrig area
Getting there from Geneva Airport
The route takes the A1 motorway from Geneva through Lausanne and Bern towards Zurich, then heads south-east along Lake Zurich before climbing from the lakeside into the hills to Einsiedeln. An alternative via Lucerne and Schwyz can be quicker when traffic around Zurich is heavy, and your chauffeur decides on the day.
The final climb is on a good road, but Einsiedeln lies at around 900 metres and receives regular snow in winter, so winter tyres are essential. Pilgrimage days and feast days bring many visitors, and coach traffic can make the last stretch busier.
The abbey and the Black Madonna
Einsiedeln Abbey has been home to Benedictine monks for over a thousand years. Its current church, rebuilt in the 18th century, is one of the most important baroque buildings in Switzerland, with a richly decorated interior of stucco and ceiling paintings. Inside the church, the Chapel of Grace shelters the Black Madonna, a statue of the Virgin and Child that is the focus of pilgrimage.
The huge square in front of the abbey is framed by arcades and a fountain, and the monks' daily services, including sung prayers, are open to visitors. The abbey also runs a library and has long been known for horse breeding, a tradition that continues in its stables. Respectful dress and quiet are expected in the church. Close to the abbey, the Panorama of the Crucifixion is a large circular painting of Jerusalem on the day of Christ's death, an example of the panoramic paintings that were popular in the late 19th century; it is an unusual complement to a visit.
Pilgrims, walkers and Lake Sihl
Einsiedeln is a major stop on the Swiss section of the Way of St James towards Santiago de Compostela, and many walkers arrive on foot from Lake Constance or Rapperswil, crossing the wooden footbridge over Lake Zurich and the Etzel pass. Others start their pilgrimage here.
Just outside town, Lake Sihl is the largest reservoir in Switzerland, surrounded by moorland and gentle hills. It is pleasant for walks and cycling in summer, and in cold winters parts of it may freeze. The area around Einsiedeln and the nearby Ybrig valley is popular for cross-country skiing, and the town's ski jumps are a familiar landmark on the approach road.
Where to stay, local specialities and day trips
Most accommodation lies close to the abbey and the main street, a short walk from the station; guesthouses and holiday flats in the surrounding villages offer quieter settings. Groups of pilgrims often stay in the centre for easy access to services. Einsiedeln is known for its Schafböcke, traditional biscuits shaped like rams and sold in local bakeries.
- Rapperswil and the footbridge over Lake Zurich
- Hoch-Ybrig for walking in summer and skiing in winter
- Schwyz and the Federal Charter Museum
- Lucerne, via the Schwyz valley
- Zurich for its old town and lakefront
Practical tips
Einsiedeln is cooler than the lake towns, with snow in winter and fresh evenings even in summer, so pack warm layers. Sundays and religious feast days are the busiest times at the abbey; weekday mornings are calmer for visits. The town is German-speaking and uses Swiss francs.
Groups of pilgrims arriving at Geneva Airport on different flights can be collected together or in several vehicles; let us know your arrival times when you book. If you are planning to walk part of the Way of St James from Einsiedeln, you can be dropped at your starting point with your pack, and a separate transfer can collect you at the end of your walking stage.
Booking a transfer to Einsiedeln
AirportsTransfers.ch shows the fixed price per vehicle before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur meets you in arrivals with a name sign, follows your flight and includes waiting time if it is late. Parish groups and pilgrim parties can travel together in a Mercedes Sprinter minibus, families in a V-Class with child seats on request, and individuals in an E-Class or S-Class. For group bookings or a return transfer, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
