The Furka car train shuttles vehicles through the Furka base tunnel between Oberwald, at the top of the Valais Goms valley, and Realp in the canton of Uri, just a few minutes from Andermatt. For most of the year the Furka Pass road above it is closed by snow, so the shuttle is the only direct road-rail link between the upper Rhône valley and central Switzerland. For a winter trip from Geneva to Andermatt through Valais, AirportsTransfers.ch chauffeurs build it into the route.
- Connects: Oberwald (Valais) and Realp (Uri)
- Crossing: around 15 to 20 minutes through the Furka base tunnel
- Why it matters: the Furka Pass road is closed for much of the year
- Onward: Andermatt is a short drive from Realp
- On board: passengers stay in their vehicle
The Furka Pass and its winter gap
The Furka Pass is one of Switzerland's great high roads, climbing past the source of the Rhône and the Rhône Glacier at Gletsch before crossing into Uri at well over 2,400 m. Its views and hairpins have made it a favourite of drivers, and it even appeared in a famous film car chase. But at that altitude it is snowbound for a large part of the year, typically from autumn until late spring, and the neighbouring Grimsel and Nufenen passes close as well. Without the tunnel, the Goms valley would be a dead end in winter for road traffic heading east, and reaching Andermatt from Valais would mean an enormous detour.
How the shuttle works
The Furka base tunnel, opened in 1982, was built mainly to keep the railway between Valais and Uri running all year, and the car shuttle is operated by the same mountain railway company. At Oberwald or Realp, drivers follow signs to the loading terminal, buy a ticket, and drive onto open or covered flat wagons, one behind the other. Engines go off, passengers stay seated, and the train runs through the tunnel to the other side, where cars drive off and continue. Departures run regularly throughout the day, with extra capacity at busy periods such as winter weekends. Reservations are not normally required, but at peak times you may wait for a later train.
The route from Geneva via Valais
From Geneva Airport, the journey follows the A9 motorway along Lake Geneva and up the Rhône valley past Montreux, Martigny and Sion, then on past Visp and Brig. Beyond Brig, the road climbs into the Goms, a long, high valley of dark wooden villages and wide cross-country ski trails, to Oberwald at its head. After the car train, Realp is only a short drive from Andermatt. In winter this is a practical route, especially for anyone combining Andermatt with a stay in Zermatt, Saas-Fee or the Aletsch area. The alternative, via Bern and Lucerne to Göschenen and up through the Schöllenen gorge, stays on motorway for longer and is often comparable in time; the right choice depends on traffic and weather on the day.
Andermatt and its connections
Andermatt has grown into a year-round resort, with a ski area linked over the Oberalp Pass to Sedrun in Graubünden, and a mix of traditional village houses and newer hotels and apartments. It sits at a crossroads: the Gotthard leads south to Ticino, the Oberalp east towards Disentis and the Rhine valley, and the Furka west to Valais. In winter, when the Oberalp and Gotthard pass roads are closed too, the car train and the Schöllenen road from Göschenen are the main ways in for vehicles, while trains provide further links. Knowing which routes are open on a given day is the key to a smooth trip.
Tips for a winter crossing
Winter conditions in the Goms and around Andermatt can be severe, so a vehicle with proper winter tyres, and chains on board, is essential. Allow some flexibility for the car-train queue on Saturdays and at the start of holidays. If your stay involves skis, snowboards or larger luggage, choose a vehicle with enough room, and remember that a mountain transfer of this length is more comfortable with regular short stops. In summer, when the Furka Pass is open, your chauffeur can take the pass road instead, which turns the transfer into a sightseeing drive past the Rhône Glacier.
Travelling to Andermatt with AirportsTransfers.ch
For a transfer from Geneva Airport to Andermatt or the Goms, AirportsTransfers.ch shows a fixed price per vehicle before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, with the car-train ticket included when the route uses it. A chauffeur waits in arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight and waits at no extra cost if it is delayed. Choose a Mercedes E-Class or S-Class for smaller parties, a V-Class for up to seven passengers with skis and luggage, or a Sprinter minibus for a group, and ask for child seats when booking. The team is reachable 24/7 on +41 78 346 56 77 by phone or WhatsApp.
