The motorway from Geneva to Valais follows the north shore of Lake Geneva to Lausanne, then continues on the A9 above the Lavaux vineyards, past Montreux and into the Rhône valley towards Martigny, Sion and Sierre. Lausanne is about 61 km and 45 minutes from Geneva Airport, Montreux about 91 km and 1 h 05, and Verbier about 160 km and 2 h. It is the road AirportsTransfers.ch chauffeurs take to most Swiss ski resorts.
- Route: Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, Martigny, Sion, Sierre
- Scenery: Lake Geneva, the Lavaux terraces and the Alps of Valais
- Resorts served: Verbier, Crans-Montana, Zermatt via Täsch and many more
- Border crossing: none, the route stays in Switzerland
- Motorway charge: covered by the Swiss vignette
Along the lake to Lausanne
The first section, from Geneva to Lausanne, runs on the A1 through La Côte, a gently sloping wine region between the Jura and the lake. On the left, vineyards and villages slope down to the water, and on clear days the Mont Blanc massif appears across the lake. This is one of Switzerland's busiest motorways, and traffic can be heavy at commuter times around Geneva and Morges. At Lausanne, the route bypasses the city to the north and joins the A9, which then swings east towards the Lavaux and the eastern end of the lake.
Lavaux and the Riviera
Beyond Lausanne, the motorway runs high above the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of stone walls and vines that descend steeply to the lake. The views from the road are remarkable, with the water far below and the mountains of the Chablais on the opposite shore. The motorway then passes above Vevey, home to Chaplin's World and the Alimentarium food museum, and Montreux, known for its jazz festival and lakeside promenade. Near Villeneuve, a long viaduct offers a view of the Château de Chillon, the medieval castle that seems to float on the lake just below. A detour of a few minutes takes you to its entrance.
Into the Rhône valley
At the eastern end of the lake, the A9 enters the wide, flat Rhône valley. On the left, Aigle is known for its castle among vineyards and for the roads up to Villars and Les Diablerets, while across the river the Val d'Illiez leads up to Champéry and the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil. The motorway continues past Bex, with its historic salt mines, and through the narrow passage at Saint-Maurice, site of an ancient abbey founded in the early sixth century. Beyond, the valley opens again towards Martigny, where the Rhône bends sharply and the roads to Verbier, the Great St Bernard and Chamonix branch off.
Martigny to Sion and Sierre
From Martigny, the valley runs north-east, and the landscape becomes distinctly Valaisan: vineyards on the sunny northern slopes, orchards on the valley floor and high peaks on both sides. Sion, the cantonal capital, is easy to spot thanks to its two hills crowned by the Valère basilica and the ruins of Tourbillon castle. Further on, Sierre is the gateway to Crans-Montana, about 190 km and 2 h 15 from the airport, and to the Val d'Anniviers. The motorway has been extended eastwards in stages, and beyond it the main road continues to Visp, where travellers bound for Zermatt turn south towards Täsch, about 231 km and 2 h 35 from GVA, and Saas-Fee.
Stops worth making
The A9 lends itself to unhurried journeys. A coffee on the Lavaux terraces, a short visit to Chillon, or lunch in the old town of Sion can turn a transfer into a small tour. Motorway rest areas along the lake offer views and simple refreshments. On the way back to Geneva, a stop at a Valais wine cellar is a popular idea, with the driver taking care of the rest. For families, a break around halfway, near Montreux or Martigny, keeps children comfortable on the longer trips to Zermatt or Saas-Fee. In winter, the motorway itself is well cleared, so the weather usually matters only on the final climb to the resort; on Saturdays in the ski season, traffic around Martigny and on the resort roads can be heavier, and an early departure helps.
Booking a Valais transfer with AirportsTransfers.ch
Transfers from Geneva Airport to Verbier, Crans-Montana, Zermatt via Täsch, Saas-Fee, Champéry or Villars are booked online with AirportsTransfers.ch, with a fixed price per vehicle displayed before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur meets you in arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight and waits if it is delayed. Choose a Mercedes E-Class, S-Class, V-Class for up to seven passengers with skis, or a Sprinter for groups; child seats are provided on request. If you would like stops along the way, mention them when booking or reserve a chauffeur by the hour from two hours. Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77 at any time.
