You can add stops to a private transfer, such as a supermarket for chalet groceries, a ski hire shop, an agency to collect keys or a second address to pick up friends. Each stop adds time and sometimes distance, so the key is to request it when booking, rather than on the day, so the schedule and price can reflect it. AirportsTransfers.ch plans the route with the stops included, so the chauffeur knows exactly what to expect.
- Common stops: supermarkets, ski hire, rental agencies, pharmacies, extra pick-ups
- When to ask: at booking, with addresses and an estimate of how long each stop takes
- Effect on timing: every stop adds time, more on busy Saturdays
- Effect on price: longer stops or detours may change the quote
- Alternatives: for many stops, consider a chauffeur by the hour
Why stops are useful
Arriving at a self-catered chalet late on a Saturday with nothing in the fridge is a classic holiday mistake. A short stop at a supermarket on the way solves it. Others want to pick up skis on the way to avoid queues the next morning, collect keys from a rental agency in the village, or meet friends arriving on a different flight or at a station.
Because a private transfer is booked for your group and vehicle, it can be shaped around these needs in a way that public transport cannot. The aim is simply to plan them in advance.
Supermarket and grocery stops
Supermarkets in the valleys are often larger and better stocked than village shops, so many groups stop on the way up. When planning:
- Make a list before you land so the shop takes 20 to 30 minutes rather than an hour
- Bring a few strong bags; space in the vehicle is shared with luggage and skis
- Remember that shops near the border may be in France, and prices in euros
- Check opening hours, especially on Sundays when many Swiss shops are closed
- Frozen and chilled goods should be bought last if you have other stops
Some chalet operators also offer grocery delivery before you arrive, which can be quicker than a stop.
Ski hire, keys and other errands
Stopping at a ski hire shop to get boots fitted can take a while, especially for a family, so allow plenty of time or arrange the fitting after check-in instead. Collecting keys from an agency is usually quick, but its opening hours must match your arrival time. A pharmacy stop for children's medicine or sun cream is simple to add.
If your chalet is in a resort with restricted access, such as Zermatt, reached by road only as far as Täsch, about 231 km and 2 h 35 from Geneva Airport, plan errands accordingly: shopping is easier in the village than before the shuttle train with all your luggage.
Equally, if you are heading to a French resort such as Megève, about 75 km and 1 h 10 from the airport, a stop on the French side of the border lets you shop in euros at the larger valley stores before the final climb. Tell your chauffeur roughly what you need, and they will suggest a convenient place on the route rather than a detour.
Picking up extra passengers
Groups often arrive at different times or from different places. A transfer can wait for a second flight, collect friends from a hotel in Geneva, or pick someone up at Lausanne station on the way to the Valais. Each additional pick-up should be included in the booking with address, timing and number of people and bags, so the vehicle size is right. A Mercedes V-Class holds up to seven passengers and ten bags with skis, while a Sprinter suits larger parties.
For flights landing far apart, two separate transfers can work out more practical than one long wait.
How stops affect planning
Every stop adds to the journey. A drive to Verbier, about 160 km and 2 h, can become three hours with a supermarket and a ski hire visit, and on a busy Saturday traffic adds more. Stops that require a detour off the main route may also change the price. Being specific at booking, with the address, purpose and expected duration, helps produce an accurate plan and avoids surprises.
If you want several stops or flexible timing, booking a chauffeur by the hour, with a minimum of two hours, can be the simplest way to keep the vehicle with you while you go about your errands.
Booking a transfer with stops
Book online with AirportsTransfers.ch: the fixed price per vehicle is shown before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and you can describe the stops in the booking notes or contact the team for a tailored quote. Your chauffeur follows your flight, meets you in arrivals with a name sign and waits if you land late. Child seats are available on request, skis and boards should be declared at booking, and invoices are available for companies. Ask any question on +41 78 346 56 77, by phone or WhatsApp, day or night.
