Valais is the long Rhône valley that begins where Lake Geneva ends, and five days are enough to taste its wines around Sion, soak in the Alpine thermal baths of Leukerbad and see the glaciers under the Matterhorn. Zermatt is car-free, so your chauffeur from AirportsTransfers.ch drops you at Täsch, 231 km and about 2 h 35 from Geneva Airport, for the short shuttle train up the valley.
- Route: Lake Geneva, Martigny, Sion, Leukerbad, Visp, Täsch for Zermatt
- Time to allow: five days, moving bases twice
- Highlights: Valère and Tourbillon castles, vineyard walks, thermal pools, Matterhorn views
- Zermatt access: by car to Täsch, then the shuttle train; Zermatt itself is car-free
- Best season: June to October for walks and wine; winter for spa-and-ski combinations
Day 1: from Geneva Airport up the Rhône to Sion
The road from the airport follows the Swiss shore of Lake Geneva past Lausanne and Montreux, the latter about 91 km and 1 h 05 from GVA, before turning into the Rhône valley at the eastern end of the lake. Here the landscape changes quickly: the valley narrows near Saint-Maurice, with its ancient abbey, and then opens out at Martigny, where the river makes its sharp turn to the east.
Sion, the cantonal capital, is unmistakable from a distance thanks to its two castle-topped hills. Valère, a fortified basilica, and the ruins of Tourbillon look down on a lively old town of narrow streets and terraces. Arriving by mid-afternoon leaves time to climb one of the hills before dinner and a first glass of local wine.
Day 2: vineyards and irrigation channels
Valais is Switzerland's largest wine-producing canton, and its steep south-facing terraces around Sion, Vétroz, Salgesch and Visperterminen produce some distinctive grapes. Fendant, the local name for Chasselas, is the classic white; Petite Arvine and Amigne are indigenous specialities, and among the reds Cornalin and Humagne Rouge are worth seeking out. Many cellars welcome visitors, though it is wise to book.
Between tastings, the area is crossed by bisses, historic irrigation channels cut into the hillsides to bring glacier water to the vineyards and meadows. Paths run alongside many of them, offering level walks with wide views of the valley. A chauffeur by the hour makes it easy to link a morning walk, a vineyard lunch and an afternoon tasting without anyone having to drive.
Day 3: Leukerbad and its thermal baths
From Sion the valley continues east into German-speaking Valais. Just past Leuk, a winding road climbs to Leukerbad, a village set in a dramatic cirque of cliffs and known for its hot springs, which have been used since Roman times. It is one of the largest thermal resorts in the Alps, with several public pools, indoor and outdoor, where you can sit in warm water while looking up at the rock walls of the Gemmi.
A cable car rises from the village to the Gemmi Pass for a high, easy walk around a small lake, a good way to balance a lazy day in the pools. Leukerbad is a calm, restorative overnight stop between the wine country and the high mountains.
Days 4 and 5: Zermatt, the Matterhorn and the glaciers
The next morning the chauffeur heads back down to the valley floor and east to Visp, then up the Matter valley to Täsch, where the road ends for private vehicles. The shuttle train covers the last few kilometres to Zermatt in a matter of minutes. Electric taxis and hotel shuttles take over in the village.
Zermatt sits at the foot of the Matterhorn and is surrounded by more glaciers and high peaks than almost anywhere in the Alps. The Gornergrat railway climbs to a viewpoint overlooking the Gorner Glacier and Monte Rosa, while a series of cable cars rises to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where glacier skiing is possible even in summer. On the lower slopes, footpaths link hamlets of old larch-wood barns. After a night or two in Zermatt, take the shuttle back to Täsch, where your chauffeur is waiting for the return to Geneva Airport.
Tips for the Valais itinerary
- Book cellar visits ahead and plan no more than two or three tastings a day.
- Bring a swimsuit and flip-flops for Leukerbad, and warm layers for Gornergrat.
- Keep heavy luggage minimal for Zermatt; hotel porters meet trains, but the village is walked.
- Allow a buffer before your flight: the return from Täsch to Geneva Airport takes about 2 h 35.
How to book the Valais transfers
The three road legs, Geneva Airport to Sion, Sion to Leukerbad, Leukerbad to Täsch and back to GVA, can all be reserved with AirportsTransfers.ch, together or separately. Each carries a fixed vehicle price, visible before you pay securely online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. On arrival a chauffeur waits with a name sign and has been tracking your flight, so a delay does not affect the plan. For families, child seats are added on request, and ski bags should be listed when booking for a winter version of the trip. Questions or a custom route: +41 78 346 56 77, phone or WhatsApp, day and night.
