The World Economic Forum holds its annual meeting in Davos every January, bringing heads of state, business leaders and media to a small mountain town in the canton of Graubünden. Davos is a long drive from Geneva, comparable in scale to the 400 km, five-hour journey to St. Moritz, and still a couple of hours or more from Zurich Airport. AirportsTransfers.ch, based in Geneva, can drive participants and teams the whole way, so planning the journey early is essential.
- When: every January, over several days
- Where: the Congress Centre and venues across Davos
- From Geneva: a long, full-day-scale drive across Switzerland
- From Zurich: shorter, via the Rhine valley and the Prättigau
- Key challenges: scarce accommodation, security controls and winter roads
What the Davos annual meeting is
The World Economic Forum is a Geneva-based foundation whose headquarters stand on the lakeshore at Cologny. Its flagship event, the annual meeting in Davos, brings together participants from government, business, international organisations, academia and civil society for several days of sessions, bilateral meetings and receptions. Alongside the official programme, many companies and organisations host their own events in hotels, chalets and shopfronts along the Promenade, which turns the town into a temporary business district.
For travellers, this means Davos is far busier than its normal size would suggest. Roads, hotels and restaurants operate at full capacity, and the whole town is under heightened security.
Getting there: Geneva or Zurich?
Many international participants fly into Zurich, the closest major airport, and continue by road or rail via Landquart and the Prättigau valley. Others arrive in Geneva, either because their organisation is based there, because flights are more convenient, or because they combine Davos with meetings at the United Nations or in the Geneva financial centre. From Geneva, the road crosses the Swiss plateau past Bern and Zurich, then follows the Rhine valley before climbing to Davos. It is a long journey that should be treated as a travel day.
- Leave early: traffic builds around the opening days as delegations arrive
- Expect winter conditions: the final climb is mountain driving in January
- Work on the move: a long transfer is valuable preparation time
- Keep plans flexible: road controls can slow the final approach
Accommodation pressure
Hotel rooms in Davos are in extremely short supply during the Forum, and prices rise accordingly. Many rooms are allocated well in advance to delegations and partner organisations. As a result, many participants stay outside town, in Klosters, in villages of the Prättigau, or further down the valley towards Landquart and Bad Ragaz, and commute in daily. A reliable daily transfer with a driver who knows the roads becomes an important part of the plan.
Companies running events often rent apartments or chalets, and teams of several people travelling together may prefer a single van that stays with them throughout the week.
Security and access
Security during the annual meeting is extensive. Police and military support, restricted zones around key venues, controls on roads into Davos and restrictions on airspace are all part of the arrangements. Access to the Congress Centre and many official venues requires accreditation issued by the organisers, and vehicle access to certain areas is restricted. Arrangements change from year to year, so always follow the latest guidance from the Forum and your host organisation.
Experienced drivers help by planning drop-off points in advance, allowing time for controls and staying reachable by phone when schedules change.
Choosing a vehicle for the Forum
For a single executive, a Mercedes S-Class or E-Class provides comfort and privacy over a long journey. A Mercedes V-Class, seating up to 7 with room for 10 bags, suits a team with luggage and event material. For larger delegations, a Mercedes Sprinter minibus keeps everyone together. Chauffeur-by-the-hour bookings can cover daily commutes and evening receptions once you are in the region.
Booking Davos transfers with AirportsTransfers.ch
Reserve as early as possible, since demand peaks in January. With AirportsTransfers.ch you see the fixed price for your vehicle before paying online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. We offer long-distance one-way transfers, return trips and chauffeurs by the hour, with invoices for companies and organisations. Pick-ups at Geneva Airport include flight tracking, a name-sign welcome and waiting time if your flight is delayed. Discuss your Forum plans with us on +41 78 346 56 77 by phone or WhatsApp, 24/7.
