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How to get to Verbier

Discover the top ways to get to Verbier

Updated

Aside from awesome terrain, there's a reason why Verbier remains popular - it's so easy to get to, however you choose to travel.

Verbier sits at the heart of the Four Valleys, the largest ski area in Switzerland and one of the largest in Europe. 

It's two hours from Geneva airport and only a 10 minute lift ride from the nearest train station. It's easily accessible by road too, if you're thinking of driving yourself.

So given the options, what’s the best way to get here?

Plane over snow-capped mountains

Flying to Verbier

Flying to Geneva airport is the quickest way to get to Verbier for most international visitors.

The transfer is only two hours and there are plenty of transfer companies to choose from. You can also hire a car at Geneva and be on your way in no time.

The only trouble with flying to Geneva is the environmental cost. Driving, coming by coach or catching a train are usually better options if you want to reduce CO2 emissions.

Flying to other airports

If you can’t get a flight to Geneva, Zurich is your next best option. The transfer from Zurich to Verbier is a little longer (3h30), but plenty of major airlines fly there.

About Transfers to Val Thorens

Getting from the airport to Verbier

The fastest way to get from the airport to Verbier is to book a transfer.

If you're travelling during the weekend, you've also got the option of taking the Verbier Express train to Le Châble. This runs twice a day on Saturdays and Sundays.

About Trains to Verbier

Train to Verbier

Getting to Verbier by train might involve a few changes, which can be tricky with baggage or kids. But it's the most environmentally-friendly option and arguably more comfortable than flying or driving. 

Verbier is also one of the easier resorts to get to by train.

Which railway station is closest to Verbier

Le Châble is the closest train station to Verbier. It's only 10 minutes from the centre of the resort, and there's a telecabine running between the two.

There's no direct train between Geneva and Le Châble during the week. You'll need to change at Martigny. At the weekend however, the Verbier Express train runs direct from Geneva airport to Le Châble twice a day. 

London to Verbier by train

The quickest way to get from London to Verbier by train is to go via Paris. The journey to Le Châble, which involves three changes, takes about 9h30.

About Transfers to Val Thorens

Driving to Verbier

Verbier is relatively easy to get to by car. The last 10km (between Le Châble and the resort) can be a little twisty in places, but in good weather it's nothing to worry about. 

During winter the road is cleared every day, but you should still be prepared for challenging driving conditions. If you're coming for a ski holiday, remember to fit winter tyres or keep snow chains in the boot of your car.

It's also worth remembering that if any part of your journey to Verbier uses Swiss motorways, you'll need to buy a vignette for your windscreen. This costs around CHF40.

Once you're here, you're unlikely to need your car. We find it easier to rely on the free buses to get around the resort.

Read more about parking in Verbier 

Driving to Verbier from the UK

It takes just over nine hours to drive from Calais to Verbier - a distance of around 850km.

Unless you're driving an electric car to the Alps however, driving isn't very environmentally friendly. And parking can be difficult once you get here - especially in peak seasons.

About Transfers to Val Thorens

Coach to Verbier

Getting to Verbier by coach takes longer than flying. It's usually cheaper though, which makes it a good option if you're on a budget.

It's also a relatively environmentally-friendly way to travel.

International coach companies like FlixBus, Eurolines, BlaBlaBus and RegioJet run services to Geneva. From there, you can pick up a transfer to Verbier.

Coaches from London to Verbier

There are no direct coaches from London to Verbier. You're best off getting a coach to Geneva or Lausanne and transferring from there. 

Total journey time is about 20 hours.

About Getting to Val Thorens

Reducing your environmental impact

We know flying is often the most convenient way to get to Verbier, but we'd encourage you to look at alternatives.

One option is to take the train as far as Geneva and do the last leg by transfer from the airport or city centre. This allows you to minimise your carbon footprint while still getting to the resort in good time.

Carbon footprint | Comparing ways to get to Verbier
Mode of transport CO2 per km per person
Train 6 grams
Electric car with 4 passengers 13 grams
Coach 28 grams
Diesel car with 4 passengers 43 grams
Petrol car with 4 passengers 48 grams
Flying 156 grams

Source: Carbon footprint of travel per kilometre (ourworldindata.org)