How to Get to St Moritz. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Major Airports

St. Moritz features a little regional airport; most international travelers arrive via larger hubs and connect overland.

Main Gateways

Zurich Airport (ZRH): Switzerland's largest international airport. Most layovers worldwide. 200 km (124 miles) north of St. Moritz. Journey 3-4 hours by train.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Italy: Major international option, 180 km (112 miles) south of St. Moritz. Journey 3-4 hours by car/bus.
Engadin Airport (SMV) in Samedan: 7 km (4.3 miles) from St. Moritz. Serves private and charter flights, limited commercial service.

Flight Options & Transfers

Flight prices to Zurich and Milan increase during peak seasons.

Booking & Transfers

Seasonal Prices: Peak Winter (Dec-Mar) and Summer (Jul-Aug) are highest. Book 3-6 months in advance with Dollar Flight Club or Skyscanner. Shoulder seasons offer better value.
ZRH to St. Moritz Train: Most common, reliable, scenic. SBB trains departing from ZRH to Zurich HB, then RhB to St. Moritz. Journey 3.5-4 hours. RhB section (Albula Line) is UNESCO World Heritage.
Private Transfer/Taxi (ZRH): Direct service, 2.5-3 hours by road. Suitable for groups/heavy luggage.

Direct Flights to ZRH

Flights straight to Zurich (ZRH) are available from many major global hubs (e.g., New York, The City by the bay, London, Paris, Dubai, Singapore).

Airport Facilities

Zurich Airport (ZRH) has extensive facilities: duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, car hire counters, direct train station. Milan Malpensa (MXP) similar. Engadin Airport (SMV) has basic facilities.

MXP to St. Moritz

Train/Bus: MXP to Milan Centrale. Train to Tirano, Italy. Connect to Bernina Express (scenic RhB) or regional RhB to St. Moritz. This path is longer but highly scenic. Shuttle/private services between Milan air terminals and Engadin region available.

Land Transportation

Train Connections

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB): Connects major Swiss cities to Chur, the gateway to Engadin.
Rhätische Bahn (RhB): From Chur to St. Moritz. Famous for breathtaking routes like the UNESCO Albula Line (viaducts, spiral tunnels).
Glacier Express: St. Moritz is a stop on this iconic panoramic train route ("slowest express train in the world"). Connects St. Moritz with Zermatt. Reservations recommended.
Bernina Express: St. Moritz is also a stop on this UNESCO-listed panoramic route. Travels from Chur or St. Moritz over the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Italy. Reservations recommended.

Driving Considerations

Requirements: Valid national driver's license. International Driving Permit (IDP) needed if license not in Swiss/English. Credit card for deposit.
Road Conditions: Well-maintained. Passes through the mountains winding, steep.
Cold-weather Driving: Winter tires needed Nov-Apr. Snow chains may be needed on passes during significant snowfall.
Parking: Limited, expensive. Hotels often charge. Public garages available.

Road Tax & Safety

Vignette Motorway Tax

Mandatory for all vehicles on Swiss motorways. CHF 40, valid one calendar year. Purchase at border crossings, post offices, petrol stations.

Driving Safety

Drive with care on twisting roads. Watch for bikers, pedestrians, wildlife (dawn/dusk). Adhere to speed limits; fines substantial.

Natural Hazards

Roads prone to rockfalls/landslides after rain/snowmelt. Road blocks are well-signed; obey them.

Departure Information

Exit Procedures

Preparing to depart from St. Moritz assists a smooth end to your trip.

Departure Times

Flights from ZRH: Be THERE two-3 hours before international flight, 1.5-2 hours for Europe. Time for check-in, security.
When Trains leave: Swiss trains are punctual. Arrive at St. Moritz station 15-HALF an hour before departure. Find platform, snacks, luggage if needed.
During peak winter, allow extra time for transfers if heavy snowfall. Check SBB application for real-time-time updates.

Airport & Station Facilities

No particular exit fees or taxes are levied directly on tourists departing Switzerland. Airline tickets usually include all applicable airport taxes and charges.

Terminal Services

Zurich Airport (ZRH): Full range of facilities: duty-free, restaurants, cafes, currency exchange, lounges.
St. Moritz Train Station: Basic facilities: shops for snacks/drinks, cafes, baggage storage. Compact, straightforward to get around.
AirHelp assists with delayed/canceled flight compensation.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended for any trip to St. Moritz, or Switzerland.

Coverage Details

Medical Emergencies: Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, medical evacuation/repatriation (World Nomads, SafetyWing, Insubuy).
Trip Cancellation or interruption: Protects financial investment if trip is cancelled or cut short.
Lost/Delayed Luggage: Covers costs for replacement items.

Visa & Immigration

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area; entry requirements are generally consistent with other Schengen zone nations.

Entry Information

U.S., Canadian, Australian, New Zealand Citizens: No visa for a stay of 90 days or less. ETIAS authorization required mid-2025 (IVisa, VisaHQ).
EU/EFTA Citizens: No visa. Valid ID card or passport.
Other Nationalities: Schengen visa (Type C) for short stays. Apply well in advance.

Safety & Health Precautions

Altitude Sickness: Mild symptoms achievable at 1,822m. Acclimatize gradually. Hydrate. Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen.
Tick-vector-borne illnesses (Summer/Autumn): Wear long pants/sleeves. Use insect repellent. Check for ticks after outdoor activities.
Petty Theft: Rare in St. Moritz, but keep valuables secure, especially in crowded places. Pacsafe for anti-theft bags.

Avalanches (Winter): Risk in uncontrolled off-piste areas. Follow marked trails. If off-piste, use certified guide.
Rockfalls/Landslides (Summer/Autumn): Occur on steep terrain. Obey trail closures and warning signs.
First Aid: Well-stocked Adventure Medical Kits.

Tech Essentials & Connectivity

Power & Adapters

Pack the right electronics and accessories.

Considerations

Power adapter: Type J outlets (three round pins). Standard voltage 230V, 50Hz.
Portable chargers: For calls, camera, other devices when out hiking or skiing.
Data Backup: Cloud storage for documents, photos, videos. External hard drive for photos.

Mobile Connectivity

Stay connected during your alpine adventure.

SIM & VPN Options

SIM Cards: Prepaid SIM cards from Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt available at airports/stores (Airalo for eSIM). Passport needed for registration.
ESIM: Convenient for instant local data plan activation.
VPN: NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure browsing on public Wi-Fi.

Camera Gear

A camera for wide landscapes (smartphone, B&H Photo) and extra batteries for chilly weather.

Weather & Translation Apps

MeteoSwiss for accurate forecasts. Google Translate for offline use (German, Italian, French, Romansh).

Navigation Apps

Google Maps/Apple Maps for general navigation. Komoot or AllTrails for detailed hiking/biking maps.

Health & Comfort

Alpine Health Precautions

Prepare for minor ailments or unexpected needs in the alpine environment.

Altitude & Sun

Altitude Sickness: Mild symptoms feasible at 1,822m. Acclimatize gradually, hydrate.
Sunburn/Eye Strain: High altitude increases UV exposure. Use high-SPF sunscreen, UV-protective sunglasses.
Dehydration: Dry alpine air. Carry a Reusable water bottle, drink regularly.

First Aid & Personal Care

A well-stocked personal health kit is important.

Kit Contents

First Aid Kit: Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, allergy relief medicine, blister treatment.
Prescription Medications: Sufficient supply in original containers with documentation.
Over-the-Counter: Remedies for cold/flu, antacids, motion sickness pills (Dramamine).

Travel Comfort & Security

Comfort Items

For long flights or train journeys: Neck pillow, Eye mask, noise-canceling headphones.

Security Items

TSA-approved luggage locks, Money belt, or RFID-blocking wallet for valuables.

Reusable Items

Reusable water bottle (LifeStraw option), Shopping bag, Utensils.

Packing Smart

Consider bringing personal equipment like a quality Osprey hiking backpack for day trips; it may be more economical than daily rentals for longer trips. If you have particular preferences for specialty medicines or outdoor gear, bring them, as local options may be limited or expensive.

How to Get to St Moritz