Which place is cheaper, Geneva or Zermatt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Zermatt vs. Geneva for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Zermatt or Geneva?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zermatt and Geneva can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Zermatt or Geneva?
Zermatt
Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.
Geneva
Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZermatt $225Geneva $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Zermatt is $225, while the average daily cost in Geneva is $211. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zermatt and Geneva in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZermatt $126Geneva $145
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZermatt $252Geneva $290
Compare Hotels in Zermatt and Geneva
Looking for a hotel in Zermatt or Geneva? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zermatt Hotel Prices and Geneva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zermatt $53Geneva $9.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
- Airport Transfer Zermatt to Geneva or vice versa: $1,219
- Airport Transfer to Zermatt or vice versa: $1,078
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
- Private Departure Transfer: Geneva Hotel to Geneva Airport: $37
- Private Airport Transfer: from Geneva to Geneva International Airport (GVA): $39
- Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Van Transfer: $41
- Superior Private Transfer from Geneva Hotels to Geneva Airport: $47
- Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $68
- Geneva Airport (GVA) to Geneva - Arrival Private Car Transfer: $68
- Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA)- Departure Private Car Transfer: $68
- VIP Transfer: $74
- Departure Private Transfer Business Car Geneva City to Geneva airport GVA: $93
- Geneva Departure Private Transfers from Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA: $95
- Geneva Airport Transfers : Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA in Business Car: $100
- Private Transfer from Geneva City to Geneva Airport: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Zermatt or Geneva?
Prices for flights to both Geneva and Zermatt change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayZermatt $57Geneva $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
- Old Geneva food tour: $268
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zermatt $57Geneva $30
Tours and Activities in Zermatt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
- Standard Flight Experience with Matterhorn View from Zermatt: $261
- Zermatt Village plus Mt. Gornergrat Private Tour: $305
- The best of Zermatt walking tour: $496
- Guided tour “Love stories of Zermatt”: $496
- Zermatt and Gornergrat Private Day Tour: $512
Tours and Activities in Geneva
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Lake Geneva Cruise: $9.83
- International & Panoramic Tours Geneva: $27
- 2-Hour Tour of International Quarters and Old Town: $60
- Geneva City Tour: $64
- Annecy Half-Day Tour from Geneva: $80
- Geneva City Tour and Boat Cruise: $82
- Independent Chamonix and Mont Blanc Tour from Geneva: $90
- E-Bike Tour of United Nations Square and Lake: $96
- Photogenic City Photography Tour: $103
- Chocolate Flavors Walking Tour of Geneva: $108
- Riviera Montreux, Lavaux UNESCO & Optional Cruise: $118
- Glacier 3000 Experience and Montreux: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZermatt $28Geneva $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Geneva
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Geneva:
- Seneca Lake Wine Tasting & Tour: $167
- Farms, Flights: Finger Lakes Brewery Tour: $180
- Lavaux Panoramic Wine Tour from Geneva: $289
- Winter ski tour: Wine tasting tour in Rhine region: $746
- Swiss Wine Tasting at Lavaux Vineyards: Private Trip From Geneva: $1,097
When comparing the travel costs between Zermatt and Geneva, we can see that Zermatt is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
When is the best time to visit Zermatt or Geneva?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Zermatt or Geneva in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Geneva. Furthermore, most visitors come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Zermatt is around the same temperature as Geneva in the summer. The temperature in Zermatt is usually 23°C (73°F) in July, and Geneva stays around 22°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Geneva this time of the year. In Zermatt, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zermatt usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during summer. Zermatt gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Geneva. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZermatt 23°C (73°F)Geneva 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Geneva in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Geneva. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Zermatt is around the same temperature as Geneva. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zermatt in October are around 15°C (58°F), and Geneva is about 14°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Geneva. Zermatt gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun.
Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Zermatt usually gets more rain in October than Geneva. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZermatt 15°C (58°F)Geneva 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Geneva in the Winter?
Both Geneva and Zermatt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.
It's quite cold in Geneva in the winter. The weather in Zermatt can be very cold. In January, Zermatt is generally a little warmer than Geneva. Temperatures in Zermatt average around 5°C (41°F), and Geneva stays around 4°C (39°F).
Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Geneva during winter. Zermatt gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Geneva. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZermatt 5°C (41°F)Geneva 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Geneva in the Spring?
Both Geneva and Zermatt during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Zermatt is a little warmer than Geneva in the spring. The temperature in Zermatt is usually 13°C (55°F) in April, and Geneva stays around 11°C (53°F).
In the spring, Zermatt often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva. Zermatt gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Geneva. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZermatt 13°C (55°F)Geneva 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Geneva and Zermatt
| Zermatt | Geneva | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
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