Should you visit Zermatt or Geneva?
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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Geneva or Zermatt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zermatt is $178, while the average daily cost in Geneva is $167. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Zermatt and Geneva in more detail.
Accommodation
Zermatt's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $200. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $100.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $230 for a double occupancy room in Geneva.
Food
While meal prices in Zermatt can vary, the average travelers spends about $45 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Zermatt should cost around $18 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Zermatt is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
In Geneva travelers spend around $42 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Zermatt $45
Geneva $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
-
Taste My Swiss City Self-Guided Food Tour:
$77
-
Old Geneva food tour:
$268
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Zermatt is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $42 per person, per day, on local transportation in Zermatt.
The cost of a taxi ride in Geneva is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.47 per person, per day, on local transportation in Geneva.
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:
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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 Airport (GVA) to Geneva - Arrival Private Car Transfer:
$68
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Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA)- Departure Private Car Transfer:
$68
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Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$68
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VIP Transfer:
$74
-
Departure Private Transfer Business Car Geneva City to Geneva airport GVA:
$93
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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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Zermatt typically cost an average of $45 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment and activities in Geneva typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Zermatt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
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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
Tours and Activities in Geneva
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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1-Hour Lake Geneva Cruise:
$20
-
International District and Lake Geneva Shore Tour:
$27
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Geneva City Tour:
$64
-
Annecy Half-Day Tour from Geneva:
$80
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Independent Chamonix and Mont Blanc Tour from Geneva:
$90
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Geneva E-Bike Tour Lake Leman and Old Town:
$93
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From Yvoire Castle & Lake Geneva Cruise:
$98
-
Chamonix, Mont-Blanc Day Tour from Geneva:
$107
-
Annecy Half-Day Trip + Geneva City Tour:
$128
-
Europa-Park Theme Park Ticket with Transport from Geneva:
$172
-
Chamonix Day Trip and Geneva city tour:
$178
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Full Bahir Dar Tour, Lake Tana Monasteries and Blue Nile Fall:
$204
Alcohol
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Zermatt per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Geneva may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $18 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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.
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