Geneva to Zinal transport 3rd January

Looking for economical transport to get me to Zinal - arriving Geneva ~ 3rd Jan - coming from Manchester

What is the cost of train / bus?

Will be about 130-140 chf return without reductions. Return ticket is usually valid for 9 days from the date of purchase.

http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Geneva/Zinal

book in advance or buy on day?

You need to buy a ticket from Geneva airport to Zinal (there is a railway station at the airport), the full price for a return ticket at the moment is CHF 148.40. The winter timetable comes into force on 14th Dec., at the same time ticket prices will increase by an average of 2.3%. You might be able to buy a Supersaver ticket nearer the time http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/supersaver-tickets.html

For CHF 139 you can buy a Swiss Transfer Ticket which will get you from the airport to Zinal and back http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/holidays--short-breaks-in-switzerland/swisstravelsystem/swiss-transfer.html you must buy it in advance from outside Switzerland.

Thanks SweepBeeb

those fares include train and bus route?

Yes, train to Sierre and bus to Zinal. When you come through customs at Geneva airport turn left and keep walking until you come to a large revolving door, go through it to get to the station. When you get to Sierre take the bus to Vissoie and from there a bus to Zinal. If I were you I would get a Swiss Transfer Ticket.

You can get a Swiss Transfer Ticket from the nice people at the Swiss Travel Centre in Bedford Street, Covent Garden in person or online at

https://rail.stc.co.uk/en/products/swisstransferticket

My recollection is that the ticket comes undated, and you then record the outboud date when you travel. You then have 1 month in which to complete the return journey (if that's still how it works).

Beware gangs who target obvious tourists on Geneva Airport trains, who switch luggage or pickpocket on the lakeside stretch. One trick is to place a black rucsack next to yours and then take yours when they alight. If you notice, they just apologise and say it wasa mistake. Always keep your passport, mobile and wallet on your person. You don't want to do what I had to and have to trek all the way to Berne and stay 2-3 days to get a replacement passport. My was stolen on the inbound train to GVA and on the Monday morning, there were five of us at the Consulate with(out) stolen passports from the Friday/Saturday.