St. Moritz is the longest road journey in Graubünden from Zurich — 227 km, close to three hours — and the one people most often underestimate. The final stretch climbs the Julier pass to 1,822 m. In winter that is a mountain road, not a motorway.
Getting there from ZRH
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | 2 h 48 | CHF 948 E-Class · CHF 1062 V-Class | Door to door, fixed, equipment included |
| Train | 3 h 23 | Per person | Two changes; the last leg is the Albula line |
| Hire car | ~2 h 48 | Rate + fuel + parking | Winter tyres essential over the Julier |
Full grid: CHF 948 E-Class, CHF 1062 V-Class, CHF 1289 S-Class, CHF 1679 Sprinter. Per vehicle. A return booked together takes 10 % off the total.
This is the one journey where the train competes on merit
Most rail alternatives from ZRH are slower and involve wrestling luggage through changes. St. Moritz is different, because the last section is the Albula line — a UNESCO World Heritage railway that spirals through tunnels and over viaducts to gain altitude, and one of the genuinely remarkable train journeys in the world.
Three hours and twenty minutes with two changes, against two hours forty-eight in a car. If you are two people travelling light and you have never done it, the train is not the compromise here — it is arguably the better experience.
The car wins on the same terms as everywhere else: a group, equipment, small children, or an arrival late enough that the connections stop working.
The Engadin, not just a resort
St. Moritz sits in the Upper Engadin, a high valley at around 1,800 m with a string of villages — Celerina, Pontresina, Sils, Silvaplana — sharing one lift network and one bus system. The skiing spreads across Corviglia above St. Moritz, Corvatsch above Silvaplana and Diavolezza towards the Bernina pass.
The valley is unusually dry and sunny for the Alps, which is why it became a winter resort in the first place. It is also high enough that the season is long and the snow reliable.
Staying in Pontresina or Celerina rather than St. Moritz itself costs less and changes the skiing not at all — the bus network covers the valley and is included with most accommodation.
Winter beyond skiing
St. Moritz runs a calendar found nowhere else: horse racing and polo played on the frozen lake, the Cresta Run, and a concentration of events through January and February. These weeks compress accommodation and transfer availability across the whole Engadin, so a February booking made in December is not early.
Summer
The same transfer price applies, and the Julier is a straightforward drive without snow. The Engadin in summer is a hiking and road-cycling destination, with the lakes at Silvaplana known for windsurfing and kitesurfing thanks to the reliable afternoon Maloja wind. Altitude keeps it cool when the lowlands are not.
Practical notes
1,822 m pass
Normally open through winter with clearing, but weather can close it. A booked transfer absorbs a detour via the Vereina car train at no extra cost.
1,822 m in the village
Higher than most Alpine resorts. Allow the first day to be gentler than you planned, and drink more water than feels necessary.
St. Moritz Dorf and Bad
The village is split between the hillside and the lakeside. Give the driver the hotel, not the town — the difference is a steep walk.
Months, not weeks
Event weeks and the February half-term fill the valley entirely. This is the destination on this site with the longest sensible lead time.
Where to go next
Laax →The closest big Graubünden area by road, CHF 720.
Train from ZRH →Times, changes and where the railway beats the road.
All destinations →Every fixed price with real road distances.
Zurich Airport to St. Moritz — FAQ
How far is St. Moritz from Zurich Airport?
227 km by road, about two hours and fifty minutes in normal conditions. The final section crosses the Julier pass at 1,822 m, which in winter takes longer than the distance suggests.
How much is a transfer from Zurich Airport to St. Moritz?
CHF 948 in an E-Class, CHF 1062 in a V-Class for up to seven, CHF 1289 in an S-Class and CHF 1679 in a Sprinter. Per vehicle, fixed before departure.
How long is the train from Zurich Airport to St. Moritz?
About three hours and twenty minutes with two changes. The final leg runs on the Albula line, a UNESCO World Heritage railway, which makes this the one route from ZRH where the train is a destination in itself rather than a compromise.
Is the Julier pass open in winter?
It is normally kept open through the season, but heavy weather can close it temporarily. A booked transfer absorbs any detour — including the Vereina car train — at the price already agreed.
Should I stay in St. Moritz or a neighbouring village?
Pontresina, Celerina and Silvaplana share the same lift network and bus system at lower cost. The skiing is identical; only the address changes.
When should I book for the winter season?
Months ahead. St. Moritz event weeks and the February school holidays fill the entire Upper Engadin, and transfer vehicles are finite on a Saturday in season.
Is St. Moritz worth visiting in summer?
Yes, and the transfer costs the same while the drive is easier. The Engadin at 1,800 m stays cool, the hiking and road cycling are excellent, and Silvaplana is one of Europe’s best-known windsurfing lakes.