Where is Crans-Montana’s Nearest Airport?

There are a whole host of options available for coming to Crans-Montana by plane. If you’re not excited by the prospect of a spectacularly picturesque drive-in transfer from any of the major hubs slightly further out - Geneva, Bern, Basel, Zurich and Milan Malpensa are all within 2-3 hours by road - then by far the nearest drop-off point for international visitors is Sion Airport, just 27km to the southwest.

Sion International Airport

Located just outside the Swiss city of the same name, Sion Airport - code SIR on departure boards, for those in the know - is roughly equidistant (~110km) from both the significantly larger Geneva and mid-sized Bern airports, and a superbly convenient arrival gateway for Crans-Montana.

 

As a regional-sized airport that offers a number of international landings, the schedule for direct flights into Sion from overseas is naturally somewhat limited in comparison to much larger hubs like Geneva. However, a popular selection of year-round, seasonal and seasonal charter flights are generally on offer to travellers coming from such key connection points as London Heathrow, Zurich and St Tropez. A choice of quality carriers at Sion includes Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), Helvetic Airways, and Air Glaciers.

 

The on-site infrastructure is impressive for an airport of its size, offering everything visitors might need to complete their arrivals and departures in the comfort and style synonymous with Alpine living. In addition to Crans-Montana travel, Sion International offers direct access to a variety of other world-class ski resorts such as Zermatt, Verbier, Saas-Fe, and Montreux.

 

With a population of around 35,000, Sion itself is the capital of the Valais canton here in the high Alps. Known for its illustrious Rhone winemaking history, the small city is conveniently situated on both the main rail and motorway/bus routes through the region, making it a fantastic option for effortless transfers to Crans-Montana, however you’re choosing to complete your onward journey.

 

Access to and from Sion International Airport by car brings visitors along the stunningly beautiful A9 (Autoroute de Rhone) highway. This pristine and efficient route passes through various lush national parks and regional beauty spots, fringing clear mountain lakes beneath towering, snow-capped peaks, before turning off at Sierre for a gentle road ascent into the heart of Crans-Montana. All this in as little as 35 minutes - one of the quickest runway-to-resort journey times in the entire Alps region.

 

For more information, detailed maps, flight options and transfer schedules, visit the SIR website at www.sionaeroport.ch.