St. Moritz Overview
St. Moritz is a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland's Engadin valley. Renowned for hosting two Winter Olympics, its world-class reputation is founded on its sophisticated hotels, sports facilities, and stunning mountain views. The town is famous for its winter sports but also offers various summer activities, such as hiking and mountain biking.
Driving in St. Moritz
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Traffic and Parking: St. Moritz is a compact town and easily navigated by car. However, during peak seasons, especially winter, the town can be crowded. Parking is limited in the center, but there are several parking garages and lots available.
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Rules: As with the rest of Switzerland, you'll need a motorway vignette to drive on Swiss motorways. Ensure you're familiar with the local driving regulations and speed limits.
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Tolls: The main roads leading to St. Moritz are not tolled. However, if you're driving on the motorways in Switzerland, remember the vignette requirement.
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EV Charging: St. Moritz, being a premier destination, has several EV charging stations, including at major hotels and public parking areas.
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Fuel: There are petrol stations in and around St. Moritz where you can refuel. Prices might be a bit higher compared to lowland areas due to its remote location.
Nearest Airports
St. Moritz is primarily served by two nearby airports and several other major international airports at a farther distance. Here's a breakdown:
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Engadin Airport (SMV) in Samedan:
- Distance: Approximately 5-6 km from St. Moritz.
- Driving Time: About 10 minutes.
- Note: This is the closest airport to St. Moritz. It mainly caters to private jets, but there are some regional commercial flights as well.
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Lugano Airport (LUG):
- Distance: About 170 km from St. Moritz.
- Driving Time: Approximately 3 hours.
- Note: This airport mainly serves domestic flights and some European destinations. The drive from Lugano to St. Moritz involves crossing the scenic Maloja Pass.
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Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Italy:
- Distance: Roughly 200 km from St. Moritz.
- Driving Time: Around 3 to 3.5 hours.
- Note: One of the major international airports in the region. The drive from Milan to St. Moritz is scenic, particularly as you cross the Alps.
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Zurich Airport (ZRH):
- Distance: About 220 km from St. Moritz.
- Driving Time: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Note: Zurich Airport is the largest international airport in Switzerland and offers numerous flight options. The drive to St. Moritz is scenic, especially through the Albula Pass.
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Innsbruck Airport (INN) in Austria:
- Distance: Roughly 180 km from St. Moritz.
- Driving Time: Around 3 hours.
- Note: A smaller airport primarily serving European destinations. The drive from Innsbruck to St. Moritz passes through some scenic Alpine routes.
Of these options, your choice will largely depend on where you're flying from and the kind of experience you're seeking. If you're looking for convenience and are coming from within Europe, Engadin Airport is the closest. However, if you're coming from another continent, Zurich and Milan Malpensa are likely the best choices due to their international connectivity. The drives from all these airports to St. Moritz offer picturesque views of the Alps, ensuring a visually delightful journey. Remember we offer unlimited mileage too with our hire cars!
Recommended Places to Visit in St. Moritz (By Foot):
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Lake St. Moritz: Enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake with mountains in the backdrop. Perfect for leisurely strolls.
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Segantini Museum: Dedicated to the famous 19th-century artist Giovanni Segantini, showcasing his alpine-themed artwork.
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Engadiner Museum: Offers insights into the local history and culture.
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The Leaning Tower: A remnant of the 12th-century Church of St. Mauritius, it's a popular photo spot.
Recommended Places to Visit Near St. Moritz (By Car):
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Muottas Muragl: Offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Upper Engadin. (Around 8km from St. Moritz)
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Diavolezza: A mountain massif, it's popular for skiing in winters and hiking in summers. The views of the glacier are especially impressive. (Approximately 20km from St. Moritz)
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Bernina Pass: A high mountain pass with a scenic route, great for driving and taking in the views. The Red Train, part of the Rhaetian Railway, also crosses this, making it a dual delight for train and road trip enthusiasts. (Around 25km from St. Moritz)
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Morteratsch Glacier: Accessible by a short and easy hike, the glacier is an amazing natural sight. (Approximately 18km from St. Moritz)
Remember, when renting a car in Switzerland, ensure you have all the required documents and familiarize yourself with local driving laws and customs. Enjoy your trip to St. Moritz! Whether renting a car in St. Moritz itself or from your arrival airport, having a rental car there makes getting to and from the slopes convenient. We have ski racks and winter packages available on all cars to ensure you are prepared for the worst the weather can throw at you making sure you get as much time on the slopes as possible.
St. Moritz is well connected to the transport network with a train station connecting it to major routes. By air,
Zurich is the nearest major airport within Switzerland and is an easy journey from
Bern and
Geneva Airport. However another alternative is to fly into
Milan,
Bergamo or
Verona Airport and make the short hop over the border into Switzerland. St. Moritz is mere ten miles north of the border from
Italy. With budget airlines operating to all nearby airports, renting a car in St. Moritz is a great option for the independent traveller.