Major city · Switzerland
BrigBrig-Glis
Give Brig one night as a rail junction for Zermatt, the Simplon and the Aletsch cable cars; the old town itself needs half a day.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for hiking and the Aletsch cable cars; Dec–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov (quiet, some lifts and mountain services closed); check late-Oct and Nov closures
- Airports
- ZRH · GVA · BSL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is outside the EU customs area: allowances on meat, alcohol and tobacco are strict and checked at borders.
- Switzerland ↗Motorways need a vignette (sticker or e-vignette) before you drive on them.
Brig-Glis is a town of about 13,000 at the foot of the Simplon pass, where the lines from Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Milan and Zermatt meet. Since the Lötschberg base tunnel opened, most traffic runs through Visp, but international trains still stop here as the last Swiss stop before Italy. Sights are few and close together: Stockalper Palace, a river old town, and the fortifications across the Rhone in Naters. Most travellers use it as a bed before or after the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt, or as a base for the Aletsch area.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Brig, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).Switzerland-wide
- SIM or eSIMSwisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.Switzerland-wide
- Tap waterTap and fountain water is excellent.Switzerland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.Switzerland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Switzerland-wide
- SafetyBrig is a small, calm town and feels safe day and night.
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2; restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 144 ambulance · 118 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturday in small towns and all day Sunday, except stations and airports.Switzerland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportZRH Zurich (Direct InterCity trains to Brig, roughly 2 h 30 min).
- Getting aroundThe centre is small and walkable; the station, old town and Stockalper Palace sit within about 15 minutes on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCHF 4–6
- Beerdraught / supermarket canCHF 6–8CHF 2–3
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxiCHF 20–28
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus single rideCHF 3–5
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekCHF 15–30
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or palace entryCHF 8–12
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personCHF 45
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomCHF 180
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomCHF 320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 90 · Mid CHF 160 · High CHF 280
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ZRH Zurich (Direct InterCity trains to Brig, roughly 2 h 30 min) · GVA Geneva (Direct trains along Lake Geneva to Brig, roughly 2 h 45 min) · BSL Basel-Mulhouse (Train via Bern and the Lötschberg, roughly 3 h; check connections)
Weather and climate
Brig: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C37°F
−4°C25°F
8 rd
Feb
5°C41°F
−3°C27°F
7 rd
Mar
10°C50°F
0°C32°F
8 rd
Apr
14°C57°F
3°C37°F
8 rd
May
19°C66°F
7°C45°F
10 rd
Jun
23°C73°F
10°C50°F
10 rd
Jul
25°C77°F
12°C54°F
9 rd
Aug
24°C75°F
12°C54°F
10 rd
Sep
20°C68°F
9°C48°F
8 rd
Oct
14°C57°F
5°C41°F
8 rd
Nov
7°C45°F
0°C32°F
8 rd
Dec
3°C37°F
−3°C27°F
8 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small and walkable; the station, old town and Stockalper Palace sit within about 15 minutes on foot. Local buses serve the outskirts and Brigerbad. In summer a free bike scheme near the station lends bikes for the first four hours (check current hours). The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn tracks are on the square in front of the main station, so Zermatt trains leave from street level.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn from the square in front of Brig station, about 1 h 30 min
Doable as a long day, but the village and the Matterhorn views deserve a night.
Door to door: About 20 min
Frequent trains, about 10 min
A rail junction, not a sight; only useful for connections.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Train or bus to Visp or Stalden, then postbus up the valley
Car-free village under the glacier; better with a night.
Leukerbad
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train to Leuk, then bus up to the village
Thermal baths and a gorge walk; a solid half-day or full day.
Riederalp and Bettmeralp (Aletsch)
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Train to Mörel or Betten, then cable car
Access to the Aletsch glacier area and the UNESCO-listed Jungfrau-Aletsch landscape.
Domodossola, Italy
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train through the Simplon tunnel, about 40 min
Saturday markets; bring your passport or ID card for the border.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bahnhofstrasse and the station
Hotels within a few minutes of the platforms and the MGB tracks; best for a one-night rail stop.
Old town (Stadtplatz)
Pedestrian lanes under Stockalper Palace; quiet at night, 5–10 min walk from the station.
Glis and Naters
Quieter residential sides of the Rhone; Naters is a short walk across the river and has the fortification museums.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CHF 90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- CHF 140–220 excl. bed
- High
- CHF 220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × CHF 180 | CHF 180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CHF 160 | CHF 320 |
| Rail day return Brig → Zermatt2 × CHF 90 · check | CHF 180 |
| Stockalper Palace guided tour2 × CHF 8 | CHF 16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CHF 20 | CHF 40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 74 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 405 per person per day, bed included | CHF 810≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in Swiss francs; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | CHF 4–6 |
| Cordon bleu main | CHF 25–35 |
| Beer: draught / supermarket can | CHF 6–8 / CHF 2–3 |
| 5 km taxi | CHF 20–28 |
| Local bus single ride | CHF 3–5 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | CHF 15–30 |
| Museum or palace entry | CHF 8–12 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most long-distance trains now stop in Visp as well; check which station your connection uses before booking.
- Stockalper Palace interiors are guided-tour only; the courtyard and garden are free.
- The Swiss Guard Museum in Naters keeps limited hours (Jun–Oct Saturdays) plus tours on request.
- Mountain cable cars above the valley close for maintenance in shoulder seasons; check before travelling for the Aletsch side.
- Shops shut on Sundays; the station area is the reliable fallback.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
- Rega air rescue
- 1414
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BrigBrig-Glis
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
- Rega air rescue1414
- European emergency112
Embassy
No embassies in Brig; most countries keep embassies in Bern and consulates in Zurich or Geneva. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Brig → Zermatt, MGB: about CHF 45 one way, 1 h 30 min (check)
- Brig → Visp, train: about CHF 8, 10 min
- Brig → Domodossola, EC: about CHF 20, 40 min
Say or show
- Grüezi — Hello (GRUE-tsi)
- Merci vilmal — Thank you (MER-si feel-mol)
- Was kostet das? — How much is it? (vas KOS-tet das)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ikh mit KAR-te TSA-len)
- Wo ist der Bahnhof? — Where is the station? (vo ist der BAHN-hof)
- Ein Billett nach Zermatt, bitte — One ticket to Zermatt, please (ine bil-LET nakh TSER-mat BIT-te)
Swiss German is spoken locally; English works in hotels, restaurants and at the station.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Brig. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking and the Aletsch cable cars; Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov (quiet, some lifts and mountain services closed); check late-Oct and Nov closures · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for Brig: last connections from Zurich, Geneva and Basel, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and Bahnhofstrasse, old town and Stockalper Palace, Naters across the Rhone.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Stockalper Palace tours, Swiss Guard Museum, Aletsch cable cars) and eat pages with last orders.
- Shoulder-season and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialBrig-Simplon Tourismus
- officialMatterhorn Gotthard Bahn
- officialSwitzerland official tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage: Brig, revision 5306020 (CC BY-SA 4.0)