Engadin Airport (SMV) in Samedan is only about 5 km from St. Moritz, so the transfer is short. But this is Switzerland, and specifically the Upper Engadin — one of the more expensive corners of an already expensive country. Here is what the numbers look like.
Taxi fares
A standard taxi from the airport to central St. Moritz costs approximately 30 to 50 CHF. The fare depends on exactly where in St. Moritz you are heading — the town stretches along the lake, and hotels at different ends add a few minutes and a few francs. To Pontresina, expect 20 to 35 CHF. To Celerina, 20 to 30 CHF. To Silvaplana or Sils Maria, the fare is 40 to 70 CHF.
Remember that taxis do not wait at Engadin Airport in a permanent queue. You need to pre-book or have the airport staff arrange one. This is not a commercial hub with constant taxi traffic.
Luxury and private transfers
Most SMV arrivals are private aviation passengers, and the transfer experience reflects that. A chauffeured luxury sedan (Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series) to St. Moritz costs 80 to 150 CHF. A luxury SUV (Range Rover, Mercedes GLS) runs 120 to 200 CHF. These services include meet-and-greet at the aircraft, luggage handling, and door-to-door service.
Many five-star hotels in St. Moritz — Badrutt's Palace, Suvretta House, Kulm Hotel, Carlton Hotel — offer their own airport pickup service. Some include this in the room rate; others charge separately. Contact the concierge before your arrival to understand what is available.
Budget options
The Rhaetian Railway connects Samedan station (about 1 km walk from the airport) to St. Moritz in roughly 10 minutes. A single ticket costs about 5 CHF. The Swiss PostBus from a stop near the airport to St. Moritz is similarly priced at around 5 CHF and takes about 15 minutes.
These are genuinely viable options if you are traveling light. The train in particular is efficient, scenic, and perfectly comfortable. It is not practical, however, if you have ski equipment, multiple large bags, or small children.
Seasonal considerations
Pricing for taxis and transfers does not change dramatically between seasons, but availability does. During peak ski season (December through March) and the summer high season (July and August), booking transport in advance is more important as demand is higher. The PostBus and train run year-round with reliable Swiss punctuality.
The Swiss cost reality
Everything in the Engadin valley is priced at Swiss mountain resort levels. A 10-minute taxi ride costing 40 CHF is normal here. If you are arriving by private jet, the transfer cost is a rounding error in your trip budget. If you are connecting via Zurich or Milan and chose to land at SMV for convenience, factor in these local costs accordingly.