A method of forming a contact to a semiconductor device that includes forming a vertically orientated channel region on semiconductor material layer of a substrate; and forming a first source/drain region in the semiconductor material layer. The method may continue with forming a metal semiconductor alloy contact on the first source/drain region extending along a horizontally orientated upper surface of the first source/drain region that is substantially perpendicular to the vertically orientated channel region, wherein the metal semiconductor alloy contact extends substantially to an interface with the vertically orientated channel region. Thereafter, a gate structure is formed on the vertically orientated channel region, and a second source/drain region is formed on the vertically orientated channel region.