Chur

Chur is the capital of Graubünden. Visit for its largely car-free old town and for trains that start or pass through the town, including the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express.

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Chur is the capital of the canton of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland. Its old town is largely car-free, so you walk narrow lanes, small squares and the cathedral, with mountains rising just beyond the roofs.

Most visitors come for the trains. The Rhaetian Railway runs through Chur, the Bernina Express starts in the town, and the Glacier Express stops here, so Chur works as a base or a break on a longer rail trip through Graubünden. For a view over the valley, a cable car climbs from the edge of town to Brambrüesch, a ski area in winter. A stay of one to two days covers the old town and one trip out. Summer suits walking and hiking in the area, and winter brings skiing nearby. Check your train connection before you arrive, because the timetable decides how much of the day you have.

Chur in five

Reserve a seat on the Bernina ExpressChur to Tirano takes about 4 hours across 196 bridges and 55 tunnels. The Rhaetian Railway sells tickets and seat reservations online and opens further 2026/27 dates for booking on 13 October 2026.Buying European train tickets
Know the Vereina diversion in late fallBernina Express trains 951 and 952 are diverted via Landquart, Klosters and the Vereina Tunnel from 29 October to 13 November 2026 because of engineering works. Check your date on the Rhaetian Railway page.
Walk the old town, which is entirely car-freeChur Tourismus calls the old town one of Switzerland's most intact, with boutiques, restaurants, museums and galleries. Allow a slow half day around the cathedral quarter and the lanes.
Ride the cable car up to BrambrüeschChur has its own mountain, reached by an aerial cableway from the center, with hiking, mountain-bike trails and winter slopes. Check the operator's current timetable, because summer and winter seasons differ.
Use Chur as the hub for Davos, St. Moritz and ArosaThe Glacier Express describes Chur as the hub of the Rhaetian Railway with connections to Davos, St. Moritz and Arosa. Sleep here if you plan several rail days in Graubünden.St. Moritz

Things to do in Chur

See all attractions in Chur

Museum · ChurBündner Kunstmuseum

Church · ChurReformierte Martinskirche

Sight · ChurObertor

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ChurPut the places you like in Chur on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Zurich (ZRH), by train via Zurich HB
Getting there: SBB trains from Zurich; Rhaetian Railway lines beyond
Getting around: On foot in the old town; trains and PostBus beyond
Best base: Old town or near the station
Time needed: 1 day, or a night before a scenic train

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuarySnow15 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Cold, clear
FebruaryRain12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh6°Low-2°Mild Foehn days
MarchRain15 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh8°Low0°Spring
AprilRain16 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh12°Low3°Mild
MayRain20 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Mild, green
JuneRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh22°Low12°Long days, trains
JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh22°Low13°Warm, busy
AugustRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low13°Warm, busy
SeptemberRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low9°Clear, calmer
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Autumn color
NovemberRain14 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh8°Low0°Fog, early dusk
DecemberRain14 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Christmas markets

Average daily high and low in Chur, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Chur

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

-3

Feels like: -5°
Humidity: 95%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Chur

09:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today1°-4°0%Monday: Fog. High 1°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue3°-3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed4°0°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu6°0°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri5°1°8%Friday: Rain. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sat4°0°10%Saturday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sun3°-1°23%Sunday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 23%.

Updated 09:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF

Amount

Converted to

CHF · Swiss Franc

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Chur

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Feb–MarLucerne carnivalLucerne, a day trip
Feb–MarRabadanTicino, a day trip
Mar–AprFumettoLucerne, a day trip
MarChalandamarzGraubünden, a day trip
AprSechseläutenZurich, a day trip
Jun–JulAscona Jazz FestivalLocarno, a day trip
Aug–SepLucerne FestivalLucerne, a day trip
AugStreet ParadeZurich, a day trip

Day trips by train

Brambrüeschcable car from the centerChur's local mountain with trails, bike routes and winter slopes.
Liechtensteincheck bus and rail connectionsA small principality close to the Rhine valley.Read the guide
Tirano on the Bernina Expressabout 4 hours each wayA UNESCO railway over the Bernina Pass into Italy.Read the guide

Before you go to Chur

Bernina and Glacier ExpressSeat reservations sell by seasonRead the guide

Hotels in Chur old townCar-free base before a scenic trainCheck availability

eSIM for ChurRail updates and offline mapsRead the guide

Insurance for ChurRail disruption and hiking coverRead the guide

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Rules for Chur, checked

Bernina Express: Chur to Tirano about 4 hours; self-service bike transport is not allowed on it, though regional trains on the route carry bikes.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Bernina Express trains 951 and 952 are diverted via Vereina from Thursday 29 October to Friday 13 November 2026 due to engineering works.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source

Plan around Chur

All of Switzerland

Cities, mountains, passes and entry rules

Read the guide Zermatt

The Glacier Express's western end

Read the guide St. Moritz

The Engadin resort, reached from Chur over the Albula line

Read the guide Zurich

The airport city, a direct train away

Read the guide Northeastern Switzerland

St. Gallen and Appenzell, down the Rhine valley

Read the guide Liechtenstein

The small principality near Chur

Read the guide Swiss Travel Pass

What it covers on scenic railways

Read the guide

Chur FAQ

Is Chur worth visiting?

Yes, for a car-free old town, a cable car from the center and some of Switzerland's best-known railways. It rewards a night more than a stop between trains, and it sees fewer visitors than Lucerne or Interlaken.

Is Chur the oldest town in Switzerland?

The Rhaetian Railway and the Glacier Express both describe Chur as the oldest town in Switzerland, and Chur Tourismus calls it the oldest city. Treat it as the local claim, and look for the old town's cathedral quarter and lanes rather than a single monument.

How long is the Bernina Express from Chur?

The Rhaetian Railway gives about 4 hours from Chur to Tirano in Italy, and about 2 hours 15 minutes from St. Moritz. The line has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since July 2008.

Can you take the Glacier Express from Chur?

Yes, Chur is on the route between Zermatt and St. Moritz, which the operator gives as an eight-hour journey across 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Many riders join for one section, so check seat reservations for that leg.

Can you take a bike on the Bernina Express?

No, self-service bicycle transport is not allowed on the Bernina Express, according to the Rhaetian Railway. Bikes can travel on regional trains on the same route, and the Bernina Express Bus does not carry them either.