Graubünden
Graubünden is the Swiss canton for high valleys, mountain villages and slow train rides through the Alps.
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Graubünden is Switzerland's largest canton, in the far southeast, where it borders Italy and Austria. German, Romansh and Italian are its official languages, so you will hear all three in the valleys. Chur, the capital, is one of the oldest towns in Switzerland and a practical base for trains across the canton. The Engadine, a high valley that includes St Moritz, is the canton's best-known area. The Rhaetian Railway, a network of narrow-gauge lines that climbs through tunnels, bridges and viaducts, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Graubünden suits travelers who want big mountain scenery with train and bus links between villages. Summer, roughly June to September, is the season for hiking and lake walks. Winter, from December to March, is the season for skiing. Plan four or five days to see one valley, or a week if you want to base in one place and add a scenic train ride.
Graubünden in five
- Reserve a seat on the Bernina ExpressThe Bernina Express runs between St Moritz and Tirano in Italy, and its panoramic seats are limited. Reserve yours before you travel, and sit on the right when heading south for the best views.Getting around
- Carry Swiss francs for huts and small kiosksCards work in hotels, shops and most restaurants, but some mountain huts and small kiosks take cash only. Carry Swiss francs in notes and coins.
- Set up an eSIM before you flyMobile signal is good in the valleys but drops on high trails and in side valleys. Install the eSIM before you arrive and download offline maps for the walks.Phones and eSIM
- Plan for the altitude in St MoritzSt Moritz sits at about 1,800 metres, so a steep climb on day one can leave you breathless or with a headache. Start with an easy walk, drink water, and add the harder routes once you feel settled.St Moritz
- Check mountain rescue cover before you hikeHelicopter rescue in the Alps is costly. Check that mountain rescue and winter sports are named in your policy before you book.Travel insurance
Neighborhoods
Chur
- Price band: $$
St Moritz
- Price band: $$$$
Things to do in Graubünden
See all attractions in Graubünden
Need to know
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports under Schengen rules Read more
- Emergency
- 117 police, 118 fire, 144 ambulance; 112 also works
- Tipping
- Service included; rounding up is the usual thanks
- Time
- UTC+1, with daylight saving to UTC+2 in summer
Weather by month
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySki season, cold
- FebruaryPeak snow
- MarchSpring skiing
- AprilThaw, quiet
- MaySnowmelt, trails open
- JuneAlpine flowers
- JulyHiking, long days
- AugustHiking, busy
- SeptemberClear, larch gold
- OctoberLarch gold, quiet
- NovemberQuiet, shoulder
- DecemberSki season opens
Festivals: Mar Chalandamarz
Right now in Graubünden
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
-5
- Feels like
- -8°
- Humidity
- 83%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Graubünden
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today-2°-8°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High -2°, Low -8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue-2°-6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High -2°, Low -6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed0°-5°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 0°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu2°-5°0%Thursday: Clear. High 2°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri3°-3°9%Friday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sat0°-4°10%Saturday: Snow. High 0°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun-1°-5°31%Sunday: Snow. High -1°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 31%.
Updated 06:25 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Feb–MarRabadanTicino, a day trip
- MarChalandamarzGraubünden
- Jun–JulAscona Jazz FestivalLocarno, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Churabout 2 hours by train from St MoritzThe cantonal capital with a cathedral and an old town, close to the main station.Read the guide
- Tirano, Italyabout 2.5 hours by Bernina ExpressThe Italian end of the Bernina Express line.
- Davosabout 1.5 hours by train from ChurA high mountain resort on the Albula route, with lake walks and hiking trails.
Before you go to Graubünden
Rules for Graubünden, checked
- Switzerland is not in the EU but applies Schengen rules, so check whether your passport needs a visa with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) before you book.Source
- Declare cash and goods above the legal limits to Swiss customs (BAZG) when you enter or leave the country.Source
- Off-piste skiing and ski touring need avalanche gear and local advice. Read the avalanche bulletin for the day before you set out.
- Tipping is not expected: service is included in most bills, and rounding up the amount is the usual thanks.
Plan around Graubünden
Rail, postbuses and the Bernina Express, with seat reservations.
Read the guideChurThe cantonal capital and the easiest base for trains.
Read the guideSt MoritzThe Engadine resort at about 1,800 metres, for winter and summer.
Read the guideMoney and costsSwiss francs, cards, cash and typical prices in Switzerland.
Read the guideVisas and entrySchengen rules, the entry check and what to carry.
Read the guideAll of SwitzerlandRegions, entry and travel basics for a wider Swiss trip.
Read the guideGraubünden FAQ
Is Graubünden worth visiting?
Yes, if you want mountains, trains and small villages. The Bernina Express and the Albula line are the main rail highlights. Prices are high, so plan your budget before you go.
How do you get from Zurich to St Moritz?
Zurich to Chur is a direct train of about two hours. From Chur the Albula line continues to St Moritz, and the Bernina Express runs on part of the same network.
Is Chur or St Moritz the better base?
Chur is cheaper and close to the main station for trains across the canton. St Moritz suits winter skiing and lake walks, but beds cost more.
Do you need a car in Graubünden?
No for the main towns and valleys. Trains and postbuses cover most routes, and a car helps mainly for remote villages or late returns.
When is the best time to visit Graubünden?
February and March for skiing, July and September for hiking. April and November are quiet, and some lifts and huts are closed.
Is Graubünden expensive?
Yes. Switzerland is one of the costliest countries in Europe, and St Moritz has the highest prices in the canton. Budget for beds, meals and rail tickets.