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Chur, null

Chur

Chur (Romansh: Cuira) is the oldest city in Switzerland, with over 5'000 years of continuous settlement, and serves as the capital of Graubunden -- the country's largest and most mountainous canton. It is the starting point for the Glacier Express to Zermatt and the Bernina Express to Tirano, and its car-free Old Town, with a 12th-century cathedral and lively cafe culture, makes it far more than a transit stop. Zurich to Chur takes just 1 hour 15 minutes by direct train.

Chur (Romansh: Cuira) is the oldest city in Switzerland, with over 5'000 years of continuous settlement, and serves as the capital of Graubunden -- the country's largest and most mountainous canton. It is the starting point for the Glacier Express to Zermatt and the Bernina Express to Tirano, and its car-free Old Town, with a 12th-century cathedral and lively cafe culture, makes it far more than a transit stop. Zurich to Chur takes just 1 hour 15 minutes by direct train.

In breve: Coira (Chur in tedesco) e la citta piu antica della Svizzera con tracce di insediamento risalenti a 11'000 anni fa. Capitale del Canton Grigioni, possiede un centro storico medievale splendido, una cattedrale romanica del XII secolo e serve come punto di partenza per il Bernina Express e il Glacier Express. A 1h15 da Zurigo.

Informazioni essenziali
Regione Grigioni
Cantone Grigioni
Altitudine 585 m
Come arrivare Zurigo: 1h 15min (IC) / St. Moritz: 2h / Davos: 1h 30min
Swiss Travel Pass Pienamente valido
GPS 46.8499, 9.5329

Le 5 esperienze imperdibili

1. Centro storico pedonale -- uno dei meglio conservati della Svizzera. 1-2 ore.

2. Cattedrale di Coira -- capolavoro romanico (1150-1272), tesoro con oggetti carolingi. Gratuito.

3. Bernina Express e Glacier Express -- partono da Coira. Linea RhB patrimonio UNESCO.

4. Bundner Kunstmuseum -- ampliamento di Peter Zumthor (2016), opere di Segantini e Kirchner. CHF 15.

5. Funivia del Brambruesch -- dal centro citta a 1'600 m. Escursioni e slittino estivo. A/R: CHF 28.

Fonte: ch.tours | Ultimo aggiornamento: marzo 2026

Pianifica

Itinerari in null

Piani di viaggio su più giorni per sfruttare al meglio la tua visita.

1
Giorno 1
moderate

10-Day Complete Switzerland — The Ultimate Itinerary

2
Giorno 2
moderate

10-Day Grand Tour of Switzerland — The Complete Circle

3
Giorno 3
moderate

3-Day Bern & Region Explorer — Capital, Cheese Country & Alpine Lakes

Domande frequenti

Tutto quello che devi sapere per visitare Chur.

### Is Chur worth visiting?

Yes, Chur is worth visiting both as a destination in its own right and as a gateway to Graubunden. Its car-free Old Town is one of the most appealing in Switzerland, with a 5'000-year history, excellent restaurants serving Bundner cuisine, and a lively local atmosphere. Most visitors are pleasantly surprised to find such a charming small city -- it is far more than just a railway junction.

How many days do you need in Chur?

One full day covers the Old Town, cathedral, and a museum. Two days allow you to add a Brambruesch hike or cable car ride and a day trip to the Rhine Gorge or Arosa. Many visitors use Chur as a one-night stopover before or after a Glacier Express or Bernina Express journey, which is an excellent strategy.

How do you get to Chur from Zurich?

Take a direct IC train from Zurich HB. The journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes, with trains running every 30 minutes. A second-class ticket costs CHF 42 (free with Swiss Travel Pass). No changes needed. Sit on the right side for lake views along Walensee.

What is the best time to visit Chur?

May to October for warm weather, outdoor dining, and hiking. Late November to late December for the atmospheric Christmas market. Chur works year-round as a railway gateway -- the Glacier Express and Bernina Express run in all seasons.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid for Chur?

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass covers all trains to Chur, local buses, most Rhaetian Railway routes in Graubunden, and museum entries. It also covers regular (non-panoramic) trains on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express routes -- only the panoramic car supplements are extra.

Is Chur really the oldest city in Switzerland?

Yes, archaeological evidence shows continuous human settlement on the Chur hilltop (Hof area, where the cathedral now stands) dating to approximately 3'000 BC. Roman-era Curia Raetorum was established as an administrative center, and the Bishop of Chur's diocese dates to around 451 AD. This makes Chur the oldest continuously inhabited city in Switzerland.

Can you visit Chur as a day trip from Zurich?

Yes, Chur is an easy day trip from Zurich. With trains taking just 1 hour 15 minutes each way, departing Zurich at 08:00 gives you arrival by 09:15 and a full day in the Old Town. Last trains back to Zurich run until approximately 22:00. This leaves 8--10 hours for sightseeing, dining, and even a Brambruesch cable car ride.

What trains depart from Chur?

Chur is a major railway junction. SBB intercity trains connect to Zurich, Bern, Basel, and beyond. The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) operates from Chur to St. Moritz (Albula line, UNESCO), Davos, Arosa, Disentis, and ultimately Tirano (Bernina Express). The Glacier Express departs daily from Chur toward Zermatt. Chur is one of the most important railway hubs in Switzerland.

Tag hiking skiing swiss-travel-pass budget family trains lakes mountains food winter summer