Arth (Arth (BFS 1362)) Travel Guide & City Profile

Last reviewed: October 26, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Arth (BFS 1362) sits at 1766 m elevation in Bezirk Schwyz, Schwyz, connecting travelers to Kloster Sankt Zeno and Burgruine Schwanau via Bahnhof Arth-Goldau (1.6 km). Visitors pair alpine scenery and historic streets in Arth (pop. 12,154) with regional specialties including Cheese fondue and Raclette.

Within Schwyz Region (Bezirk Schwyz region), Arth (Arth (BFS 1362)) serves as a municipality (gemeinde / commune) in schwyz region. Travelers exploring Schwyz often combine a stop in Arth with regional highlights such as Historic Altstadt / Old Town, Panoramic mountain & lake views, Marked SwitzerlandMobility hiking trails, Local heritage museum.

Getting to Arth & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Freienbach Central Station (SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways)): Connected via hourly SBB CFF FFS rail and PostBus services; fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

• Local rail & SBB EasyRide / transit cards: Once in Schwyz Region, SBB regional trains, narrow-gauge mountain railways, and yellow PostBuses connect Schwyz with Arth. The SBB Mobile app (EasyRide swipe) and Swiss Half Fare Card & regional transit passes cover trains, PostBuses, trams, and boats nationwide.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Schwyz have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Arth en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with SBB Luggage Transfer.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Arth are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways station or airport in Schwyz can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and high Alpine passes. Read our Renting a Car in Switzerland Guide.

What to Eat in Arth & Schwyz

Arth shares the culinary traditions of Schwyz Region and the wider Bezirk Schwyz region. Don't miss these local specialties during your visit:

• Cheese fondue — a signature specialty across Schwyz Region.
• Raclette — a signature specialty across Schwyz Region.
• Rösti — a signature specialty across Schwyz Region.
• Bircher muesli — a signature specialty across Schwyz Region.
• Swiss artisanal chocolate — a signature specialty across Schwyz Region.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Switzerland Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Switzerland dietary explanations at restaurants in Arth.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Best time to visit Schwyz: Jun–Sep (summer trails), Dec–Mar (winter sports).

Regional highlights across Schwyz Region that pair well with a visit to Arth include: Historic Altstadt / Old Town, Panoramic mountain & lake views, Marked SwitzerlandMobility hiking trails, Local heritage museum.

Practical Travel Tips for Arth

• Tourist information office (Tourist Info): Look for the official Switzerland Tourism or local tourist office counter inside or right outside the main train station in Arth (or at Freienbach Central Station (SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways)) for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Arth accept international cards and contactless / SBB EasyRide payment, smaller family-run restaurants, Alpine huts (Berghütten), and farm stands may prefer cash or Twint. Swiss PostFinance and cantonal bank (Kantonalbank) ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.