Chur (Chur (BFS 3901)) Travel Guide & City Profile

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

Overview & City Profile

Chur (BFS 3901) sits at 1342 m elevation in Region Plessur, Canton of Graubünden, connecting travelers to Chur Car-Free Old Town (Altstadt) & St. Martin Church and Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption via Bahnhof Chur (0.5 km). Visitors pair alpine scenery and historic streets in Chur (pop. 37,082) with regional specialties including Pizzoccheri and Bündner Nusstorte (walnut tart).

Within Canton of Graubünden Region (Region Plessur region), Chur (Chur (BFS 3901)) serves as a prefectural capital of canton of graubünden region. Travelers exploring Canton of Graubünden often combine a stop in Chur with regional highlights such as St. Moritz & Engadin Valley, Bernina Express & Landwasser Viaduct, Davos Klosters & Arosa, Swiss National Park (Zernez).

Getting to Chur & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Chur Central Station (SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways)): Rhaetian Railway (RhB) UNESCO network from Chur to St. Moritz, Davos, Arosa and Tirano (Bernina Express).

• Local rail & SBB EasyRide / transit cards: Once in Canton of Graubünden Region, SBB regional trains, narrow-gauge mountain railways, and yellow PostBuses connect Chur with Chur. 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 Canton of Graubünden have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Chur 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 Chur are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways station or airport in Canton of Graubünden 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 Chur & Canton of Graubünden

Chur shares the culinary traditions of Canton of Graubünden Region and the wider Region Plessur region. Don't miss these local specialties during your visit:

• Capuns — a signature specialty across Canton of Graubünden Region.
• Pizzoccheri — a signature specialty across Canton of Graubünden Region.
• Bündner Nusstorte (walnut tart) — a signature specialty across Canton of Graubünden Region.
• Bündnerfleisch air-dried beef — a signature specialty across Canton of Graubünden Region.
• Malans Pinot Noir — a signature specialty across Canton of Graubünden Region.

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

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Best time to visit Canton of Graubünden: Jun–Oct, Dec–Mar.

Regional highlights across Canton of Graubünden Region that pair well with a visit to Chur include: St. Moritz & Engadin Valley, Bernina Express & Landwasser Viaduct, Davos Klosters & Arosa, Swiss National Park (Zernez).

Practical Travel Tips for Chur

• 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 Chur (or at Chur 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 Chur 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.