CHUR FAQ`S

Where is Chur located?

Chur, the capital of the Grisons, is located in Eastern Switzerland, 73 miles from Zurich, the nearest airport. Travel time from Zurich is 75 minutes by train and approximately the same by car.

Set at an elevation of 1,922 ft., Chur lies near the head of the Rhine Valley, surrounded by towering mountains. The Plessur River, a tributary of the Rhine, flows through the center of the town. Chur is located at a natural junction of several of the most important routes from Italy over the alpine passes, and as a result, incorporates both Italian and Rhaetian influences.

How do I get into Chur?

Zurich International Airport is the closest international airport to Chur. Direct trains run between Chur and the airport with a travel time of about 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Chur is the end of some international lines, such as the standard-gauge railway from Sargans. It`s also the starting point for the narrow-gauge line to St. Moritz, known as the Rhätische Bahn. The Chur-Arosa line and the Glacier Express also start here. Chur also has frequent train connections from Zurich.

Chur lies near the terminus of several bus lines, which link its railway facilities with some of the villages scattered throughout the nearby valleys. The two most prominent of these are Davos and St. Moritz, where bus connections can be made to Munich, across the German border.

If you`re driving, Chur is about 90 minutes from Zurich along N3 (later N13), and easily reached by expressway.

How do I get around Chur?

Chur is a very small city; much of it is walkable. There are taxis and buses, which operate on five different routes.

Driving in Chur is possible. However, the old town of Chur is car-free.

What is the biggest draw for visitors to Chur?

Chur, the capital of Graubünden, is said to be the oldest town in Switzerland and charms visitors with its mountain setting, twisting alleys and historic buildings. Numerous boutiques, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries in the largely traffic-free Old Town create a perfect Mediterranean-style atmosphere that visitors love. It is also a less popular city with fewer tourists, making it a more authentic town to visit, which visitors love.

What are the top annual events in Chur?

-Buskers Chur: Numerous artists and musicians from across the globe present high-class shows and change Chur`s Old Town into a lively venue for contemporary street art (June).
-Chur Festival: Great atmosphere, great music and great food. This festival takes place for three days in August when Chur becomes a gigantic festival marquee.
-Haldenstein Castle Opera: open-air opera is performed every 2 years in Haldenstein Castle (August).
-Chur Hit Parade: Fans travel to Graubünden`s capital to meet top stars from the Swiss pop music world (September).
-Chur Autumn: Each autumn, Chur Theatre presents an international theatre and dance program (October/November).
-Long Saturday: various cultural venues in Chur open for 12 hours, with many short events in November.
-Advent in Chur: Attractions such as a Christmas market, figure skating, gospel sounds and Santa`s bus (December).

When is the best time to visit Chur?

The weather in Chur, Switzerland is mostly pleasant and mild.

-Autumn/Fall: September to November is autumn season with an average of 60 degrees Fahrenheit even though November can get colder.

-Winter: December to February is winter season with the coldest being January- lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

-Spring: March to May is Spring season and a good time to visit the town if you don`t mind missing the winter sports. Sometimes temperatures can drop down to winter temperatures in April with a sudden rise in May.

-Summer: June to August is Summer season with an average of 77 degrees Fahrenheit even though summer can peak to the mid 80`s.

The best time to visit Chur is completely dependent on what you plan to do and want to explore in the town. If you love winter sports then visit the town during winter and if you want to explore the culture, history behind it, visits during summer and spring are the best times.

Where are the best areas for shopping?

Most shops can be found along the Bahnhofstrasse and in the old city of Chur. There are a few international shops like H&M, NewYorker, etc. as well as local shops. Two big department stores (Coop City and MANOR) are located along the Bahnhofstrasse.

There is a weekly farmers market in the old town where Farmers from all over Graubünden offer their fresh products at their market stalls in the old town. This takes place on Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm from May to October. For more information on this market visit www.churer-wochenmarkt.ch.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF or SFr. While Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro, many prices are nonetheless indicated in euros so that visitors may compare prices. Most of the restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs accept euro, but expect to pay a premium rate.

The Swiss Franc (CHF or SFr) is divided into 100 centimes (known as Rappen in German speaking Switzerland). Bills come in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 10000SFr and coins are divided into 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes and 1, 2 and 5SFr.

US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Swiss Francs upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airports, train stations and many bank locations.

Where can I catch the cable car to Brambruesch?

The cable car departs from the center of Chur directly up to the high plateau of Brambrüesch, where you are greeted by wonderful Alpine summer meadows, beautiful flora and awesome panoramic views. Chur is the only city in Switzerland with its own winter and summer sports region, lined by cableway. In summer you can enjoy breathtaking hikes, the Alpen bike park with 5 mountain biking free-ride routes, fantastic enduro tours, fun descents and several charming mountain restaurants.

I don`t speak German. Will many people speak English?

The official language of Chur is German. Though most tourism establishments (hotels, restaurants, shops, etc) know some English, don’t expect everyone to speak fluently. We suggest you get a good English-German guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Police Emergency Number - Tel. 117
Ambulance / Medical Emergency - Tel. 144
Fire Department - Tel. 118
International emergency number - Tel. 112

Hospital Graubünden, Loestrasse 170, 7000 Chur, Switzerland, Tel. +41 81 256 61 11

Hospital Chur, Loestrasse 151, 7000 Chur, Switzerland