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

Last reviewed: October 23, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Chur (Chur (BFS 3901)) is a municipality in Region Plessur, Canton of Graubünden (coordinates 46.8521°N, 9.5297°E; population 37,082). Visitors use Chur as a base to explore Canton of Graubünden's historic town centers, regional markets, and culinary specialties such as Capuns, Pizzoccheri, 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 & IC cards: Once in Canton of Graubünden Region, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Chur with Chur. Nationwide IC cards (Transit Card, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep CHF 1,000 bills and CHF 100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• 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 Takkyubin.
• 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 countryside onsen. 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 center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo 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 IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Switzerland Post 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.