Major city · Switzerland
Aarau
Spend a half‑day in Aarau to see the old town and chocolate shops; add a night only if you need a quiet base between Zurich and Basel.
Aarau is the capital of the canton of Aargau, a compact German‑speaking town with a historic centre, museums and specialty chocolate. It is a convenient rail hub (25 min to Zurich, 35 min to Basel) so a few hours are enough for a quick visit, or an overnight if you prefer a low‑key base between larger cities.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible snow)
- Airport
- ZRH
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is outside the EU customs area: allowances on meat, alcohol and tobacco are strict and checked at borders.
- Switzerland ↗Motorways need a vignette (sticker or e-vignette) before you drive on them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Aarau112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Aarau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).Switzerland-wide
- SIM or eSIMSwisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.Switzerland-wide
- Tap waterTap and fountain water is excellent.Switzerland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.Switzerland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Switzerland-wide
- SafetyAarau is a safe Swiss town; standard precautions apply – keep valuables secure on trains and watch for occasional pickpocketing in crowded stations.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2 (≈ US$2–3); restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 144 ambulance · 118 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturday in small towns and all day Sunday, except stations and airports.Switzerland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportZRH Zurich Airport (45 min by direct train to Aarau station).
- Getting aroundBus and train are the main modes; buy a zone day‑fare (valid on all local buses and trains).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)CHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8)
- BeerBeer (draft in bar)CHF 5–7 (≈ US$7–9)
- Metro or bus rideBus or regional train ticketcheckCHF 3–5 (≈ US$4–7)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (e.g., Aargau Art Museum)CHF 8–12 (≈ US$10–15)
- Budget bedCapsule or hostel bed, a night, per personCHF 35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bed3‑star hotel double room, a night, per roomCHF 180 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bed3‑star hotel double room, a night, per roomCHF 300 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 30 (≈ US$40) · Mid CHF 55 (≈ US$70) · High CHF 85 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ZRH Zurich Airport (45 min by direct train to Aarau station)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Apr (9 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Aarau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bus and train are the main modes; buy a zone day‑fare (valid on all local buses and trains). The station is on the A1 corridor, making regional trips easy.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zurich
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Direct train from Aarau, 25 min
Great for museums, lake promenade and nightlife.
Baden
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Regional train, ~30 min
Thermal baths and historic castle.
Lenzburg
goDoor to door: ≈25 min
Train, 15 min
Lenzburg Castle and market square.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Aarau‑West
3‑star business hotel, 3 km (1.9 mi) from station, quiet area with golf and tennis3‑star business hotel, 1.9 mi (3 km) from station, quiet area with golf and tennis
Aarauerhof
3‑star hotel at Bahnhofstrasse, central, modern facilities
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CHF 60–90 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- CHF 90–150 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- CHF 150 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| 3‑star hotel double room1 × 1 night × CHF 180 | CHF 180 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CHF 55 | CHF 55 |
| Zone day‑fare (bus + train)1 × CHF 13 · check | CHF 13 |
| Aarau → Zurich direct train1 × CHF 15 · check | CHF 15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 26 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 289 per person per day, bed included | CHF 289≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | CHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Mercur chocolate bar | CHF 2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer (draft in bar) | CHF 5–7 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Bus or regional train ticketcheck | CHF 3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Museum entry (e.g., Aargau Art Museum) | CHF 8–12 (≈ US$10–15) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check train timetables for late‑evening services; last regional trains run around midnight.
- Some shops close early on Sundays; plan meals accordingly.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
- Rega (air rescue)
- 1414
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AarauAarau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Bitte zu dieser AdresseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
Embassy
Swiss consulates are in Zurich and Geneva; US consulate in Zurich (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Aarau → Zurich, direct train: about CHF 15 (≈ US$19), 25 min (check)
- Zone day‑fare (bus + train): CHF 13 (≈ US$17) per person, unlimited in zone
Say or show
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me / Sorry (Entschuldigung)
- Danke — Thank you (Danke)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (Wie viel kostet das?)
- Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the toilet? (Wo ist die Toilette?)
- Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? — Can I pay by card? (Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?)
- Ich möchte bitte einen Kaffee — I would like a coffee, please (Ich möchte bitte einen Kaffee)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Aarau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Aarau‑West for a quiet base between Zurich and Basel.
- Use zone day‑fare for unlimited local travel; upgrade to multi‑day pass if visiting multiple nearby towns.
Sources
Ask about Aarau
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