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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Switzerland
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (cold, possible snow)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CHF
- Money
- Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; euros are sometimes taken with change in francs.
- Daily spend
- Budget CHF 60–90 excl. bed · Mid CHF 90–150 excl. bed · High CHF 150+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118
- Plugs
- Types J, C · 230 V · 50 Hz · Swiss three-pin sockets are recessed: thin two-pin (type C) plugs fit, but thick German Schuko plugs do not — bring a Swiss adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.; Café or bar: Round up.; Taxi: Round up.; Hotel: Optional; CHF 2–5 for porters.; Mountain guide: CHF 20–50 for a day, optional.
- Water
- Tap and fountain water is excellent. Restaurants usually charge for bottled water; ask for 'Hahnenwasser' / 'eau du robinet'.
- Toilets
- Station toilets cost CHF 1–2; restaurants and department stores are free for customers.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | CHF 4–6 |
| Mercur chocolate bar | CHF 2–4 |
| Beer (draft in bar) | CHF 5–7 |
| Bus or regional train ticket | CHF 3–5 |
| Museum entry (e.g., Aargau Art Museum) | CHF 8–12 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ZRH · Zurich Airport
- 45 min by direct train to Aarau station
Typical fares
- Aarau → Zurich, direct train
- about CHF 15, 25 min (check)
- Zone day‑fare (bus + train)
- CHF 13 per person, unlimited in zone
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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.
See and do
Known for
- Aargau cantonal capital
- Historic old town
- Mercur chocolate
- Aarau railway station
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | Direct train from Aarau, 25 min | ≈30 min |
| Baden | Regional train, ~30 min | ≈45 min |
| Lenzburg | Train, 15 min | ≈25 min |
Sleep
- 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
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | EntschuldigungEntschuldigung |
| Thank you | DankeDanke |
| How much is it? | Wie viel kostet das?Wie viel kostet das? |
| Where is the toilet? | Wo ist die Toilette?Wo ist die Toilette? |
| Can I pay by card? | Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? |
| I would like a coffee, please | Ich möchte bitte einen KaffeeIch möchte bitte einen Kaffee |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; three cheek kisses among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting in shops
- Punctuality: Be exactly on time; avoid: Running for the train expecting it to wait
- Language: Greet in the local language, then ask for English; avoid: Speaking German in Geneva as a default
- Quiet: Low voices in trains; quiet carriages are marked; avoid: Speakerphone calls
- Money: Keep financial talk discreet; avoid: Asking people's salaries
- Recycling: Separate PET, glass and cans; avoid: Leaving rubbish in hotel or flat bins unsorted
Scams and watch-outs
- Check train timetables for late‑evening services; last regional trains run around midnight.
- Some shops close early on Sundays; plan meals accordingly.
Aarau is a safe Swiss town; standard precautions apply – keep valuables secure on trains and watch for occasional pickpocketing in crowded stations.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Aarau yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Aargau cantonal capital
- Historic old town
- Mercur chocolate
- Aarau railway station
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) – station info: www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/overview.html
- Wikivoyage: Aarau, revision 5306015 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5306015
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/aarau). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.