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Voykit pocket guide · Switzerland

Arosa

Spend 1‑2 days in Arosa for the ski/summer resort vibe, bear sanctuary and easy hikes; longer only if you base here for multiple ski days.

Arosa is a small Alpine resort village in Graubünden with a compact centre, ski lifts, hiking trails and the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. Most visitors can see the main sights and enjoy a meal or two in a single day; a second night adds relaxed skiing or a longer hike.

GenevaAarauAlbinenAndermattAppenzellAsconaAvenchesBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigBruggArosa50 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Switzerland
Best months
Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking)
Avoid
Oct–Nov (limited activities), heavy snow in Apr may close some lifts
Stay
1‑2 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 80–120 excl. bed · Mid CHF 130–180 excl. bed · High CHF 200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.
Emergency
Police 117 · 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

ItemPrice
Coffee in a caféCHF 4–6
Alpine lunch (soup, cheese, bread)CHF 12–20
Ski lift ticket (full day)CHF 55–70
PostBus ride (local)CHF 5–12

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

ZRH · Zurich Airport
About 150 km (93 mi), 2 h by train (Glacier Express via Chur).

Typical fares

Zurich → Chur → Arosa (train)
≈ CHF 70–90, 2 h total
PostBus Arosa → Lenzerheide
≈ CHF 12, 30 min
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

Village is walkable; local PostBus runs hourly to Lenzerheide and Chur. Ski lifts serve the mountain directly from the centre.

See and do

Known for

  • Arosa Bear Sanctuary
  • Ski area and summer hiking
  • Alpine scenery
  • Family-friendly hotels

Day trips

WhereHowTime
LenzerheidePostBus from Arosa, about 30 min, then walk to the ski area≈1 h total
ChurTrain from Arosa station, about 45 min≈1 h

Sleep

Hotel Metropol
Central, close to lifts and bus stop.
Hotel Asora
3‑star, Poststrasse 69.
Cristallo Arosa
Near ski lifts.
Home Hotel Arosa
Family‑run, check‑in 14:00–18:00.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryEntschuldigungEntschuldigung
Thank youDankeDanke
How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?Wie viel kostet das?
Where is the toilet?Wo ist die Toilette?Wo ist die Toilette?

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

  • Winter road closures may affect car access; check the cantonal road office.
  • Bear sanctuary entry is free but limited to opening hours; verify times before visiting.

Arosa is safe for tourists; main risks are mountain weather changes and occasional icy sidewalks—wear proper footwear.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Arosa yet. Suggested stay: 1‑2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Arosa Bear Sanctuary
  • Ski area and summer hiking
  • Alpine scenery
  • Family-friendly hotels

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Arosa

Zu dieser Adresse, bitte

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs lists consular services in Zurich; US consulate in Zurich (check address).

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/arosa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.