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Back to Glarus

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Voykit pocket guide · Switzerland

Glarus

Spend a half‑day to a full day in Glarus to see the Landsgemeinde square, ride the Braunwald funicular and sample local food; skip if you lack time.

Glarus is a small Alpine town (≈40 000 residents) with a historic Landsgemeinde square, easy train access, a funicular to Braunwald and nearby hiking bus routes. One day covers the main sights; longer stays are only for extended hikes.

GenevaAsconaBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigChâteau-d'ŒxChurCrans-MontanaDavosFribourgGimmelwaldGlarus50 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
Jun–Sep
Avoid
Nov–Mar (road over Klausen pass closed, limited bus service)
Stay
1 night

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 130–200 excl. bed · High CHF 250+ 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 · Rega air rescue 1414
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.

Get in

By air

ZRH · Zurich Airport
S25 train to Glarus about 1 h, then local bus
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Hourly S25 from Zurich (1 h) or S6 from Rapperswil (45 min) to Glarus station; local buses to Schwanden, Elm and Braunwald (funicular from Linthal).

See and do

Known for

  • Landsgemeinde square
  • Braunwald funicular
  • Glarner Tüechli kerchiefs

Day trips

WhereHowTime
BraunwaldTrain to Linthal (30 min) then Braunwald funicular (15 min)≈1 h total
ElmBus from Schwanden station, roughly hourly≈1 h 15 min
Klausen Pass (summer bus)Bus from Glarus to Altdorf via the pass, ~2 h≈2 h 30 min round‑trip

Sleep

Hotel Glarnerhof
Next to Glarus railway station, simple rooms, restaurant attached

Language

Four national languages: German in the north and centre (spoken as Swiss German dialects, written as standard German), French in the west, Italian in Ticino and Romansh in parts of Graubünden. English is widely spoken in tourism. Greet in the local language of the region you are in.

  • 'Grüezi' (formal) and 'Hoi' (casual) in German-speaking areas; 'Merci' is also used there for thank you.
  • Swiss German differs a lot from standard German; locals will switch to standard German or English.
  • Place names change across the language border: Genf/Genève, Biel/Bienne.

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

  • Klausen pass road closed in winter; bus over the pass runs only in summer.
  • Train and bus timetables vary seasonally; check SBB for current times.

Glarus is generally safe; standard Swiss precautions apply—watch mountain weather, keep valuables secure, and respect local traffic rules.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Glarus yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Landsgemeinde square
  • Braunwald funicular
  • Glarner Tüechli kerchiefs

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.

Glarus

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

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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