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Back to Pontresina

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Voykit pocket guide · Switzerland

Pontresina

Spend 1–2 days in Pontresina for skiing or Alpine hiking; arrive by train from St Moritz and stay near the village centre.

Pontresina is a small Alpine village in Graubünden, a gateway to the Languard ski area and summer hiking trails. One night covers the museum, castle and a ski session; a second day adds a visit to Diavolezza or a day‑trip to St Moritz.

GenevaAarauAlbinenAndermattAppenzellArosaAsconaAvenchesBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigPontresina50 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–Aug (hiking)
Avoid
Oct–Nov (limited services)
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 130–200 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 · 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.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Coffee in a caféFr 4–6
Raclette plateFr 25–35
PizzaFr 15–20
Bus ticket (local)Fr 3–5
Museum Alpin entryFr 8/2 (adult/child)

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

ZRH · Zurich Airport
Main international gateway; 3 h 15 min by train via Chur and St Moritz
MXP · Milan Malpensa
Alternative for southern travellers; 3 h 30 min by bus/train via Tirano

Typical fares

St Moritz → Pontresina train
about Fr 5–7, 30 min (check)
Bus Pontresina → Diavolezza
about Fr 3, 15 min (check)
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; regular Rhaetian Railway trains connect Pontresina to St Moritz. A local bus serves nearby attractions.

See and do

Known for

  • Museum Alpin
  • Spaniola Castle
  • Languard ski area

Day trips

WhereHowTime
St. MoritzRhaetian Railway train, about 30 minAbout 1 h
DiavolezzaBus from Pontresina station, about 15 min, then cable carAbout 1 h
SamedanTrain, about 10 minAbout 30 min
ScuolRhaetian Railway train, about 1 h 20 minAbout 2 h

Sleep

Hotel Engadinerhof
Village centre, single Fr 70, double Fr 120 per night

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryEntschuldigungEntschuldigung
Thank youMerciMerci
How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?Wie viel kostet das?
Can I pay by card?Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?
Where is the toilet?Wo ist die Toilette?Wo ist die Toilette?
Help!Hilfe!Hilfe!

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 ski lifts close early on heavy snow; check opening times on the official site.
  • Museum Alpin hours are seasonal; verify before visiting.

Pontresina is safe; main risks are mountain weather changes and occasional icy sidewalks in winter.

One and two days

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

  • Museum Alpin
  • Spaniola Castle
  • Languard ski area

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.

Pontresina

Zu dieser Adresse, bitte

To this address, please

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

US consulate in Zurich; other embassies in Bern.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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