Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking)
- avoid Oct–Nov (limited activities), heavy snow in Apr may close some lifts
- Airport
- ZRH
- Nights
- 1‑2
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 Arosa117 ▾
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 Arosa, 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
- SafetyArosa is safe for tourists; main risks are mountain weather changes and occasional icy sidewalks—wear proper footwear.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2 (≈ US$2–3); restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers117 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 (About 150 km (93 mi), 2 h by train (Glacier Express via Chur).).ZRH Zurich Airport (About 93 mi (150 km), 2 h by train (Glacier Express via Chur).).
- Getting aroundVillage is walkable; local PostBus runs hourly to Lenzerheide and Chur.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a caféCHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8)
- Budget bedHostel or budget hotel, a night, per personCHF 60 (≈ US$75)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomCHF 220 (≈ US$300)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomCHF 350 (≈ US$450)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 80 (≈ US$100) · Mid CHF 130 (≈ US$170) · High CHF 200 (≈ US$250)
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 (About 150 km (93 mi), 2 h by train (Glacier Express via Chur).)ZRH Zurich Airport (About 93 mi (150 km), 2 h by train (Glacier Express via Chur).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Arosa: 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 (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Oct
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 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
Village is walkable; local PostBus runs hourly to Lenzerheide and Chur. Ski lifts serve the mountain directly from the centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lenzerheide
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
PostBus from Arosa, about 30 min, then walk to the ski area
Same lift pass works for both resorts.
Chur
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Train from Arosa station, about 45 min
Connects to national rail network.
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.
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.Family‑run, check‑in 2:00 PM–6:00 PM.
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 80–120 (≈ US$100–150) excl. bed
- Mid
- CHF 130–180 (≈ US$170–250) excl. bed
- High
- CHF 200 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × CHF 220 | CHF 220 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CHF 130 | CHF 130 |
| Arosa‑Lenzerheide lift pass (1 day)1 × CHF 70 | CHF 70 |
| PostBus ticket to Lenzerheide1 × CHF 12 | CHF 12 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 43 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 475 per person per day, bed included | CHF 475≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in CHF; flights, rail passes and ski‑passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | CHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Alpine lunch (soup, cheese, bread) | CHF 12–20 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Ski lift ticket (full day) | CHF 55–70 (≈ US$70–90) |
| PostBus ride (local) | CHF 5–12 (≈ US$7–15) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ArosaArosa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
Embassy
Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs lists consular services in Zurich; US consulate in Zurich (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zurich → Chur → Arosa (train): ≈ CHF 70–90, 2 h total
- PostBus Arosa → Lenzerheide: ≈ CHF 12, 30 min
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?)
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 Arosa. 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: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking) · avoid Oct–Nov (limited activities), heavy snow in Apr may close some lifts · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a ski‑pass day ticket (price on Arosa Bergbahnen site).
- Consider a combined Arosa‑Lenzerheide lift pass for longer stays.
Sources
- officialArosa official website
- secondaryFour Paws – Arosa Bear Sanctuary
- secondaryWikivoyage: Arosa, revision 5239522 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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