Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Aug (hiking)
- avoid Oct–Nov (limited services)
- Airports
- ZRH · MXP
- 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 Pontresina117 ▾
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 Pontresina, 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
- SafetyPontresina is safe; main risks are mountain weather changes and occasional icy sidewalks in winter.
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 (Main international gateway; 3 h 15 min by train via Chur and St Moritz).
- Getting aroundVillage is walkable; regular Rhaetian Railway trains connect Pontresina to St Moritz.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a caféFr 4–6
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (local)checkFr 3–5
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum Alpin entrycheckFr 8/2 (adult/child)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 80–120 (≈ US$100–150) · Mid CHF 130–200 (≈ US$170–250) · 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 (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)
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
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Jun–Aug, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pontresina: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 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; regular Rhaetian Railway trains connect Pontresina to St Moritz. A local bus serves nearby attractions.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Rhaetian Railway train, about 30 min
Lake, shops, and the Olympic bob run; combine with Diavolezza for a full day.
Diavolezza
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus from Pontresina station, about 15 min, then cable car
Glacier skiing in winter, high‑altitude hiking in summer; check cable‑car schedule.
Samedan
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Train, about 10 min
Small Engadin village with a historic church and the Segantini Hut.
Door to door: About 2 h
Rhaetian Railway train, about 1 h 20 min
Scenic ride but a long day trip; better as an overnight stop.
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 Engadinerhof
Village centre, single Fr 70, double Fr 120 per night
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 130–200 (≈ US$170–250) excl. bed
- High
- CHF 200 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | Fr 4–6 |
| Raclette plate | Fr 25–35 |
| Pizza | Fr 15–20 |
| Bus ticket (local)check | Fr 3–5 |
| Museum Alpin entrycheck | Fr 8/2 (adult/child) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter ski lifts close early on heavy snow; check opening times on the official site.
- Museum Alpin hours are seasonal; verify before visiting.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
- Rega air rescue
- 1414
Pocket card
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PontresinaPontresina
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
- Rega air rescue1414
Embassy
US consulate in Zurich; other embassies in Bern.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- St Moritz → Pontresina train: about Fr 5–7, 30 min (check)
- Bus Pontresina → Diavolezza: about Fr 3, 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me / Sorry (Entschuldigung)
- Merci — Thank you (Merci)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (Wie viel kostet das?)
- Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? — Can I pay by card? (Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?)
- Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the toilet? (Wo ist die Toilette?)
- Hilfe! — Help! (Hilfe!)
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 Pontresina. 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–Aug (hiking) · avoid Oct–Nov (limited services) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a ski‑pass for Languard (Fr 35 adult) to the trip budget.
- Include a cable‑car ticket to Diavolezza (Fr 30 round‑trip).
Sources
Ask about Pontresina
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