Major city · Switzerland
Sion
Spend a single day in Sion for the historic hilltop sights; add a half‑day if you want a bike ride or a match at Stade Tourbillon.
Sion is the Valais capital with two hilltop landmarks—Basilique de Valère and Château de Tourbillon—within a walkable centre. Trains arrive half‑hourly, buses run infrequently, and most attractions fit in a morning‑afternoon loop. Winter sees many hotels close, so plan a spring‑summer visit.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (many hotels close, limited bus service)
- Airport
- SIR
- Nights
- 1
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 Sion117 ▾
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 Sion, 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
- SafetySion is generally safe; pickpocketing is rare.
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.
- AirportSIR Sion Airport.
- Getting aroundThe historic core is best explored on foot; public buses run limited routes, so allow extra walking time.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a caféCHF 3–5 (≈ US$4–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (city)CHF 2.50–4.00 (≈ US$4–5)
- Budget bedBudget double room (e.g. Hotel Elite), a night, per roomCHF 130 (≈ US$170)
- Mid-range bedBudget double room (e.g. Hotel Elite), a night, per roomCHF 160 (≈ US$200)
- High-end bedBudget double room (e.g. Hotel Elite), a night, per roomCHF 200 (≈ US$250)
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
- SIR Sion Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sion: 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
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 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
The historic core is best explored on foot; public buses run limited routes, so allow extra walking time.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Visp
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min
Regional train from Sion, about 20 min
Small town on the Rhone, good for a quick walk.
Brig
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min
Regional train, about 30 min
Gateway to higher Valais, historic centre.
Martigny
goDoor to door: ≈ 50 min
Regional train, about 35 min
Visit the Roman museum and the Fondation Pierre Gianadda.
Montreux
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 1 h 30 min
Regional train, about 1 h 10 min
Longer trip; best as a half‑day if time permits.
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 Elite
Central, from CHF 130 per night; winter closures possible
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 120–180 (≈ US$150–250) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget double room (e.g. Hotel Elite)1 × 1 night × CHF 160 | CHF 160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CHF 130 | CHF 260 |
| Sion–Brig or Sion–Geneva train (return)2 × CHF 70 | CHF 140 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × CHF 30 | CHF 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 62 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 341 per person per day, bed included | CHF 682≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in Swiss francs; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | CHF 3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Fondue plate | CHF 20–30 (≈ US$25–40) |
| Local wine glass | CHF 6–12 (≈ US$8–15) |
| Bus ticket (city) | CHF 2.50–4.00 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Hotel Elite night | CHF 130 (≈ US$170)+ |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus frequencies are low; check timetables for off‑peak hours.
- Winter hotel closures mean limited overnight options; verify availability before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
- Rega air rescue
- 1414
Pocket card
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SionSion
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
- Rega air rescue1414
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sion railway station → Brig (return): about CHF 45 (≈ US$60), 30 min each way
- City bus single ride: CHF 2.50–4.00 (≈ US$4–5)
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 Sion. 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: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (many hotels close, limited bus service) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Sion
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