Major city · Switzerland
Goldau
Spend half a day in Goldau as a rail hub for Rigi hikes; add a night if you want the zoo or museum.
Goldau is a practical railway junction on the way to the Rigi, with a small zoo, museum and easy access to nearby mountains; it’s best for a short stop or one overnight stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible snow)
- Airport
- ZRH
- 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 Goldau112 ▾
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 Goldau, 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
- SafetyGoldau is generally safe; police patrol regularly, but keep belongings secure and avoid railway tracks after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2 (≈ US$2–3); restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 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 (Change at Zürich HB for half‑hourly SBB trains to Goldau (≈1 h).).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; SBB trains and Auto AG Schwyz buses connect nearby villages; taxis wait at the station for occasional trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at caféCHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))CHF 30–40 (≈ US$40–50)
- Museum or sight ticketZoo entryCHF 12 (≈ US$15)
- Budget bedHotel (Anstatthotel), a night, per roomCHF 120 (≈ US$150)
- Mid-range bedHotel (Anstatthotel), a night, per roomCHF 180 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedHotel (Anstatthotel), a night, per roomCHF 260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 70 (≈ US$90) · Mid CHF 130 (≈ US$170) · High CHF 250 (≈ US$350)
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 (Change at Zürich HB for half‑hourly SBB trains to Goldau (≈1 h).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Goldau: 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 (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°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
Town is walkable; SBB trains and Auto AG Schwyz buses connect nearby villages; taxis wait at the station for occasional trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Rigi (Rigi Kulm)
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Take the Rigibahn from Goldau to Rigi Staffel (≈15 min), then cogwheel train or cable‑car to the summit.
Covered by GA/Swiss Travel Pass.
Nature and Animal Park Goldau
goDoor to door: ≈10 min
Walk 5 min from Goldau station to Parkstrasse 42.
Open 09:00–18:00 daily.Open 9:00 AM–6:00 PM daily.
Avalanche Museum
goDoor to door: ≈5 min
Short walk from the station; check opening hours (2024 opening).
Entry free or small fee.
Rossberg hike
cautionDoor to door: ≈5 h
Start from town centre; 4–5 h round‑trip on marked trails.
Suitable for fit walkers; check trail conditions.
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.
Villa Mon Abri
Bed & breakfast beside Rigibahn station, 5 min walk.
Anstatthotel
Business hotel within walking distance of Goldau station.
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 70–100 (≈ US$90–130) excl. bed
- Mid
- CHF 130–180 (≈ US$170–250) excl. bed
- High
- CHF 250 (≈ US$350)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel (Anstatthotel)1 × 1 night × CHF 180 | CHF 180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CHF 130 | CHF 260 |
| SBB regional train Goldau ↔ Zürich2 × CHF 25 · check | CHF 50 |
| Rigibahn round‑trip to Rigi2 × CHF 35 · covered by GA/Swiss Travel Pass | CHF 70 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × CHF 30 · check | 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 CHF; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at café | CHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Meal (mid‑range restaurant) | CHF 20–35 (≈ US$25–45) |
| Taxi (5 km) | CHF 30–40 (≈ US$40–50) |
| SBB regional train ticket | CHF 15–25 (≈ US$19–35) (check) |
| Zoo entry | CHF 12 (≈ US$15) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check train timetables, especially early mornings and late evenings.
- Mountain weather can change quickly; bring layers for Rigi hikes.
- Zoo and museum close at 18:00 in winter; verify opening hours.Zoo and museum close at 6:00 PM in winter; verify opening hours.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
- Rega air rescue
- 1414
Pocket card
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GoldauGoldau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
- Rega air rescue1414
Embassy
US consulate in Zurich; other embassies in Bern.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zurich Airport → Goldau (SBB): about CHF 25 (≈ US$35), 1 h 10 min (check)
- Goldau → Rigi Kulm (Rigibahn): CHF 35 (≈ US$45) round‑trip, covered by GA
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 der Bahnhof? — Where is the train station? (Wo ist der Bahnhof?)
- Kann ich die Speisekarte haben? — Can I have the menu? (Kann ich die Speisekarte haben?)
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 Goldau. 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: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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
- officialGoldau official city tourism
- officialRigi tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage: Goldau, revision 5241596 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Goldau
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