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Back to Safiental

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Voykit pocket guide · Switzerland

Safiental

Spend 1–2 days in Safiental for hiking and cultural sights; reach by train to Versam‑Safien and bus, no car needed.

Safiental is a remote Alpine valley in Graubünden, reachable by train to Versam‑Safien and a limited bus service. Its main attractions are the story trail, a solar‑powered ski lift, local museums and traditional guesthouses. One to two days allow a hike on the 11 km story trail and a short ski lift ride, plus time for a meal and a night in the valley.

GenevaAarauAlbinenAndermattAppenzellArosaAsconaAvenchesBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigSafiental50 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
Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar
Avoid
Oct–Nov (limited bus service)
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 60–90 excl. bed · Mid CHF 90–150 excl. bed · High CHF 150+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.
Emergency
Police 112 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118
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
Meal at Berggasthaus TurrahusCHF 20–35
Story trail app/brochureFree
Solar ski lift Tenna single tripCHF 3–2

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

ZRH · Zurich Airport
About 2 h by train to Versam-Safien, then bus into the valley.
BSL · EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
About 2.5 h by train to Versam-Safien, then bus.

Typical fares

Versam‑Safien → Safiental (bus)
≈ CHF 5–10 per ride (check schedule)
Solar ski lift Tenna day pass
CHF 25 (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

One‑lane road and hourly postal bus from Versam‑Safien; walking is the main mode inside the valley.

See and do

Known for

  • Safiental story trail
  • Solar ski lift Tenna
  • Walser cultural heritage

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Safiental story trailBus to Enthälb, then follow sign 735/35; 11 km (6.8 mi), 4 h easy hike≈2 h total from Versam‑Safien stop
Solar ski lift TennaBus to Tenna, then lift (4 km (2.5 mi), 1 lift)≈1.5 h total

Sleep

Hotel Camana
Open seasonal (Christmas–Easter); rooms from CHF 70 per night.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryEntschuldigungEntschuldigung
Thank youDankeDanke
How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?Wie viel kostet das?
Can I pay by card?Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
Where is the bus stop?Wo ist die Bushaltestelle?Wo ist die Bushaltestelle?

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

  • Only a handful of bus trips per day; check the timetable before travel.
  • Road is narrow and can be closed in heavy snow; consider winter conditions.

Safiental is low‑risk; main concerns are limited transport and winter road closures. Carry cash (CHF) as some places lack card terminals.

One and two days

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

  • Safiental story trail
  • Solar ski lift Tenna
  • Walser cultural heritage

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.

Safiental

Bitte zu dieser Adresse

To this address, please

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

Swiss consular services are in Bern; US embassy in Bern (check address).

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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