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Back to Samedan

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Voykit pocket guide · Switzerland

Samedan

Spend a half‑day to a full day in Samedan for a quiet Alpine village feel; use St Moritz for night‑life and extra activities.

Samedan is a small Engadin village with historic houses, a spa, and easy train links to St Moritz and Pontresina. Its attractions fit into a half‑day, but a full day lets you enjoy the spa, a hike, and a helicopter ride.

GenevaAarauAlbinenAndermattAppenzellArosaAsconaAvenchesBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigSamedan50 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
Feb–Mar (high avalanche risk on passes) (check)
Stay
1 night

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 80–120 excl. bed · Mid CHF 130–180 excl. bed · High CHF 200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.
Emergency
Police 117 · Fire 118 · Ambulance 144 · Rega air rescue 1414
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
CoffeeCHF 4–6
Spa day ticketCHF 38
Helicopter 30‑minCHF 270
Bus ride (local)CHF 3–5

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

SMV · Samedan Airport (Engadin Airport)
Private‑flight only; highest airport in Europe

Typical fares

Train Samedan → St. Moritz
about CHF 5, 15 min
Bus Engadin day pass
CHF 20 per person
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Bus runs every 10 min in high season; taxis are pricey; helicopter tours from the local heliport; walkable village centre.

See and do

Known for

  • La Tuor cultural centre
  • Chesa Planta museum
  • Mineralbad & Spa
  • Hiking to Marguns restaurant
  • Helicopter tours

Day trips

WhereHowTime
St. MoritzTrain from Samedan, ~15 min≈30 min total
PontresinaTrain, ~15 min≈30 min
ChurTrain, ~2 h≈2 h 15 min

Sleep

Hotel Terminus
Central location, easy train access
Hotel Donatz
Near Plazzet, traditional Alpine style

Language

Four national languages: German in the north and centre (spoken as Swiss German dialects, written as standard German), French in the west, Italian in Ticino and Romansh in parts of Graubünden. English is widely spoken in tourism. Greet in the local language of the region you are in.

  • 'Grüezi' (formal) and 'Hoi' (casual) in German-speaking areas; 'Merci' is also used there for thank you.
  • Swiss German differs a lot from standard German; locals will switch to standard German or English.
  • Place names change across the language border: Genf/Genève, Biel/Bienne.

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

  • Winter mountain passes (Maloja, Bernina) can be icy – consider the car‑train from Davos in winter.
  • Helicopter prices vary; 30‑min flight about Fr 270 (check).
  • Private‑flight airport requires special permit.

Samedan is safe; main risks are winter road conditions and occasional high‑altitude weather changes.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Samedan yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • La Tuor cultural centre
  • Chesa Planta museum
  • Mineralbad & Spa
  • Hiking to Marguns restaurant
  • Helicopter tours

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.

Samedan

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

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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