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Back to Sion

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Voykit pocket guide · 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.

GenevaAarauAlbinenAndermattAppenzellArosaAsconaAvenchesBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigSion50 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
Avoid
Nov–Mar (many hotels close, limited bus service)
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 120–180 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 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · 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
Coffee in a caféCHF 3–5
Fondue plateCHF 20–30
Local wine glassCHF 6–12
Bus ticket (city)CHF 2.50–4.00
Hotel Elite nightCHF 130+

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

SIR · Sion Airport
—

Typical fares

Sion railway station → Brig (return)
about CHF 45, 30 min each way
City bus single ride
CHF 2.50–4.00
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

The historic core is best explored on foot; public buses run limited routes, so allow extra walking time.

See and do

Known for

  • Basilique de Valère
  • Château de Tourbillon
  • Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion
  • FC Sion football matches

Day trips

WhereHowTime
VispRegional train from Sion, about 20 min≈ 30 min
BrigRegional train, about 30 min≈ 45 min
MartignyRegional train, about 35 min≈ 50 min
MontreuxRegional train, about 1 h 10 min≈ 1 h 30 min

Sleep

Hotel Elite
Central, from CHF 130 per night; winter closures possible

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

  • Bus frequencies are low; check timetables for off‑peak hours.
  • Winter hotel closures mean limited overnight options; verify availability before booking.

Sion is generally safe; pickpocketing is rare. Watch winter road conditions if driving.

One and two days

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

  • Basilique de Valère
  • Château de Tourbillon
  • Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion
  • FC Sion football matches

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.

Sion

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

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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