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Back to Vals

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Voykit pocket guide · Switzerland

Vals

Spend 1–2 days in Vals for the 7132 thermal baths and a short hike; reach by train to Ilanz and a 36‑min postal bus.

Vals is a small Alpine village in Graubünden, best known for the architecturally notable 7132 thermal baths and easy access to Zervreilasee and local hikes. With a single night you can enjoy the baths and a lake walk; a second day adds a ski‑area visit or longer hikes.

GenevaAarauAlbinenAndermattAppenzellArosaAsconaAvenchesBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigVals50 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
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 70–100 excl. bed · Mid CHF 120–180 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 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · Rega 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
Alpine snack (e.g., raclette)CHF 12–20
Ski lift ticket (Vals 3000)CHF 49
Thermal bath (adult)CHF 80
Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))CHF 30–40

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

ZRH · Zurich Airport
Main international gateway, about 2 h by train to Ilanz (check)

Typical fares

Ilanz → Vals PostAuto
about CHF 12 each way, 36 min (check)
7132 thermal bath
CHF 45–80 depending on guest card (check)
Vals 3000 ski day pass
CHF 49 (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

Village is walkable; free winter shuttle runs through the settlement. Use the hourly PostAuto bus from Ilanz (36 min) for arrivals.

See and do

Known for

  • 7132 thermal baths
  • Zervreilasee lake
  • Valser water visitor centre

Day trips

WhereHowTime
ZervreilaseeWalk from village (≈30 min) (check)≈1 h round trip (check)

Sleep

Hotel Alpina
Central village, rooms from CHF 80 per night

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryEntschuldigungEntschuldigung
Thank youMerciMerci
How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?Wie viel kostet das?
Where is the bathroom?Wo ist die Toilette?Wo ist die Toilette?
Can I pay by card?Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?
Help!Hilfe!Hilfe!

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

  • Bath opening season: July–April; check dates before travel.
  • Winter shuttle runs only when snow conditions allow; verify schedule.
  • Postal bus may be limited on public holidays; confirm timetable.

Vals is a safe Alpine village; main risks are weather‑related (snow, avalanches) and limited night transport – plan ahead.

One and two days

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

  • 7132 thermal baths
  • Zervreilasee lake
  • Valser water visitor centre

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.

Vals

Bitte zu dieser Adresse

To this address, please

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

Swiss police (112) handles emergencies; nearest consulates in Chur or Zurich.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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