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Arosa is a scenic mountain resort in the Schanfigg Valley, easily accessible from Chur by regional train. A high mountain resort like St. Moritz, it’s 1,800 meters above sea level. A sunny holiday region with impressive mountain peaks and a lake, it’s part of one of Switzerland’s largest ski resorts alongside Lenzerheide.
Some of those visitors who will want to go to Arosa will come from Zurich. In this article, we will discuss the train commute from Zurich to get to Arosa. How long is the travel time from Zurich to reach this popular mountain resort? How much are the tickets? Read on for more information.
On this page, you can find all the information you need regarding the train journey from Zurich to get to Arosa.
You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.
Using the Swiss Pass, you can travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, and more. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
Getting tickets from RailEurope is definitely a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. Having been in operation since the 1930s, RailEurope‘s extensive history, user-friendly website and mobile apps, flexible currency payment options, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strategic partnerships with leading rail operators, collectively establish it as a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking European train travel.
You can obtain from RailEurope the following travel passes:
- Swiss Rail Pass – unlimited travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, and more, as well as unlimited public transport in 90 towns and cities for non-Swiss residents
- Eurail Global Pass – unlimited train travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for non-EU residents
- Interrail Global Pass – access to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for citizens and permanent residents of the EU
How to Get From Zurich to Arosa
How To Get From Zurich to Arosa
The fastest and easiest way to get from Zurich to Arosa is to go via Chur. You will have to take the following trains:
- First, take the Intercity train from Zurich to Chur.
- In Chur, go outside the station to Platform 2 (Gleis 2). Take the regional train to Arosa.
How To Get From Zurich Airport to Arosa
There are no direct trains from Zurich Airport to Arosa. If you want to find out which train platform you need to go to and what time, you can check the screens and boards inside Zurich Airport.
From Zurich Airport, you can take any train which will lead you to Zurich Train Station. From Zurich Train Station, you can head to Arosa via Chur.
- First, take an Intercity or Interregio train from Zurich Airport to Zurich (Zurich HB).
- In Zurich, take the Intercity train to Chur.
- In Chur, go outside the station to Platform 2 (Gleis 2). Take the regional train to Arosa.
Is There a Direct Train From Zurich to Arosa?
As of the time of writing (updated February 2023), there are no direct trains from Zurich to Arosa. You will have to change to a connecting train in Chur.
How Long Is the Train Ride From Zurich to Arosa?
The following table shows the train ride duration from Zurich to Arosa (as of February 2023):
| Route | Duration (fastest) |
|---|---|
| Zurich – Arosa | 2 hours 44 minutes |
| Zurich Airport – Arosa | 2 hours 39 minutes |
| Arosa – Zurich | 2 hours 31 minutes |
| Arosa – Zurich Airport | 2 hours 58 minutes |
Is the Train Route from Zurich to Arosa Scenic?
Although not as scenic as the Bernina Express route, the views once you reach Graubünden are incredibly beautiful. If you are interested in pursuing a scenic train route, then you can check out some options listed below.
Your other options in detail are the following:
- Historical Train Davos to Filisur – May through October, vintage carriages are pulled by the century-old crocodile locomotive from Davos Platz to Filisur. The train line covers a total length of 4,200 meters through 14 tunnels and 28 bridges. Its scenic highlights include the Wiesen Viaduct and the Zügen Gorge.
- Golden Pass – The Golden Pass departs from Lucerne. You would take a train from Zurich to Lucerne, then change to Interlaken. This is sometimes referred to as the east end of this route. The Golden Pass has panorama coaches and is scenic.
- Glacier Express – Glacier Express is a long journey that starts from Zermatt, home of Matterhorn. It then traverses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels before stopping in St. Moritz. Both Zermatt and St. Moritz are beautiful mountain resorts worthy of a longer stay. The Glacier Express passes by several idyllic mountain villages.
- Bernina Express – Bernina Express is another train route that begins in Chur. Chur is the oldest alpine city in Switzerland and definitely worth visiting. This train route spans 196 bridges. It goes through 55 tunnels and passes 20 beautiful villages in Switzerland. For you to go on this scenic train, you will have to go from Zurich or to Chur first.
How Much Will the Train Ticket from Zurich to Arosa Cost?
The following table shows the train ticket prices from Zurich to Arosa (updated February 2023):
| Route | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich – Arosa | 51.00 | 25.50 |
| Zurich Airport – Arosa | 56.00 | 28.00 |
As you can see, if you avail of the Half Fare Travel Card, you can definitely save on your fare for long train journeys. So this is definitely something to consider during your travel to Switzerland. You can do simple calculations and decide from there if it will be worth it for you.
Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?
No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.