How to take the rail journey from Zurich to Chur.

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Zürich / Zurich to Chur by train

SMTJ has compiled a list of the Europe's most epic journeys by regular express trains, but this Zurich to Chur rail journey didn't make the cut, because of is comparatively short length.
However, journeys by Intercity express trains of less than two hours don't get more fabulous than this!

Routes you can take to go from Zürich / Zurich to Chur

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Zürich / Zurich

Route Information

Station Guides

The frontage of Zurich Hb station by the Bahnhofplatz tram stops

Zürich HB / Zurich main station Rail Station Guide

Chur Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

1hr 15min (approx)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 - 2 x trains per hour

Is this journey from Zurich to Chur direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.

Is the journey scenic?
Yes it's a contender for Europe's most scenic city to city journey - see the Journey Information for images and videos, plus tips on how to make the most of the lakeside views.

What other tourist locations are along the route from Zurich to Chur?
The trains call at the junction station, Landquart, for connections to Klosters and Davos

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Chur?
Before 07:55 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Chur?
Chur is on the southern edge of the city centre, the heart of the city is within a 10-15 min walk.

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Zurich to Chur on this journey option
After 22:30, though there is usually an IR service which departs after 23:00.
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Zurich?
Zurich HB is at the northern edge of the heart of the city, the old town area is within a 10min walk and more than a dozen routes / lines use the two sets of tram stops.
See the Station Guide for more info, plus easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Zurich to Chur trains?
Yes

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Zurich to Chur trains?
Typically up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys more than three months ahead during October and March.

What are the child ticket terms for these Zurich to Chur trains?

Children aged 5 or younger travel free of charge
Children aged 6-15 and travelling with a person aged 16 and over, pay 50% of the adult rate per journey - see the Ticket Guide for more info.

Does the ticket for these Zurich to Chur trains include assigned seats?
No, reservations are available, but are not mandatory.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Zurich to Chur trains?
No

Is catering available on the Zurich to Chur trains?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant - though the restaurant service may not be available on the ICE trains.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about Swiss rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Switzerland.

Travel Information

Three of the daily departures, those which are usually scheduled to leave Zurich at 10:00 and 14:00 and 18:00, are by ICE4 trains that have travelled from Germany.

Final Destination: Chur

All trains also call at: Landquart
Connect at Landquart into RhB trains towards Klosters and Davos.

Departing From Zurich HB:

These trains will depart from the street level platforms/tracks at Zurich HB - gleis 3 - 18.

Arriving in Chur:

Connect at Chur into RhB trains on towards St Moritz and Arosa.

Also connect at Chur for buses to the Laax-Flims-Falera ski resort, check the Chur station guide to access more info.

From Zurich Flughafen/Airport:

There are now hourly direct trains between the station at Zurich Flughafen/Airport and Chur, but those trains take an indirect route via St Gallen.
So it's possible to save around 50 mins on a train journey from Zurich Airport to Chur, by changing trains at Zurich HB station.

Making the transfer will be much easier if you take a train from Zurich Flughafen to Zurich HB which uses the same part of Zurich HB station (platforms/tracks/gleis 3 - 18) that the trains on to Chur depart from.

So when taking a train from the airport target either;

the trains on route S24 heading to Zug - every 30 mins.
the IR trains to Luzern - every 30 mins.
the IR train to Basel via via Brugg - 1 x train per hour.

On to St Moritz

The timetable is arranged so that connecting into the Rhaetian Railway (Rhb) trains on to St Moritz is a simple as possible.
The train from Zurich will arrive at an adjacent gleis (platform/track), so all that's required is to walk across the gleis to the St Moritz train, which will be awaiting departure, it will leave around 5 mins after the train from Zurich has arrived.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

IC (Switzerland) Train Guide

ICE 4 (Germany) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLake viewsLandscape (Hills / Mountains)

Good to Know

There are also hourly [IR train services](/travel-on/train/172-traverso-switzerland/ from Zurich to Chur, but they are around 15 mins slower, because they make more station calls.
They typically depart from Zurich around 5 mins after these faster express trains, though the first and last departures of the day are by these IR services.

Journey description:

From the left of the train (when facing the direction) of travel, there are fabulous views over Lake Zurich...

and then over the Walensee...

...before the train makes its first station call in Sargans

Then between Sargans and Chur there are very pleasant views of distant mountain ranges from both sides of the train.

From the left there are great views over Lake Zurich for around 15 - 20 mins

Leaving Lake Zurich behind, but the highlight of the journey is yet to come

The spectacular Walensee can also be seen on the left

Between Sargans and Landquart

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