Davos Switzerland Travel Guide

Davos is a high-altitude town in the canton of Graubünden, sitting at roughly 1,560 metres above sea level — making it one of the highest towns in the Alps. It straddles a broad valley flanked by several mountain ranges and is served by a network of ski areas collectively marketed as the Davos Klosters region, shared with the neighbouring resort of Klosters.

The town is internationally recognized as the annual home of the World Economic Forum (WEF), held each January, which draws heads of state, business leaders, and journalists from around the world. Outside of that week, Davos functions as a working Swiss town with a genuine local community alongside its tourist infrastructure.

Beyond winter sports, Davos has a history as a health resort: the clean mountain air attracted sanatorium guests in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period memorably depicted in Thomas Mann's novel The Magic Mountain. Today visitors come year-round for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and wellness retreats.

The town is split into two main areas — Davos Platz and Davos Dorf — connected by a main road and the Rhaetian Railway. Each has its own train station, hotels, restaurants, and access points to the mountains.

Visas

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union but is part of the Schengen Area. Visa requirements vary by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) website for current requirements before travel.

Climate and what to pack

Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures frequently dropping well below freezing. Thermal base layers, waterproof outerwear, and proper ski or snow boots are essential from December through March. Summers are mild and pleasant but afternoon thunderstorms are common at altitude — pack a waterproof layer even in July and August. UV exposure is significantly higher at altitude in all seasons; bring quality sunscreen and sunglasses.

Health considerations

Some visitors experience mild altitude-related fatigue when first arriving, particularly those coming from sea level. Staying well-hydrated and taking the first day or two at a gentle pace is advisable. Travel insurance covering winter sports (if skiing or snowboarding) and mountain rescue is strongly recommended — verify that your policy explicitly covers these activities before departure.

Money

Switzerland is an expensive destination by most international standards. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some Swiss Francs for smaller purchases, mountain huts, and local markets is practical. ATMs are available in both Davos Platz and Davos Dorf.

By air

The nearest major international airport is Zurich Airport (ZRH), which has extensive intercontinental connections. From Zurich, Davos is reachable by train via Landquart, with a change onto the Rhaetian Railway's Davos line. Total journey time is approximately two to two-and-a-half hours depending on connections. Verify current timetables on the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website or the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) site before travel.

By train

The Rhaetian Railway connects Landquart to Davos directly and is a scenic and reliable option. The Swiss Travel Pass and Eurail passes are valid on this route; check current pass terms on the respective official sites. Trains stop at both Davos Dorf and Davos Platz stations.

By car

Davos is accessible by road via the A28 route through the Prättigau valley. Mountain road conditions in winter require winter tyres and sometimes snow chains; check road condition reports before driving. Parking in the town centre can be limited during peak ski season and WEF week.

During WEF week

The World Economic Forum, held in late January, causes significant disruption to normal transport and accommodation. If you are not attending the Forum, visiting during this specific week is not recommended — prices surge and access restrictions apply.

Within the Davos valley, a local bus network (the Davos Bus) connects Davos Platz, Davos Dorf, and several outlying areas. During the ski season, free or reduced-price bus travel is often bundled with lift passes — verify this locally or on the Davos Klosters tourism website, as arrangements can change season to season.

The Rhaetian Railway provides quick connections between Davos Platz and Davos Dorf stations, useful if you are carrying ski equipment. The two stations are also walkable from each other, though the distance is about 2 km along the main road.

Most ski lifts and cable cars are accessed on foot or by the ski bus from the town centre. The main mountain access points include Parsenn (from Davos Dorf via the Parsennbahn funicular), Jakobshorn, Rinerhorn, and Pischa. A ski pass covers travel on these lifts across the Davos Klosters area; check the current season's pass structure and pricing directly with Davos Klosters Mountains.

In summer, many of the cable cars continue operating to give hikers access to higher trails, though specific summer operating schedules should be confirmed locally.

Skiing and snowboarding

The Davos Klosters ski area is one of the largest in Switzerland, with terrain ranging from gentle beginner slopes to challenging off-piste routes. Parsenn is the most extensive ski area and is popular with intermediate to advanced skiers. Jakobshorn has long been associated with snowboard culture and freestyle terrain. Ski and snowboard school lessons are available for all levels; book ahead during peak weeks.

Cross-country skiing and winter walking

Davos has an extensive network of prepared cross-country (Langlauf) tracks along the valley floor, which is a major draw for a different category of winter sports enthusiast. Cleared and signposted winter walking paths also allow non-skiers to enjoy the mountain environment.

Hiking and mountain biking (summer)

In summer, the mountains around Davos offer hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking trails graded by difficulty. The Weissfluh summit, accessible via the Parsennbahn, provides panoramic views across the Alps. Mountain biking trails are also well-developed; bike rental is available locally.

Davos Lake (Davoser See)

The lake at the edge of town is used for swimming in summer and, when conditions allow, for natural ice skating in winter. It is one of the largest natural lakes in the Alps at this altitude.

Kirchner Museum

The Kirchner Museum Davos houses a significant collection of works by German Expressionist artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who lived in the Davos region for many years. Check current opening hours and admission fees directly with the museum before visiting.

Ice sports

Davos has a long tradition of ice hockey and has hosted international matches. The town has ice rinks; verify current public skating sessions locally.

Davos has a broad range of dining options, from mountain hut lunches to formal hotel restaurants. Graubünden cuisine features prominently: look for dishes such as Bündner Gerstensuppe (barley soup), Capuns (chard rolls filled with spätzle dough), and Bündnerfleisch (air-dried beef), which is a regional speciality often served as a starter.

On the mountain, lunch at a Bergrestaurant (mountain restaurant) is a classic part of the ski day. These huts serve hearty warm meals — rösti, soups, and pasta are typical — and are busiest between noon and 2 pm. Many have sunny terraces that fill up on clear days.

The town centre in both Davos Platz and Davos Dorf has a variety of restaurants including Italian, Asian, and international options alongside Swiss cuisine. There are also supermarkets (including at least one major Swiss chain) where self-catering guests can stock up at considerably lower cost than restaurants.

Switzerland has a minimum age of 16 for beer and wine and 18 for spirits. Restaurants and bars in Davos are generally convivial and service-oriented, but it is customary to wait to be seated rather than seating yourself at a table in most sit-down establishments.

Emergency numbers

The general emergency number in Switzerland is 112 (European standard). For mountain rescue, the Swiss Alpine Club and Air Glacier/Air Zermatt operate rescue services; the emergency number to trigger mountain rescue is 1414 (REGA, Swiss Air Rescue). Verify these numbers are current on official Swiss sources before travel.

Pharmacies and medical care

Davos has pharmacies and medical facilities including a regional hospital (Spital Davos). For sports injuries during ski season, medical services at the resort are experienced with ski-related trauma. Travel insurance with medical repatriation cover is advised.

Connectivity

Mobile coverage is good in the town and on most main ski runs, though it can be patchy in more remote terrain. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and many cafés.

Tipping

Service charges are typically included in Swiss restaurant bills. Rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip for good service is appreciated but not obligatory.

Electricity

Switzerland uses Type J plugs at 230V/50Hz. Visitors from most of Europe can use their plugs directly; those from North America, Asia, or other regions should bring an appropriate adapter.

Davos is a low-crime destination and is generally very safe for travellers. Standard precautions around valuables apply, particularly in busy public spaces during peak season.

The primary safety concern in Davos is mountain-related. Avalanche risk is a real hazard in backcountry and off-piste terrain; always check the daily avalanche bulletin published by the Swiss WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) before venturing off marked runs. Never ski or hike off-piste alone, inform someone of your route, and carry appropriate safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel) if going into uncontrolled terrain.

On-piste, Swiss ski resorts are generally well-maintained and patrolled, but skiing responsibly and within your ability level remains your responsibility. The FIS Rules of Conduct for skiers and snowboarders are prominently displayed at most resorts and outline right-of-way and collision-avoidance expectations.

In summer, mountain weather can change rapidly. Check weather forecasts before setting out on long hikes, dress in layers, and turn back if conditions deteriorate. Lightning is a serious hazard above the treeline during afternoon thunderstorms.

Davos sits in the canton of Graubünden (Grisons), which is trilingual at the cantonal level — German, Romansh, and Italian all have official status. In Davos itself, Swiss German is the dominant everyday language, though English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist-facing businesses given the resort's international clientele.

The town has a year-round local community that predates its tourism history. Respect for quiet hours (generally after 10 pm in residential areas), orderliness in public spaces, and consideration for other guests on the mountain are all expected norms. Swiss culture broadly values punctuality, discretion, and not drawing unnecessary attention.

The Kirchner Museum offers a meaningful cultural anchor beyond sport, and several local churches — including the historic Stadtkirche — reflect the town's older layers of history. Local festivals and markets occur through the year; check with Davos Klosters Tourism for current events during your visit.