The Canton of Graubunden is Switzerland’s largest canton by area with approximately 7,105 km2, yet one of the least densely populated with only 200,000 inhabitants spread across 101 municipalities. It is a trilingual canton (German, Romansh, Italian) that is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Swiss Alps. Its capital, Chur, is the oldest city in Switzerland and the gateway to the Graubunden Alps.
Graubunden is above all an alpine canton with over 150 valleys and altitudes ranging from 260 m (Rhine plain at Flasch) to 4,049 m (Piz Bernina). The canton is home to world-famous destinations like Davos, St. Moritz and Klosters, as well as the renowned Rhaetian Railway listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moves in Graubunden require particular alpine expertise due to the extreme topography and climatic conditions.
Why move to the Canton of Graubunden?
- Alpine quality of life: pure air, grandiose landscapes, direct access to skiing and hiking
- World-famous resorts: Davos, St. Moritz, Lenzerheide, Arosa, Laax/Flims offer an exceptional living environment
- Attractive taxation: some Graubunden municipalities offer competitive tax rates
- Tourism and economy: the tourism sector generates jobs and constant economic vitality
- Cultural diversity: trilingualism (German, Romansh, Italian) offers a cultural richness unique in Switzerland
- Chur on the rise: the cantonal capital is developing as a regional economic hub with a dynamic cultural scene
The challenges of moving in the Canton of Graubunden
Mountain roads and alpine passes
Graubunden has numerous alpine passes (Julier, Albula, Splugen, Bernina, Fluela, Maloja), most of which are closed in winter (November to May). Roads are often narrow, winding and steeply graded. Movers must have adapted vehicles (chains, winter tyres, powerful engines) and plan routes according to seasonal closures.
Significant internal distances
The canton is immense: from Chur to St. Moritz takes approximately 2 hours by road (120 km of mountain roads). From Chur to Val Mustair (Switzerland’s easternmost municipality), the journey exceeds 3 hours. Internal distances are comparable to intercantonal moves in other regions.
Extreme winter conditions
Graubunden winters are long and harsh, with heavy snowfall, avalanche risks and roads that are sometimes temporarily closed. Moves at altitude (above 1,500 m) are not recommended between December and March, except in emergencies.
Access to tourist resorts
Resorts such as St. Moritz, Davos, Arosa or Klosters are at high altitude and access is sometimes restricted. Mountain chalets are often far from the road, requiring manual carrying or a service cable car.
Our moving services in the Canton of Graubunden
- Residential moving: service adapted to the alpine context, from a studio in Chur to a chalet in St. Moritz
- Commercial moving: hotels, shops, offices, medical practices
- Free quote: compare offers from experienced Graubunden movers
- Professional packing: reinforced protection for transport on mountain roads
- Storage: secure storage in Chur and in the main valleys
- Furniture lift: for chalets and older buildings in Chur
- Specialist alpine transport: vehicles adapted to mountain roads, chains, winter equipment
- International moving: service to Italy (via the Bernina) and Austria (via the Rhine)
Moving prices in the Canton of Graubunden
Base rates are moderate, but alpine supplements (distance, altitude, accessibility) can significantly increase the bill.
Local move
| Property type | Estimated volume | Price range (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 room | 10-15 m3 | 500 - 1,100 |
| 2 rooms | 20-25 m3 | 900 - 1,600 |
| 3-4 rooms | 30-45 m3 | 1,400 - 3,000 |
| 5 rooms and above | 50-70 m3 | 2,400 - 4,800 |
| Chalet / villa | 60-90 m3 | 3,500 - 7,000+ |
Intercantonal move
| Route | Estimated supplement |
|---|---|
| Graubunden - Zurich (120 km) | + 500 - 1,000 CHF |
| Graubunden - St. Gallen (100 km) | + 400 - 800 CHF |
| Graubunden - Ticino (via Bernina/San Bernardino) | + 600 - 1,200 CHF |
| Graubunden - Bern (200 km) | + 700 - 1,300 CHF |
| Graubunden - Geneva/Lausanne (350 km) | + 1,000 - 1,800 CHF |
Factors affecting the price
- Altitude: a move to St. Moritz (1,822 m) or Davos (1,560 m) costs 20 to 35% more than in Chur (585 m)
- Accessibility: isolated chalets, single-track roads, manual carrying = significant surcharges
- Season: in winter, moves at altitude are more complex and more expensive (if feasible at all)
- Internal distance: the Chur-Engadine or Chur-Val Mustair routes are long and winding
- Property type: mountain chalets often require specialist equipment
Main cities and municipalities in the Canton of Graubunden
- Chur: cantonal capital (~38,000 pop.), oldest city in Switzerland, gateway to the Graubunden Alps, economic and cultural centre
- Davos: mountain resort (~11,000 pop.), home of the World Economic Forum, skiing and health tourism
- St. Moritz: luxury resort in the Engadine (~5,000 pop.), birthplace of winter tourism, twice host of the Winter Olympics
- Landquart: railway junction (~9,000 pop.), gateway to the Prattigau
- Domat/Ems: municipality in the Chur agglomeration (~8,000 pop.), headquarters of the Ems-Chemie group
- Ilanz: first town on the Rhine (~5,000 pop.), centre of the Romansh-speaking Surselva
- Pontresina: Engadine resort (~2,000 pop.), gateway to Piz Bernina
Unique features of moving in the Canton of Graubunden
Engadine and luxury resorts
The Engadine (Upper Engadine with St. Moritz, Pontresina, Sils, Silvaplana) is one of Switzerland’s most exclusive regions. Luxury properties (chalets, second homes) require a premium moving service: packing artworks, transporting antique furniture, discretion. The highest property prices in the canton are reflected in the service demands.
Rhaetian Railway
The Rhaetian Railway (RhB), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is sometimes used for transporting materials to valleys inaccessible by road. This option exists notably for destinations such as the Albula, Bernina or Surselva in winter.
Trilingualism
The canton is officially trilingual: German (majority), Romansh (Surselva, Engadine, Val Mustair) and Italian (Mesolcina, Val Poschiavo, Val Bregaglia). Communication with movers is primarily in German.
Second homes
A significant proportion of the Graubunden property stock consists of second homes, particularly in the tourist resorts. Moves involving second homes (furnishing, renovation) constitute an important segment of the local market.
Tips for your move in the Canton of Graubunden
- Plan according to the season: favour May to October for high-altitude destinations; check pass conditions
- Choose an alpine mover: experience with mountain roads is essential
- Allow enough time: journeys are long in this vast canton; a full day is often needed
- Check access: inform the mover of any constraint (single-track road, unpaved track, carrying distance)
- Book early: Graubunden movers are in high demand in summer and during tourist season changes
- Protect your belongings: mountain roads mean vibrations; reinforced packing is recommended
- Compare quotes: prices vary according to the altitude and accessibility of your destination
- Register your arrival: at the municipal administration within 14 days
FAQ — Moving in the Canton of Graubunden
Questions fréquentes
Prices range from 500 CHF for a studio in Chur to over 7,000 CHF for a chalet in the Engadine. Altitude, accessibility and internal distance are the main price factors. A move to St. Moritz costs 20 to 35% more than one to Chur.
It is possible but not recommended for high-altitude destinations. Passes are closed, roads may be snow-covered and conditions difficult. In Chur and the Rhine valley, winter moves are entirely feasible.
These resorts are accessible year-round by road (Julier Pass for St. Moritz, Fluela or Vereina Tunnel for Davos). In winter, road conditions can be difficult. A mover experienced in alpine conditions is essential.
Graubunden is predominantly German-speaking, with Romansh and Italian-speaking areas. Some partners offer a service in French or English. Indicate your preference when requesting a quote.
Due to distances and mountain roads, a Graubunden move can take a full day, or even two days for remote destinations (Val Mustair, Upper Engadine from Chur). Allow this time in your planning.
Graubunden movers have adapted vehicles: powerful engines, snow chains, winter tyres, small vehicles for narrow roads. They know the tonnage and clearance limits of every road.
Yes, Graubunden movers are accustomed to manual carrying, using service cable cars and all-terrain vehicles to reach remote chalets. Flag any access constraints when requesting a quote.
Request your free quote for a move in Graubunden
Request your free quote and compare offers from professional movers in the Canton of Graubunden. From Chur to St. Moritz, from Davos to Val Mustair, our partners deliver professional service adapted to the most demanding alpine terrain in Switzerland.