Arrive at Hotel Franziskaner in the Altstadt and take the easy first half-hour to drop bags, check in, and reset after the journey. The hotel is right in the historic center, so once you’re settled you’re already where you want to be for the rest of the evening. If you have a little energy left, it’s worth a quick look at the nearby lanes before dinner — everything in Chur’s old town is compact enough to do on foot.
Head to Bistro St. Gallerhof for a straightforward first meal: Swiss comfort food, a relaxed local feel, and no need to overthink it after travel. Expect roughly CHF 20–35 per person, depending on what you order, and it’s an easy walk from the hotel in the direction of Bahnhofstrasse. If you’re arriving on a Monday or outside peak hours, this kind of central bistro is ideal because you can get served quickly and still keep the evening flexible.
After dinner, wander through Altstadt Chur at an unhurried pace. The old town is at its best in the evening when the arcades, narrow side streets, and small squares feel calm and lived-in rather than touristed. If Bündner Kunstmuseum is still open when you pass by, it’s a good compact stop for a dose of local art — usually an hour is plenty, and it’s the sort of museum that feels manageable even on arrival day. Finish with a short walk to Quaderwiese, a pleasant green space just by the center, where you can stretch your legs and catch the mountain silhouettes before calling it a night.
Start with breakfast at Cafe Merz on Bahnhofstrasse, which is the easiest, low-stress choice before a train day: good coffee, fresh pastries, sandwiches, and enough takeaway options that you can keep it simple or sit for a proper 30 minutes. Budget about CHF 10–20 per person, and if you’re heading out around 8:00 am, I’d aim to be there as soon as they open so you’re not rushing. From there, it’s a short, pleasant walk back into Chur Old Town (Altstadt) for one last wander through the car-free lanes, especially around the cathedral hill side where the little squares, arcades, and stone facades feel at their best in the morning light. Keep it loose and don’t try to “do” everything — this is more of a final atmospheric stroll than a sightseeing sprint.
If you want one more dose of culture without going far, choose between Bündner Kunstmuseum and Rätisches Museum while you’re still near the center. Bündner Kunstmuseum is the more compact, modern-feeling option, usually a neat 45–60 minutes if you’re not lingering too long; check opening times on the day, as museums here often open around 10:00 am and are reliably calm in the morning. Rätisches Museum is a great backup or follow-on if you prefer local history and a more old-world feel; it’s also compact, usually around 45 minutes, and gives you a nice final look at Graubünden culture before you leave. After that, head to Migros Take Away Chur Bahnhof and pick up lunch for the ride — think sandwiches, salads, fruit, and drinks for about CHF 12–20 per person. It’s much easier than buying on impulse at the station, and it makes the Bernina Express part of the day feel relaxed instead of rushed.
From Migros Take Away Chur Bahnhof, walk straight over to Chur Bahnhof and give yourself a solid 20–30 minutes before boarding, even if the platform seems obvious. Swiss trains are efficient, but the Bernina day is happier when you’re already settled with your bags, tickets, snacks, and seats sorted out before departure. If you have a moment, use the waiting time to find the correct platform and double-check the coach information for your Bernina Express connection. Then you can just board, stash your luggage, and enjoy the scenery without any last-minute stress.