Overview
The R1/R11 between Davos Platz and Filisur is not a headline Alpine spectacular like some of its famous Rhätische Bahn cousins, and that is precisely its appeal. This is a working regional line that happens to pass through genuinely beautiful Graubünden scenery, carrying skiers, hikers, commuters and the occasional rail enthusiast without much fuss or fanfare.
It links Davos Platz, the higher and more urban of the two Davos stations, down through the valley to Filisur, a small but important railway junction. Along the way the train earns its keep as both transport and quiet scenic treat, without ever demanding you treat it as an event.
If you want operatic viaducts and glacier panoramas at every turn, look elsewhere on the network. If you want an honest, unhurried slice of the Graubünden landscape as seen by the people who actually live there, this is a very satisfying way to spend the journey.
Key facts
| From | Davos Platz |
|---|---|
| To | Filisur |
| Operator | Rhätische Bahn |
The route: Davos Platz to Filisur
The line runs from Davos Platz, sitting high in the Davos valley, down and around through the surrounding hills to Filisur, a village whose railway station punches well above its size as a junction for onward Rhätische Bahn services. The character of the landscape changes as you go: the openness around Davos, with its long views across the valley, gradually gives way to steeper, more wooded terrain as the train descends and works its way through the folds of the hillside towards Filisur.
It is not a long journey in absolute terms, but it packs in a real sense of movement through the landscape — climbing, curving and dropping in the way that Rhätische Bahn lines tend to do, following the contours rather than blasting through them. It feels less like a transfer and more like a proper little Alpine branch-line journey, even though it is very much a regional working line.
Timetable and how to book
Services on the R1/R11 vary according to season, with adjustments around the winter sports period and the summer walking season, as well as differences between weekday and weekend patterns. Because of this, you should not rely on any timetable you find elsewhere without checking it directly with Rhätische Bahn before you travel.
Booking is straightforward through the operator's own channels, and it is worth checking both timetable and any current travel passes or regional tickets that might apply to your journey, since these can affect how you plan connections onward from Filisur. Given the seasonal variation, always confirm the specific departure you intend to catch rather than assuming a fixed daily pattern.
Fares and classes
As with the wider Rhätische Bahn network, you can generally expect a choice between standard and first class on appropriate rolling stock, with first class offering a bit more space, a quieter atmosphere and generally a more comfortable seating arrangement geared towards a relaxed journey rather than a packed commute.
Standard class is entirely comfortable and perfectly suited to this kind of journey, particularly given its regional character — many local travellers, skiers and hikers use it as a matter of course. Whichever class you choose, exact fares and any applicable regional or network passes should be checked directly with Rhätische Bahn, since pricing structures and validity can vary and are not something to guess at in advance.
Which side to sit for the best views
Because the line curves and descends through varied terrain between Davos Platz and Filisur, the more scenic side can shift during the course of the journey rather than staying fixed on one side throughout. As a general rule, it is worth choosing a seat that gives you a clear view of the valley sides and open hillside rather than one facing directly into a cutting or tunnel-heavy stretch, and being ready to appreciate whichever side opens up as the train works its way down.
If you are flexible enough to move within the carriage, or simply keep your camera or eyes ready on both sides, you will not miss much. This is not a journey where one seat is dramatically superior to another for its entire length — it rewards general alertness more than a single perfect seat choice.
Onboard experience
Expect the typical Rhätische Bahn regional feel: comfortable seating, generous windows that let the landscape do the talking, and a practical, unpretentious atmosphere rather than a heavily branded tourist experience. This is a train built for people going about their day in the mountains as much as for visitors, and that gives it an honest, lived-in charm.
Catering, where available, tends to be modest rather than elaborate on this kind of regional service, so it is sensible to bring your own refreshments if you have particular preferences, especially outside peak seasons. The main draw is simply looking out of the window as the valley unfolds — this is a line where the scenery, not the onboard amenities, is doing the heavy lifting.
Best season to travel
Winter transforms this route, with snow-covered slopes around Davos and the approach to Filisur giving the journey a crisp, postcard quality, and plenty of skiers and snowboarders using the train as part of their day. It is a particularly atmospheric time to travel if you enjoy that classic Alpine winter feel.
Summer offers a different but equally appealing experience, with green hillsides, clearer long-distance views and a generally more relaxed pace of travel, well suited to hikers heading into or out of the region. Shoulder seasons — spring and autumn — tend to be quieter still, and can be a rewarding time to travel if you prefer fewer crowds and a more contemplative journey through the changing landscape.
Alternatives and onward connections
Filisur is a genuinely useful little junction on the Rhätische Bahn network, and from there you can generally connect onward to other regional and scenic services covering different parts of Graubünden. This makes the R1/R11 a practical link rather than an isolated scenic ride — it slots into a wider day's travel around the region rather than being an end in itself.
If your priority is purely dramatic scenery rather than a working regional connection, you may want to compare this route with some of the more famous Rhätische Bahn panoramic services elsewhere on the network. But as a functional and quietly attractive link between Davos and Filisur, the R1/R11 does its job very well, and is well worth building into a wider Graubünden itinerary.
A short history and context note
This route sits within the long-established Rhätische Bahn network, one of the classic narrow-gauge railway systems of the Swiss Alps, built up over successive eras to link towns and villages across Graubünden that might otherwise have remained isolated for much of the year. Lines like this one were originally developed as much for practical connectivity — linking mountain communities, enabling trade and later supporting the growth of tourism — as for scenic appeal.
Over time, as skiing and Alpine tourism grew in prominence in the region, routes such as the Davos to Filisur line took on a dual identity: essential local infrastructure on one hand, and an increasingly appreciated scenic experience for visitors on the other. That blend of everyday utility and quiet natural beauty remains the defining character of the R1/R11 today.
Common questions
- Do I need to book in advance for the R1/R11?
- It is best to check directly with Rhätische Bahn, since booking requirements and availability can vary by season and by how the service is operated on a given day.
- Is this a scenic tourist train or a normal regional service?
- It is primarily a regional working service used by locals, skiers and hikers, though the scenery along the way makes it enjoyable for visitors as well.
- Which side of the train has the best views?
- The best side can change during the journey as the line curves and descends, so it is worth staying alert on both sides rather than fixing on one seat.
- Can I connect onward from Filisur to other parts of the region?
- Yes, Filisur functions as a useful junction on the Rhätische Bahn network, with onward regional and scenic connections generally available — check current options with the operator.
- What is the best time of year to do this journey?
- Winter offers a classic snow-covered Alpine atmosphere, while summer brings greener views and easier hiking connections; shoulder seasons tend to be quieter for those who prefer a calmer ride.
On the map
Sources & method
- OpenStreetMap route=train (ODbL) — route
See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.