Davos to Thun Road Trip: Alpine Wonders and Hidden Gems

The drive from Davos to Thun spans roughly 260 kilometres across the Swiss Alps, winding through the cantons of Graubünden, Glarus, Bern, and a sliver of Uri. This route is famous for the A13/E43 highway that traces the Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon) and then cuts west via the A6 past Interlaken. A little-known fact: the road passes directly over the debris of a massive prehistoric landslide at Flims, one of the largest in the Alps, which left a chaotic jumble of rock visible from the highway.

Typical driving time without stops is 3.5 to 4 hours, but the journey rewards those who linger. This guide answers how long to drive Davos to Thun, is it worth driving Davos to Thun (absolutely), and best stops Davos to Thun for every traveller profile. For more on discovering hidden gems, read how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The road quality is excellent: well-maintained asphalt, guardrails, and clear signage. However, the A13 has tight tunnels (Platzgotthard tunnel) and the A6 can be busy during summer weekends. Night illumination is good on motorways but poor on minor roads.

• Safety tips: Use day running lights (mandatory in Switzerland). Keep an eye out for deer in the forest sections near Spiez.
• Fuel efficiency: Use engine braking on descents to save brakes; coasting is illegal.

Family and Child Suitability

Interactive stops include the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne (detour via A4) and the Jungfrau Park near Interlaken. Short walks at the Rhine Gorge viewpoint (Felsentor) engage children.

• Kids: Playground at Bellpark camping in Thun (by lake).
• Pet-friendly: Dog-friendly cafes in Chur (Café Bistro) and Thun (Café Mokka). Many lakeside walks allow off-leash.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

Recommended rest stops: Autobahnraststätte Grauholz (A1) or Raststätte Seeriet (A6). For quick naps, park at rest areas with truck parking.

• Hidden off-route spot: The tiny village of Fideris (5 min from A13 exit Küblis) has a 16th-century church and views.

The geography shifts dramatically: from the high alpine plateaus of Davos to the rugged Rhine Gorge, then the forested pre-Alps, and finally the gentle shores of Lake Thun. This transition lets travellers witness multiple biomes in a single day.

• Davos to Chur: Descends from 1,560 m to 585 m; views of the Dischma Valley and the Schatzalp mountains.
• Rhine Gorge (Ruinaulta): A defile formed by the Flims rockslide; viewpoint at Ilanz or Conn offers panoramas.
• Lake Thun basin: The final stretch (A6) runs along the northern shore with views of the Bernese Alps (Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau).

Local Commerce & Culture

Roadside stalls in the Rhine Gorge sell local Bündner Nutcake (a spiced pear bread). In Thun, the Saturday market (Waisenhausplatz) features Bernese handicrafts and cheese.

• Bündner Herrschaft: Wine region near Chur; stop at a producer for a tasting.
• Thun Castle souvenir shops: Ceramics and cowbell replicas.
• Alpine dairy farms: Signs for 'Hofkäse' (farm cheese) near Spiez.

The backbone of the journey is the A13 from Davos to Chur, then the A3/A1 west towards Zurich but veering south onto the A2 through the Gotthard tunnel alternative (the A4 via Brunnen is scenic). The final leg uses the A6 from Spiez to Thun. The entire route is paved motorway-grade, but the A13 is a two-lane road through the Rhine Gorge with heavy summer traffic.

• Fuel costs: Approx. CHF 45–60 for a standard car (fuel price ~CHF 1.80/L). Topography demands more fuel on the climb out of Davos (1,560 m).
• Fuel station distribution: Frequent along A13 (Chur, Reichenau) and A6 (Spiez, Thun). Sparse in the Flims–Ilanz stretch; fill up in Davos or Chur.
• Tolls: An annual Swiss vignette (CHF 40) is mandatory for cars; no additional tolls on this route.
• Parking: In Thun, park-and-ride lots at Thun Nord (free for 2h) or multi-storey at City Parking.

Is it worth driving Davos to Thun for the scenery alone. The A13 offers views of the Rhine Gorge, while the A6 skirts Lake Thun, but the best stops lie off the highway.