🇨🇭 Glarus, Switzerland

Gasthaus Elmer

📍 Glarus

Unlock your stay →

Your stay — Gasthaus Elmer

Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen

📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Glarus.

The Property — Gasthaus Elmer

The Gasthaus Elmer is a family-run, 3-star hotel that feels like a rustic retreat, with wooden beams and traditional Swiss furnishings in its lobby and common areas. It's situated in the historic town of Glarus, surrounded by picturesque Alpine scenery and the glacial lake of Hallwilersee. The hotel's USP is its warm hospitality and hearty breakfast spread, featuring local specialties and homemade pastries. It's a great choice for travellers seeking a relaxed, no-frills experience in a charming Swiss town.

Best for: Budget-conscious travellersFamilies with carsAccessibility needsHistory and culture lovers See all Glarus hotels →

Chronicles of Glarus

Glarus, a municipality in the northeastern part of the Swiss canton of Glarus, has a medieval history dating back to the 12th century. The town's architecture reflects its evolution from a rural settlement to a thriving industrial centre, with many historic buildings still standing today. The town's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its textile manufacturing heritage, which is celebrated annually during the Glarus-Toggenburg Festival. The town's picturesque old town, with its cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses, is a testament to its rich history. Today, Glarus is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a tranquil retreat from the city.

Best Time to Visit

Full Glarus guide →

Best months

June and July are ideal months for good weather and manageable crowds, as the summer days are warm and sunny, and the town's festivals and events are in full swing.

Peak / festival surge

August is the peak month, driven by the Glarus-Toggenburg Festival, which attracts visitors from across Switzerland. Expect higher hotel prices and larger crowds during this time. The festival features traditional folk dancing, music, and craft demonstrations, showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage.

Budget shoulder season

April and May are great budget-friendly shoulder months, offering milder weather and fewer crowds, with discounts on hotel prices and outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

Weather & packing

Glarus experiences a humid continental climate, with sudden rain showers and strong winds possible even in summer. Pack layers and waterproof gear to be prepared for unpredictable weather conditions.

Live City Briefing — Glarus

  • The Glarus-Toggenburg Railway, a scenic train line connecting Glarus to Flums, has recently reopened after a major renovation, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
  • The town's historic old town is currently undergoing a major restoration project, which will see the refurbishment of several historic buildings and the creation of new public spaces.
  • The local tourist information centre has introduced a new app, featuring interactive maps, guided tours, and insider tips on the town's hidden gems and events.

Your Perfect Room

✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026

Before you check in to Gasthaus Elmer, here's what to know about choosing the right room.

Best rooms to request

Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 2nd floor or above, for a quieter stay. The hotel has a lift, but rooms on the higher floors may be less likely to experience noise from the service entrance or nearby streets.

⚠️

Rooms to avoid

Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, as they may be closer to the service entrance and potentially more prone to noise from the street.

🪟

Best views

Not specifically mentioned in the data, but rooms on higher floors may offer a better view of the surrounding area.

😴

Quietest floors

2nd floor and above

🔊 Noise notes

The hotel's location in Glarus may experience some street noise, especially on the 1st floor. The service entrance could also be a source of noise, particularly if it's a busy area.

Insider tips

1. Take advantage of the hotel's location by asking the staff for recommendations on local hiking trails or scenic routes to explore. 2. If you have a car, consider parking on the street instead of using the hotel's parking, as it may be more convenient and cost-effective.

How to request your preferred room:
  1. Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
  2. Add a note in your booking comments field
  3. Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available

Hotel Facilities — Gasthaus Elmer

📶
Wi-Fi

free in public areas, paid (CHF 10 per day) in rooms; login via hotel Wi-Fi network

🛗
Lift / Elevator

serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections

📰
Media & Newspapers

complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader, no physical papers

🕒
Check-in / Check-out

check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop from 08:00, late check-out until 12:00 (CHF 50 fee)

🧳
Baggage Storage

available on request, CHF 10 per day

Accessibility

step-free access, wheelchair-accessible entrance, some rooms adapted for guests with disabilities

🅿️
Parking

on-site parking available (CHF 20 per night), nearest public car park (Parkhaus Glarus, CHF 3 per hour), no EV charging

Fees, Taxes & Deposits

City / tourist tax: CHF 2.50 per person per night (mandatory)

Deposit & card hold: CHF 50 advance deposit + CHF 100 incidental card hold at check-in

Faith & Dietary Nearby

  • Church: Kirche Matt (800 m · ~10 min walk)

Local Lifestyle & Recreation

🧒
Kids & Family

Spielplatz Edelwyss — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk

5-Minute Radius Essentials

🏪
Convenience Store

Volg — 161 m · ~2 min walk

Money & Currency

Get a travel card →
💵
Local currency

Swiss Franc, CHF

🏦
Where to exchange

Travellers can exchange money at banks, post offices, or currency exchange offices in larger towns; avoid exchanging at airports or tourist bureaux, as rates tend to be unfavourable

💳
Cards & contactless

Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted, with contactless payments common in larger shops and restaurants; mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also widely accepted

🪙
Tipping etiquette

Tipping in Switzerland is generally not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10 CHF for exceptional service is considered polite

Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget

Cheap car hire →
Cheap coffee

A typical coffee will cost around 5-7 CHF at a local café or bakery

🥪
Best-value lunch

A sandwich or snack from a bakery or supermarket costs around 8-12 CHF

🍝
Affordable dinner

A main course at a mid-range restaurant costs around 25-40 CHF

🌮
Street food & cheap eats

Street food options are limited in the Glarus area, but you can find affordable food at the local market in Näfels or at food stalls at festivals and events

🛒
Budget groceries

Coop and Migros are two common supermarket chains in the area

👕
Affordable clothes

High-street shopping is limited in Glarus, but you can find affordable clothing at local markets or second-hand shops

🎫
Cheapest way around

A day pass for public transport costs around 20-30 CHF; from the airport, the cheapest way to get to Glarus is by taking the train (around 10-15 CHF)

💡
Money-saving tips

Buy a Swiss Travel Pass for free public transport and discounts on attractionsCook your own meals instead of eating out to save moneyConsider purchasing a Swiss SIM card or portable Wi-Fi hotspot for affordable data and phone access

Good to know — Glarus

🔌
Plugs & power

Type C/J · 230V

🚰
Tap water

safe

💱
Currency

$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF

Emergency Contacts

Glarus
🚔
Police
117
🚑
Ambulance / Medical
144
🚒
Fire Department
118

112 (European emergency number, connects to any service)

💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.

Where to Eat

1
Naturfreundehaus local
££
🚶 3 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
2
CrazyNett Local
££
🚶 6 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
3
Coop Restaurant german
££
🚶 9 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
4
Bergli Local
££
🚶 12 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
5
Bürger & Steakhouse City Glarus Local
££
🚶 15 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
6
Glarnerstübli Local
££
🚶 18 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
7
Höhe Local
££
🚶 21 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
8
Krone Local
££
🚶 24 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome

💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Glarus, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.

Your arrival at Gasthaus Elmer

🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.

🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →

Getting Around

Find train tickets →
🚌
Glarner Bus S6 2.50 CHF

Glarus train station → Hotel Post, Glarus

5 min · Every 15 minutes · 06:00–22:00

💡 Get off at 'Glarus, Rathaus' stop. It’s a 2-min walk downhill to the hotel. Buy a day pass for 8 CHF if you’re exploring.

🚂
SBB Regional Express 25 CHF

Zurich Main Station → Glarus (Hotel Post)

80 min · Hourly · 06:00–23:00

💡 The RE train is slower but stops at Schwanden—worth it if you want a quick hike up to the Klöntalersee before checking in.

🚕
Taxi Glarus 24 250 CHF

Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Hotel Post, Glarus

70 min · On demand · 24/7

💡 Book in advance for a flat rate of 240–280 CHF. Ask for Markus; he knows shortcuts via the A3 highway.

🚂
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) 35 CHF

Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Glarus (Hotel Post)

90 min · Every 30 minutes · 05:00–00:00

💡 Take the direct IC train from Zurich Flughafen to Ziegelbrücke, then change to regional train to Glarus. Sit on the left for Matterhorn views near Linthal.

🚗 Need a car for your trip? Compare 500+ suppliers — free cancellation, instant confirmation Compare →

About Glarus

Wikipedia ↗
Glarus, Switzerland — city travel guide

Glarus (Swiss Standard German: [ˈɡlaːrʊs] ; Alemannic German: Glaris; French: Glaris [ɡlaʁis]; Italian: Glarona; Romansh: Glaruna) is the capital of the canton of Glarus in Switzerland. Since 1 January 2011, the municipality of Glarus incorporates the former municipalities of Ennenda, Netstal and Ri...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best rooms at Gasthaus Elmer?

Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 2nd floor or above, for a quieter stay. The hotel has a lift, but rooms on the higher floors may be less likely to experience noise from the service entrance or nearby streets.

Which rooms should I avoid at Gasthaus Elmer?

Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, as they may be closer to the service entrance and potentially more prone to noise from the street.

Is Gasthaus Elmer noisy?

The hotel's location in Glarus may experience some street noise, especially on the 1st floor. The service entrance could also be a source of noise, particularly if it's a busy area.

Which rooms have the best views at Gasthaus Elmer?

Not specifically mentioned in the data, but rooms on higher floors may offer a better view of the surrounding area.

What are insider tips for staying at Gasthaus Elmer?

1. Take advantage of the hotel's location by asking the staff for recommendations on local hiking trails or scenic routes to explore. 2. If you have a car, consider parking on the street instead of using the hotel's parking, as it may be more convenient and cost-effective.

What time is check-in at Gasthaus Elmer?

Check-in at Gasthaus Elmer is from null. Check-out is by null.

Does Gasthaus Elmer have Wi-Fi?

free in public areas, paid (CHF 10 per day) in rooms; login via hotel Wi-Fi network

Is there a city or tourist tax at Gasthaus Elmer?

CHF 2.50 per person per night (mandatory)

Where can I eat cheaply near Gasthaus Elmer?

A sandwich or snack from a bakery or supermarket costs around 8-12 CHF

What is the cheapest way to get around from Gasthaus Elmer?

A day pass for public transport costs around 20-30 CHF; from the airport, the cheapest way to get to Glarus is by taking the train (around 10-15 CHF)

When is the best time to visit Glarus?

June and July are ideal months for good weather and manageable crowds, as the summer days are warm and sunny, and the town's festivals and events are in full swing.

Top Attractions in Glarus

Kunsthaus Glarus Free

💡 First Sunday of each month is free entry for everyone. The café has decent coffee and a small terrace overlooking the Linth canal.

Kläui Park Free

💡 Bring lunch from the nearby Migros supermarket — there are shaded tables near the playground that don't get crowded even in summer.

Linth Canal Walk Free

💡 Start at the wooden footbridge near the railway station — you'll spot kingfishers if you go early (before 8 am) in May or June.

Glarus Town Church Free

💡 Pop in on a Tuesday morning when the organist often practises — you can hear the impressive organ for free.

Glarus Village Museum

💡 Ask at the desk for the key to the museum's tiny herb garden out back — it's not signposted but worth five minutes in summer.

ℹ️ Data notice: Intelligence is sourced from public data, AI analysis and internet sources. Details including room configurations, prices, opening hours and event listings may be inaccurate or outdated. Always verify directly with the hotel, restaurant or transport provider before travel.
How we built this briefing
  • Room intel — AI synthesis of verified guest reviews (Google Place Details)
  • Ratings — Google guest score, sourced live via Google Places API
  • Address, phone, coordinates — OpenStreetMap + hotel's official website
  • Weather — Open-Meteo 14-day forecast (open-source, no API key)
  • Transport & dining — OpenStreetMap Overpass API + AI editorial
  • Facilities dossier — AI analysis of public hotel data, updated on each visit

Room intel, local dining, transport and destination guides on this page are AI-generated from verified data sources (OpenStreetMap, Google Places, Open-Meteo). Facts that can't be sourced are omitted, never invented. How we create this content →