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LiechtensteinTravel guide

Explore Liechtenstein visa rules

Liechtenstein is a tiny, German-speaking country in the Alps, between Switzerland and Austria. Its capital is Vaduz. It is known for mountain scenery, a high standard of living and international banking.

Why go

  1. Mountain scenery with hiking and cycling routes.

  2. Historic castles in Vaduz and Balzers.

  3. Skiing and snowboarding at Malbun.

  4. Local wine, beer and fruit spirits.

  5. A postal museum for people interested in stamps.

Getting there

By air

  • Liechtenstein has no airport. Zürich Airport in Switzerland is 115 km away and is the nearest major airport.
  • St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport is 53 km away and has limited flights from Vienna.
  • Friedrichshafen in Germany is another arrival point served by low-cost airlines.

By land

  • From Buchs railway station in Switzerland, buses run to Schaan and Vaduz. The journey takes about 10 minutes to Schaan and another 5 minutes to Vaduz.
  • From Sargans railway station in Switzerland, bus route 12 goes through central Vaduz and Schaan to Buchs. Sargans station has luggage lockers.
  • From Feldkirch railway station in Austria, buses 11 and 14 go directly to Vaduz. Bus 13 goes towards Buchs, so change at Schaan for Vaduz.

Getting around

  • Bus

    Liemobil is the country's only bus operator. Buses are more frequent than trains. You can buy single tickets from the driver. Tickets are also available through the FAIRTIQ and SBB Mobile apps. A whole-network day ticket cost 12 Swiss francs and a seven-day ticket cost 24 Swiss francs in January 2024. Two single tickets can cost less than a day pass. Student fares are available; show your student identification.

  • Train

    The three active stations are Schaan-Vaduz, Forst-Hilti and Nendeln. The service mainly carries people travelling to work. Nearly all trains run on weekday mornings and evenings. Use buses for more frequent services and to reach central Vaduz.

  • Car

    Drive on the right. Mountain roads can be narrow, steep and winding. Traffic can be slow, especially towards Vaduz. Liechtenstein has no highways. Many roads have a 50 km/h limit, with some sections between towns allowing 80 km/h. Follow the posted signs. Speed cameras are common and fines can be high. Vaduz has several parking areas and garages with broadly similar prices.

What to see and do

  • Vaduz Castle

    The royal family's historic home overlooks Vaduz. It is closed to the public, but you can view it from nearby.

  • Balzers Castle

    This castle is a striking Gothic building.

  • Alpine mountain scenery

    The country has tall peaks and mountain views, with opportunities for climbing.

  • Postal museum

    Liechtenstein is popular with stamp collectors and has a museum devoted to its postal history.

  • Go hiking

    Liechtenstein has excellent mountain terrain for walking. Follow marked trails and check local weather advice before setting out.

  • Go cycling

    The country offers terrain for both road cycling and mountain biking.

Food and drink

  • Small bakeries

    Buy warm, fresh bread rolls and pastries.

  • Restaurants in larger towns

    The larger towns have a few restaurants.

  • McDonald's

    The country has a McDonald's restaurant that also serves wine.

  • Camping Mittagspitz restaurant

    The campsite has a restaurant described as reasonably priced.

  • Local wine

    Small amounts of wine are made in Liechtenstein and sold in supermarkets and tourist shops. An average bottle is listed at around 25 Swiss francs.

  • Beer

    Local options include pale Helles lager and unfiltered wheat beer. Some beer uses Liechtenstein malt but is brewed in Switzerland.

Money

Swiss franc (CHF)

  • Many shops accept euros, but the exchange rate may be poor and change may be given in euros.
  • Supermarkets usually offer better euro exchange rates than other shops. The source says they accept euro notes up to €100.
  • For a short visit, you may be able to pay entirely in euros. Parking garages also accept them.
  • Costs are similar to Switzerland and generally higher than in other European countries.

Typical costs

  • Bus from Buchs to Vaduz: 3.40 Swiss francs in the source.
  • Bus from Sargans to Vaduz: 5.80 Swiss francs in the source.
  • Whole-network bus pass: 12 Swiss francs for a day or 24 Swiss francs for seven days, as of January 2024.
  • Souvenir passport stamp: 3 Swiss francs or €3.
  • An average bottle of local wine: around 25 Swiss francs.
  • Camping Mittagspitz tent pitch: around €22 plus €2 tourist tax, as of April 2024.
  • Gasthaus Krone: a double room is listed at 60 Swiss francs.

Language

  • German is the official language, and almost everyone speaks standard German.
  • An Alemannic German dialect is used in everyday life. It can be difficult even for standard German speakers to understand.
  • English is widely spoken.
  • French and Latin are widely taught in secondary schools.
  • Some shops have staff who speak languages used by Asian visitors.

Staying safe

  • Liechtenstein is very safe, and most crime is non-violent.
  • Take care on roads because of drunk drivers and winter conditions.
  • Obey speed limits. Speed cameras enforce them strictly, and fines can be high.
  • Mountain scenery can be dangerous, and hikers often get into difficulty. Take extreme care if leaving marked trails.

Local customs

Do

  • Respect Liechtenstein's identity as an independent country. Local people are proud of their nationality.
  • Remember that this is a traditional Catholic country. Streets are very quiet on Sundays apart from tourists and tourist shops.
  • Speak respectfully about the Prince and the monarchy, which are well regarded locally.

Don't

  • Do not call Liechtensteiners German, Austrian or Swiss. They may find this offensive.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is safe to drink.
  • Medical facilities are excellent, but you may be transferred to a hospital in Switzerland if you need medical attention.
  • Citizens of Austria or the European Union may want to seek medical attention in nearby Feldkirch, Austria.

Phone and internet

  • Wi-Fi is widely available in public places.
  • The source reports fourth-generation mobile coverage from all Swiss carriers as of September 2021. Its mobile network information is dated.
  • The source says Austrian mobile signals do not reach Liechtenstein because of the mountains.

Where to stay

  • Liechtenstein has a few hotels, which tend to be expensive.
  • Schaan has a youth hostel, but it closes for winter.
  • Accommodation may be cheaper in nearby Feldkirch, Austria.
  • Camping Mittagspitz is the country's only full-service campsite. A tent pitch cost around €22 plus €2 tourist tax in April 2024.

Schengen Area

One visa, 29 countries

A Schengen visa from any member lets you travel across all of them, with no passport checks at the borders between them. With it, a trip to Liechtenstein can also take in:

  • Up to 90 days in any 180
  • One visa for every member
  • No border checks between members

Whether you need the visa at all depends on your passport. Check the entry rules for Liechtenstein before you plan the route.

Outdoor adventures in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein has beautiful Alpine scenery, with terrain for hiking, climbing, road cycling and mountain biking. Its small resort at Malbun offers skiing and snowboarding in winter.

  • Skiing at Malbun

    SkiingMalbun

    Winter

    Head to Malbun, the country's small ski resort.

    • Watch for winter road conditions when travelling to the resort.

  • Hiking in Liechtenstein

    HikeLiechtenstein

    Use the well-marked trails and follow local advice before setting out.

    • Take extreme care if leaving marked trails; hikers often get into difficulty.
    • Check local weather forecasts. Conditions can differ with altitude.

  • Road cycling in Liechtenstein

    CyclingLiechtenstein

    Explore the country's road cycling terrain. No specific route or starting point is given.

  • Mountain biking in Liechtenstein

    CyclingLiechtenstein

    Explore the country's mountain biking terrain. No specific trail or starting point is given.

  • Snowboarding at Malbun

    More to doMalbun

    Winter

    Head to Malbun, where the small resort offers snowboarding.

    • Watch for winter road conditions when travelling to the resort.

  • Climbing in Liechtenstein's mountains

    ClimbingLiechtenstein's Alpine mountain ranges

    The country's mountain ranges offer climbing options. No specific route, operator or access point is given.

Airports, metros and trains in Liechtenstein

Trains

Rail network
9 km
Electrified
9 km

People and safety in Liechtenstein

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian92%
  • Muslim5%
  • No religion3%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Legal gender change is not recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 94 of 198 countries can visit Liechtenstein easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required83
  • Freedom of movement11
  • Visa required104

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe43 of 45 countries
  • Americas26 of 35 countries
  • Oceania10 of 14 countries
  • Asia13 of 50 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

Which airport should I fly to?

Liechtenstein has no airport. Zürich Airport in Switzerland is the nearest major airport, 115 km away.

Can I buy bus tickets without using an app?

Yes. You can buy single tickets directly from the bus driver.

What money should I use?

The currency is the Swiss franc. Many shops also accept euros, though their exchange rates may be poor.

Will I be able to speak English?

English is widely spoken. German is the official language, and an Alemannic German dialect is used in everyday life.

Can I go inside Vaduz Castle?

No. It is the royal family's home and is closed to the public, but you can view it from nearby.

What is the weather like?

Winters are cold and cloudy, with frequent snow or rain. Summers are cool to moderately warm and are often cloudy and humid.

Where can I look for cheaper accommodation?

Nearby Feldkirch in Austria may have cheaper accommodation. Schaan also has a youth hostel, but it closes for winter.

Is the tap water safe?

Yes. Tap water is safe to drink.

What should I know before hiking?

Follow local advice, check weather forecasts and take suitable equipment. Hikers often get into difficulty, so take extreme care when leaving marked trails.

What local customs should I respect?

Respect Liechtenstein's independent identity and its well-regarded monarchy. It is a traditional Catholic country, and streets are very quiet on Sundays.

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