Liechtenstein is a tiny principality located between Switzerland and Austria in Central Europe. While most people spend a few hours in Liechtenstein or skip it altogether it is worth spending a night or two in this quiet and picturesque country.
Population: Estimated at 35,000 people of which up to 34% are foreigners
Capital City: Vaduz
Language: German
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) although Euros are usually accepted.
Map of Liechtenstein: http://www.tourismus.li/en/pop_pano_lt_summer.cfmGeography Liechtenstein has an area of 160 square kilometres and borders Switzerland in the south and west and Austria in the east and north. Approximately half the country is covered by the Rhine Valley which is used largely for agriculture while the rest of the country is mountainous.
Highest mountain: Grauspitz, elevation 2599 meters
Lowest point: Ruggeller Riet, elevation 430 meters
Greatest extension: Length 24.8 km, width 12.5 km
Climate Despite Liechtenstein being a largely mountainous country the climate is quite mild by Central European standards due to the influence of the warm south wind (
Föhn).
In the winter, temperatures rarely fall below minus 15 degrees Celsius, while the average temperatures in the summer range between 20 and 28 degrees.
Entry There are no border controls between Switzerland and Liechtenstein and entry regulations are the same as those for Switzerland.
Citizens of some states require a visa for entry and travellers are requested to check with the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in their country to verify whether they need a visa to enter Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Swiss immigration information can be found here:
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen...t_einreise.htmlGetting to Liechtenstein Liechtenstein has no airport. The nearest airport is Zürich in Switzerland. There is only one rail line passing through Liechtenstein from Buchs in Switzerland to Feldkirch in Austria stopping at Schaan-Vaduz Station. Trains stopping in Liechtenstein are quite rare so getting to Liechtenstein by rail is usually not convenient.
The best way to get to Liechtenstein is by rail to border towns such as Sargans and Buchs in Switzerland or Feldkirch in Austria and then taking the Postbus to Vaduz. Postbus from Feldkirch to Vaduz may require a change of bus at Schaan.
Getting Around Liechtenstein The best (and only way unless you bring a car) to get around Liechtenstein is using the Postbus system which is cheap and easy to use. Single trips cost between CHF 2.00 and CHF 5.80 depending on how many zones you travel through.
Travellers spending more than a few hours in Liechtenstein and looking to see villages outside of Vaduz would be advised to purchase a daily ticket (
Tageskarte) or a weekly ticket (
Wochenkarte) which cost CHF 7.00 and CHF 18.00 respectively. There are discounts for students, children and the elderly.
The Postbus network covers the entire country including the ski resort of Malbun, the Swiss border towns of Sargans and Buchs and Austrian border town of Feldkirch. For timetable information and up-to-date pricing check the Liechtenstein Bus website (German Only):
http://www.lba.li/home.htmlImportant Telephone Numbers:Emergency Services: 112
Accommodation Liechtenstein offers a wide range of accommodation from camping, cabins and hostels through to hotels and apartment accommodation.
The camping ground is located in the village of Triesen just north of Vaduz while a youth hostel is located in Schaan. There is another hostel catering to groups in Steg which is located between Vaduz and the ski resort of Malbun.
Hotels are found in most villages throughout Liechtenstein and range from small guesthouses and private hotels to larger, business hotels. For information on accommodation in Liechtenstein check out the Liechtenstein Tourism website:
http://www.tourismus.li/en/navpage-AccLI.htmlThings to See Besides the natural scenery of the country, Liechtenstein has a number of sights worthy of checking out. The major ones are listed below, for a more comprehensive list of things to see and do in Liechtenstein check out the Liechtenstein tourism website:
http://www.tourismus.li/en/welcome.cfmVaduzVaduz Castle: Easily visible overlooking the town of Vaduz, the castle is not open to visitors but a walk up the hill to the castle is well worth it for viewing the castle itself and also the view over Vaduz and across the Rhine to Switzerland.
National Museum: Contains 42 rooms with exhibits covering the cultural, national and natural history of Liechtenstein.
http://www.landesmuseum.liKunstmuseum Liechtenstein: Located in the centre of Vaduz the fine art gallery of Liechtenstein houses a number of rotating exhibits including pieces from the Crown Prince’s private art collection.
http://www.kunstmuseum.liPostage Stamp Museum: Exhibits including rare stamps from Liechtenstein, historical documents, devices, historical postal service equipment and special exhibits are presented in the museum.
http://www.landesmuseum.li/d/postmuseum.aspPassport Stamp: The tourist information office in Vaduz stamps passports with the Liechtenstein stamp for a fee of CHF 2.00. The fee may have gone up since I was last in Liechtenstein!
SchellenbergSchellenberg Ruins: Ruins of a 13th century castle once the possession of nobles from southern Germany. Schellenberg is located in the far north of Liechtenstein.
BalzersGutenberg Castle: 13th century castle overlooking the village of Balzers in the far south of Liechtenstein.
http://www.haus-gutenberg.li/MalbunLiechtenstein’s ski resort located close to the mountain border with Austria. Skiing is cheap by European standards and Malbun offers ski runs for beginners and intermediates as well as a ski school. Malbun also has a the Sareis chairlift to the Sareiserjoch lookout with views over Malbun which operates in both directions so people not interested in skiing can take in the views too.
Starter Kit for Liechtenstein
Oct 13 2009, 08:07 PM
