How To Walk Across Liechtenstein In One Day: The Complete Guide
Unsure about walking across Liechtenstein in one day?
Liechtenstein is such a fascinating small country in the heart of Europe and it is indeed possible to walk across in just one day.
A few years ago I actually did just that – starting in Austria and ending up in Switzerland and it was one of my most memorable travel adventures so far.
In this blog post I’ll share with you how you can walk across one side of Liechtenstein to the other quite easily, and discover things you can do while doing it.
I’ll outline the perfect route, preparation tips, and all the essential information you need to successfully complete this unique journey.
⌚ In a rush? My Top Liechtenstein Tours include:
✅ Vaduz City Highlights Walking Tour
✅ Best Instagram Worthy Scenic Spots Tour
🏨 Hotel Recommendations for Liechtenstein:
⭐ Hotel Gasthof Löwen
⭐ Park Hotel Sonnenhof – Relais & Châteaux
How To Walk Across Liechtenstein In One Day
It’s surprisingly not too difficult and quite manageable to walk across Liechtenstein in one day! Liechtenstein is not the most obvious travel destination in Europe but it’s actually a lovely place.
It is a tiny principality nestled between Austria and Switzerland. It is one of Europe’s smallest countries, known for its stunning Alpine landscapes and charming villages.
Despite its size, walking across Liechtenstein in one day is a awesome adventure that allows you to experience the country’s natural beauty up close.
The difficult thing to figure out is the logistics – are you travelling from Switzerland or Austria? Where’s your starting point and where’s your final destination?
Let’s go through all the different options and planning advice needed to walk across Liechtenstein in one day, starting with my own route and what I discovered a long the way.
Salzburg to Liechtenstein
I started my day walking across Liechtenstein in Salzburg, Austria. In order to reach Liechtenstein’s border I caught a train super early (around 6am) to Feldkirch, which takes a few hours.
This train rides goes past some stunning mountainous scenery, which is everything you expect of Austria and more. The train carriages are really lovely and spacious as well.
From Feldkirch you can catch a short train close to Liechtenstein which takes less than twenty minutes. We wandered out from Feldkirch station and walked 12km to the Liechtenstein border.
This walk was mostly full of busy main roads with lots of traffic, which wasn’t so pleasant. But an hour or so later we made it to the border. There is nothing cooler than crossing an international border by foot!
Walking through Liechtenstein
Walking across Liechtenstein is a wonderful experience. It was glorious weather and I couldn’t have wished for a better day!
I walked from the border to Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, which only took a couple of hours more or less.
As mentioned, the first part of the hike was mostly alongside busy main roads, but that eventually led to a beautiful countryside path.
I hiked through lovely neighbourhoods and scenic fields with the stunning mountainous Alps on either side.
Liechtenstein seemed a really peaceful, quiet place with glorious landscapes to admire along the way.
➡️ Experience a walking tour of Vaduz!
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Exploring Vaduz
Once I arrived in Vaduz I stumbled across several restaurants and stopped for a much needed break. Vaduz is located along the Rhine River and is a really pleasant small city.
After our lunch we hiked up a hillside that overlooks the town. This led us to the Vaduz Castle, which dates back to the 12th Century and is a royal family residence.
➡️ Visit the Best Instagram Worthy Scenic Tour of Vaduz
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Vaduz to Zurich
It turns out that Vaduz is very close to the Swiss border. It didn’t take long until I crossed another international border by foot! I then caught a bus to Buch SG train station and from there I caught a train to Zurich.
This train takes just over an hour and is another glorious train ride. It travels alongside Lake Zurich for the majority of the journey. So if you fancy a day trip to Liechtenstein from Zurich then I recommend taking this scenic train.
To be honest I was too knackered by this point to really appreciated the glorious views. I was just happy for a sit down!
And there you have it: how to walk across Liechtenstein in one day, starting in Salzberg and ending in Zurich! It is a long day to do all of this in, but it is achievable with rewarding views of Liechtenstein during a pleasant walk.
It’s really cool to say you’ve visited three different countries in one day, so I highly recommend it. Liechtenstein is definitely worth visiting, whether you plan on visiting for a day trip or longer.
Recovering in Zurich
After my really long day of travelling on multiple trains and walking across Liechtenstein, I still had enough energy to explore Zurich.
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is located in the German speaking north of the country on the banks of the beautiful lake Zurich.
It’s a lively, colourful, modern city with plenty of shops, museums and lovely architecture everywhere you look.
Top Tips for Walking Across Liechtenstein
Walking across Liechtenstein is not an easy thing to do and it’s important to plan ahead as much as possible before embarking on this adventure. So, let’s go through my top tips for walking across Liechtenstein:
Give yourself plenty of time
If you plan on walking across Liechtenstein in just one day, then it’s important to give yourself as much time as possible to do so.
I started my day really early at 6am in order to reach Liechtenstein’s border and begin my hike.
If you start your hike too late in the day, let’s say around midday, then it’s likely you won’t make it to Switzerland before night falls. So, allow a whole day in order to get to your final destination.
Plan what time of year to walk across Liechtenstein
Selecting the right time to walk across Liechtenstein is essential to ensuring a pleasant experience.
The best time to attempt this adventure is during the spring or autumn months when the weather is mild, and the landscape is full of breath taking foliage.
However, summer can also be a fantastic time for the trek, but be prepared for warmer temperatures.
I walked across Liechtenstein in the month of May and enjoyed perfect weather conditions for a good long hike.
Plan your route
It should go without saying, but planning your route in advance is vital when embarking on any big hike. Just turning up and hoping to rely on google maps is quite a gamble, especially relying on mobile data when abroad.
I would highly recommend planning your route in advance in as much detail as you can, to be fully aware of what to expect and any setbacks that could happen along the way.
👉 Pro Tip: Download an offline map of your route through Liechtenstein in advance to make sure you don’t get lost! This is what I did and it really helped throughout my day of hiking.
Prepare Physically and Mentally
If you’re going to participate in any kind of hike that’s going to last several hours, then it’s important to be in the best condition you possibly can be, both physically and mentally.
If you’re not used to walking for several straight hours or if you’re not in the best of physical health then this adventure may be too strenuous for you.
👉 Pro Tip: Pack Light! Travel as light as possible to make sure you won’t be weighed down during your walk. Bring only the essential items such as a water bottle, snacks etc. The lighter your backpack the better!
Know the Rules and Regulations
While Liechtenstein is a welcoming and safe country, it’s important to respect local rules and regulations during your walk.
It should go without saying, but make sure to stick to the designated walking paths, refrain from littering, and be respectful to locals and their properties.
Stay Hydrated and Energized
During the walk, it’s crucial to stay hydrated and keep your energy levels up. Carry enough water and healthy snacks to keep you going throughout the day.
I do recall stopping at a convenience store on my route to restock on water, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Enjoy the Scenic Beauty
One of the highlights of walking across Liechtenstein is the breath taking natural beauty.
Although you may be in a rush to get across the country in one day to your final destination, it’s important to take a few breaks to really appreciate all of the picturesque landscapes and beauty on show.
This all makes the hike so worth it and such a memorable day that you won’t forget in a hurry!
Alternative Route Across Liechtenstein
Although I’ve detailed my own route across Liechtenstein, there’s plenty of alternative routes you can take depending on what you want to see and do.
Here’s an a few places of interest in Liechtenstein which you may want to visit:
- Balzers: this is a beautiful place to begin your adventure; a charming town known for its medieval castle and picturesque surroundings.
- Vaduz: as I’ve mentioned, Vaduz is a lovely little city with lots of top attractions, such as Vaduz Castle, the Kunstmuseum (Museum of Art), and the Liechtenstein National Museum.
- Schaan: you could also head to Schaan, the northernmost municipality of Liechtenstein.
Where To Stay In Liechtenstein
Of course, you don’t have to spend just one day in Liechtenstein and may prefer a few more days to fully appreciate everything that this small country has to offer.
I would have liked an extra day or two for sure and really want to go back there! If you do plan to stay over in Liechtenstein, then here are a couple of hotel options to consider with different prices:
📍 Mid-Range Recommendation: Hotel Gasthof Löwen – Dating back to 1380, this is a historic hotel based in the middle of Vaduz’ vineyards and has stunning views of the Alps.
📍 Luxury Recommendation: Park Hotel Sonnenhof – This four star hotel has an award winning gourmet restaurant, an indoor pool and sauna and also has panoramic views of the Alps!
Liechtenstein FAQs
Still not convinced that walking across Liechtenstein in one day is a good idea? Then let’s answer some commonly asked questions about this little known country to help persuade you:
Is Liechtenstein safe?
Liechtenstein has a very low crime rate since the 1970’s, so yes, it is very safe to visit Liechtenstein whether your male/female and travelling solo.
I felt completely safe during my day walking across Liechtenstein. To be honest, I didn’t see a whole lot of people, it’s a really peaceful country!
Does Liechtenstein have an airport?
No, Liechtenstein surprisingly does not have an airport! This is probably because it’s not considered much of a tourist destination in Europe. When you think of top places to visit in Europe, Liechtenstein isn’t high on the list!
The nearest airport is St. Gallen–Altenrhein Airport in Switzerland, and other close by airports include Zurich airport and Basel airport.
What language do they speak in Liechtenstein?
German is the official language of Liechtenstein, with English being a second language. Though to be honest I didn’t meet many English speakers when I was there.
Locals also speak French, Italian and Spanish as the country is situated so close to these countries in central Europe.
Is Liechtenstein expensive?
Yes, Liechtenstein is considered a very expensive country to live in, so be prepared to have some extra euros when visiting!
The country has one of the highest salaries in all of Europe, so don’t expect to have a budget holiday when visiting there.
Conclusion: How To Walk Across Liechtenstein
A day hike across this country is an incredible adventure that offers a unique opportunity to explore it’s enchanting landscapes and rich culture up close.
It was for me one of my most unforgettable journeys – I was so surprised and in awe of the country’s beauty and experiencing three different countries in one day is so cool!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through my experience of walking across Liechtenstein and now feel inspired to do the same.
I would recommend planning your route as well as possible and visiting at the right time of year to ensure you have a magical experience.
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➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
