Vaduz
A small capital with a hilltop castle, a compact old town and Alpine views, suited to a short stop on a Swiss or Austrian trip.
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Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein, a small German-speaking principality in the Alps, set between Switzerland and Austria along the Rhine. The town sits on the valley floor below a hill crowned by Vaduz Castle, the residence of the reigning prince. The center is compact, and most of what draws visitors sits within a short walk of the main street, the Städtle.
Visitors come for the castle views, the Liechtenstein National Museum and the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, a contemporary art museum, and for easy walks above the valley. Vaduz suits a short trip: one day covers the center, and a second adds a hike or a trip further up the valley. Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable time for walking, and one to two days is enough for the town itself.
Vaduz in five
- Carry Swiss francs, not eurosLiechtenstein uses the Swiss franc (CHF) even though it is in the Schengen area and the EEA. Get some francs before you arrive, and check that your card works without high foreign fees.Money and costs
- Take the bus from Buchs SG, not a trainLiechtenstein has no railway. Trains from Zurich reach Buchs SG on the Swiss side, and a bus runs from there to Vaduz. Check the bus timetable before you travel.Getting around
- Carry your passport or ID at the borderSwitzerland and Liechtenstein share a customs area, so the crossing is usually quick. Schengen rules still apply, and you may be asked to show your passport or ID.
- Buy groceries and gifts before SundayMost shops in Vaduz close on Sundays, and many close on public holidays. Plan shopping for the days before, and expect quiet streets on Sunday.
- Download maps before you hike above VaduzThe trails into the hills above the valley need offline maps, since signal can drop once you leave the town. Save the route before you start the climb.Phones and eSIM
Things to do in Vaduz
See all attractions in Vaduz
Need to know
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF)
- Entry
- Schengen short-stay rules for most passports; check official rules before you travel
- Emergency
- 117 police, 118 fire, 144 ambulance; 112 works too
- Tipping
- Service usually included; rounding up is customary
- Time
- UTC+1, daylight saving to UTC+2 in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruarySki season
- MarchSpring starts
- AprilMild, showers
- MayMild, green
- JuneWarm, long days
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberMild, harvest
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberGrey, quiet
- DecemberCold, lights
Right now in Vaduz
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -2°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Balzers
10:14 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°0°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue9°4°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed10°3°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu11°3°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°3°5%Friday: Rain. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat11°6°8%Saturday: Rain. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun13°5°22%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 06:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Zurichabout 1.5 to 2 hours by train and busA large Swiss city with museums and a lake, a long day trip from Vaduz.Read the guide
- Feldkirchabout 20 to 30 min by busA small Austrian town with a medieval old town, across the Rhine from Vaduz.Read the guide
- Malbunabout 30 to 40 min by busA ski and hiking village above the valley, good for a half-day walk.Read the guide
Before you go to Vaduz
Rules for Vaduz, checked
- Liechtenstein is in the Schengen area but not the EU. Check the entry rules for your passport before you book.
- Carry your passport or ID at all times. The border with Switzerland is open, but Schengen rules still apply.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Liechtenstein.
Plan around Vaduz
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for the whole country
Read the guideGetting around LiechtensteinBuses from Buchs SG and trains into Switzerland
Read the guideMoney and costsSwiss franc prices, cards and cash
Read the guideVisas and entrySchengen rules for Liechtenstein visitors
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in Vaduz and Schaan
Read the guideVaduz FAQ
Is Vaduz worth visiting?
Yes, for a short walk. The old town, the cathedral and the views over the valley take a few hours, and the country is small. It suits a stopover or a day trip rather than a long stay.
How do you get to Vaduz by train?
Liechtenstein has no railway. Take a train to Buchs SG station in Switzerland, then a bus across the border to Vaduz. Check bus timetables before you travel.
Is Liechtenstein part of the EU?
No. Liechtenstein is in the European Economic Area and the Schengen area, and it uses the Swiss franc. Check entry rules for your passport before you book.
How many days do you need in Vaduz?
One day covers the old town and the cathedral. Add a night if you want to hike above the valley or visit Malbun in winter.
Can you visit Vaduz on a day trip from Zurich?
Yes. The trip by train and bus takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Start early and check the return timetable before you leave Zurich.
When is the best time to visit Vaduz?
May to June and September to October suit walks and mild weather. Winter brings snow and ski days in Malbun, and July and August are warm and busy.