Whistle Stop Zurich / Lichtenstein Visit

[Dan_1981]

I have the opportunity for a very quick visit into Zurich, while i'm there i'd like to nip over into Lichtenstein to tick another box off the list

I'm just wondering on the best approach.

It'll be a Friday - Sunday in early November.

I know there's a train from Zurich down to Sargans, that only takes about 90 min and then a short bus ride into Vaduz - which i'm comfortable with. What's the train line like - any nice views?

I can then do the return and spend a day in Zurich before coming home.

Alternatively i'm considering hiring a car in Zurich, driving to Lichtenstein and then returning back via a bit of the scenery - maybe heading over to Santis and getting the cable car up to the top?!

But I don't know how feasible this is in November, some sites suggest Switzerland is a bit rubbish in November with lots of things shut on the change from summer to winter seasons etc.

Also no idea what the raods will be like in Nov?

Anyone got any advice?!

[Raptor7000r]

I travelled through Lichtenstein on the way back from Italy and as a stop until Germany, not sure on transport links but found the whole city and people very cult like and strange. Everyone knows everyone, we had horrible service at a Café and would never return.

Its whole existence to me is pretty strange, seems to be a sub-Swiss country for business.

[ATG]

Good views from the train. It follows the shores of lake zurich and walensee, and there are some fairly hefty mountains to gawp at.

(We did Euston to Brixen via Zurich last month.)

Just double-checked that the train we took from Zurich went through Lichtenstein. I can't remember if it stopped at Schaan/Vaduz? I think the only thing I noticed at the time was that I got a "welcome to Lichtenstein, that'll be £2.50" text from EE about 2 mins before getting a welcome to Austria text.

Edited by ATG on Friday 20th September 15:09

[Bill]

Dan_1981 said:

Also no idea what the raods will be like in Nov?

They are (predictably...) very efficient at clearing the roads, not that November will be much of an issue. Even when the passes are blocked they have car trains that go underneath. The trains are great though.

[Dan_1981]

Flights booked now so no return...

[Bill]

Dan_1981 said:

Flights booked now so no return...

Sure, the Swiss aren't keen on immigrants!

[Pete102]

Honestly, Liechtenstein is nothing special, I have been twice (once to visit and ski, once driving through) and I would not make a special trip for it. The "cities", landscape, architecture etc. is all essentially Swiss. You cannot even visit the castle unless it is a special occasion.

As a Swiss resident and worker in Zurich, my advice would be to spend your time in Switzerland, take in Zurich for a day or so, there is a very good science museum in Winterthur or if you head south to Luzern the transport museum is also good. If mountains are your thing you have the following options:

Take a round trip and do Luzern to Alpnachstad (train or ferry), Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm with the funicular railway and then come down the other side via cable car to Kriens and bus back to Luzern.

Alternatively, Luzern to Vitznau (ferry), funicular railway to Rigi Kulm, Rigi Kulm to Rigi Kaltbad funicular, cable car to Weggis and then ferry from weggis to Luzern.

Luzern is accessible by public transport in around 30 mins or so from central Zurich.

If you have a car then the Rheinfalls near Konstanz are quite impressive if it has been raining, there is also the FIFA museum in Zurich, munster, lake trip, chocolate museum (Lindt)...basically enough to fill a weekend.

The weather can be a bit crap in November, but if there is low lying cloud (below 1500-1000m) then its glorious when you get above in the mountains. If you have a clear day, also consider a trip up Uetliberg, there is a decent restaurant at the top and amazing panoramic over Zurich with walking trails.

Hope this helps, happy to answer more if you have questions.

[Dan_1981]

Thanks Pete - good to get a locals view.

Unfortunately I need to tick the Lichtenstein box so will head over that way just to say i've been!

Which means i'm then stuck out that way a little.

Pretty much convinced myself i'll hire a car.

So was thinking of driving Zurich, along the south bank of the lake, down along Walensee and to Sargans before heading north to Vaduz.

Then probably heading back over the border and staying a night somewhere around Wildhaus.

The next day make my way back to Zurich but go via a few sights - take the cable car up Santis and then Appenzell, and back along the north side of the lake.

I reckon it's less than 300km driving so i'm comfortable with that.

Anythign glaringly obviously stupid or not worth doing?!

[Pete102]

Dan_1981 said:

Thanks Pete - good to get a locals view.

Unfortunately I need to tick the Lichtenstein box so will head over that way just to say i've been!

Which means i'm then stuck out that way a little.

Pretty much convinced myself i'll hire a car.

So was thinking of driving Zurich, along the south bank of the lake, down along Walensee and to Sargans before heading north to Vaduz.

Then probably heading back over the border and staying a night somewhere around Wildhaus.

The next day make my way back to Zurich but go via a few sights - take the cable car up Santis and then Appenzell, and back along the north side of the lake.

I reckon it's less than 300km driving so i'm comfortable with that.

Anythign glaringly obviously stupid or not worth doing?!

Honestly this is probably the best way to do it, the drive to Walensee and Sargans is super scenic, even stopping for a coffee at the service stations in the area is a pleasure!. Depending on the route you take back along the north side of the lake, Rapperswil-Jona is a nice little town for a spot of lunch, Küsnacht is generally where the really rich people live.