Discover Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a principality of just over 160 square kilometres and 41,389 people on the east bank of the Rhine between Switzerland and Austria: Europe's fourth-smallest country, the smallest in the world to border two others, and, with Uzbekistan, one of only two that are doubly landlocked. It climbs from the Ruggeller Riet at 430 metres on the river to the Grauspitz at 2,599, with eleven municipalities strung along the valley floor -- Vaduz the capital, with 5,696 people and the prince's castle on the hill above it; Schaan the largest, with 6,039 -- and one ski village, Malbun, at 1,600 metres in the mountains behind.

It has been a principality since 23 January 1719, when the Emperor Charles VI raised the counties of Vaduz and Schellenberg into one for Anton Florian of Liechtenstein, and a fully independent state since the German Confederation dissolved in 1866; it disbanded its army of eighty men in 1868 and has been neutral since. Hans-Adam II has reigned since 1989, handing day-to-day government to his son Alois in 2004 after a referendum in 2003 that he won by threatening to leave. The country uses the Swiss franc in a customs and monetary union with Switzerland, belongs to Schengen and the European Economic Area but not the EU, and runs an economy of industry and finance in which a large share of the workforce commutes in from Switzerland, Austria and Germany each morning.

For the visitor it is a half-day of Vaduz -- the castle from below, the museums, the Rhine -- or a week of the mountains above it, and either way the LIEmobil buses do the moving: a single zone costs 3 francs, the whole country 5, and no bus takes cash. German is the official language, crime is low, the Swiss handle the border, and the only real hazards are the ones the advisories name for every Alpine country: avalanche, winter roads and priority to the right.

How do I get there?

By train to Buchs or Sargans in Switzerland or Feldkirch in Austria, then a LIEmobil bus; the country has no airport or passenger railway of its own, and the bus network reaches all three towns.

How much is the bus?

3 francs for one zone, 4 for two, 5 for three or more -- the whole country; day tickets 5, 7 and 9 francs. Buy from the driver by card; no bus takes cash.

Do I need a visa?

Liechtenstein is in Schengen and Switzerland handles its border: 90 days in any 180 without a visa for eligible passports, a passport issued within ten years and valid three months beyond departure, and biometric registration under the EU's Entry/Exit System on a first visit.

What currency?

The Swiss franc. Cards work almost everywhere, including on every bus.

What are the emergency numbers?

112 for everything; police 117, ambulance 144, fire 118, air rescue 1414, roadside 140.

Can I visit the castle?

Vaduz Castle is the prince's home; it is seen from the path below and the town, not from inside.