Practical Information for visiting Liechtenstein

The currency is the Swiss franc, CHF, in a monetary and customs union with Switzerland. The buses take no cash at all and accept all common debit and credit cards contactlessly, which is a fair sign of the country: card everywhere, francs for the few places that want them. Euro acceptance, ATMs and tipping are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page.

Canada advises normal security precautions and both advisories record a low crime rate with instances of petty street crime -- pickpocketing and bag-snatching -- against which the usual care is enough; Canada adds caution on trains, especially overnight. There is no recent history of terrorism, though attacks cannot be ruled out.

The mountains are the risk. Avalanches occur in mountainous areas all year round, some fatal even with light snow; weather changes rapidly even in summer; heavy snow can cut off villages and ski centres; spring and summer rains bring flooding and landslides. Never hike or ski alone, stay on marked trails, carry an avalanche beacon or GPS, follow the European Avalanche Warning Service, and hold insurance that covers helicopter rescue and evacuation.

Drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties, including when transiting the country.

The advisories name no disease risks for Liechtenstein beyond those of any Alpine country: altitude illness on the high trails, whose symptoms can be fatal and should be known before setting out, and the cold, weather and avalanche exposure of the mountains. Rescue is by helicopter -- REGA on 1414 -- and must be insured, along with medical evacuation. Medical assistance is on 144. Healthcare standards and tap water are not summarised here because no authority page opened for this page spoke to them; the country shares Switzerland's.

Drugs, including cannabis, carry long jail sentences and heavy fines for possession, use or smuggling, including in transit. On the road, priority to the right applies at every intersection without signs, a warning triangle must be carried, and snow chains are recommended in winter; a foreign licence is valid but rental firms may ask for an International Driving Permit.

On the bus, pay the driver by card -- there is no cash on LIEmobil -- and keep the ticket for control. In the mountains, obey avalanche warnings and trail closures; the rules exist because people die.

Manners are Swiss-Austrian: greet on entering a shop, keep voices down, be on time. Photography, drone, dress and tipping rules are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page.

Emergency numbers: 112 for all emergencies and the European emergency call; police 117; emergency medical service and ambulance 144; fire department 118; REGA Swiss Air Rescue 1414; roadside assistance 140.

Mountain rescue is by helicopter and requires insurance that covers it. Consular: there is no Canadian government office in Liechtenstein; the nearest missions are in Switzerland.