Fast Facts

Currency -- The Swiss franc is legal tender in Liechtenstein; the exchange rate is the same as in Switzerland.

Documents Required -- All travel documents recognized by Swiss authorities are valid in Liechtenstein. However, you'll encounter the formalities of any western European border crossing if you enter through Austria.

Holidays -- Public holidays are January 1 (New Year's Day), January 6 (Epiphany), February 28 (Mardi Gras), Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1 (Labor Day), May 25 (Feast of the Ascension), June 5 (Whit Monday), June 15 (Corpus Christi), August 15 (Feast of the Assumption), September 8 (Nativity of Our Lady), November 1 (All Saints' Day), December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), December 25 (Christmas), and December 26 (Boxing Day).

Information -- For further information about the principality, contact the Liechtenstein National Tourist Office, Städtle 37 (P.O. Box 139), FL-9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein (tel. 00423/239-63-00; www.tourismus.li). The office is open daily 9am to 5pm.

Mail -- The postage rates are the same as in Switzerland. But you must, of course, use Liechtenstein stamps.

Medical Needs -- Doctors and dentists take turns handling emergency calls (the names of those currently available are published in the Sat and Sun newspapers). Your hotel will put you in touch with an English-speaking doctor or dentist. Phone tel. 144 for an ambulance.

Telephone -- To call Liechtenstein from the U.S., dial your international prefix (usually 011), followed by Liechtenstein's country code 00423, followed by the seven-digit local number. To call Liechtenstein from anywhere in Switzerland or anywhere else in the world, dial whatever international prefix is required at the phone you happen to be using, followed by the country code for Liechtenstein (00423), followed by the seven-digit local number.