Davos to Dornbirn: Alpine Road Trip Guide with Hidden Gems

The Davos to Dornbirn drive covers 155 km via the A13 and A1 highways, typically taking 2 to 2.5 hours without stops. This route passes through a geological transition from the high Alpine landscape of Davos (1,560 m) to the Rhine Valley of Dornbirn (437 m), offering dramatic shifts in scenery. Notable historical fact: the route crosses the historic Arlberg region, where the Flexen Pass was a key trade route in the Middle Ages.

How long to drive Davos to Dornbirn? The journey takes about 2 hours without heavy traffic, but plan for 3-4 hours if you want to explore. The route consists of Swiss A13 (Prättigau) and Austrian A14 (Rheintal) – note that you need a Swiss vignette (CHF 40 for 14 days) for the A13. Toll booths are automated; no cash, only credit card or vignette. Road quality is excellent: smooth asphalt, well-signed, and well-lit in tunnels. However, the A13 has narrow sections and sharp curves near Klosters.

• Start: Davos Dorf, take Landstrasse toward Klosters.
• Join A13 at Klosters exit, drive 40 km to Liechtenstein border.
• Enter Austria near Feldkirch, merge onto A14 for 30 km to Dornbirn.
• Stop often – this list of how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities can help.

Fuel and Route Economics: Fuel stations are abundant every 20-30 km along the A13 and A14. Expect prices around CHF 2.20/liter in Switzerland and €1.60/liter in Austria, so filling up after crossing the border saves money. For a typical car (8 L/100 km), fuel cost is about €30. The downhill drive (drop of 1,100 m) improves fuel efficiency; use engine braking to save fuel.

Natural Landscapes & Attractions: The drive passes from the bare, windswept peaks of Davos (Swiss Alps) to the green foothills of the Austrian Vorarlberg. Key geographical features: the Landquart River valley (Prättigau) with forested slopes and the meadow-covered rolling hills of the Rhine Valley. In spring, rape fields bloom bright yellow; in autumn, vineyards near Feldkirch turn gold.

• Schloss Vaduz (Liechtenstein) – 10 min detour from A13, offers princely views.
• Rheininsel (Altenrhein) – a peninsula on Lake Constance, 15 min from Dornbirn.
• Montafon valley – 20 min detour from A14 near Bludenz, known for alpine meadows.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The route itself has no UNESCO sites, but a 30-min detour to the Abbey of St. Gallen (Switzerland) or 40 min to the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina landscapes (near Davos) qualifies. Both are listed.

Local Commerce & Culture: Authentic regional goods include Vorarlberger Bergkäse (mountain cheese) from the Bregenz forest, Davos’s Bündner Nusstorte (nut tart), and Liechtenstein’s Triesen wine. Stop at the weekly Dornbirn market (Saturdays) for crafts and produce. Two specific roadside stalls: Milka Shop near Feldkirch (chocolate) and Genusskistl at Nenzing (regional deli).

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality: A13 and A14 are well-maintained, but watch for fog in the Rhine Valley (especially late autumn) and sudden rain showers in the mountains. Tunnels on the A13 (e.g., Gotschna Tunnel) are well-lit and speed limited to 80 km/h. Avoid driving during evening rush hour (17:00-18:30) between Feldkirch and Dornbirn when the A14 is congested. Emergency phones every 2 km, breakdown bays frequent.

• Speed limits: 120 km/h on A13/A14, 80 in tunnels, 50 in towns.
• Winter tires required from November to April on this alpine route.
• No tolls in Austria for this stretch, but Swiss vignette mandatory.

Family and Child Suitability: The drive is engaging for kids due to frequent tunnel passages (fun!) and mountain views. Top stops: Swiss Science Center Technorama (Winterthur, 30 min detour), Inatura Erlebnis Naturschau in Dornbirn (interactive nature museum), and the Kletterwald Mäder (climbing park) near Dornbirn. Also, the playground at Raststätte Walgau (A14) with slides and green space.

Pet-Friendly Framework: Most rest stops along A13/A14 allow dogs on leashes. For breaks, try Raststätte Brandnertal (pet area with waste bags) or the dog-friendly walk at Ebnit forest (near Dornbirn). Two pet-friendly cafés: Café Papillon in Bludenz and Café Zeitlos in Feldkirch, both with water bowls.

Hidden Off-Route Spots: 5 minutes from the main highway – the tiny village of St. Anton im Montafon (abandoned 14th-century chapel) and the Burgruine (ruin) in Nofels (11th-century castle). Also, the “Stone Forest” (Steinwald) near Satteins, a set of mysterious rock formations. These are less than 5 km from A14 exits.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones: For a safe nap, park at the Raststätte Walgau (A14, between Bludenz-Nüziders and Nenzing) which has a quiet parking area with restrooms. Alternatively, the Seepark in Rankweil (free parking, lakeside benches) is ideal for a 20-minute break. In high summer, the shade at the Raststätte Bad Ragaz (A13) offers cooler rest.