Davos to Lindau Road Trip: Alpine Lakes & Scenic Drives

The route from Davos to Lindau crosses the Prättigau valley, the Rhine Valley, and the Arlberg region before descending to Lake Constance. A quirky fact: the road passes through the town of Landquart, where the railway line to Davos was built in 1889, making winter tourism possible. The drive spans about 220 km, taking roughly 2.5 to 3 hours without stops, but the real value lies in the detours.

This guide answers your questions: best stops Davos to Lindau, how long to drive Davos to Lindau, is it worth driving Davos to Lindau, and things to do between Davos and Lindau. For more tips on finding hidden gems, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Below is a quick overview of the route segments and estimated times.

Road surfaces are generally good on main highways. Black ice is a hazard in winter (November-March) in the Davos pass areas. The A13 and A14 are well-lit at night with reflectors. Tolls are paid via vignette, but no cash toll booths exist on Swiss motorways; fines apply for missing vignettes. Safety tip: In the Arlberg tunnel area (not on this route but near Feldkirch), congestion can occur; plan to use the A14 bypass.

• Family stops: The Swiss Science Center Technorama (Winterthur) is off-route but an excellent interactive museum. Closer: the Rätsche (Klosters) offers a playground. The Pfänderbahn cable car in Lochau is child-friendly.
• Pet-friendly: Dogs are allowed on the Pfänderbahn (with leash). Rest stops: Raststätte Heidiland (A13 near Bad Ragaz) has a designated pet area. In Lindau, the lakeside promenade is dog-friendly.

Fatigue management: The long straight stretches on the A13 can be monotonous. Recommended rest zones:

• Raststätte Sargans (A13): Large parking, coffee, and WC. Good for a 20-min nap with lake views.
• Raststation Nenzing (A14, Austria): Free parking, WC, small shop. Less crowded.
• Hidden off-route spot: The village of St. Antönien (10-min detour from Klosters) offers a quiet church and a pasture with grazing cows. Perfect for a 15-min break away from traffic.

Hidden off-route spots (5-min detour): The abandoned Ardetzenberg Fort near Feldkirch (no entry, but exterior fascinating) and the ruins of Alt-Montfort near Götzis. Both are within minutes of the A14.

The journey begins in the high alpine valley of Davos, with mountain pine and larch forests. The descent through the Zügen gorge near Klosters reveals steep rock faces. Approaching Landquart, the valley widens into the Rhine plain, offering views of vineyards on gentle slopes. After crossing into Austria at Feldkirch, the landscape transforms into gentle hills and the edge of the Bregenz Forest, culminating in the journey into the Lake Constance region, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Biosphärengebiet Bodensee). The lake itself is not a UNESCO World Heritage site, but the reserve is designated since 1992.

• UNESCO World Heritage: None directly on route, but the Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (UNESCO) have sites near Lindau (e.g., Unteruhldingen). A short 30-min detour to the Stilt House Museum in Unteruhldingen is recommended.
• Local commerce: In the Prättigau, buy Alpkäse (mountain cheese) at the Molkerei in Klosters. In the Rhine Valley, look for Churer Fleischtrockneri for air-dried beef. Near Feldkirch, the weekly farmers' market (Saturday) sells local wines from the Rheintal.

Climatic conditions vary drastically: Davos is cool even in summer (avg 15°C), while Lindau is warmer (avg 23°C). Spring and autumn offer misty valleys and clear lake views. Wind can be strong on the exposed A13 near Sargans. The best place for a sunset photo is the Pfänder viewpoint above Lochau, reachable via a short 15-min detour (the toll Pfänderbahn cable car runs until evening).

• Key sunset spot: From the Pfänder, you see Lindau harbor, the lake, and the Alps. Another option is the Rohrsee near Dornbirn.

The primary route uses the A28 from Davos to Klosters, then the A13/E43 through the Rhine Valley to Feldkirch, and finally the A14/E43 to Lindau. Road quality is excellent, with most sections recently paved. Tolls: The Swiss part requires an annual vignette (CHF 40) for use of motorways; you can buy it at border crossings or gas stations. Austrian segments require a vignette for motorways; 10-day vignettes cost about €9.50 and can be purchased at petrol stations near the border.

• Fuel stations: Abundant along the A13 and A14, every 15-20 km. In the Prättigau valley, stations are less frequent (St. Antönien, Klosters).
• Estimated fuel costs for the 220 km: at 8 L/100 km, with petrol at ~CHF 1.80/L, total roughly CHF 32. Diesel is slightly cheaper.
• Fuel efficiency tip: Use engine braking on descents from Davos (1,560 m) to Landquart (520 m) to save fuel.