Luxembourg to Davos Road Trip Guide

Did you know that the Siegfried Line, a WW2 defensive fortification, runs through the Eifel region you'll cross just past Luxembourg's eastern border? This concrete ghost of history is just one of many layers you'll uncover on this route.

Driving from Luxembourg to Davos covers about 630 km, mostly via the A1, A8, and A13 in Germany, then through Austria via the A12 and A14, before entering Switzerland. Expect around 7-8 hours of pure driving, not counting stops.

For a deeper dive into planning, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities on Wayro's blog.

Swabian Alb: Between Stuttgart and Ulm, the A8 traverses the Swabian Alb, a low mountain range with limestone karst landscapes. Look for the Blautopf, a stunning blue spring near Blaubeuren, accessible via a short detour (exit 58).

• Lake Constance (Bodensee): Stops at Lindau or Friedrichshafen offer lake views and the Zeppelin Museum.
• Alpine Panorama: After the Arlberg Tunnel, the scenery transforms into alpine meadows and dramatic peaks.

Local Commerce: Stuttgart’s Markthalle (open Mon-Sat) features regional wines and produce. In Lindau, buy fresh cheese from Milchwerk Bodensee. In Switzerland, shop at Davos’ weekly market (Tuesday) for mountain cheese and dried meats.

• Things to do between Luxembourg and Davos: Visit the Völklinger Hütte (UNESCO World Heritage Site, near Saarbrücken) - a former ironworks turned industrial museum.
• Is it worth driving Luxembourg to Davos? Absolutely, for the scenic diversity from wine regions to Alpine passes.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Start in Luxembourg City (Old Town and Fortifications). In Germany, include the Speicherstadt in Hamburg (but off-route), or closer: the Maulbronn Monastery near Pforzheim (exit 42 on A8).

• Völklinger Hütte (mentioned above).
• Wadden Sea in Netherlands (too far north) – skip.
• Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona (near Davos) – a geological marvel documenting continental collision.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality: German autobahns have high road quality but no general speed limit (advisory 130 km/h). Austrian and Swiss motorways are excellent, with strict speed enforcement (120 km/h in Austria, 120 km/h in Switzerland). Use cruise control.

• Tunnel safety: Arlberg Tunnel (14 km) has emergency bays every 1.5 km. Keep low beams on.
• Winter: mandatory winter tires in Germany, Austria, Switzerland (Oct-Apr).
• Traffic: Avoid A8 around Stuttgart during rush hour (7-9 am, 4-6 pm).

Family and Child Suitability: Drive time is long but manageable. Break every 2 hours. Child-friendly stops include Legoland Deutschland (exit 54 on A8, near Günzburg) and the Swiss Science Center Technorama (near Winterthur, off A1).

• Play areas: Most German autobahn service stations have playgrounds.
• Activities: Trier (Porta Nigra, Roman baths) in Luxembourg, and the Bodensee lake cruise.

Pet-Friendly Framework: Many hotels in Davos accept dogs, but check policies. Rest stops in Germany often have designated dog relief areas. Border crossing: EU pet passport required.

• Pet relief areas: Known as “Hundeauslauf” at German rest stops.
• Veterinary: Emergency vet in Davos: Kleintierpraxis Anja Moosmann (+41 81 413 00 51).

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones: Plan your stops. Good clusters: Raststätte Arlberg (truck stop with showers) and Raststätte Murgtal (A8, modern). Use Restover app for real-time break suggestions.

• Recommended: stop at Raststätte Wüstenstein (A8, near Ulm) for its forest walk.
• Timing: Leave Luxembourg by 6 am to reach Davos before 2 pm.

Hidden Off-Route Spots: Near the Arlberg, detour into the Lech Valley for a quieter alpine view. In Germany, the town of Dinkelsbühl (medieval) is 15 min from A7 exit 113. In Switzerland, the village of Splügen (historic) lies near the A13.

• Off-route: Badenweiler (thermal baths) near Freiburg – adds 40 min.
• Culinary: Stop at Gasthof Krone in Lech (Austria) for Kaiserschmarrn.

The route is straightforward. Leave Luxembourg City on the A1 (E44) into Germany. Follow the A1, then A8, past Trier and Saarbrücken, merging onto the A6 (E50) toward Mannheim. Continue via the A8 (E52) past Stuttgart and Ulm, then the A7 to Memmingen.

• At Memmingen, take the A96 to Lindau on Lake Constance.
• Cross into Austria via the A14 (E43) through the Arlberg Tunnel (toll road).
• In Switzerland, take the A13 (E43) to Reichenau, then the A28 (E43) toward Davos.

Total distance: 630 km. Best stops Luxembourg to Davos include the Rhine Valley, Lake Constance, and the Swiss National Park region.

Fuel prices vary: Germany cheaper than Switzerland, so fill up near the border. Average consumption for a mid-size car: ~8 L/100 km. Recommended stops for fuel and rest: Raststätte Hohenlohe (near Stuttgart) and Raststätte Leiblfing (A8).

• Luxembourg average: €1.40/L (Europe's cheapest).
• Germany average: €1.70/L.
• Switzerland average: CHF 1.80/L (approx €1.85).

Motorway tolls: Austrian vignette required (€9.60 for 10 days). Swiss vignette required (CHF 40/year, obtainable at border).