How to Visit Liechtenstein Castle Near Vienna Without a Car

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Sitting high on a cliff at the edge of the Vienna Woods, Liechtenstein Castle near Mödling looks like something out of a medieval film, and it actually is! It’s been used as a filming location multiple times, like for The Three Musketeers from 1993.

This castle is the ancestral seat of the House of Liechtenstein, the royal family of the tiny country between Austria and Switzerland. You can only visit it on a guided tour, but the dramatic setting and the beautifully restored rooms make it worth it.

I recently visited the castle on a day trip from Vienna by public transport (surprisingly easy!), and I’ll walk you through exactly how to get there, what to expect from the tour, and how to make the most of your visit.

Just to clarify: this post is not about the Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna, Schloss Lichtenstein in Germany, or Schloss Vaduz in Liechtenstein.

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Why Visit Liechtenstein Castle?

Liechtenstein Castle is one of the most impressive castles near Vienna, thanks to its dramatic cliffside location and authentic medieval vibe. Unlike many overly polished palaces, this one feels more rugged and historic.

Even though the original furnishings are long gone, some stolen, others used for firewood during WWII, the rooms have been beautifully redone with historical pieces from other places, giving it a lived-in, historic feel.

It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy novel or a film set, and not surprisingly, it’s been used as a backdrop for several productions, including The Three Musketeers (1993) and Robin Hood (1991).

View of the grand Liechtenstein Castle from below, with its fortified stone walls, towers, and red-tiled roofs rising against a clear blue sky, partially framed by green tree branches.

What to Expect During Your Visit

You can only visit Liechtenstein Castle as part of a guided tour, which runs every hour on the hour and is typically bilingual. The guide will ask at the start if there are any English speakers, and if so, the tour is given in both German and English.

When I visited, the guide wasn’t particularly enthusiastic in either language, but the castle itself more than made up for it.

The tour takes about 50 minutes and it takes you through a series of beautifully furnished rooms, all restored with historical pieces that evoke the medieval atmosphere (even if some, like the kitchen, were never originally inside the castle).

Unfortunately, photography isn’t allowed inside, so you’ll have to soak it all in during the visit. But the interior, especially the spiral staircase, is definitely worth seeing in person.

Close-up of the castle's arched main gate set in thick stone walls, with a cobbled path leading through and tower flags fluttering above. The rough textures and defensive architecture evoke its medieval origins.

How to Get There from Vienna by Public Transport

While most visitors drive, getting to Liechtenstein Castle from Vienna by public transport is surprisingly easy, I did it myself without any issues.

Step 1: Train to Mödling

Take a regional train from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Mödling. The journey takes around 20 minutes, and trains leave roughly every 10 minutes throughout the day. You can also board at Wien Meidling or Wien Matzleinsdorfer Platz.

Step 2: Bus to the Castle

From the Mödling train station, catch bus 262 in the direction of Gießhübl Föhrenberge. Get off at Maria Enzersdorf Siedlungsstraße, tickets can be bought directly from the driver.

The bus only runs once an hour, and timing is key since castle tours start on the hour. Make sure to check the schedule ahead of time.

Step 3: Walk to the Castle

From the bus stop, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the castle. I recommend walking via the car park, which gives you a fantastic view of the castle as you approach.

Right in front of the entrance, there’s a small café where you can grab a drink before or after your tour, perfect if you arrive a bit early.

A creative perspective of Liechtenstein Castle viewed through a large wooden picture frame installed in a field. The distant castle is surrounded by lush green trees and perfectly centered in the frame beneath a cloudless sky. — View on the way from the car park to the castle

How to Save Money While Visiting

If you’re planning to visit several attractions in Lower Austria consider getting the Niederösterreich Card. It includes free entry to Liechtenstein Castle, along with access to plenty of other attractions across Lower Austria and even some in Vienna.

You can buy the card online and either have it mailed to you or use the digital version via the app. It’s valid for a full year, and if you’re someone who loves exploring places like castles, museums, nature parks, and scenic train routes, it pays for itself quickly.

Optional: Visit as Part of a Day Tour

Aerial view from the castle tower, showing Franzensburg Castle's spires and courtyards nestled beside the park lake, with a distant mountain backdrop. — View from the tower of Franzensburg

If you’re short on time or don’t want to worry about public transport connections, you can also visit Liechtenstein Castle as part of a guided day tour from Vienna. It’s a great option if you’re interested in seeing multiple castles in one day.

One tour I recommend includes stops at:

Seegrotte Hinterbrühl (Europe’s largest underground lake)
Liechtenstein Castle
Franzensburg Castle in Laxenburg Park
Kreuzenstein Castle
An optional dinner at Marchfelderhof Manor Restaurant

🏰 Book your castle tour with pick up from Vienna City Center!

That said, if you only want to see Liechtenstein Castle, you really don’t need a tour, public transport works just fine.

Make It a Day Trip: Combine with Baden

A beautifully maintained park with a colorful floral clock planted into a slope, spelling out “BADEN BEI WIEN” in flowers. Behind it stands a white Art Nouveau-style building labeled “ARENA,” surrounded by trees and white tents.

If you want to make the most of your day out, it’s easy to combine a visit to Liechtenstein Castle with a trip to Baden bei Wien, one of Austria’s most charming spa towns.

After your castle tour, simply head back to Mödling train station and instead of returning to Vienna, catch a train to Baden. The journey takes just 15 minutes, and trains run frequently.

In Baden, you can stroll through Austria’s largest rose garden, relax in the Kurpark, or grab something to eat at the Grüner Markt. It’s a perfect way to round off your castle adventure with a bit of nature, culture, or even a soak in thermal water.

👉 For more ideas, check out my full guide on the best things to do in Baden bei Wien.