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Back to Appenzell

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Voykit pocket guide · Switzerland

Appenzell

One day covers Appenzell: train in, stroll Hauptgasse, visit Museum Appenzell, ride Appenzellerbahn, watch Landsgemeinde (April).

Appenzell is a small historic town in Eastern Switzerland. Its main attractions are within walking distance, so a single day is sufficient unless you want to repeat the scenic Appenzellerbahn ride. Arrive by SBB train from St Gallen (45 min) or Gossau (35 min).

GenevaAarauAlbinenAndermattArosaAsconaAvenchesBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigBruggAppenzell50 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Switzerland
Best months
Apr–Oct
Avoid
Nov–Mar (cold, some attractions limited)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
CHF
Money
Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; euros are sometimes taken with change in francs.
Daily spend
Budget CHF 50–80 excl. bed · Mid CHF 80–130 excl. bed · High CHF 130+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.
Emergency
Police 117 · Fire & ambulance 118 · Swiss emergency (112) 112
Plugs
Types J, C · 230 V · 50 Hz · Swiss three-pin sockets are recessed: thin two-pin (type C) plugs fit, but thick German Schuko plugs do not — bring a Swiss adapter.
Tipping
Restaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.; Café or bar: Round up.; Taxi: Round up.; Hotel: Optional; CHF 2–5 for porters.; Mountain guide: CHF 20–50 for a day, optional.
Water
Tap and fountain water is excellent. Restaurants usually charge for bottled water; ask for 'Hahnenwasser' / 'eau du robinet'.
Toilets
Station toilets cost CHF 1–2; restaurants and department stores are free for customers.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Coffee in caféCHF 4–6
Meal at Café‑Hotel AppenzellCHF 30
Museum Appenzell entryCHF 7 (adults) / CHF 4 (children)
Local bus rideCHF 2–3

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

SGG · St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport
Regional flights; about 45 min by train (S22) to Appenzell

Typical fares

St Gallen → Appenzell (S22)
about CHF 30, 45 min
Appenzellerbahn scenic ride
about CHF 15 one way
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Town is walkable; SBB regional trains (S22 from St Gallen, 45 min; S23 from Gossau, 35 min) bring you to Appenzell station. Car access via A1 (St Gallen) or A13 (border).

See and do

Known for

  • Hauptgasse main street
  • Museum Appenzell
  • Appenzellerbahn scenic ride
  • Landsgemeinde open‑air assembly

Day trips

WhereHowTime
GossauS23 train, 35 min≈45 min total
St GallenS22 train, 45 min≈1 h total

Sleep

Hotel Adler
Historic building near town centre; single Fr 110, double Fr 140 per night

Language

Four national languages: German in the north and centre (spoken as Swiss German dialects, written as standard German), French in the west, Italian in Ticino and Romansh in parts of Graubünden. English is widely spoken in tourism. Greet in the local language of the region you are in.

  • 'Grüezi' (formal) and 'Hoi' (casual) in German-speaking areas; 'Merci' is also used there for thank you.
  • Swiss German differs a lot from standard German; locals will switch to standard German or English.
  • Place names change across the language border: Genf/Genève, Biel/Bienne.

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake; three cheek kisses among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting in shops
  • Punctuality: Be exactly on time; avoid: Running for the train expecting it to wait
  • Language: Greet in the local language, then ask for English; avoid: Speaking German in Geneva as a default
  • Quiet: Low voices in trains; quiet carriages are marked; avoid: Speakerphone calls
  • Money: Keep financial talk discreet; avoid: Asking people's salaries
  • Recycling: Separate PET, glass and cans; avoid: Leaving rubbish in hotel or flat bins unsorted

Scams and watch-outs

  • Landsgemeinde only on the last Sunday of April; no voting but open to observers.
  • Museum opening hours vary seasonally; check before visiting.

Appenzell is low‑risk; main concerns are winter road conditions and occasional crowding at Landsgemeinde.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Appenzell yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Hauptgasse main street
  • Museum Appenzell
  • Appenzellerbahn scenic ride
  • Landsgemeinde open‑air assembly

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Appenzell

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police117
  • Fire & ambulance118
  • Swiss emergency (112)112

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/appenzell). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.