FFA Museum

On the Swiss shore of Lake Constance, right within the grounds of the active St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport, lies a fascinating place—the FFA Museum (Fliegermuseum Fahrzeugmuseum Altenrhein). This modern exhibition space, covering approximately 5,000 m², is where the history of conquering the skies is closely intertwined with the evolution of the automobile. Switzerland is rightfully proud of this collection, as many of the aircraft on display are still "on the wing" or ready for the road.

FFA Museum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The museum in the town of Altenrhein represents a unique fusion of engineering. Here, you can see rare aircraft from Pilatus and Dornier, as well as legendary Swiss Air Force fighters like the Dassault Mirage and de Havilland Venom. The automotive side of the collection is equally impressive: immaculate Ferraris sit alongside aristocratic Rolls-Royces and sporty Jaguars, showcasing the flawless style and power of past decades.

Its location gives the museum a special charm. It was here that the famous aircraft designer Claude Dornier began his work, laying the foundations for flying boat production. Today, it is a "new jewel" of Eastern Switzerland, equally interesting to professional aviation historians and families with children seeking inspiration and new knowledge.

To clarify visit details or book group tours, you can use the museum's official contact information. The administration usually responds promptly to inquiries via email.

At the FFA Museum, visitors will find more than just static exhibits—it’s a true immersion into the world of high speeds. One of the most popular activities is the flight simulators, which allow you to feel like a pilot without leaving the ground. For motorsport enthusiasts, there is a special play area with a professional Carrera racing track, where you can hold exciting competitions with miniature race cars.

The museum's uniqueness lies in the fact that many of its aircraft and cars are regularly used for their intended purpose. If you're lucky, you might see the technical maintenance process or even watch them in action on the runway. For those who want to learn more about what goes on "behind the scenes," there are fascinating tours that reveal the secrets of Swiss and British technology, including the famous Rolls-Royce engines.

Families with children should definitely stop by the gift shop for memorable souvenirs. Thanks to the interactive zones, a visit turns into an exciting adventure where everyone can touch the history of the last hundred years of progress—from the first biplanes to supersonic fighters and racing supercars.

The museum is located at Flughafenstrasse 11 in the municipality of Thal, directly on the grounds of the St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport. Thanks to its proximity to the Austrian border and its picturesque location on the shores of Lake Constance, the trip here promises to be pleasant. If you are traveling by car, follow the A1 motorway or regional roads in Eastern Switzerland, which will lead you directly to the aviation complex.

For those who prefer public transport, the best route is to take a train to the Rorschach or St. Gallen stations. From there, buses run regularly to the airport, or you can take a taxi—the journey will take about 20–30 minutes. In the summer season, you can make the journey even more romantic by reaching the nearest ports by ferry across Lake Constance.

Convenient parking for visitors is provided on the airport grounds. If you are planning a visit as part of a large group, it is recommended to arrange for an organized transfer in advance. Before setting off, be sure to check current road conditions, as the route along the lake is very popular with tourists.

The history of this location began long before the modern exhibition opened. Immediately after World War I, the legendary designer Claude Dornier established the foundation for a flying boat factory here. This heritage turned the Altenrhein airfield into a landmark for European aviation, where engineering triumphs were forged for decades.

The museum itself was founded in 1994 by a group of enthusiasts called Fliegermuseum Altenrhein. However, a real "quantum leap" occurred in 2019—symbolically, this happened exactly 50 years after the first man landed on the moon. The revamped FFA Museum became a large-scale home for collections spanning an entire century of technical progress in Eastern Switzerland.

Exhibits linking different eras and industries are particularly valuable. For example, Rolls-Royce engines, which were originally developed based on automotive technology for the Silver Ghost and Phantom models, later found their application in powerful fighter jets. In the museum halls, you can trace this journey from elegant classic cars to the jet-powered de Havilland Venom, which entered service in the late 1940s.

To leisurely explore the impressive collection of planes and cars, the average visitor will need between 2 and 3 hours. This is quite enough time to study the main halls, read the information stands, and take photos next to the legendary exhibits.

If you plan to test your skills on the flight simulators or are traveling with your family, you should set aside about 4 hours for your visit. Children will surely want to spend more time in the play area with the racing track, and tech buffs can linger near the hangars, watching the ongoing maintenance of the active machines.

The FFA Museum usually welcomes guests from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Monday and Tuesday are closing days, except for special cases or holidays.

Please note that opening hours may change depending on the season or special events. Before planning your trip on February 22, 2026, we strongly recommend checking the current schedule on the official website of the museum, where you can also book a tour outside of standard working hours.

A visit to the aviation museum in Altenrhein can easily be turned into a full trip around the region. The surroundings of Lake Constance are rich in historical monuments, ancient castles, and cozy towns that allow you to feel the atmosphere of Eastern Switzerland more deeply.

A walk to the nearby castles or a visit to the old town hall will be a great addition to the technical exhibition, adding a touch of classic European charm and architectural diversity to your itinerary.