Hey there, fellow Switzerland explorers!
If you’re craving a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, I’ve got the perfect day trip from Zurich to Rhine Falls for you.
Picture this: a spectacular waterfall and two charming medieval towns, all within easy reach from Zurich. And the best part? You don’t need a car to experience it. Thanks to Switzerland’s efficient public transport system, you can hop on a train and find yourself at the Rhine Falls in less than an hour.
There’s a unique magic in witnessing Europe’s largest waterfall, whether it’s framed by lush greenery in the summer or adorned with a frosty winter veil.
But that’s just the beginning! Nearby, the towns of Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein are like stepping into a fairytale. Their medieval architecture, colorful frescoed buildings, and cobblestone streets are perfect for a leisurely stroll, a hearty meal, and a glimpse into Switzerland’s past.
So come with me—let’s discover the beauty, flavor, and history of these remarkable destinations together. You won’t regret it!
The Rhine Falls – Europe’s Largest Waterfall
The Rhine Falls is Europe’s largest waterfall and a must-see attraction. The falls, that are located on the High Rhine about 47 km north of Zurich, lie between the villages of Neuhausen am Rheinfall and Laufen-Uhwiesen/Dachsen.
The Rhine Falls drop over a 23-meter-(75.5 feet) high and 150-meter- (492 feet) wide cliff. During summer, its flow rate can gush up to 600 m3 per second! It gradually reduces to about 250m3 per second in winter. Visitors can experience the power of the water from both sides of the river.
The Southern Bank – Schloss Laufen
Whenever I visit the Rhine Falls alone or with friends, I usually start my visit at the Southern Bank, at the 1200-year-old medieval Laufen Castle.
Since I don’t owe a car, I always go by S-Bahn from Zurich HB to the Schloss Laufen stop. The ride takes about 40 minutes or so. If you would rather visit by car, you will be pleased to know that parking is free on this side. However, on this side of the falls, you are required to pay an entrance fee to Laufen Castle. Tickets cost CHF 5 for adults and CHF 3 for kids (6-15).
The ticket price includes entry to the Historama museum in the castle, access to the panoramic glass lift, and the adventure trail with its multiple viewing platforms.
Please note that only the Belvedere platform is accessible by stroller and wheelchair (via the panoramic glass lift). The Fischnetz and Känzeli viewpoints can only be reached by foot.
If you get hungry, you can either eat at the Castello Restaurant, the former banner room at Castle Laufen with its cosy fireplace and large terrace or you can grab snacks at the self-service restaurant with nearby playground, which is located in front of the castle.
Northern Bank – Neuhausen am Rheinfall
The Northern Bank can be reached from the town of Neuhausen. It offers a beautiful, long promenade that leads along the river. There are many benches where you can sit, relax, and take in the spectacular waterfall from a distance.
The Northern Bank is publicly accessibly 24/7, and you don’t have to pay an entrance fee. If you arrive by car, you do, however, need to pay for parking, which costs CHF 5 for the first hour and CHF 2 for every additional hour.
Adrenaline junkies might also enjoy the Adventure Park Rheinfall, which is situated just above Schlössli Wörth Castle on the Northern Bank. With more than 170 climbing elements and various difficulty levels, this is the largest rope park in Switzerland. Breathtaking views and a ton of action guaranteed.
Just above the Rhine Falls basin, on the SIG Areal, is the largest covered miniature world in Switzerland called Smilestones. Here you can experience Switzerland from a completely new perspective: 1.3 km of railway tracks, 120 trains and over 23’000 figures convey the most important milestones from around the country.
Schlössli Wörth Castle was built on a small island in the River Rhine in the 12th century. At that time, it was an important point for customs and goods handling. Today it is a restaurant that provides a fantastic viewpoint over the Rhine Falls.
Besides Wörth Castle Restaurant, you will also find the Insel Bistro self-service restaurant, the snack bar in the park, the Restaurant Park am Rheinfall, the Restaurant Grünerbaum and the Café Mühleradhaus as dining options.
Tip: Should you have enough time, I suggest that you visit both sides, the Northern and the Southern Bank. You can stroll from one side to the other over the train bridge. It’s an easy walk that only takes about 10 minutes or so. Alternatively, in summer there is a ferry boat that connects the two banks of the Rhine (Cost:CHF 6).
If you only have time to explore one side, I recommend you pick the southern bank because the observation platforms bring you a lot closer to the rushing, foaming water.
Rhine Falls Cruise
If you are visiting between April and late October, there’s a possibility to see the falls even closer by booking a Rhine Falls cruise.
There are boat trips of various length to choose from. The boats depart from Schloss Wörth and from the banks of the Rhine. In my opinion, the boat cruises are an impressive and fun way to experience the waterfalls that should not be missed. If you want, you can even take a boat trip to the rock island and explore the falls from the viewing platform at the top.
The prices for the Rhine Falls cruise range from CHF 8 to CHF 20.
Marvel at the Illuminated Falls
If you have time, stay until nightfall. The rock in the middle is illuminated after sunset every night. (except those that coincide with full moons). In celebration of the Swiss National Day on August 1, big fireworks are held at the Rhine Falls in the evening of July 31.
Rhyfall-Express Tourist Train
The tourist train Rhyfall Express takes visitors from Schifflände, Schaffhausen to the Rhine Falls and back again. If you want to combine a visit to the Rhine Falls with a visit to Schaffhausen’s old town, this is a nice option for you during the summer season. You can also take a break from the tour on the way there or back and continue with the next train. The tourist train runs from April to October. Each way takes about 20 minutes to complete.
Price: One-way adult CHF 8, return ticket CHF 12, children (6-12) CHF 4 one-way and CHF 7 return ticket.
Oriel Windows and Beyond: Exploring Schaffhausen’s Charms
After visiting the Rhine Falls, a short 5-minute train ride took me to Schaffhausen, an enchanting little city with a beautifully preserved medieval town center with 171 magnificently decorated bay windows, painted facades, narrow cobblestone alleyways, and many charming shops and cafes.
Some of the highlights to be seen in the town are the 16th-century Munot Fortress, from which you enjoy a splendid view over the city, the High Gothic St Johann Church, or Allerheiligen Abbey (Kloster). The latter is home to a Romanesque cathedral as well as a museum about the history of Schaffhausen.
Whenever I go to Schaffhausen, I also always stop by the building “Roter Ochsen” which was built in the early 16th Century, and which today houses a pharmacy. You might wonder why I like to pass by this exact house every time. It is because one of my ancestors, Martin Kummer, ran in this house a little grocery store in the late 19th Century which he called “Zum Merkur”.
Step Back in Time: Exploring Stein am Rhein’s Medieval Splendor
The last stop on my day excursion to Northern Switzerland was Stein am Rhein, which lies at the point where Lake Constance becomes the River Rhine again. I took the train from Schaffhausen as I traveled there during the off-season, but if you are traveling during the summer, you can also get there by boat from Schaffhausen.
Dating from 1094, Stein-am-Rhein is pure old town, one of the most authentic and best-preserved medieval towns in Switzerland. The town is blessed with the finest half-timbered houses in northeastern Switzerland, and the foundations of some of them dip into the river itself. Flower-decked fountains and oriel-windowed houses are grace notes. The facades, which are often fully painted, beckon the photographer in all of us.
Stein am Rhein is small enough to discover on foot in an hour or two.
How do I get to the Rhine Falls
There are two main ways of getting to the Rhine Falls from Zurich, either by train or by car. In my opinion, the train is the better option as you don’t have to search for parking.
By Public Transport:
Getting to the Rhine Waterfalls by train is both easy and convenient.
The SBB train station Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall is only a few meters from the waterfalls at the lower level of the southern bank, very close to the boat landing. The S12 suburban train from Zurich takes you there.
An alternative to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall station is Neuhausen train station itself on the northern bank, which can be reached by the suburban train S9 from Zurich Main Station. From here, it is around a kilometer to the waterfalls. The most pleasant walk is along the banks of the Rhine River on the Rheinquai.
Travelling by train from Zurich to the Rhine Falls will take approximately 50 minutes.
By Car:
If you have your own vehicle or a rental car, you also have the possibility to drive.
You will find a car park on each side of the river. The northern bank (Schlössli Wörth) car park costs CHF 5 for the first hour and CHF 2 for each additional hour, while the southern bank (Laufen Castle) parking lot is free.
The GPS addresses for the two sides of the river are:
Schlössli Wörth, Neuhausen am Rheinfall/Schaffhausen: Rheinfallquai 32, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall.
Schloss Laufen, Dachsen/Rheinfall: Areal Schloss Laufen, 8447 Dachsen.
How do I get from the Rhine Falls to Schaffhausen
You can either take the S12 from “Schloss Laufen” or the S9 from “Neuhausen Rheinfall”. Both trains take you in about 7 minutes to the city of Schaffhausen.
There is also a possibility to take the little tourist train to Schaffhausen or walk from the Rhine Falls to Schaffhausen.
How do I get from Schaffhausen to Stein am Rhein
You can either take the S1 that departs every half an hour from the Schaffhausen train station or the boat which departs from the boat landing during the summer season. The boat schedule can be viewed here https://www.urh.ch/en/rhein-rundfahrten-ab-schaffhausen .
Best Time to Visit the Rhine Falls
To experience the biggest waterfall in Europe in all its might, the spring and summer months are best when the rate of flow is at its highest. However, there is also something special about visiting in winter.
Conclusion
To wrap up, a day trip from Zurich to Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen, and Stein am Rhein is the perfect escape from Zurich’s city buzz, offering a blend of natural wonder and charming history.
From the awe-inspiring cascade of water at Rhine Falls to the medieval beauty of the surrounding towns, it’s a journey that will leave you refreshed, inspired, and ready to explore more of Switzerland.
