The Rhine Falls in Switzerland is the biggest waterfall in Europe by volume. Because pictures don’t do it justice, I put together this guide to experience it up close and personal. Whether you want to visit the Rhine Falls from Zurich or anywhere else in Europe, you’ll find all the information you need right here.
Table of Contents
- Fast Rhine Falls Facts
- Where Is the Rhine Falls Located?
- How to Get to the Rhine Falls from Zurich
- Best Way To Experience The Falls
- Rhine Falls Boat Ride
- Hiking Around The Rhine Falls
- Best Time To Visit the Rhine Falls
- Attractions At And Near The Falls
- Rhine Falls Hotels
- General Tips For Your Visit
- Frequently Asked Questions
Fast Rhine Falls Facts
| Width | 150 m |
| Height | 23 m |
| Basin Depth | 13 m |
| Age | 14,000 to 17,000 years |
| Average Summer Flow | 600 m³ per sec |
| Average Winter Flow | 250 m³ per sec |
| Entrance Fee Southern Bank | CHF 5 |
| Entrance Fee Northern Bank | Free |
| Boat Ride Price | From CHF 3 to CHF 22.50 |
Where Is the Rhine Falls Located?
The Rhine Falls is on the High Rhine about 47 km north of Zurich between the villages of Neuhausen am Rheinfall and Laufen-Uhwiesen/Dachsen. A more well-known and bigger town in the area is Schaffhausen, which is 3,7 km away.
Rhine Falls Address
- Northern Bank address: Rheinfallquai 32, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall.
- Southern Bank address: Areal Schloss Laufen, 8447 Dachsen.
If you follow the Rhine about 20 km upstream from the falls, you’ll reach Lake Constance. It’s also along this piece of river, close to Lake Constance, where you’ll find Stein am Rhein, possibly the best-preserved medieval town in Switzerland.
How to Get to the Rhine Falls from Zurich
Distance From Zurich To Rhine Falls
Depending on which roads you take, the distance from Zurich To Rhine Falls is between 43 km and 47 km. There are three possible routes, all taking under an hour. Just remember you need a Swiss vignette (toll sticker) to travel on the motorways.
Of course, it’s possible to stay on country roads and pass through every Swiss village on the way, but this can be very time consuming if you’re visiting the Rhine Falls on a day trip from Zurich.
Here are directions for the three fastest routes.
Rhine Falls From Zurich by Train
If you’re not joining a Rhine Falls tour from Zurich, the train is the easiest way to get there on a day trip. Most trains take just under or just over an hour, depending on which Rhine Falls train station you choose to get off at. There are three possibilities:
- Train from Zurich To Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall
The Rhine Falls train station at Schloss Laufen is the perfect start and end to the short circular hiking trail around the biggest waterfall in Europe.
There are several trains from Zurich to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall, direct or with one stop in between, every day. The journey is never longer than an hour.
For example, direct S-Bahn (S12) and RE trains from Zurich Hauptbahnhof towards Schaffhausen run roughly twice an hour and get you to Schloss Laufen in under an hour, sometimes with a quick change onto the S12 at Schaffhausen. Since exact departure times shift with each annual timetable, it’s worth checking current connections on the SBB website before you travel.
- Train from Zurich To Neuhausen Rheinfall
If you’d rather start your visit on the Neuhausen side of the Rhine Falls, then that’s where to get off.
This Rhine Falls train station opened in 2015 for the sole purpose of dropping tourists close to the falls on the Neuhausen side. From the station platform, there are bridges and lifts to take you to the river bank.
A good direct connection from Zurich Hauptbahnhof to Neuhausen Rheinfall is the S9, which runs roughly hourly and takes about an hour – again, check the SBB timetable for the latest departure times.
- Train from Zurich To Schaffhausen
The third option is to make Schaffhausen your base and take the bus from there to the falls.
This connection makes sense if you want to combine a tour of the Rhine Falls with a visit to the town of Schaffhausen. Together with Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Switzerland, with cobbled lanes, ornate oriels and surprisingly many fountains.
There are several direct connections between Zurich and Schaffhausen every hour, some taking only 36 minutes.
You can cover the small distance between Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls by bus or take the Rhyfall Express, a tourist “train” that travels between the two. The public bus is easy to find as it departs from the train station.
Zurich To Rhine Falls By Bus
Honestly, if you want to take public transportation to the Rhine Falls, the trains are simply the best.
However, a coach tour from either the Zurich Airport or the city centre is available for those who like to join a group and learn some interesting facts about the falls and the landmarks on the way.
The coach tour takes about 4 hours and costs from around €54 per person for the round trip. It gives you enough time to take a boat trip (for your own pocket) after arriving at the falls, but not for a longer hike. On the way, you’ll also pass the Marthalen farming village and the 16th-century Munot Fortress.
Rhine Falls Tours From Zurich
Many Rhine Falls tours from Zurich include a visit to the picture-perfect Stein am Rhein. The most popular tour is an afternoon tour that stops at Schloss Laufen and includes the entry fee to access the castle, panoramic glass lift, and viewing platforms. From there, you’ll continue to Stein am Rhein where a guided walk is included in the tour price which starts at around €83.
If it’s only Zurich and the Rhine Falls you’re interested in, there’s also this Rhine Falls exclusive tour with entry tickets, priced from around €86 per person.
Best Way To Experience The Falls
The visitors’ area around the falls is divided into two distinct parts – the northern bank and the southern bank.
When planning your trip, the first choice to make is which side to arrive on. There is the southern river bank (Schloss Laufen) and the northern river bank (Schlössli Wörth). Both have something going for them, but the first prize is to experience the falls from both sides.
Southern Bank
I’m sure you’ve seen imposing pictures of a castle towering over the Rhine Falls. This is Schloss Laufen or Laufen Castle, and it’s on the southern bank of the falls.
If you start your Rhine Falls visit on this side parking is free, but you pay an entrance fee to Laufen Castle and the viewing platforms below it. Tickets are affordable at CHF5 and include entry to the Historama (museum), panoramic glass lift, and Belvedere trail with viewing platforms.
Schloss Laufen Basic Information
| Ticket prices | Adults: CHF5 |
| Kids 6-15: CHF 3 | |
| Groups 15–29 people: CHF 3 | |
| Groups 30+ people: CHF 2 | |
| Opening hours | 08:00 – 19:00 (June, July, August) |
| 09:00 – 18:00 (April, May, Sept, Oct) | |
| 09:00 – 17:00 (Feb, March, Nov) | |
| 10:00 – 16:00 (Dec, Jan) | |
| Restaurants | Yes, including self-service |
| Souvenir shop | Yes |
The Three Viewing Platforms
There are three viewing platforms between Schloss Laufen and the Rhine Falls. They are called Belvedere, Känzeli and Fischnetz.
Only the Belvedere can be reached without having to climb steps (and is therefore accessible with wheelchairs and strollers). Getting to and from the Belvedere platform via the glass lift is quite a thrilling experience.
Tip: Walk down and take the lift up (if you’re not going to hike the circular route and come back over the train bridge).
We took the stairs to all three viewing platforms. The cascading water comes incredibly close to the viewing platforms depending on the time of year and rate of flow.
We could literally touch the water while standing on the Fischnetz platform, while I wondered what kept the Känzeli platform from being washed away. Scary, but exhilarating! And expect to be covered in spray.
The three viewing platforms below Schloss Laufen also provide some of the best views of the Rheinfallfelsen, the large central rock formation which is a notable feature of the Rhine Falls. This is the closest you’re going to get to it if you’re not going to take a boat ride.
Northern Bank
From a Schloss to a Schlössli (little castle), the Northern Bank of the Rhine Falls basin is dominated by Schlössli Wörth. From here you have a direct view of the falls in the distance. This is also where you’ll embark on your Rhine Falls boat ride.
No entrance fee is charged to access the Northern Bank of the Rhine Falls. It’s freely accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, if you arrive by car, a parking fee of CHF 5 is charged for the first hour and CHF 2 for every hour after that. Parking is free from 18:00 to 09:00.
The visitors’ area on the northern bank is big and flat, lined with food stalls, shops, and restaurants. There is also a big picnic area and children’s playground.
Rhine Falls Boat Ride
If watching the Rhine Falls from the river banks isn’t good enough for you, you can choose from 4 different boat rides for a more exhilarating experience. We took the short 15-minute roundtrip that gets as close as possible to the falls. The Rhine Falls boat rides are colour coded to make your choice easier.
| TOUR | SHORT DESCRIPTION | PRICE |
| Yellow Rock Tour | Stops at the Rheinfallfelsen where you can get off and climb to the top of the rock. | From CHF 22.50 |
| Red Ferry to Laufen Castle | Fast way to cross the river if you want to see the falls from both sides. | From CHF 3 (One Way) |
| Blue 15-Minute Round-Trip | Short boat ride in the Rhine Falls basin, getting close to the spray. | From CHF 10.50 |
| Pink 30-Minute Audio tour | Longer boat ride in the basin and a few hundred metres downstream, listening to interesting facts. | From CHF 14 |
All tours depart from and end at Schlössli Wörth, except for the ferry crossing which runs between Schlössli Wörth and Laufen Castle.
Rhine Falls Boat Ride Dates & Times
As of the 2026 season, boat rides run for much longer than they used to – from late February right through to early November, with charter tours available on request during the remaining winter months. The daily opening times vary throughout the season:
28 February – 27 March – 10:30 – 16:00
28 March – 30 April – 10:30 – 17:00
1 May – 30 September – 09:30 – 18:30
1 – 18 October – 09:30 – 17:00
19 October – 1 November – 11:00 – 17:00
Hiking Around The Rhine Falls
We experienced the Rhine Falls from all sides and in all its facets by doing the short circular hike around the basin. It’s about 3,4 km long and won’t take longer than an hour and 15 minutes to hike if you don’t stop to do other things along the way (like we did).
We started at Laufen Castle, bought the ticket to go the viewing platforms, and walked down to the Belvedere Platform. But instead of going back up to Laufen Castle, we continued along the trail next to the river. There are yellow hiking signs to show you the way.
It’s a pretty trail among the trees and with views of the boats in the river basin. After a while, you’ll get to a pedestrian bridge to cross to get to the other side of the river where you’ll turn right towards the falls. Continue until you get to Schlössli Wörth and do whatever you want to do on the Northern Bank.
The trail continues until you climb some stairs next to the falls before turning right towards the train bridge which incorporates a pedestrian path. Once you’re on the other side, you’re back at Laufen Castle where you started.
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 when you may have a snow-white backdrop.
The rate of flow is generally highest in May and June. This is a really good time to visit because it’s also before the school holidays when the tourist numbers increase. We visited on a gloriously sunny day at the end of May. The viewing platforms did have lots of visitors on them, but we could easily move between the platforms.
Attractions At And Near The Falls
Schlössli Wörth
The charming little castle on the Northern Bank of the Rhine Falls is now home to a panorama restaurant. It served as a customs house for many centuries, while at the same time offering a bed to tired travellers.
Laufen Castle
Perched high above the Rhine Falls, Laufen Castle has witnessed many political and societal upheavals since it was first mentioned in 858. Back then the largest waterfall in Europe was called the “grosses Lauffen”, and that’s where the castle got its name.
The shared history of Laufen Castle and Rhine Falls can be explored in the Historama. Entry to this castle exhibition is included in the Rhine Falls ticket to the viewing platforms on the southern bank.
Schaffhausen
Combining a visit to the Rhine Falls with a tour of one of Switzerland’s best-preserved medieval towns is a good idea. Schaffhausen is a stone’s throw from the falls. Some of the highlights to see in the town are the 16th-century Munot Fortress, 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.
Stein am Rhein
Stein am Rhein is similar to Schaffhausen, but even better preserved and in a stunning setting where the Rhine flows out of Lake Constance. The quaint town with its amazingly beautiful town hall square (Rathausplatz) is small enough to discover on foot in an hour or two.
Rhine Falls Hotels
For the budget-conscious – These guest rooms in Neuhausen am Rheinfall are getting very good reviews. Most rooms come with a shared bathroom, but it doesn’t seem to bother people who’ve stayed there before. If you want to base yourself in Schaffhausen, you can also try the Schaffhausen Youth Hostel.
Good middle-class hotel – Hotel2B in a historic building in the centre of Schaffhausen is a short walk from the train station. The rooms are all decorated in different styles, while the hotel restaurant serves Mexican and American food.
General Tips For Your Visit
- Although the Rhine Falls are in Switzerland, you can pay in Euro everywhere.
- Bring a light raincoat if you don’t want to get wet when visiting while the falls are flowing strongly.
- Comfortable, non-slip shoes are essential.
- Food and drinks aren’t cheap (Swiss prices!), so bring some snacks and water along if you don’t want to feel ripped off. You can even bring meat and have a barbeque in the picnic area on the Northern Bank (there’s a spot with a grill and a fire pit especially for this purpose).
- If you’re staying in the area, return to the falls after sunset to see how they are illuminated in different colours. This happens every night except during full moon and the night thereafter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far Is the Rhine Falls From Zurich?
The Rhine Falls sits roughly 43 to 47 km north of Zurich, depending on the route you take. By car it’s under an hour’s drive, and direct trains from Zurich reach the falls area in around 45 minutes to an hour.
Is There an Entrance Fee for the Rhine Falls?
Access to the northern bank in Neuhausen am Rheinfall is free. If you cross to the southern bank at Schloss Laufen to reach the viewing platforms, there is a small entrance fee.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Rhine Falls?
Late spring and early summer, particularly May and June, bring the strongest water flow and the most dramatic views, while still falling just before the school holiday crowds arrive. A winter visit has its own charm too, with a chance of a snowy backdrop, although the flow is noticeably calmer.
How Long Should You Spend at the Rhine Falls?
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the viewing platforms and walking trails, though you could easily fill half a day if you add a boat ride, a visit to Schloss Laufen, or lunch nearby.
Can You Get Close to the Water at the Rhine Falls?
Yes. Boat tours run right up to the base of the falls for a close-up view, and the Belvedere platform on the southern bank brings you close to the water via a glass lift, without any climbing required.
*Disclosure*
Dear Reader,
Having fun in Austria and neighbouring countries, and then writing about it, is hard work . That’s why some links in this article are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you use any of them to make a purchase for your upcoming trip. It’s totally cool if you don’t use them. I love to help anyway . But if you do, we’ll probably blow it on another family excursion. Which really isn’t such a bad thing, because it will only result in another blog post for you to read.
So cool! I wanted to visit Rhine Falls when my parents and I visited Basel earlier this year. Unfortunately, we hadn´t enough time and the train ride was a bit long! It looks like I need to visit Switzerland again and then go to the Rhine falls for sure!