Witness 700,000 liters of water per second thundering off an escarpment carved during the ice age. A day trip to Rhine Falls from Zürich takes you to the largest waterfall in Europe.

Tumbling through a sylvan setting next to a medieval castle, Rhine Falls are a breathtaking destination for a break from the city.

Here's all you need to know about Rhine Falls, one of the most exciting day trips from Zürich.

How to get to Rhine Falls from Zürich?

Rhine Falls is found north of Zürich by about 45 kilometers, not far from the German border.

From Zürich to Rhine Falls by car

Arrive at Rhine Falls in less than 40 minutes from Zürich by car. Take the A1L north out of Zürich until you reach the exit for A4 north of Winterthur.

Continue on the A4 until exit 7/Uhwiesen toward Uhwiesen/Dachsen. Follow Lauferstrasse until you reach the falls.

From Zürich to Rhine Falls by train

On a scenic train ride of less than 1 hour, reach Rhine Falls from Zürich Hauptbahnhof. The S9 train line followed by a short walk will lead you to your destination.

Guided tour to Rhine Falls from Zürich

Simplify your visit to Rhine Falls by choosing a guided tour. Bundle round-trip transportation from Zürich, tickets and a guided exploration of the falls for a trouble-free outing.

How much does the entrance ticket to Rhine Falls cost?

There are two points of access for Rhine Falls, the southern and northern banks. Entrance to the southern banks is CHF 5 (€5) per adult and CHF 3 (€3) per child aged 6 to 15.

Tickets include access to multi-level viewing platforms and a visit to Historama, a museum housed in medieval Schloss Laufen. There is no fee to view the falls from the northern banks.

What is the typical itinerary?

Let your guide or driver fill your journey from Zürich to Rhine Falls with facts and legends as you pass through the northern Swiss countryside.

Tour companies have chosen routes between Zürich and the falls with interesting sites in mind. Take in picturesque villages and their stories during your drive.

Upon arrival, you may have a guide accompany you, or you may have free time to choose your activities, depending on your tour package.

Stretch your legs on the Belvedere Trail that leads to viewing platforms, and step inside the ancient castle next to the falls for an immersive experience at Historama.

Boat rides to the roiling waters are a main draw, and from April to October you have the option of adding this thrill to your outing. Most guided tours do not include a boat ride, but you can purchase tickets on-site.

If you book a tour that includes a visit to another town, choose a stop in a Swiss or German village to absorb the alpine scenery and centuries of history.

What kinds of tours are available?

Whether you want a fun day at the falls or to see even more of northern Switzerland, you have plenty of options to choose from for day trips from Zürich.

Guided tours to Rhine Falls from Zürich

Save the trouble of renting a car or buying train tickets to reach Rhine Falls. Booking a guided tour provides you with round-trip transportation and a guided visit to the falls.

With commentary from a guide, you will walk away from this excursion with a wealth of knowledge and gorgeous photos.

Private tour to Rhine Falls from Zürich

Avoid crowds, create a special day for your group or create a romantic outing by booking a private tour to Rhine Falls.

Enjoy round-trip transportation in a private vehicle with pickup and drop-off from Zürich hotels. Benefit from the special attention of your guide as you experience the falls and the other attractions at the park.

Day trip to Rhine Falls plus Zürich city tour

If you’ve just arrived in Zürich, an excursion to Rhine Falls that starts with a city tour of Zürich, this multifaceted city is a perfect introduction to the area.

Begin your day getting to know the city that boasts some of the world’s best quality of life. Then head into the countryside for an idyllic afternoon at the falls.

Day trip to Rhine Falls plus Stein am Rhein from Zürich

Numerous charming villages lie en route between Zürich and Rhine Falls.

While tour guides will fill you with facts about the sites you pass by, choosing a tour where you can stop to explore one of these medieval hamlets is an opportunity not to be missed.

Stein am Rhein’s history stretches back to Roman times and has been inhabited since then. This quintessential Swiss village is crisscrossed with cobbled lanes that run between half-timbered houses painted with frescoes.

The walls of “White Eagle” house display the oldest preserved mural from the renaissance period.

Day trip to Rhine Falls plus Stein am Rhein and Zürich city tour

If you are in Zürich only for a short period of time, a tour that shows you the highlights of this bustling city plus two nearby attractions in one day is ideal. Soak in the beauty of the falls before discovering the medieval hamlet of Stein am Rhein.

Day trip to Rhine Falls plus Germany’s Black Forest from Zürich

After an unforgettable time at Rhine Falls, cross the German border into the Black Forest on the way back to Zürich. Spy the picturesque Lake Titisee in Titisee-Neustadt, and pause for a slice of legendary black forest cake.

How much does a day trip to Rhine Falls from Zürich cost?

Guided tours to Rhine Falls from Zürich cost €55 per person for a 3.5 to 4 hour group tour and €365 per person for a 5-hour private tour.

Day trips to the falls plus a Zürich city tour cost around €85 per person for a tour of approximately 7 hours.

Five-hour excursions to the falls and Stein am Rhein cost from €55 per person to €70 per person depending on the size of the group and private tours cost €450 per person.

Day trips to Rhine Falls, Stein am Rhein plus a tour of Zürich cost from €80 per person to €95 per person, depending on the duration of the tour.

Day tours to Rhine Falls and the Black Forest are private and cost from €580 per person to €610 per person, depending on the duration of the trip.

What will you see and do?

Whether you choose to visit only the falls, or you opt for a tour that includes a visit to another site, you will have a wide variety of activities to fill your day with fun.

Falls attractions

Hike to viewing platforms for photo ops, and wander the Historama museum in Laufen Castle, both of which are included in your ticket to Rhine Falls.

However, if you’re a thrill-seeker, art lover or outdoor enthusiast, there is something at the falls to pique your interest. Soar through the treetops on a zip line, rent a canoe or wander the wooded paths that surround the park.

Lose yourself in “Rhyailty,” an immersive art experience, or marvel at the miniature world of “Smilestones.”

Zürich

The financial hub of Switzerland holds much more charm than you would expect from an economic powerhouse city.

Food, art, shopping and history abound in Zürich. Stroll the stone streets among tall, colorful buildings as you make your way to unmissable locales.

See the castle-like National Museum, the opera house and the Bahnhofstrasse shopping district. Snap photos of university buildings frequented by Einstein, and relax at an outdoor café in Old Town.

Stein am Rhein

This ancient village on the banks of the Rhine River has been marvelously preserved over the centuries.

Stein am Rhein nestles within its original fortified walls, and ornately-painted buildings along flower-lined streets lend the town a fairy tale feel. Noteworthy sites include St George’s Abbey and the Hohenklingen Castle.

Black Forest

Germany’s Black Forest is a haven for nature lovers. Lakes, waterfalls, rolling hills and lush forests call to hikers and campers. Lake Titisee is a tourist hotspot.

Trek around the lake or rent a boat, and explore the streets of the spa town Neustadt on the lake shore.

What are the opening times?

The northern banks of Rhine Falls are open seven days a week every day of the year. The facilities on the southern banks are open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM and closed on national holidays.

When is the best time to visit Rhine Falls?

A day tour to Rhine Falls is beautiful any time of year. If you’d like to add a boat trip to your excursion, visit between April and October.

What other places can be visited from Zürich?

Lucerne
Mount Titlis
Jungfraujoch
Interlaken
Mount Pilatus
Grindelwald
Liechtenstein

Travel tips

Wear clothing and shoes that are appropriate for an active day outdoors.
Tours do not include meals, but food is available for purchase at the falls.
You must bring a passport for tours that cross into Germany.

Rhine Falls: Day Trips and Tours from Zürich