Rhine Falls • Largest waterfalls in Europe

The impressive Rhine Falls, the largest waterfalls in Europe, are a popular day trip from Zürich, a place we always take our visitors.

You can get very close to the raging water by wander stairways and viewing platforms built into the rock wall next to the falls. For more excitement, you can ride a boat to a tall rock in the middle of the falls, then climb stairs to a thrilling viewpoint.

For families, there’s a playground on the northern banks and an big ropes adventure park in the forest next to the river, a great add-on to keep kids happy. There is also a nice walking path along the river, if you prefer to keep your distance from the action.

We usually combine the falls with a visit to the nearby Stein am Rhein, an adorable medieval village up river. If you are visiting Zurich, you can book a guided tour from Zürich, that includes both the Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein village.

Keep reading for practical tips for planning your Rhine Falls visit.

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Overview

The Rhine Falls are located north of Zürich, on the border of Germany.

You can view the falls from both sides of the river: southern banks (#1 aka Schloss Laufen) and northern banks (#2 aka Schlössli Wörth).

1. Southern banks – castle, stairs and viewing platforms along falls
2. Northern banks – free viewing areas, restaurant, playground, boats
3. Rock viewpoint in middle of falls
4. Adventure Park Rheinfall – ropes park with zip lines
5. River walking path – 7km loop, see trail map

We like starting on the southern banks, where you walk on stairs and platforms very close to the falls. On this side, there is a castle, museum, and restaurant. This side requires an entrance fee to see the falls.

On the northwest side of the river, there is nice promenade along the river, with a few restaurants, benches, and a playground. There is no entrance fee on this side, but the falls are much farther away. You can catch the boat from either side, taking you to the center of the falls or simply across the river.

Visiting with small children

If you need a stroller, best to visit the northern banks where you there is an obstacle free path along the riverbank and playground. The southern side has lots of stairs and is not possible with strollers.

On the southern side, the barriers on the sides of the stairs and platforms are generally safe. But best to keep small children close and don’t let them wander alone.

On the boats, you don’t have to pay for children under 6 if they sit on your lap, but you can buy a seat for them if you prefer. The boats have low sides and rock significantly as you approach the falls. Make sure to hold onto small children so they don’t fall out. The stairs to the rock viewpoint are steep and slippery, not safe for small children.

How to get there

I recommend visiting the southern banks at Schloss Laufen, which has the stairs and viewing platforms very close to the falls. This is the best view and most fun.

If you are visiting Zurich, it can be more convenient to book a guided tour from Zürich, that includes both the Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein village. Remember to add on the boat ride if you want to do that.

By train:

Take a train to Neuhausen, Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall, which is just below the castle. You can buy tickets at the bottom of the stairs and walk up to the viewing platforms.

By car:

The address for the southern banks is Areal Schloss Laufen, 8447 Dachsen. From the A4 highway, take exit Uhwiesen toward Rheinfall/Dachsen and follow signs to the Rheinfall and Schloss. There’s a large parking lot by the castle. There is a second overflow lot down the street.

If you prefer the northwest side, drive to the parking area at Nohlstrasse 142, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall. There is a metered parking lot near the river. This side is not easily accessible by public transportation.

Planning your day

Tickets

On the southern banks, you need a ticket to enter the falls viewing area. In 2024, tickets cost CHF 5/adult, CHF 3.50/children 6 and up. You can purchase tickets online or at the ticket booth at the entrance. Entrance to the castle and boat rides cost extra. 

Opening times

You can see the Rhine Falls year round any time of day from the northern shores at Schlössli Wörth, where there is no entrance fee.

The southern entrance at Schloss Laufen, with the viewing platforms very close to the falls, is open daily 8:00 – 19:00 July – Aug. In April, May, Sept, Oct, it’s open 9:00 – 18:00. In winter, it’s open 9:00 – 17:00.

From May thru September, the boats run from 9:30 to 18:30. In Mar-Apr and Oct, the boats run 11:00 – 17:00. See current operating times.

Boat rides

There are so many boat tour options, it can be confusing. We think the “Rock Experience” ride (yellow boat) is the best, since you get to stopover at the rock in the middle of the falls. If that doesn’t fit your budget, we think the much less expensive “15-Minute Round Trip” (blue boat) is still a great experience.

All boat tours leave from the northern bank (aka Schlössli Wörth). If you are starting on the southern bank (aka Schloss Laufen), you first need to ride the “No 2 Red Line” ferry to the northern banks. Then switch to the correct boat for your tour. Some tickets include the transfer between shores.

• Note: If you booked a guided tour, make sure to add on the boat ride as it is often not included in the base price.

Rock Experience (yellow boat)

This boat ride takes you close to the falls and stops at the rock in the middle of the falls. The whole tour is about 30 mins, with about 20 mins at the rock, to climb the stairs to the viewpoint and take pics.

This boat is labeled: Felsenfahrt Nr. 1 Gelbe Linie, aka “Rock Tour No. 1 Yellow Boat.”

In 2024, this boat ride costs CHF 20/adult, CHF 10/child aged 6-15. Children under 6 are free, but they but must sit on your lap. Also the rock stairs are a bit dangerous for small children. Best to book online to reduce your waiting time.

This boat runs daily, from late March through October. The boat departs every 20 mins, from 9:30 – 18:30 in summer. In spring and fall, hours shorten to 11:00 – 17:00.

15-Minute Round Trip (blue boat)

This short boat ride takes you very close to the falls, but no stopover at the rock. This blue boat is labeled: Kleine Rundfahrt Nr. 4 Blaue Linie, aka “Short Tour No. 4 Blue Boat.”

In 2024, this boat ride costs CHF 8/adult, CHF child aged 6-15, under 6 are free, but must sit on your lap. Best to book online to reduce your waiting time.

This boat runs daily, from late March through October. The boat departs every 12 mins, from 9:30 – 18:30 in summer. In spring and fall, hours shorten to 11:00 – 17:00.

Rhine River tour (green boat)

If you want a longer tour on the river, the Schiffmändli boat company offers a 30 min round trip. This tour goes close to the falls and includes the ferry between the southern and northern banks. It does not include a stopover at the rock. The boat is green and labeled “3 A – 30 Minuten Rundfahrt.”

This tour runs daily from late March to mid October. It runs 8 times per day and can sell out.

In 2024, it costs CHF 10/adult, CHF 6/child aged 6-15, under 6 free. You can buy tickets in advance online to reserve your spot (German website only).

Other activities near the falls

Ropes Park

On the northern banks, you’ll find the Adventure Park Rheinfall, which is a big ropes climbing park in the forest. This is a great add-on for families with older children, who need a fun activity to balance out the sightseeing.

They have 14 courses ropes parkour courses at varying difficulties, possible for kids 8+. They also have two small children’s courses for kids aged 4-7.

They are usually open daily in good weather from late March through October. But check the website for current opening times and conditions before making plans.

You can reserve a spot online, which is best on weekends. You usually only need to reserve a few days in advance.

Location: Nohlstrasse 142, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall, right next to the Rhine Falls northern banks parking.

Hiking

If you want to stretch your legs, there is a nice 7km walking path along the river banks. It’s a loop, crossing two bridges, so you can start on either side of the river. The path is obstacle free, well marked and easy to follow – Route 896 Rheinfall-Rundweg. See trail map.

Photo story

Starting on the south side, you buy tickets near the entrance, where you’ll also find gift shops and a restaurant. Walk through the castle gates to access the falls. 

It’s a short walk to the first view of the falls.

In this picture, we’re on the south side, looking across to the rock viewpoint and northern banks.

After getting your first view of falls, the stairs meander down the rock wall. I took this picture from rock in the middle of the falls.

It’s a little hard to get nice photos since there’s so much spray from the falls hitting the lens.

There are multiple viewing platforms as you make your way down.

You are often very close to the roaring water.

It’s fun and scary to stand on this overhang watching the water rush under you.

Visiting northern banks

Once you reach the river at the bottom of the stairs, you can take a boat across the river to the northern banks shown below. There you’ll find a restaurant, big playground and nice waterfront walk.

You have a different but also beautiful view of the falls from the northern shore. 

Riding boat close to falls

The boat tours leave from the dock near the restaurant. When the kids were little, we did the short boat tour without stopping at the rock. The boat rocked around a lot when we got close to the falls. The kids were a bit scared and we got a little wet. 

On the “Rock Experience” boat ride, you stop at this tall rock. 

Then you can climb up wet, slippery stairs so you are standing right in the middle of the action.

It’s fantastic, but the stairs are super slippery and difficult to manage with all the people crowded up and down. Not suitable for little kids or those with reduced mobility.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Rhine Falls! Want to see more Swiss waterfalls?