Rheinfall in Switzerland: visiting the largest waterfall in Europe

Rheinfall waterfall is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Switzerland. Moreover, the largest waterfall in Europe by volume. Located near the town of Schaffhausen, close to the German border, this thundering cascade impresses visitors with its sheer power and scale. It is easily accessible by public transport and is surrounded by scenic walking paths. Therefore, Rheinfall waterfall makes for an unforgettable day trip in northern Switzerland.

Rheinfall waterfall is on the High Rhein in Switzerland, it is the largest waterfall in Europe. It is considered the largest, because it is 150 m (490 ft) wide, 23 m (75 ft) high and 13 m (42 ft) deep. The flow rate in summer is around 600 000 litres per second, and in winter around 250 000 litres per second. You can even check the actual water flow on the official website, its power is very impressive.

The Rhinefall, also known as Rhine Falls, is located in Neuhausen, near the town of Schaffhausen on the border between cantons of Schaffhausen and Zürich, near the German-Swiss border. It was formed during the last ice age, around 15 000 years ago. The Rheinfall is accessible around the clock, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Rhine Falls is divided by limestone rocks into the Zurich Falls, the Schaffhausen Falls and the Mühle Falls. The border between the two cantons of Zurich (left bank) and Schaffhausen is the middle rock in the river.

Rheinfall waterfalls in Switzerland is easily accessible from different angles, therefore it is popular for a day trip. You can get there by:

• Train: from Schaffhausen train station you shall use S-Bahn No. 9 direction Uster or S-Bahn No.65 direction Jestetten to the stop Neuhausen am Rheinfall. Or S-Bahn No.12 direction Brugg AG or S-Bahn 33 direction Winterthur to the stop Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall. Walking distance to the Rhine Falls is approximately 5 minutes. The train ticket price is around CHF 3.30 for a single ticket.
• Bus: from Schaffhausen train station you shall use bus line 1 direction Neuhausen, Herbstäcker to the bus stop Neuhausen Zentrum. Or bus line 7 direction Neuhausen, Bahnhof to the bus stop Neuhausen, Industrieplatz. Walking distance to the Rhine Falls is approximately 10 minutes. The ticket price is around CHF 3.30 for a single ticket.
• Ship + touristic train: you can take one of the ships from Constance (Konstanz) to Schaffhausen. You can check the route and timetable for all the seasons on the map if you click here, and the prices here. From Schaffhausen then continue on the Rhyfall-Express touristic train to Schlössli Wörth, with a duration of approximately 20 minutes. Works as a shuttle from the car park Burgunwiese at Neuhausen or from Schaffhausen to the Rhine Falls.

• Car: you can get there by car, but availability of parking spaces within walking distance is limited. On the north shore you can park at Schlössli Wörth, the fee is CHF 5.00 per hour per car, and CHF 2.00 plus any additional hour. GPS address: Rheinfallquai 32, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall. On the south shore you can park by Schloss Laufen, the fee is the same as by the other. GPS address: Areal Schloss Laufen, 8447 Dachsen.
• Hiking or cycling: there are several hiking and cycling routes around the Rhine Falls. Even long-distance hiking trails lead to the waterfall. You can check these hiking routes here and the cycling routes here.

I went there by bus. After getting off the bus, there is a sign indicating where to find the waterfall. Walking a few meters, you can already hear the sound of gushing water, so go in the direction of the sound. The view that opens up before you is phenomenal.

You can see the waterfall from several sides. These viewing platforms with views on the waterfall are built on both sides of the Rhine. You can check these on this map.

• North side viewpoints: free entry. I went from Schaffhausen by bus, bypassing the waterfall from the north. As you go down to the Falls from the bus stop, you will get straight to one of the viewing platforms. Furthermore, you can find the Rheinfall park next to the basin, full of people and panoramic views of the waterfalls. Easily accessible and not a difficult path, the roads are paved and mostly flat.
• South side viewpoints: you can reach these via steep and narrow stairs, so the walking difficulty is harder. But, easily accessible, plus elevators also exist. However, there is an access by fee on this, Schloss Laufen side. The regular fee for an adult is CHF 5, for children (age 6-15) is CHF 3. Despite the entrance fee, it’s worth it, you can get really close to the water. The entry fee covers not just entering to the viewing platform of the waterfall, but you can enter the castle, see the Historama, as well.

Various restaurants are located in both Schloss Laufen and Schlössli Wörth.

• Laufen Castle (Schloss Laufen): you can get to this side either by train or a boat ride. You can check the menu if you click here. You can read about the history of the castle here. Moreover, you can see the map of surrounding area here.

• Schlössli Wörth is located directly at the Rhine Falls, next where the boats depart. From the terrace of the restaurant the view of the roaring water is unique. Here you can check the menu, and the seasonal menu here.

Near the boat station there is also a pancake booth. I ate there a giant pancake with Gruyere cheese, drank a coffee, and then continued my adventure around the waterfall.

The boat tours operate seasonally, seven days a week from March till October. Almost all the boat tours operate on a seasonal timetable. At the ferry terminal you have several options to choose from, let’s see these tours:

• No.1: Rock experience: boat rides to the rock in the middle of the falls. This is highlight of the Rhine Falls, because you will stand in the middle on a giant rock. The duration of this tour is about 30 minutes, of which you can spend about 20 minutes on the rock. However, to reach the top of the rock you have to climb around 30 metres in altitude and approximately 100 steps. Prices: adult: 22.50 CHF, children (6-16 years old): 12.50 CHF. With this ticket you are eligible to hop on the No.2 boat, as well.
• No.2: Ferry tour: this is the connection between the two banks of the Rhine, Schlössli Wörth and Schloss Laufen. You can cross to the other side, round trip for adults is for CHF 6, and CHF 4 for children. Only one way for adults is CHF 3, children CHF 2.
• No.4: 15-minute round trip: 15-minute cruise on the Rhine. This tour is guided by experienced boatmen who will take you as close as possible to the waterfall. On the tour you can experience the power of the water. Price: adult: CHF 10.50, children: CHF 6.50. The Ferry No.2 is also included in the price.
• No.5: 30-minute audio round trip: 30-minute cruise on the Rhine. On this tour you can learn exciting, informative facts about the waterfall. First they will take you down the Rhine to the Nohl Bridge. Then, they will take you as close as possible to the waterfall. Price: adult CHF 14, children: CHF 9. Ferry No.2 is also included in the price.

Ferry No.2 is also included in the other three options. So, after you finished your chosen tour, you can cross to the other side with the same ticket. You can check the timetable of the regular boat tours here and buy your ticket online here.

• No.3A: 30 minutes round trip: you can ride on the calm waters of the “Rhenish Amazon” to the German border. After that you can experience the impressive Rhine Falls up close. The tourguide will provide you interesting information during the trip. Prices: From Schlössli Wörth, for an adult CHF 10, children CHF 6. From Schloss Laufen for an adult CHF 12.50, children CHF 7.50.
• No.3B: Big round trip: 14 km river trip along the «Rhenish Amazon» and also you can see the Rheinfall up close. There is a stopover in Rheinau. You can choose between leave the boat or go back to the Rhine Falls. Duration of the trip is 75 minutes. Single journey to Rheinau is approximately 35 minutes. Prices: From Schössli Wörth round trip for an adult is CHF 17, children CHF 9, one way to Rheinau for adult CHF 10, children CHF 6. From Schloss Laufen round trip for an adult is CHF 19.50, children CHF 10.50, one way for adult CHF 12.50, children CHF 7.50.

You can download the timetable here and if you want to buy your ticket online you can do it here.

There are a few other options you can choose from for your entertainment:

• Rhine Falls brunch boat
• Sluice tour to Eglisau
• Ship & Wine

I went up to the rock, the 20 minutes there went by very quickly. After we got off, the group on the previous rock got on the boat, they were taken back to shore, and then the ship brought the next group, who took our place. The rock looks big, but a boatload of people want to get to the top of the rock at the same time. All the people want to take wonderful pictures of the huge amount of water cascading down around the rock. It is amazing and a great experience.

Returning by boat, I changed to the other, ferry No.2 to go to the other side. Here you can find the Laufen Castle. You have to pay CHF 5 per person in the machine. But it is worth it, you can get so close to the gushing water that you can almost touch it. Unfortunately, I did not have time to go up into the castle, because you can spend hours just staring at and admiring the waterfall itself.

Up above the waterfall is the railway bridge, where the train passes over, and you can also walk across this bridge on foot. I chose this path on the way back, walking back to Schaffhausen on the banks of the Rhine. It is better to walk on the left side of the river, because on this side you can walk along the riverbank all the way. While on the other side of the river only for a while, not all the way to Schaffhausen.

After you leave the railway tracks behind, as you walk back, you can no longer notice anything. That the waterfall is roaring angrily, here, the river is completely calm, flowing smoothly. You can get back to the city center of Schaffhausen in about 50 minutes on foot.

Best time to visit the Rhinefall waterfall in Switzerland is spring and summer when the volume of water flow is maximal, after the snow melts completely.

Expect a lot of people when the weather is good, mostly in summer. In spring and autumn the area around the waterfall is usually also packed with people.

Expect more people on the weekends and in the afternoons. A bit less people are visiting on weekdays and in the morning.

Wear non-slip shoes, expect mist near viewpoints, and in the boats along the boat tours.

Allow yourself a few hours depending on the activities you want to do. If you want to go on more tours, eat, visit the castle or any nearby attractions, you can easily make it a full day trip.

There are several attractions nearby you can also visit near the Rheinfall waterfall in Switzerland.

You can easily combine your visit with a Rhine river walk. After you arrive in Schaffhausen, you can visit the Old Town and the Munot Fortress.

If you love wine and hiking, you can go on a wine hiking tour, not just drink wine in a boat. Or you can go to a wine tasting in the Rheinau state winery.

If you get off the boat in Rheinau you can go to a guided tour of the Rheinau monastery church. You will learn about the monastery and the community of Rheinau.

If you have kids, they will enjoy Rhine Falls Adventure Park or the WWF beaver trail.

And, if you don’t mind travelling a bit for another amazing waterfall, then check this blogpost of mine about Triberg waterfalls, the highest waterfall in Germany.

Standing before Rheinfall waterfall in Switzerland, it is impossible not to feel the raw force of nature as thousands of cubic meters of water crash over the rocks below. Whether you admire the falls from panoramic platforms, take a boat ride closer to the spray, or explore nearby Schaffhausen, Rheinfall offers an experience that is both dramatic and easy to enjoy. It’s a must-see stop for anyone traveling through northern Switzerland or southern Germany.