How to get to Rhine Falls: the three main ways
The Rhine Falls lie between Neuhausen am Rheinfall in the canton of Schaffhausen and Laufen-Uhwiesen in the canton of Zurich. You can reach them by regional train, by car or by combining the airport S-Bahn with a short bus or taxi leg. The train is the simplest choice for most visitors, because two stations sit directly at the falls, one on each bank.
The north bank, with Schlössli Wörth and the free basin, is served by the station Neuhausen Rheinfall. The south bank, with the Schloss Laufen platforms, has its own station called Schloss Laufen. Which side you pick decides the line you take, so decide first what you want to see. If you are coming for a day trip from Zurich, the details are on our Zurich to Rhine Falls page.
Our pick: door-to-door from Zurich
This private tour collects you at your hotel in Zurich, so the journey to the falls needs no connections.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours that include the journey
Guided day tours with transport and private tours from Zurich, with live prices and availability.
By train
Two stations, three lines.
South bank: Schloss Laufen
The S12 runs directly from Zurich main station to the Schloss Laufen station. You can also ride to Winterthur and change to the S33. From Schaffhausen the S12 and S33 both serve the same stop.
North bank: Neuhausen Rheinfall
From Schaffhausen, take the S9 in the direction of Uster to the stop Neuhausen Rheinfall. Do not confuse it with the stations called Neuhausen or Neuhausen Badischer Bahnhof.
From Schaffhausen by bus
Bus 1 goes from Schaffhausen station to Neuhausen Zentrum, then it is about 10 minutes on foot to the falls.
The Schloss Laufen station has a step-free path to the lift and the visitor centre. A boarding aid with a mobile ramp is available if you register early with the SBB Contact Center Handicap. The castle does not offer left luggage and points visitors to larger SBB stations with lockers, so plan where your bag goes before you arrive. For the north bank in detail, read our Neuhausen am Rheinfall page.
Taxi and transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH)
From the airport the S24 runs via Winterthur towards Schaffhausen. Not every branch of this line goes to Schaffhausen, because some trains continue to Weinfelden, so check the destination on the display before you board. From Schaffhausen you continue on the S9 or by bus 1 as described above.
If you arrive with heavy luggage, in a group or late in the day, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer from the airport towards Schaffhausen and the falls can be easier than changing trains. Agree the exact drop-off point when you book, because the north bank at Wörth and the south bank at Schloss Laufen are on opposite sides of the river. We do not quote journey times or fares from the airport here, since both depend on traffic and on the provider you choose.
Reserve your transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Schaffhausen (Rhine Falls) in advance on Kiwitaxi.
A private tour from your Zurich hotel
A private tour with door to door hotel transfers from Zurich bundles the road trip and the entrance fee, with no train changes. It starts at your hotel in Zurich, not at the airport.
Car hire and parking
Motorway, vignette and car park rates.
From Zurich, the operator of Schloss Laufen recommends the A4 towards Schaffhausen and the exit Dachsen/Rheinfall, then the signs. A Swiss motorway vignette costs CHF 40. The annual vignette for 2026 is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027, and the annual sticker is the only type on offer. It applies to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. If you rent a car, ask at the desk whether the vignette is already on the windscreen.
On the north bank the car parks P2, P3 and P4 charge CHF 5 for the first hour and CHF 2 per further hour, free from 18:00 to 09:00 except in P4. At Schloss Laufen cars up to 2.90 m cost CHF 5 for the first hour and CHF 2 for each further started hour, and parking from 18:00 to 09:00 is free. Coaches and motorhomes from 2.90 m pay CHF 40 for the first hour and CHF 10 for each further started hour. This is a parking tariff and not a permission to stay overnight.
Arriving from Germany, check the vignette requirement for the route you picked while you plan, not at the border. Roadworks on the upper Rheinfallstrasse, at the Rheinhof junction and on the southern Klettgauerstrasse are planned for 2025 to 2027, without a full closure. Bicycles may not be ridden on the castle grounds. Use the signed bicycle parking.
After you arrive
Once you are there, ticket prices and opening hours are on the Rhine Falls tickets page, and the boat season is explained on the boat tour page. If you need a bed for the night, see where to stay near the Rhine Falls. Note that the Historama at the castle is closed for renovation until 27 November 2026, while the platforms remain open.
Getting to Rhine Falls: frequently asked questions
Which station is closest to the Rhine Falls?
There are two. Neuhausen Rheinfall serves the north bank and is reached by the S9 from Schaffhausen. Schloss Laufen serves the south bank and is reached by the S12, or by the S33 via Winterthur.
Can I reach the Rhine Falls from Zurich Airport by train?
Yes, the S24 runs via Winterthur towards Schaffhausen. Check the destination, because not every branch goes there. From Schaffhausen you continue by S9 or bus.
Do I need a vignette to drive to the Rhine Falls?
On Swiss motorways, yes. The vignette costs CHF 40. The 2026 sticker is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027. Check the requirement for your route before you drive.
How much is parking at Schloss Laufen?
For cars up to 2.90 m it is CHF 5 for the first hour and CHF 2 for each further started hour, free from 18:00 to 09:00.
Is there left luggage at the castle?
No. Plan to leave bags at a larger SBB station or at your hotel.