Neuhausen am Rheinfall: the north bank at a glance
Neuhausen am Rheinfall lies in the canton of Schaffhausen, on the right bank of the Rhine when you look downstream. According to the local operators, Wörth and Neuhausen make up the north bank, while Schloss Laufen with its platforms is the south bank in the canton of Zurich. If you only want to stand in front of the water without paying an entrance fee, the north bank is the place to start.
The main viewpoint here is the basin at Schlössli Wörth. Access to the Rhine Falls basin is free. The same spot is the departure point for the rock boat, and a short Rhine crossing links Wörth with the castle side. This page covers the practical side of Neuhausen: the station, the bus, parking, the boat landing and what to expect with prams or reduced mobility.
Our pick: a boat cruise from the north bank
This cruise ticket starts at Schlössli Wörth on the north bank and comes with an audio guide.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
Boat rides and tours from the Rhine Falls
Scenic boat tickets that leave from Schlössli Wörth and guided tours with entry, with live prices and availability.
Schlössli Wörth and the free basin
What you get without a ticket and what you pay for separately.
Schlössli Wörth is the small stone house at the water's edge, and the free public access to the Rhine Falls basin starts here. You can stand close to the falls, watch the spray and walk along the water at no cost. Free access to the basin does not mean that the restaurant or other attractions are free. Only the public access itself is free of charge.
Wörth is also where the rock boat departs. That boat takes you to the middle rock in the falls. The boat part alone takes about 10 minutes and the stay on the rock about 20 minutes. There are more than 100 steps and around 30 metres of climb, so the operator does not recommend it if walking or climbing stairs is difficult. Dogs are not allowed on this trip. Children under 6 travel free without their own seat, but you should still add the matching ticket when you book. Our boat tour page has the details on prices and the rock stop.
Boat service changes with the season. According to the operator's plan, dated 25 August 2026, boats run daily until 1 November 2026. From 2 to 29 November 2026, limited boat service runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00. Check the current timetable for later dates. On weekdays boats run as charters on request. Do not plan on a rock boat trip in winter. Check which trips are offered on your date before booking. The platforms and the basin stay reachable all year, and the viewing area is open around the clock.
If you start on the north bank and want to see the castle platforms as well, the Rhine crossing takes about 5 minutes and is booked as its own ticket. The castle tour on the south bank is covered on the Schloss Laufen page, and ticket prices are listed on the tickets page.
Neuhausen Rheinfall station
The right stop for the north bank.
By S9 from Schaffhausen
From Schaffhausen station, take the S9 in the direction of Uster to the stop called Neuhausen Rheinfall. Make sure you pick this name. It is not the same as the stop called Neuhausen or Neuhausen Badischer Bahnhof, which are different stations in the town.
By bus 1 from Schaffhausen
Bus 1 runs from Schaffhausen station towards Herbstäcker and Rheinfall as far as Neuhausen Zentrum. From there it is about 10 minutes on foot to the falls.
From Zurich
The Zurich routes, including the direct S12 to the Schloss Laufen station on the south bank, are explained on the Zurich to Rhine Falls page. For the car, the airport and the train together, see how to get to Rhine Falls.
Published walking times from the station to the water differ between sources, so we give none. Follow the signs once you leave the platform, and allow some time if you travel with luggage or small children.
Parking P2, P3 and P4 on the north bank
Car parks for visitors arriving by car.
The north bank car parks P2, P3 and P4 charge CHF 5 for the first hour and CHF 2 for every further hour. Between 18:00 and 09:00 parking is free, except in P4, where this rule does not apply. If you plan an evening walk to the basin, P2 or P3 is therefore the cheaper choice.
The municipality lists roadworks on the upper Rheinfallstrasse, at the Rheinhof junction and on the southern Klettgauerstrasse, planned for 2025 to 2027. This does not mean a full closure. Expect some detours and check the local traffic notes before you set off. The car parks on the south bank, at Schloss Laufen, have their own rates, which are covered on the getting there page.
Reduced mobility: the rock boat is not suited to people who struggle with stairs. On the south bank the castle offers a panoramic lift and a visitor centre without steps, but for wheelchair users the castle gives no step-free access down to the basin or the boat landing. Plan the side of the river that matches your needs.
Power plant and industry in Neuhausen
The water that tumbles over the falls has driven machines in Neuhausen for a long time. Today the Neuhausen power plant is listed with 4.4 MW. How an ironworks, a wagon factory and an aluminium company grew around the falls is told on our Rhine Falls history page.
Good to know
The Historama on the castle side is closed for renovation until 27 November 2026, and the falls are not lit from 26 October to 27 November 2026. Neither affects the free basin at Wörth.
Neuhausen am Rheinfall: frequently asked questions
Is it free to see the Rhine Falls in Neuhausen?
Yes. Access to the basin at Schlössli Wörth is free. Boat rides, the castle tour on the south bank and food are paid separately.
Which station do I need for the Rhine Falls?
Neuhausen Rheinfall, reached by the S9 from Schaffhausen. Do not mix it up with the stations called Neuhausen or Neuhausen Badischer Bahnhof.
How much does parking cost on the north bank?
In P2, P3 and P4 the first hour costs CHF 5 and each further hour CHF 2. From 18:00 to 09:00 it is free, except in P4.
Is the north bank the same as the Schloss Laufen side?
No. According to the operators, Wörth and Neuhausen are the north bank, and Schloss Laufen is on the south bank in the canton of Zurich. The two are connected by a Rhine crossing of about 5 minutes.
Can I take the rock boat in winter?
Do not plan on a rock boat trip in winter. Check which trips are offered on your date before booking.