Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls
Schaffhausen is the main town of its canton and sits a short way from the Rhine Falls, which lie at Neuhausen am Rheinfall. Many visitors pair the two: the falls for the water, Schaffhausen for the old town, the Munot and a museum. The town is also the rail hub where the S9 from Zurich arrives and the S9 on to Neuhausen Rheinfall begins.
This page covers the four things most people ask about: the Munot, the old town, the Museum zu Allerheiligen and the wine of the region. It ends with the way from Schaffhausen to the falls and a note on the boat to Stein am Rhein.
Our picks: Schaffhausen with the falls
Our take: the train trip with a guided Schaffhausen tour suits a relaxed day. The private tour with Munot reaches the fortress, while the panoramic drive only passes through the old town.
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.
Private half day with a panoramic drive through Schaffhausen
- Private guide for the entire tour
- Rhine Falls viewing platforms
- Panoramic drive through Schaffhausen old town
Schaffhausen is a short drive through the old town, not a walking tour. The boat ride at the falls is extra.
Check availability →
Rhine Falls and Schaffhausen by train with a guide
- Train tickets 2nd class
- Local guide
- Guided tour in Schaffhausen
From March to October a boat tour at the falls is included, from November to February a panoramic platform ticket instead.
Check availability →
Private tour with Schaffhausen, Munot and Stein am Rhein
- Private driver-guide
- Visit to Fortress Munot
- Visit to Stein am Rhein
A nine-hour day that also passes Zurich highlights and the Rhine Falls. The summer boat ride is optional and its fee is extra, as is lunch.
Check availability →Tours with Schaffhausen
Guided day trips that include Schaffhausen, the Munot or the old town, with live prices and availability.
Munot
The round fortress above the vineyards.
The Munot is the fortress above the old town. During visiting hours the casemate, the Reitschnecke (the spiral ramp), the battlement and the west flank wall can be visited free of charge. From May to September the Munot is open from 08:00 to 20:00, from October to April from 09:00 to 17:00.
The Munot is not barrier-free. The approaches are steep and have steps, and the Reitschnecke has cobblestones and a gradient of 15 percent. Events run by the Munotverein, such as balls, cinema, the children's festival and New Year's Eve, are handled separately, and their dates, entry and access can differ from a normal visit. One of the private day tours from Zurich includes Schaffhausen and the Munot fortress together with the falls and Stein am Rhein.
Schaffhausen old town
The old town is known for its oriel windows. The local tourist office counts 171 of them, along with guild houses, the former monastery All Saints (Kloster Allerheiligen) and the painted facade of the Haus zum Ritter. A walk on your own along the main streets is the easiest way to see them.
A private guided tour of the old town is offered for groups: it lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, takes at most 25 people and costs CHF 220 per group. That is not a price per person. Groups with walking difficulties should contact the organiser beforehand. One day tour from Zurich includes a guided tour in Schaffhausen as part of a trip by train, and another includes only a short panoramic drive through the old town, not a walk.
Museum zu Allerheiligen
Archaeology, history, art and nature under one roof.
The museum is in the former All Saints monastery. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, and on the last Thursday of the month until 20:00. On Monday it is closed. Before your visit, look up the current admission prices on the museum's own site, because they can change and depend on the exhibition.
Schaffhausen wine
The region around the town grows red wine.
The trade association describes the canton as Blauburgunderland, with Hallau as its centre. The wine areas named are the Klettgau, Schaffhausen and the Reiat, Stein am Rhein and Buchberg with Rüdlingen. Blauburgunder, the local name for Pinot Noir, and Riesling-Silvaner belong to the range of grape varieties. If you want to taste, ask in the town or in a wine village for opening times, as each estate sets its own.
From Schaffhausen to the Rhine Falls
Two ways to the north bank.
By S9
Take the S9 from Schaffhausen to the station Neuhausen Rheinfall. This is a different station from Neuhausen and Neuhausen Badischer Bahnhof.
By bus 1
From the station take bus 1 towards Herbstäcker/Rheinfall to Neuhausen Zentrum and walk for about 10 minutes from there.
By boat to Stein am Rhein
A boat runs from Schaffhausen to Stein am Rhein in the season. See our Stein am Rhein page for the timetable example and what to check.
For the platforms and the lift on the other bank, see Schloss Laufen, and for the whole trip from the city, Zurich to Rhine Falls. The north bank is described on our page on Neuhausen.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Munot free to visit?
The casemate, the Reitschnecke, the battlement and the west flank wall are free during visiting hours, May to September 08:00 to 20:00 and October to April 09:00 to 17:00. Events by the Munotverein are handled separately.
Is the Munot wheelchair accessible?
No. The approaches are steep, with steps, and the Reitschnecke has cobblestones and a gradient of 15 percent.
When is the Museum zu Allerheiligen open?
Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, on the last Thursday of the month until 20:00, closed on Monday. Look up the admission prices on the museum's site before you go.
How do I get from Schaffhausen to the Rhine Falls?
By S9 to Neuhausen Rheinfall, or by bus 1 to Neuhausen Zentrum and about 10 minutes on foot.