Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Half-Day Tour from Zurich
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Visit the magnificent Rhine Falls and the pretty village of Stein am Rhein on this 5-hour trip from Zurich. With a guide, you'll travel along part of the Grand Tour of Switzerland, passing through gently rolling vineyards and picturesque farming villages near the German border.
Marvel at the powerful Rhine Falls - Europe’s largest waterfall - from clifftop Laufen Castle and enjoy breathtaking views from the panoramic glass lift. Witness an incredible 700,000 liters of water per second thundering over a 150-meter-wide drop into the basin below. In summer, you can opt for an unforgettable boat ride that brings you up close to the mighty cascades (optional).
Continue to the beautifully preserved town of Stein am Rhein, where a guided walking tour reveals its richly frescoed, half-timbered buildings and fascinating medieval architecture.
Perfect for those short on time, this tour offers a memorable snapshot of Swiss history, culture, and natural beauty - all in just half a day.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Optional boat ride: CHF 12 per adult / CHF 8 per child (April to October, subject to availability, payable on site by credit card or in cash)
The boat ride is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility or strollers
What To Expect
Zurich
Sit back and relax on a comfortable coach while listening to your multilingual guide explaining about Switzerland's interesting history and culture. The journey takes you along the Grand Tour of Switzerland through picturesque landscapes with gently rolling vineyards and charming farming villages close to the German border.
Rhine Falls
Reach the first highlight of this afternoon at splendid medieval Castle Laufen – the mighty Rhine Falls! Enjoy about one hour leisure time at Europe's biggest waterfalls and one of Switzerland's major tourist attractions! Delight unique views from the panoramic lift and see how an average of 700'000 liters of water per second plunge across a width of 150 meters into the basin below. The Belvedere panoramic trail brings you to the viewing platform right above the falls where you feel the spindrift of the rumbling waters. Take an optional boat ride (summer only, additional costs) close to the falls. Enjoy an hour here to see an exhibition, admire panoramic views from the glass elevator, or walk to the viewpoints above and around the falls to thrill at their roar and power. The site also has a playground, shops, and restaurants. Perhaps opt for a boat ride (subject to availability and not included in price) to experience the crashing cascades close up.
Options
English
What‘s Included
Visit to Rhine Falls (including ticket), and access to Laufen Castle and Historama
Fully guided tour by professional multilingual guide
Transportation in comfortable coach with AC
Carbon-balanced operations certified by myclimate
Guided village walk in Stein am Rhein
Food and drinks
Optional boat ride (CHF 12 per adult / CHF 8 per child, payable on site by cash or card)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
791 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Not bad, but could have been better.
Shawn W,Jul 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The tour was pleasant. There are more steps down and up to get to the boat ride o the Falls. For some, it was an expected challenge. The Castle was over looked on the tour, and we didn’t have enough time at Stein am Rhine. The boat ride was an additional cost and I thought it was inclusive. The tour guides were new, and the ride home was a long, somewhat rambling history lesson. They did have a nice photographer that was full of good information.
Best of Switzerland tour was just ok
Trixycola,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The time spent at the falls and in the village was fine. We enjoyed the boat ride. My rating is only 3 because of the tour itself. The bus was very hot for the vast majority of the ride (avg 30 C) and we could not hear 95% of what the guide was saying, despite asking her to turn up the volume of the microphone/ speaker. Even when she turned up the volume, she did not make her voice any louder. We missed all of the information about the area as well as important instructions.
Poor bus air condition made us giving poor
Deeplina N,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The bus was ok but the air condition was very poor with extreme heat on that day. The tour guide Annette very nice lady.
Must see.
Daniel M,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous experience. Views are breathtaking and the town was a real treat. Tour guide was excellent. Highly recommend this excursion.
Please take any other tour NOT this one.
ashley h,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00DO NOT GO ON THIS TOUR. Waste of money, spent more time sitting and waiting for the tour guide than actually exploring. Our tour guide Annet seemed lost and confused the entire time, as if it was her first day on the job. We had to wait 30 extra minutes on the bus because they decided to wait for a family that never showed up (we lost time at the excursion because of this). Our bus driver got us lost on our way there and back with NO AC. Once we arrived the guide had us waiting around for tickets for about 10 minutes while there was no line to purchase tickets ( it would’ve been fast if we bought them on our own). The only reason I gave it a 1 star is because the waterfall and town were amazing but would 100% recommend doing it on your own NOT with this company. They had no interest in trying to make it comfortable for the people (it was super hot outside and the bus driver would wait till it was time for departure to turn the bus on so we would get on a super hot bus with barley any AC flow anyway. DO NOT GO ON THIS TOUR. SAVE YOUR MONEY.
Splashy
Sharmila M,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Visit the dreamy , quaint and picturesque village of Rhein Am Stein. Get close to the biggest falls in Europe !!
Rhein
lizav758,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The tour was ok. The bus was a little hot, you can get the boat tour with the guide. The waterfall was worth the money, but the village was not. I’ve been on many tour and this was the first that I thought didn’t worth the money. But I still enjoy it tho, the waterfall was beautiful.
One of the biggest Waterfalls 🫡
abdulm0niema,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful, photos cannot show how beautiful the falls are, great walk trails too
Highly recommend
Cheyenne H,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was fantastic! The falls were absolutely breathtaking! We did the boat ride that took us right up to the falls and that was amazing! Definitely, a must do! The medieval town of Stein am Rhein was such a sight to see. Our guide was so knowledgable and friendly.
Very, very top!
albertomanuelb2026,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Angela and Lisa were very kind, and the driver Hugo was very attentive to everyone; I recommend it 100%, and especially to take the boat, which is additional and is truly amazing.
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Operated by Best of Switzerland Tours