Rhine Falls & Stein am Rhein Half-Day Tour: Laufen Castle and Well-preserved Old Town
Departure City End City
Language
Guide Type
Group Size
Activity Level
Tour Audience
OperatorHighlights
• Discover Europe's biggest waterfall and the Laufen Castle
• Take an optional boat ride in the Rhine basin
• Explore the medieval village Stein am Rhein on a guided walk
• Marvel at exceptional painted facades and half-timbered houses
Itinerary
Journey along the Grand Tour of Switzerland through gently rolling vineyards and charming farming villages to Northern Switzerland near the border with Germany. Reach the splendid Laufen Castle for the first highlight of this afternoon: the mighty Rhine Falls! Enjoy about one hour at leisure to explore Europe’s biggest waterfall, which is one of Switzerland’s major tourist attractions.
Delight in unique views from the panoramic lift and see how an average of 700,000 litres of water per second plunge across a width of 150 meters into the basin below. The Belvedere panoramic trail brings you to a viewing platform right above the falls where you feel the spindrift of the rumbling waters. Top off your visit with an optional boat ride (summer only) to get as close to the falls as possible – a truly memorable experience! Continue past Schaffhausen with its imposing Munot Fortress and through beautiful countryside to the medieval village of Stein am Rhein.
Follow your tour guide on a guided stroll through the winding alleys of the well-preserved Old Town and learn the story behind the exceptional frescoes of the many distinctive buildings. Walk past half-timbered houses to the White Eagle, where you can admire the oldest preserved mural painting of the Renaissance in Switzerland. Enjoy some time at leisure before meeting your tour guide for the evening drive back to Zurich.
Rhine Falls
Meeting & Transfer Info
01:15 PM | Zurich
Sihlquai Bus Terminal Sihlquai Coach Parking Limmatstrasse 4, 8005 Zürich
We kindly ask you to arrive for check-in 15 minutes prior to the indicated departure time. In Zurich, our official departure point, you need to look out for the green building of the bus station marked "Best of Switzerland" and "Tickets here" at the Sihlquai Coach Terminal. Please present your voucher and proof of ID at check-in.
06:30 PM | Zurich
Sihlquai Bus Terminal Sihlquai Coach Parking Limmatstrasse 4, 8005 Zürich
We kindly ask you to arrive for check-in 15 minutes prior to the indicated departure time. In Zurich, our official departure point, you need to look out for the green building of the bus station marked "Best of Switzerland" and "Tickets here" at the Sihlquai Coach Terminal. Please present your voucher and proof of ID at check-in.
Own Expenses
- Optional Boat RideCHF12/Adult; CHF8/Child(April to October, subject to availability, to be paid on site by credit card or in cash)
What’s Included
- Rhine Falls, Laufen Castle, Historama
- Guided village walk in Stein am Rhein
- Fully guided tour by professional multilingual guide
- Transportation in comfortable coach with AC
- Carbon-balanced operations certified by myclimate
- Optional boat ride
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
Special Notes
- The tour is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility and strollers.
- Common Questions Q&A
Q: Will the itinerary be cancelled due to bad weather?
A: Generally, our itinerary is not affected by weather. However, in the event of severe weather, our partners (such as scenic transportation operators) may close cable cars, railways, and other public transportation facilities for safety reasons. In such cases, we will make corresponding adjustments to the itinerary and provide alternative arrangements for tourists. If the price of the alternative arrangement is lower than the original planned itinerary, we will refund the price difference.
Q: Can I bring pets on the tour?
A: Except for service dogs for people with disabilities, other pets are not allowed on the tour. If you need to bring a service dog on the tour, please contact us in advance.
Q: Is there a discount for joining the tour with a Swiss Travel Pass?
A: Most of our itineraries are served by tour buses and are not part of public transportation, so they do not qualify for discounts with the Swiss Travel Pass. For individual itineraries that involve public transportation, the transportation costs within the tour have already been calculated at a group discount price, and therefore, the Swiss Travel Pass discount policy cannot be applied on top of this.
Q: Can we get a group discount for multiple people traveling together?
A: If you have a large group (more than 10 adults in total), please contact us directly.
Q: Can students enjoy a discount?
A: Unfortunately, we do not offer student discounts.
Q: Can I park my car near the tour meeting point?
A: In general, parking fees in Switzerland are relatively high, especially in city centers. Therefore, we recommend using convenient public transportation to reach the meeting point. If you do need to park, consider the following parking facilities:
Zurich Parkhaus Hauptbahnhof, Address: Sihlquai 41, 8005 Zurich
Lucerne Bahnhofparking P1+P2, Address: Bahnhofplatz 1, 6002 Luzern
Interlaken Parkhaus Zentrum Interlaken, Address: Jungfraustrasse 53, 3800 Interlaken
Q: Do I need to print the itinerary confirmation?
A: It's not necessary to print it. An electronic version of the itinerary confirmation is also acceptable as your tour voucher. When joining the tour, please present an ID with your photo and the physical or electronic itinerary confirmation.
Q: What do I need to bring for the tour?
A: When checking in, we require passengers to provide identification and the itinerary confirmation. The itinerary usually does not include meals, so we recommend bringing some snacks and drinks. Additionally, there are shops along the way or at the attractions where snacks can be purchased. However, please note that eating snacks is not allowed on long-distance tour buses (drinking bottled water is allowed). We suggest wearing seasonal clothing and considering the potential weather changes in mountainous areas (please see the following common question and answer). It's advisable to carry some cash with you as a backup. While most businesses in Switzerland accept bank cards, there are still cases especially in mountain areas where cash-only payments may be required. Also, don't forget to bring a camera and charging devices to capture the beautiful moments of your journey.
Q: What should I pay attention to when dressing for mountain tours?
A: Most of the mountain hiking in our itineraries takes place at high altitudes and low temperatures. Therefore, we recommend bringing warm clothing (windproof jackets) and outdoor shoes with rubber soles to experience all the indoor and outdoor attractions. For friends traveling to Jungfraujoch, please note: there is no rental service for clothes or shoes at the top of Jungfraujoch.
Q: Are there bathrooms on the sightseeing bus?
A: There are no bathrooms on the sightseeing bus. Multiple restroom stops will be arranged during the tour, and the guide will inform everyone of the available restroom locations.
Q: Can a drone be used for photography or filming during the tour?
A: The use of drones in Switzerland must comply with the legal regulations of the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Aviation (BAZL). Drones weighing less than 500 grams do not require authorization.
Q: Is tipping expected when traveling in Switzerland?
A: In Switzerland, whether to tip is at the discretion of the tourists. If you are satisfied with the travel experience and the service provided by the guide and driver at the end of the day, you are welcome to give them some tips separately. Your satisfaction and encouragement are the drivers of the tour guides.
The time we mentioned in the itinerary is for reference only. Please refer to your guide on tour for the actual arrangement. The visiting order and duration might be changed according to actual and practical situation for better service.
This tour/activity is overseen by a select local operator in the region. Upon booking your tour or activity and after receiving confirmation, you will be issued an e-ticket detailing the local operator's name and contact information. If you require assistance finding a specific tour, please contact us for more information.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement: If you have traveled to or transited through yellow fever-endemic regions including East African countries (excluding Tanzania) or South American countries, either before or after your trip, you may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This requirement can apply not only for joining tours but also for certain flights or entry into specific countries. For more details, please refer to the official site: : Yellow Fever Risk Areas - Fit for Travel
Best of Switzerland Tours AG
As the leading sightseeing operator in the German-speaking part of Switzerland with over 25 years of experience, Best of Switzerland Tours offers a wide selection of excursions to the best tourist destinations with daily departures from Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken. From city tours, full-day mountain excursions, guaranteed small group tours for an even more personalized service to multi-day tours with overnight accommodation: We have it all! Every day we strive to exceed your expectations of high-quality service and combine it with the friendly hospitality of our award-winning tour guides.
Reviews
Best Price Promise Transparent Pricing — No Hidden Fees Departure & Itinerary Guarantee Strictly Selected Local Partners 24/7 Multilingual SupportQ & A
