Rapperswil, the 'Town of Roses', sits at the eastern end of Lake Zürich with a hilltop castle, a wooden pedestrian bridge to Hurden and a lakeside promenade.
Rapperswil is the gem of the upper Zürichsee, a walled old town crowned by a medieval castle housing the Polish Museum. The Rosengarten is planted with hundreds of rose varieties. The Seedamm causeway has a wooden pedestrian bridge that links Rapperswil with Hurden. The Knie children's zoo is close to the station. The trip can be made as a loop: boat from Zürich Bürkliplatz up the lake (about 1.5 h), lunch in Rapperswil, return by train.
| Distance | 35 km south-east of Zürich |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 35-40 minutes by train; about 1 h 30 min by boat |
| Getting there | SBB S-Bahn or ZSG lake boat: departs Zürich HB (train) or Zürich Bürkliplatz (boat), about CHF 13 (about $16) by train |
| Cost | Train about CHF 13 (about $16) each way; boat about CHF 23 (about $29) one way; free to walk the old town and rose garden |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Hauptplatz, 8640 Rapperswil |
How to get there
- Train: S-Bahn from Zürich HB, 35-40 min, about CHF 13 (about $16)
- Boat: ZSG from Bürkliplatz, about 1 h 30 min-2 h, about CHF 23 (about $29)
- Car: A3, 40 minutes
Location
Hauptplatz, 8640 Rapperswil
47.2261, 8.8228 View on map
Highlights
- Rapperswil Castle and Polish Museum
- Rose Garden (Rosengarten)
- Seedamm wooden footbridge to Hurden
- Knies Kinderzoo (children's zoo)
- Lake Zürich boat ride from Zürich
Tips for visiting
- Take the boat one way and the train back for the best of both
- Rose garden is at its peak in June
- Old-town restaurants fill early on sunny weekends
When to visit
June for roses; sunny weekends in summer.
Accessibility
Rapperswil station is step-free; the castle path is steep with cobbles.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is the boat covered by the Swiss Travel Pass?
Yes, ZSG lake boats are included in the Swiss Travel Pass.
Best way to go?
Boat out, train back is a popular combination.