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A Rapperswil Day Trip from Zurich Perfect for Busy Schedules

Whether you visit in Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter, there are an amazing variety of things to do in Zurich. I was in town for work and decided to look for a half-day trip from Zurich by train; something to fill the time before I needed to head to the airport to catch my flight back to Dublin. 

This kind of spontaneous adventure is a perfect example of how I embrace part-time travel, maximizing every available window to explore incredible places, despite a busy work schedule.

As a frequent visitor to Switzerland, I’ve done several day trips from Zurich by train including a day trip from Zurich to Liechtenstein and a cruise around Lake Zurich. 

Exploring virtually on Google Maps, I noticed Rapperswil and was immediately intrigued when I read reviews promising “a beautiful city” and “you can see many birds”. Rapperswil seemed like the ideal summer day trip from Zurich.

Ready to see what this charming Swiss town revealed during my brief visit? Read on!

A view of Rapperswil Castle. The stone fortress has two towers and sits majestically on a hill, with lush green trees and tall reeds in the foreground.

Getting to Rapperswil by Train from Zurich

I was sold on Rapperswil as a day trip destination from Zurich based on what I’d read so I booked an all-zone ZVV day pass on the SBB Mobile App. 

As an avid part-time traveler, I find that efficiency and value are paramount when planning a fun diversion into a business trip. That’s why booking the all-zone ZVV day pass (priced at 34.40 CHF at the time of writing) was the smart choice for this last-minute trip, especially with my flight later that day. The Zurich transit day ticket allowed me to maximize my time and budget, another example of how I walk to the talk of my ‘Work to Live, Live to Travel’ motto.

How long does it take to get to Rapperswil from Zurich City Center? The ride from Zurich Stadelhofen station to Rapperswil station takes between 30 – 40 minutes on the S-Bahn.

A Bridge Over Peaceful Water in Rapperswil

A long wooden bridge with railings stretches across the green water of a lake. A small white chapel with a green roof stands on the bridge, with green trees and a hill with houses in the background.

When I arrived in Rapperswil from Zurich, I immediately made my way to the wooden boardwalk spanning Lake Zurich at its narrowest point. I was excited to see where the path would lead and what natural wonders were in store.

A long wooden boardwalk stretches across a tranquil section of Lake Zurich, flanked by tall reeds. A wooden bridge and a small town are visible in the distance, with green hills and mountains on the horizon. A picturesque walk to take on a day trip to Rapperswil.

Mist Covered Mountains near Rapperswil

A wide, majestic view of the green Swiss mountains with patches of low-hanging clouds and mist. The town of Rapperswil is nestled at the base of the mountains along Lake Zurich

From the wooden boardwalk, I could see mist gently touching the tops of the nearby mountains. The scenery near Rapperswil is incredibly picturesque.

Sailboats on Zurich See

A scenic view of Lake Zurich framed by large, imposing green mountains under a cloudy sky. Two small white sailboats are visible on the water, highlighting the tranquil beauty of the area

I sat for a mindful moment on one of the benches on the wooden boardwalk near Rapperswil and admired the sailboats gliding across Lake Zurich in the shadow of the mountains.

Wetlands Near Rapperswil Are a Haven for Birds

A long wooden boardwalk stretches over the clear, shallow water of Lake Zurich. Tall reeds and grasses line the side of the boardwalk, with a long bridge and green hills in the distance.

Zurich in general is a great destination for birdwatching. The space between Seedamm (a partially artificial causeway and bridge) across Lake Zurich at Rapperswil and the wooden boardwalk was a popular haven for birds.

I spotted countless ducks, grebes, and swans swimming in the crystal clear water.

A view of a river with several birds, likely ducks or similar waterfowl, either swimming in the water or resting on the rocky bank. One bird is flapping its wings

Hurden Fishing Village

A small, rustic shed made of corrugated metal and wood, with blackberries and other plants growing on its roof and walls. The shed is in a garden area

I hadn’t intended to walk all the way across the wooden boardwalk but I simply couldn’t resist seeing where it would lead. Google Maps suggested that Hurden lie just ahead. 

I arrived in Hurden between 10 and 11 am and this quaint Swiss fishing village seemed like it was still asleep on a Saturday morning. 

A quirky statue of a fish holding a menu board stands in front of a rustic wooden and stone building. The sign offers fresh fish and other dishes

Fishing nets hanging to dry suggested that I should bookmark Hurden as a place to check out for seafood if I ever visited again for lunch or dinner.

A close-up of fishing nets and lines hanging from a covered area near Rapperswil

Exploring Rapperswil, A Fairy Tale Swiss Town

A scenic view of Rapperswil from the wooden boardwalk of the Seedamm bridge. A large lake is in the foreground, with a long wooden bridge stretching across it. In the background, the town and its castle are visible

Retracing my steps across the wooden boardwalk, I could see Rapperswil Castle in the distance and set a course for the village. Exploring the grounds of the castle is one of the most popular things to do in Rapperswil.

I really enjoyed walking among the buildings with matching colored shutters and flower boxes on the balconies.

The facade of a traditional Swiss building with multiple rows of windows and green shutters. The balcony on the second floor is decorated with potted red flowers

I soon found myself at the base of a hill with the castle looming above me. Climbing the steps upward, I took a moment to look down upon the square below.

An elevated view of a picturesque town square in Rapperswil. The square is filled with outdoor cafe seating with white umbrellas. Traditional Swiss buildings with colorful facades surround the square, and green rolling hills are visible in the background.
The historic clock tower of Rapperswil Castle. The stone tower has a large clock face, a smaller clock on its side, and a sun dial. This is a prominent landmark to visit on a day trip from Zurich.
SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Looking for other cool things to do on a trip to Switzerland? Why not:Spend a weekend traveling from Geneva to Lausanne to Montreux? Visit Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls by car? Buy a Zurich Day Pass and explore the city by public transportationEnjoy a quick trip to Lucerne in winter? Visit Basel in December and celebrate New Year’s Eve? Explore the Bernese Oberland region and go hiking on the North Face Trail near Mürren?

Rapperswil’s Capuchin Friary

The side of a large, old stone building in Rapperswil with a tall, pointed gabled roof. A carving of Jesus Christ on a cross is mounted on the wall below a small wooden awning

Returning to the square below, I walked along the path at the edge of Rapperswil Castle, I soon came upon a weathered stone building bearing a crucifix. 

I’d arrived at the Capuchin Friary. Dating back to the 17th century, it’s possible to wander mindfully around the grounds at no charge.

Rapperswil Rose Garden

Just outside the friary lies another of the most popular things to do in Rapperswil: stop and smell the flowers at the Rapperswil Rose Garden. 

The Rosengarten der Stadt Rapperswil is a riot of color with wrought iron benches dotting the landscape.

A view of the rose garden in Rapperswil, known as the "City of Roses." The garden is filled with an abundance of red, pink, and white roses, with a decorative white bench in the background

Climb Among the Vineyards of Rapperswil Castle

Just above the Rapperswil Rose Garden, vineyards cling to the hillside. 

An elevated view of the terraced gardens and vineyards below Rapperswil Castle. The perfectly manicured rose garden is laid out in geometric patterns, leading to the town and Lake Zurich in the distance.

Climb the steps alongside the Capuchin Friary for breathtaking views of Lake Zurich

A view from above of a small stone building with a gabled roof and a lush rose garden. The building is situated on the shore of Lake Zurich, with the water and distant mountains visible, a perfect scene to see on a day trip to Rapperswil.

Come Full Circle to Rapperswil Castle

A view of the main square of Rapperswil with people walking around and sitting at outdoor cafes with large white umbrellas. Large letters spelling "OPEN AIR" are scattered in the square

The stairs up through the vineyards deposit you in a park behind the Rapperswil Castle. Come full circle and back to the main square for a bite of lunch. 

Rapperswil Castle and the surrounding area offers great people-watching because many weddings are held here. An old-fashioned Rolls Royce was parked below the castle on the day I was there presumably to whisk away the newlyweds to start their honeymoon. 

A close-up of the front of a vintage silver Rolls Royce with a bouquet of red and pink flowers on its hood.

Is Rapperswil Worth Visiting?

I hope you’ll agree that Rapperswil is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland in summer as a Zurich business trip add-on. As you can see, there are quite a few things to do in Rapperswil making the town a nice summer day trip from Zurich by train. 

It perfectly illustrates how even a half-day excursion helps fulfill my guiding star to travel as much as possible, proving that meaningful experiences don’t always require long breaks from your full-time career or even using a single vacation day.

My Rapperswil trip is a prime example and blueprint for how you can transform layovers, free afternoons, or short windows between commitments into enriching travel experiences.

Don’t underestimate the power of a half-day trip to satisfy your wanderlust and explore new places, even taking into consideration the constraints of a demanding professional schedule!

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