One-day explorations

Five day trips, three countries, no overnight bag

Each is doable as a return day from the lake. Sample timings assume a start from the Konstanz / Friedrichshafen area — adjust to taste.

1 · Rhine Falls & Schaffhausen 🧒 Kid favourite

Switzerland · ~45–60 min by car or train · Europe's most powerful waterfall

09:30Arrive Neuhausen; walk down to the Rhine Falls viewing platforms.
10:30Boat trip to the central rock — climb the steps for the spray-soaked view.
12:30Lunch at a falls-side terrace or picnic in the park.
14:00Pop into Schaffhausen's old town and the Munot fortress (kids can climb the ramparts).
16:30Head back to the lake for an evening swim.

Tip: Bring a light rain jacket — the boat and lower platforms get wet. Swiss francs handy for snacks.

2 · Bregenz & the Pfänder 🧒 Kid favourite

Austria · ~40–60 min along the shore · cable car, wildlife & big views

09:30Ride the Pfänderbahn cable car up the mountain.
10:00Walk the alpine wildlife park and catch the eagle-flight show.
12:30Lunch with a panorama at the summit restaurant, then descend.
14:30Stroll Bregenz lakefront; see the floating festival stage from the promenade.
16:00Ice cream and the harbour before heading home.

Tip: In July, evening Bregenz Festival performances can extend this into a (long) day-and-night out for older kids.

3 · St. Gallen & Appenzell ☔ Some indoors

Switzerland · ~50 min by car/train · UNESCO library & storybook villages

09:30St. Gallen old town; visit the Abbey precinct and the famous baroque library hall.
11:30Wander the painted-facade lanes; lunch in the centre.
13:30Drive into the Appenzell hills — green, cow-belled and very photogenic.
14:30Appenzell village: colourful houses, a cheese shop and an easy meadow walk.
17:00Return to the lake.

Tip: A calmer, scenic-and-cultural day — best when little ones want a slower pace.

4 · Lindau by boat 🎟️ Low cost

Germany (Bavaria) · arrive by ferry · island old town & harbour

10:00Take a scheduled lake ferry to Lindau — the journey is half the trip.
11:00Walk to the famous harbour mouth (the lion statue and lighthouse); climb the lighthouse for views.
12:30Lunch on the promenade; explore the car-light old-town lanes.
14:30Ice cream and a gentle stroll, or the small town garden/park.
16:00Ferry back across the lake.

Tip: The lowest-effort day here — no driving, lots of boat time, easy distances on foot.

5 · Säntis summit ☀️ Clear days only

Switzerland · ~75 min by car · alpine cable car to 2,500 m

09:00Drive to Schwägalp; ride the Säntis cable car to the summit.
10:00Take in the six-country panorama; short ridge walks and viewpoints.
12:30Lunch at the summit, then descend.
14:30Easy meadow walk near Schwägalp, or visit the cheese dairy.
16:30Return to the lake.

Tip: Check the summit webcam/forecast first — go only on a clear day, and pack warm layers; it's chilly up top even in July.

🚗 Crossing borders

Switzerland and Austria are outside the EU customs union (Switzerland) but border checks are usually light. Carry passports/ID, a Swiss motorway vignette if driving on Swiss motorways, and the right cash (CHF for Switzerland, EUR for Germany & Austria). See Plan Your Trip.