The Rütli can be reached only on foot from Seelisberg or by boat from Brunnen, Lucerne or Flüelen.
On foot
A one-hour hike along the “Swiss Way” will take you to the Rütli from Seelisberg. The route is mostly along a pleasant path that leads downhill through the forest. The altitude difference from Seelisberg to the Rütli is 350 metres. A slightly more leisurely route is the walk from the Treib landing stage along a section of the “Waldstätter” trail by the lakeside and up to the Rütli.
By train and bus
There are trains to Brunnen every hour from Zurich and every half hour from Lucerne, and there is a connection from Ticino too. There is a bus service from Brunnen station to the landing stage, although a leisurely walk will take you to the lakeside in just seven minutes.
Train times: www.sbb.ch
By car
Take the motorway from Lucerne or Zurich to Rotkreuz and then to Brunnen. Parking is signposted in Brunnen town centre.
By boat
Most visitors to the Rütli arrive by boat, the shortest crossing being from Brunnen. It takes only ten minutes and there is a regular ferry service. Passengers wishing to enjoy a longer boat ride can embark in Lucerne. Ferries also depart regularly for the Rütli from Flüelen in the southern section of the lake.
Departure times and information about lake cruises can be found at: www.lakelucerne.ch
Taxi boats
A taxi boat service also operates from Brunnen for anyone wishing to travel to or from the Rütli at a specific time. The boat has room for seven passengers. The 10-minute trip to the Rütli costs about CHF 100.–. Information: www.speedytaxiboot.ch
From the Rütli landing stage you can either follow the gravel path or take the steps up to the “Schwurplatz” (“The Site of the Oath”) and the Rütli meadow. The walk takes 7–10 minutes.
Disabled access
At present, wheelchair users are still dependent on having someone to push them from the landing stage to the Rütlihaus and the Rütli meadow. The SwissTrac wheelchair power unit is also a useful accessory.