Rapperswil is well connected by rail and water. The train from Zurich takes about 40 minutes on the S-Bahn line S5 or S7, running approximately every 30 minutes. There is no direct train from Zurich airport; take the S-Bahn to Zurich Hauptbahnhof and change, adding about 15 minutes. From Saint Gallen, the journey takes about 50 minutes.
In summer, lake steamers run from Zurich to Rapperswil in about 3.5 hours — a slow but scenic option. Rapperswil sits on the A53 cantonal road; by car from Zurich it is about 35 km. Parking is available near the train station and at the lakeside.