Good base for day cruising on Rhine or Danube

"Where would be a good base on the Rhine- Koblenz?"

Boppard is a pleasant, smaller, old-world town with some nice diversions and lots of eateries/wineries.

To do your day cruise, catch the train south to Bingen and cruise back to Boppard - that's the best cruise segment. You can get off the train in Bacharach or Oberwesel for a look around on your way to Bingen - trains run hourly and make this hopping pretty easy. Last boat of the day from Bingen is normally 16:30 - you'll be back in Boppard before 19:00. When you buy your cruise ticket at the dock, show your train ticket to the KD ticket office attendant - you'll get a 20% cruise discount off the normal €31 fare to Boppard.

Hope you're staying more than just a night in this area. St. Goar's Rheinfels Castle is only a few towns south of Boppard; Marksburg Castle is even better - an intact medieval castle - and from Boppard you ferry across the river, walk into Filsen, and catch the train north about 7-8 minutes to Braubach.

I believe Rick still suggests between Bacharach and St. Goar on the Rhine. I think that's a good stretch. The ride on the boat is about an hour depending on time of year and whether your going up or down stream. The KD lines come frequently enough so you can get off and catch another when you're ready without worrying about them being sold out.

I don't think Koblenz is special. I'm a real fan of Burg Stahleck in Bacharach, one of the nicest hostels I've ever stayed at. The town is small but there are quite a few cafes and hotels.

My idea for the best base on the Rhein is Eltville. It is a lovely town, but without touristy stores in it. Promenade along the river with no train in your way, lots of wineries and really good restaurants, castle tower and dry moat filled with 20,000 rose bushes, ancient church and a bus ride away from Eberbach Monastery. Get on your ship here and take it to St. Goar. There is only one ship a day though from Eltville. Or take the train 10 min. to Rüdesheim and get on your ship here.

Why Rick only recommends riding a ship from Bacharach to St. Goar is a mystery. You will miss dozens of castles if this is all you do. Consider this is only a 10 min. train ride between these two towns, you get the idea. I wish Rick would change this in his book. People spend all this money to get to Germany and the Rhein, then are shortchanged by only riding a ship for a short distance rather than getting on it farther up the river because Rick told them to do this.

We stayed at Boppard and it was a great location. The castles and abandoned castles along the way were great! We left Boppard early one day (our inn keeper made us a breakfast and drove us to the train station at 6 am!) for a flight out of Frankfurt. The train went right to the airport - we were there within an hour or so.