Cologne and North Rhine area

Phil:

The best way to get to Cologne-Bonn Airport is on KLM (or their affiliates) transferring planes at Amsterdam. You can take a train from Amsterdam, but I think it would be an additional cost. An alternative would be flying into Frankfurt and taking a train down the Rhine River to Cologne.
The two times we've been there, we've just driven up the river to stay in Bacharach--stopping at the Konisbacher Brewery (S. of Koblenz) along the way
Better get moving on flight arrangements if you're coming in September.

"We are planning a cruise to and from Cologne this September ...Are there several towns, areas to visit with Cologne as a home base or would you recommend we travel up the Rhine toward Amsterdam or other areas ?"

The Rhine that most visitors are interested in seeing and cruising is not downstream from Cologne but a healthy distance to the south (upstream,) very roughly between Mainz and Koblenz. This is the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of castles, old-world towns, and lots of vineyards. The prime scenery is between Bingen and Braubach; I would not do any cruising further north or further south from this zone. Trains run along both sides of the river, making it easy to visit all the towns of interests. Bacharach, Oberwesel, St. Goar. Boppard and Braubach all have good potential as a place to stay for a few days and a travel base. Boppard is a good choice if you wish to visit the Mosel River as well - which is also very nice.

Cologne might be best as a separate stay (2-3 days, possibly with a day trip to Aachen) rather than as a day trip, but from Boppard, a day trip to Cologne is possible (by train - not boat.)

(The brewery David mentions used to be the Königsbacher but is now the Koblenzer.) But there are many nice places to enjoy a beer in the towns - some examples below) -
Gedeonseck near the top of the chair lift above Boppard
Boppard's town square
Boppard's river promenade

September sees wine fests every weekend on the Rhine so you will want to reserve asap. Day cruises are not bookable in advance - just travel to the KD dock in Bingen and cruise north - St. Goar, Boppard or Braubach.

The Rhein flows down towards Amsterdam from Köln.

Phil, please make it clear that you mean "a day-trip on the river", rather than an Avalon or Viking River Cruises trip. Yes?

We last got to Cologne on United, which is affiliated with Lufthansa. Our change in Germany (I forget where) went very smoothly, and we were in Cologne by Noon. The Lufthansa planes have superior comfort and service to United's.

Please read some old posts here using a search like "scenic Rhine" or "KD Rhine". (Search box top of page.) As noted, you are wasting valuable time on a day cruise by getting on the boat in Cologne. Cologne is a great city to visit, but not specifically for river views.

"...best way to reach Cologne from North America?" If you are flying from CA, then it's very easy. Fly from LAX to Düsseldorf, take U-Bahn or regional train to Düsseldorf Hbf, then the S-Bahn to Cologne.

If not from CA, then fly to Frankfurt, then take the train to Cologne.

Many thanks for the advice - very much appreciated. You certainly know the area and are helpful. In checking flights from Toronto, looks like flying through Frankfurt to Dusseldorf is the best method with Amsterdam and a 2.5 hour train ride the second choice. As well will look at the suggestions in getting to and from the airports / train stations to the cruise terminal in Cologne.

Clearly, the plan now is to either rent a car or take the train south along the Rhine rather than going inland from Cologne. Appreciate the specific towns suggestions. Have you found some great B & B or small hotels along that route? Any particular events that you could recommend? Looking spending 4 to 5 days in the area before or after our cruise.

By the way, we are planning a 7 day overnight cruise from Cologne as opposed to day trips on the River.

Thanks again to for your help !

Phil