I am planning a June trip. Thinking of taking KD cruise from Rüdesheim to St Goar. Train to Cologne. Then find a nice Rhine front hotel north of Cologne to stay a couple of nights before flying out of Düsseldorf. Any suggestions? Anyone know if it’s permissible to take luggage on the KD boat? In the past we’ve always left from Rüdesheim and returned. Thanks!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I'm not going to completely rule out that there might be scenic river location between Cologne and Dusseldorf, but most of this stretch of the Rhine is industrial or a protected flood plane. In fact, that describes most of the river in Germany north of Bonn and south of Bingen.
Posted by
Paradise
6637 posts
"...find a nice Rhine front hotel north of Cologne..."
Sounds like you want to stay somewhere quieter outside of the big city... if it's riverfront scenery/atmosphere you want, the sort with hillsides, vineyards, attractive towns and maybe some castles, then you should probably stick to the Middle Rhine Valley for your 2-night stay - somewhere a little south of Bonn, like Remagen or Linz would be good if you wish to be located closer to Cologne for a visit there. There are ferry crossings in Remagen that permit you to visit Linz if you wish to.
I assume you plan to sightsee in Cologne for several hours after the cruise to St. Goar and to stow bags at Cologne station. Sample schedule...
Day 1: Cruise R'heim - St. Goar with bags (9:15 - 10:55.) Look around, enjoy the scene, quick lunch. Train (12:00) to Cologne (14:02.) Stow bags, 6 hours to sightsee and have dinner. Leave Cologne (20:32) for Remagen (21:15.)
Day 2: In Remagen and/or Linz. The area between Linz and Bonn is also popular for cruising, btw.
Day 3: Train to DUS - what time is your flight? Direct trains to the airport leave Remagen at 7:44 and 8:44 and take 1.3 hrs.
If you have to leave EARLY on this day, then on Day 2 you might want to check out of the Remagen hotel in the a.m. - leave bags at the front desk while you sightsee - then catch a train to D'dorf for overnight and check in near Duesseldorf's main station. It's only a 5-minute train ride from there to the DUS airport terminal.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10218 posts
In October I spent a week in Unkel, a little south of Bonn and just north of Linz on the east side of the river. It is a wonderful small non-touristy town and they have a KD dock there.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7295 posts
Duesseldorf is good for several days. lf you want to go North, I'd take the train to Aachen. The river there is not nearly as attractive as Bingen to Boppard/St Goar, the only part worth boating. Look for a bus to Monschau for the day.
A word to the wise-in Arnhem NL, our Rhine-front business hotel room came with earplugs!
Posted by
OP
Decatur, Alabama
28 posts
Thank all of you for your info and suggestions!
I have some thinking to do it seems!
Sharon