If I use DB Navigator to look for a route/time from Cochem to Bernkastle-Kues, it generates 12 matching destinations containing Bernkastle-Kues. I didn't know which to pick but the tourist information in Bernkastle-Kues seemed like a logical choice.
That results in routes which either take almost two hours with one change, or less duration but with two changes after first taking the train to Wittlich. The first change from there is for bus 555 followed by the 360 bus. I can't find a timetable for any of these buses, it looks like 360 is just to get from one part of Bernkastle-Kues to another? So maybe can walk instead of that, so does anybody know where I can find the timetable for bus 555 from Wittlich to Bernkastle-Kues?
Posted by
Augsburg, Bavaria
2342 posts
I would choose Bernkastel-Kues, Forum as destination. It is just opposite the Tourist Information at the opposite end of the Mosel bridge. The trip takes 58 minutes with one change in Wittlich. (please note the spelling of Bernkastel).
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
Kues Forum in Bernkastel is the right destination. (That spot was once the former train station for Bernkastel back when service for that part of the river was available.) The DB site will show you the right connecting bus from Wittlich Station. You can walk across the bridge from there into Bernkastel's old-town section.
Another good way to get there is train to Traben-Trarbach via Bullay + CRUISE BOAT to Bernkastel.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19100 posts
I just saw your post. I'll have to look into this further. All I can tell you now that in 2008, I went by train from Treis-Karden, north of Cochem, to Wittlich, then by bus to Bernkastel-Kues. After lunch in Bernkastel, I returned to Kues, took the bus back to Wittlich, then went to Bullay by train and to Zell by bus. After dinner in Zell, I returned by bus to Bullay and went back to Treis-Karden by train. I don't know if one can do all of this by public transportation now, but it certainly was possible then.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19100 posts
I picked a date in July. I used the Bahn schedule website. I used "Start" Cochem to "Ziel" Cochem with a 3 hr stopover in Berkastel (or maybe it was Forum, Bernkastel-Kues).
Leave Cochem at 9:15 on the RB 81, direction Trier. Get off the RB81 in Wittlich at 9:42. Take the 301 bus from Wittlich at 9:46, arriving at the Forum in Bernkastel-Kues at 10:13.
Walk across the bridge into Bernkastel and spend about 3 hours in Bernkastel. Return to the Forum, Kues, by 13:25. Take the 301 bus back to Wittlich at 13:53. Catch the RE1 (direction Koblenz) at 13:56, arriving Cochem at 14:17.
I always start my searches with the Bahn schedule website. BTW, Wittlich and Bernkastel-Kues are outside the VRM.
Posted by
18 posts
What about taking the ferry from Cochem? Is that on the boat route? Would anyone know how long the journey would take? We are going to Germany in October and spending a week on the Mosel, staying in Cochem. Goal is to just relax, enjoy the scenery, take the ferry and visit all the little towns up and down the river. We have been to Beilstein before and loved it, but did not make it down as far as Bernkastel-Kues - would love to go there.
Posted by
Green Bay
20189 posts
Kolb Brothers scheduled tour boats only go as far as Graach, a mile short of Bernkastel.
https://www.moselrundfahrten.de/en/cochem/downloads
Traben-Trarbach is accessible by tour boats and also by train from Cochem.
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
Hi, drewp.
From Cochem you can cruise beyond Beilstein to points beyond, lovely parts of the river with small towns, hiking trails, etc. The boats on this river route are not called "ferries," which refers only to boats that go back and forth ACROSS the river (like this one in Beilstein.) You'll be on a "Schiff" (ship/boat.) Kolb Personenschifffahrt is one of the main cruise providers. Click the link below to find the boat route from Cochem that you asked about... scroll down to the bottom and find the 2nd box from the right...
"TAGESFAHRT nach Traben-Trarbach mit Landgang"
It's in German but it's not that hard to read a schedule. "Abfahrt" = departure; "Ankunft" = arrival. Red arrows show the schedule in each direction. "Schleuse" in blue refers to the locks you pass through on the way. There are lots of locks on the Mosel! It takes nearly 5 hours to reach Traben-Trarbach. Fortunately you can return by there by train to Cochem in about 40 minutes.
If you want to visit BERNKASTEL by boat, you can, in fact. I suggest you take the train to Traben-Trarbach first. You can find that boat schedule at the following page. Scroll to the bottom - it's the 2nd box up from there at the far left.
"Traben-Trarbach · Bernkastel · Traben-Trarbach"
Price chart for all trips in between Cochem and Bernkastel can be found on the page below ("Bereich Cochem.") Prices in red are round trip, blue ones are one-way.
https://www.moselrundfahrten.de/files/fahrpreise_cochem-bks-treis-karden_2022.pdf
Posted by
18 posts
Russ, thanks very much for all the information! Extremely helpful!! Can't wait for our trip!