My husband and I and our 7 year old son will be arriving in Bacharach in the middle of June and are staying 2 nights. We want to take a boat ride and get off in a couple of the towns. Should we take the train down south and start in Bingen? I would also like to go up to the Marksburg castle. What would be a good itinerary? We will arrive in Bacharach in the late afternoon and then have the whole next day and half to explore the Rhine.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8481 posts
cindy, I think there are no bad choices here. This would be something I would decide when I get there depending on the weather and what else may be going on. there may be some local festivals or events that are taking place somewhere in the area, and that would color my choice.
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
"Should we take the train down south and start in Bingen?"
Yes. Start in Bingen and cruise north as far as St. Goar (or St. Goarshausen across the river.) This is the most scenic section, and since it takes only 1.5 hours to cover, I wouldn't just hop on in Bacharach, or no matter which way you go, you'll miss half of it. When you reach St. Goar, return by train to Bacharach (if you're ready to go home.) Here's a map of that scenic cruise zone.
On the day you arrive, I'd suggest seeing Oberwesel if you feel like it. It's only 5 minutes north of Bacharach, and since the days are long, you can enjoy an evening stroll around the old town wall.
On Day 2, you can do your cruise AND Marksburg if you wish. Board in Bingen, disembark in St. Goarshausen, take a train north along the "right" bank of the Rhine to Braubach (20 minutes) and then do your tour. Braubach has a beautiful old town, a good place for a meal. Return by train via Koblenz to Bacharach; the trains from St. Goarshausen north to Braubach and Koblenz follow the river the whole way north and do the same from Koblenz south to Bacharach along the other bank - thus you'll enjoy the scenery from different perspectives.
You can buy a Rheinland-Pfalz ticket day pass for this day's train rides from any ticket machine. It covers the trip to Bingen, St. Goarshausen to Braubach, and Braubach to Koblenz to Bacharach. It should also provide you a 20% cruise discount if you show the ticket at the KD dock in Bingen. Your cost is €29 for the R-P pass to cover two adults and a child age 7.
And from what you said I guess you have a half day after your 2nd night in Bacharach. I would probably take a train (or drive) 10 minutes north to St. Goar to tour Rheinfels Castle and enjoy the scenery there. Maybe Lunch at Der Landgraf in the castle-hotel adjacent to Rheinfels?
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7041 posts
I just had one day there myself (no extra half-day) so I only cruised from Bacharach to Boppard and then took the train back stopping in St Goar and Oberwesel. Since you have a bit more time I would say yes, take the train to Bingen and start from there (if the weather is good). I would also suggest continuing past St Goar to Boppard - I really enjoyed my time in Boppard, lovely little town square where I had a quick picnic lunch and did a little shopping. From there it's quick and easy to get the train and stop in St Goar to tour the castle and any other of the towns along the way. I loved my day on the Rhine, I hope you have weather as wonderful as I did - I was also there in mid-June and it was lovely.
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR
92 posts
Russ,
Thank you so much for all of the information!!! I can't wait to get over there.
Cindy
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19103 posts
Whatever you do, unless you really like excruciatingly slow boat rides, take the boat trip down the Rhein (with the current, that goes from Bingen to Koblenz).