Hi, All,
I have several guidebooks, have spent hours reading stuff online, and have tried using google translate - and I’m still confused. I’d greatly appreciate any help in advance! Questions are numbered below, but I welcome any suggestions!
My daughters (6 and 10) and I will be in Germany for the first time. Last year, my older daughter and I traveled for 10 days in the Netherlands and Belgium using the train. I’m a little nervous about bringing the little one since she can’t walk as far. Our tentative itinerary is as follows.
Sunday, May 5
-IC Train from Heidelberg to Koblenz to store our luggage (8:25-10:11; this is the earliest train of the day).
-Train to Hatzenport (hopefully, we can do the 10:25-10:52, but since it’s a RE train, we can wait if needed).
-330 Bus to Burg Eltz (11:39-11:58)
-330 Bus from Burg Eltz to Haztenport (this seems like the earliest feasible bus time - 16:30-16:44)
-Train from Hatzenport to Koblenz (17:05-17:36)
-Maybe spend some time in Koblenz (depending how tired we are), train back to Boppard (spending the night there)
1.) To save time (given the 330 bus doesn’t run that frequently, and with the kids, I really don’t want to hike from Moselkern), I was thinking I’d pay the 19.90 euros for the IC train (I understand we’d be locked into the 8:25 train), and then, for once once we get to Koblenz, get a VRM pass. Does that seem like the best option?
2.) If we do a VRM pass, which one do you recommend? I am confused with the zones and I can’t tell if kids are included with the different options (1 day, multi-group, etc.). Also, can I buy this online as to save time (since the train comes once an hour and we need to store our luggage, I'd love to avoid having to buy a ticket at Koblenz)?
3.) I’ve read conflicting things about whether the 330 bus is covered with the VRM pass (whichever one we do)? Assuming it is covered, I assume the kids are covered, too?
4.) Does the 330 bus drop off at the general Burg Eltz parking lot?
Monday, May 6
-Take the first train after 9am to Oberwesel
-Train to Bacharach
-Ferry to St. Goar
-Train to back Boppard
5.) Given I want to go to Bacharach (and it’s outside of the VRM network), I assume getting the Rheinland-Pfalz ticket is the best option?
Tuesday, May 7
-Take first train after 9am to Cochem (9:39). Try to store our luggage at the tourist office
-Go to Trier (store our luggage at the station)
-Train from Trier to Koblenz to Bonn to Brühl is 17:31-20:05 (for Phantasialand the next day)
6.) Should drop Cochem or Trier, or just see both and have a long day?
I think it would be cheaper to take train to Bonn with the Rheinland-Pfalz, and then get a one-way ticket from Bonn to Brühl.
7.) If we did that, can I buy a VRS ticket online so we don’t have to get off the train in Bonn to buy the tickets? Or, can I buy them at another station?
8.) It looks like my ticket from Bonn to Brühl is 5.10, and then it is 2.50 for each of my daughters? I used google translate, so I wasn't sure if I was understanding everything.
9.) I’m prioritizing Burg Eltz as our ‘castle’ in the area, but it will take most of a day (especially since I want to take the 330, which only runs on the weekends, and we will be in Heidelberg through Sunday AM). Would you recommend something else given our tight timeframe?
10.) I know if I want a supersaver fare, I need to buy this in advance and make sure my daughters are included on my ticket. For the Rheinland-Pfalz, can I buy these online in advance, or should I just buy them at the machines at the stations?
Thank you so much for your feedback!
