We are planning to take a river cruise on June 30, 2017 from Koblenz to Bacharach. Our party includes 3 adults, and 2 children (ages 15 and 12). We have a few questions:
1) Should we prepurchase boat passes? We have the Eurorail pass, and there seems to be a discount if we purchase river cruise tickets in person, but we would not want to risk the river cruise being out of capacity. We have seen river cruise passes available for prepurchase, but don't know if they are necessary or worthwhile.
2) Our plan is to board the cruise at 9:00 in Koblenz, and get off at Braubach (at 10:05) to tour Marksburg Fortress. We would like to tour the castle for a few hours, and then resume the cruise. However, there are limited stops in Braubach (the next pickup is 15:05), so we would need to catch a boat in Boppard instead (which has pickups at 13:00 and 14:00). This means we would need to travel from Braubach to Boppard without the river cruise. What is the best way to get from Braubach to Boppard? We are not familiar with the area, but there appears to be buses, trains, and ferries. We are having difficulties determining which to take, especially because Braubach and Boppard are on different sides of the Rhine.
3) We are staying in Bacharach after the river cruise, and would love to see the Rhine in Flames the evening of July 1st. However, we would appreciate advise regarding activities to do and sights to see during the day for July 1st. We could travel to Oberwesel, Bining, Rudesheim, or other nearby towns. Any advise about the Rhine in Flames would be welcome as well!
Thank you very much!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
I don't think the boats are reservable by ticket pre-purchase. Whatever ticket you have, seating is first come, first served. Also, they are big boats; I doubt that they sell out.
What is the best way to get from Braubach to Boppard? We are not
familiar with the area, but there appears to be buses, trains, and
ferries. We are having difficulties determining which to take,
especially because Braubach and Boppard are on different sides of the
Rhine.
Yes. They are on opposite sides of the river. Probably the best way to get from Braubach to Boppard is to take the train back to Koblenz and then the train to Boppard. You can also take the train to Filsen, then walk about a km along the highway to the ferry that goes across to Boppard. Lastly, you can wait for the K-D boat from Braubach to Boppard.
Posted by
Paradise
6658 posts
"Should we prepurchase boat passes?"
They do exist but probably not. They are overpriced for what you need and don't reserve you a seat anyway.
You are starting your day in Koblenz and ending it in Bacharach, and hoping to visit Marksburg and Boppard in the same day. Maybe a tall order.
Also, the cruise from Koblenz to Braubach is one of the less attractive stretches - why pay for that? The best Rhine cruise is the one with the most boats - Bingen to St. Goar (or St. Goarshausen, across the river.) Map: https://gruppentouristik.com/sites/default/files/anbieter%202/Bingen-R%C3%BCdesheimer%20F%C3%A4hr-%20und%20Schiffahrtsgesellschaft/Rheinlauf.jpg
So here's what I'd suggest.
1.) Train 9:04 to Bacharach 9:35; drop bags at hotel.
2.) Train 10:06 to Bingen (10:19) for a riverfront walk and a 11:30 cruise. Cruise to St. Goarshausen (13:05) Cruise fare is €16 if you show your rail pass (or any train ticket) for your discount. I'm not so familiar with the family discount but you may qualify. Just ask there.
3.) Train (13:32) to Braubach (13:53) for a meal in the old town and the 4 pm Marksburg tour in English.
4.) Train (17:24 or :54) to Boppard (18:15 or :44) via Koblenz. Or just use those departure times from Braubach to return to Bacharach.
Boppard may be better to visit the next day when the chairlift is open. Gedeonseck is a nice restaurant spot - follow the signs (there's a lesser place right next to the chairlift but it's not far to Gedeonseck.)
http://ext.pimg.tw/samlucky5711/1379089584-1923285561.jpg?v=1379089585
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8947 posts
Just so you aware, you don't get to tour Marksburg on your own. You have to on on a tour that lasts about 45 min.
With kids, I would go to St. Goar and explore Burg Rheinfels too or instead of the Marksburg. This is all personal choice of course. Some people prefer one or the other. Or you could do both if you have time.
Do follow the advice from Russ and train to Bacharach, drop off your bags and continue by train down to Bingen where you can get in the ship going to either St. Goar, St. Goarshausen, or Braubach. This way you get to see way more castles.
Posted by
Paradise
6658 posts
Rheinfels is surely a better choice for younger kids with an underdeveloped appreciation of history and a short attention span. But I would think kids your age would be fascinated by what they see at Marksburg. My 10-year-old was.
And since 7th-graders across our country (for some absurd reason) are routinely required to build sugar-cube castles to demonstrate their acquired wisdom about medieval life, Marksburg could serve as an intact model (heh.) Unlike Rheinfels, it's never been destroyed.
Visit Rheinfels too if you have time.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2414 posts
Depending on your other train transportation needs, I would not waste Eurorail days on trains for these two days. Local train passes such as the Rheinland Pfalz are excellent values