Im coming to Cologne this December and wanted to take a daytrip cruise on the Rhine river, but I can't find any that leave from Cologne and return the same day. Are there any good ones someone can recommend? Thanks.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9247 posts
If you are interested in seeing the castles on the Rhine, you will need to take a train to that part of the Rhine. If you went by ship, it would take about 8 hours just to get there as this is going upstream. There is usually only 1 ship per day in the winter and even then it may not run. Where exactly did you want to go, which towns or castles and when in December? There may be Christmas markets in some of the towns, but the other towns will be almost closed down. There is only 1 castle that is open and that is the Marksburg in Braubach.
Posted by
Paradise
7107 posts
It's December and too cold for river cruising, really (which is why there's no dependable boat service) so take a cruise by train instead. Trains serve both sides of the river and follow it very closely south of Koblenz (where the good scenery is.) You can take a train south to Bingen (southernmost part of the scenic zone,) cross over to Rüdesheim by ferry boat, then catch a train from there north along the other river bank on the return route - or vice versa. As long as there's light in the sky, you'll see quite a few castles south of Koblenz. Marksburg is open for tours from 11-4 in winter, so time your arrival in Braubach accordingly.
Posted by
OP
pittsburgh
162 posts
Ms Jo and Russ, thanks for the advice. I'm looking into the train/ferry combo to Braubach right now. Its seems just a wee bit complicated but quite doable. Thanks again.