Train connection in Koblenz Hbf when travelling to Trier from Frankfurt Hbf

Here is the layout of the Koblenz Hbf.

Look up schedules on the Bahn Query webpage. If the Bahn shows the connecton, you can probably make it. Whether or not the platforms (Gleise) are far apart is not very important. Most of your time will be spent getting to the stairs, going down into the tunnel, going up the other stairs. The extra distance in the tunnel is largely insignificant. Make sure you are at the end of the carriage, with your luggage, ready to get off when the train stops. Most people from the train will be going to the tunnel. Follow the herd.

Any ticket for regional trains will be good for later trains going on the same route. Full fare tickets for express trains (ICE/IC/EC) will also be good for later trains. Savings Fare ticket (advance purchase) are only valid on the train shown on the tickets, but if you miss the train due to a fault of the Bahn, go to the ticket office and they will put you one the next available train.

I think I see your connection. You come into Koblenz on an ICE and go out on an RB. You can use the ticket on any regional train from Koblenz to Trier that day. There is another one, a faster RE in 49 minutes. It gets to Trier only 19 minutes later than your RB.

I would be more concerned with the ICE from FRA to Koblenz. If you have none refundable Savings Fare tickets on that train and the flight is late .....

I basically did the same transfer last June enroute to Trier (I started from Bacharach). I do remember feeling rushed but made the transfer. You might sit in the dining car and have something to drink while you journey down (I guess up) the Mosel.

Were you planning to buy a non-refundable Savings Fare ticket? I would suggest instead, considering the uncertainty of arrival time on a trans-Atlantic flight, that you use regional trains and passes. At the Regionalbahnhof, purchase a Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket (doe Mainz to Trier) from an automat for 28€ and a local RMV ticket from the airport to the Mainz Hbf for 4,55€/pers. Take the next S-Bahn to Mainz and change there for an RE or RB to Koblenz, then take another RE to Trier. Or, I see an RE at 13:24 direct to Koblenz - no change in Mainz. Same ticketing would apply.

This way you could leave whenever you arrive from the closer in Regionalbahnhof. No need to go all the way out to the Fernbahnhof or allow a cushion for a late flight (with a Savings Fare ticket). At each station, you just wait for the next regional train. It might take a little longer, but no worry about missing a connection.

BTW, Pam, there are no dining cars on the regional trains he'll be using on the Mosel.

Lee and Pam - Thank you so much for your comments! They hit the mark. It was exactly the advice I was hoping to obtain.

I had not yet decided whether to buy Savings Fare Tickets in advance. My indecision, in part, was due to one question that you answered. If we missed the train, could we apply to ticket to a later departure. And it sounds as though if the train is late, they will reschedule for us. If it is our fault we are late - Oh well!

Our flight to Frankfurt is from London where we will have spent a few days, so the timeliness is not as much an issue as a transatlantic flight. However, I am inclined to wait and buy the ticket when we arrive. I started this search so I could determine what time we should leave London to arrive in Frankfurt and have adequate travel time to get to Trier.

It is also most helpful to understand the difference between regional and express trains. It seems as though the regional are a bit slower but more frequent.

Thank your for the links to the train information - so helpful. Also, I appreciate and am glad for the translations provided.

--Susan

" It seems as though the regional are a bit slower but more frequent."

RB: Regional Bahn trains (also MRB) are milk run trains that stop at every station. Very slow.

RE: Regional Express stop at fewer stations, so are faster.

Koblenz to Trier: Now only regional trains (I once rode an IC from Cochem to Koblenz, but it doesn't seem to run today). One of each, RB and RE, each hour. The RBs take half an hour longer to Trier, but the schedule is such that whichever one leaves next, get to Trier soonest.

Mainz to Koblenz: There is an IC or ICE every hour and either an RE or an MRB (RB) every hour. The RB stops at every station; the RE stops at a few (4 or 5) stations; the IC stops only once, at Bingen.

FRA to Mainz: lots of trains per hour (2 S-Bahn, one RE, one IC or ICE). About half the time, the RE or IC/ICE to Mainz goes on to Koblenz.

To use a Savings Fare ticket, at least on leg of your trip must be on an express train. Then the fare can be as low as 29€ for two. Without Savings Fare, it's 100€ for two. With local tickets to Mainz and a Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket from there it's 37,10 for two (2 x 4.,55€ plus 28€).

The subject of Savings Fare exchanges/refunds was discussed earlier. It appears that all might not be lost if you arrive too late to use the original ticket. It might be possible, with payment of a 17,50€ penalty, to use the purchase price of the Savings Fare ticket towards a new ticket.

Hello, North Valley neighbor Susan.

The way I understand Rick's tour is that there's a 16:00 meeting in Trier that kicks off the tour. Are you planning to arrive at 17:11 on Day 1 (late, in other words,) or to arrive at FRA the day BEFORE and make your way to Trier for an extra night there?

If it's the day before, then I would do this...

1.) From FRA, take a S-Bahn or regional train to Mainz, which you must pass through on the way to Trier anyway (25 minutes, direct train) for one night. The Königshof hotel is one choice near the station.

2.) Relax. No fussing with train changes and all that on Day 1. Eat well. Take a walk. Get some sleep. Have a relaxed breakfast, see a little of Mainz, then whenever you are ready the next day, take a train to Trier via Koblenz. You'll have no trouble getting there by 16:00.

Tickets: You can do this as Lee outlined above with the €4.55 tickets for your first day and the Rheinland-Pfalz ticket for the next day using the regional trains.