We are traveling by train from Amsterdam. I'd like to see Burg Eltz due to Rick's enthusiastic review. But it seems it may be too complicated by train. I also want to take a Rhine cruise from St. Goar to Bacharach. We'll stay the night somewhere in the area (suggestions on the train line?).
Assuming we arrive by train around 1 p.m., I'd like to hear how long you would stay in the area and a potential itinerary. Not all of our travelers can hike, so that is out.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4765 posts
This is frequently discussed here. The above link may prove helpful,
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Green Bay
20159 posts
How many in your group?
I suggest staying in Boppard, as there are good hotels right along the river and you will all get free VRM transport passes for your stay. After you check in to the hotel, take a train to Bingen Stadt and return to Boppard on the K-D replica sidewheeler ship to Boppard. Then you will get the see the whole Rhine Gorge and travel faster going downstream. You do not have to do everything just like Rick does.
Next day, using those free VRM passes, you can take a train to Koblenz, then change to a train to Hatzenport and take the bus from there to Burg Eltz, returning later in the day.
Posted by
Paradise
6660 posts
2kimgray:
It's a long trip from A'dam that probably won't allow time for both Eltz and a cruise. Sam's plan looks reasonable. But let's talk about that second day... Do you have time on the day you wake up in Boppard (or whatever Rhine town) to then make the trip to Eltz and take a tour? Is there a deadline for arrival somewhere else that day? Or are you spending TWO nights on the Rhine (which of course is the better option)??
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
The bus from Hatzenport to Burg Eltz runs 2x hourly (one at 49 min after the hour) and takes 36 minutes. If you are coming from Amsterdam, take a train south from Koblenz (direction Trier) and get off at Hatzenport.
Posted by
OP
Missouri
10 posts
There are 5 in our group.
We have the day we arrive from Amsterdam and one full day. So, two nights in the Rhine Valley.
Posted by
Paradise
6660 posts
(Based on random date)
Day 1
- Lv A'dam 8:08
- Ar Bingen Rhein Stadt 13:29, walk to waterfront promenade (5-10 min's walk)
- Lunch... board 14:30 KD cruise to St Goar (16:05)
- Check in, drop bags, see town, have dinner. OR... take an evening side trip to Bacharach for dinner and see the town (Lv St. Goar 17:29, 17:56, 18:26, a 10-minute train ride.)
Day 2
- morning train to Hatzenport + Castle bus to Eltz (9:00 - 11:38)
- lunch at castle and tour
- return to St. Goar 14:47 - 16:55
OR...
- morning train to Braubach (9:00 - 10:05)
- walk or taxi to Marksburg castle for tour + lunch at castle or in town
- return to St. Goar (13:53 - 14:55)
Getting to Eltz is indeed time consuming from most Rhine River base towns. It's a very nice castle but very different from Marksburg. I find Marksburg - also intact and never destroyed - a superior choice: more casual and more interesting as well in terms of medieval history lessons - and also more convenient. Lunch in Braubach means multiple dining options. And because you can get back to your base area earlier with Marksburg, you will have more time if you want to take a walk around the old town wall in Oberwesel (5 mins south of St. Goar, ar. 15:00) or take the chairlift in Boppard (10 minutes north of St. Goar, ar. 14:45.)
