Hi, I'm looking for advice to travel by train from Boppard to Interlaken. Better to leave late in the day or would leaving super early give me time to do anything in Interlaken? Should I just go online to Rail Europe or Train Line to get the best times and price? Do the ticket prices increase closer to departure dates so I should book now? and how do I know if 13 minutes is enough time to change trains at a station? Thanks!
Posted by
Green Bay
22121 posts
When are you wanting to do this? There is currently major work on the rail lines between Boppard and Mainz.
But looking at July, I see a departure at 7:04 am with a single train change in Frankfurt Hbf, and also one at 9:16 am with a single change in Mainz. Both take just under 7 hours.
Posted by
Paradise
7356 posts
Should I just go online to Rail Europe or Train Line to get the best times and price?
Check German Railways first.
We can help route you properly around construction issues if you provide dates.
Also, you do not have to ticket this from Boppard. The VRM Guest pass that comes with your room in Boppard will cover PART of your journey. I cannot say which part until we establish the correct routing for you. Prices do rise as tickets sell. Don't get impatient and ticket hastily, though... first things first.
Posted by
Schwerin
3754 posts
You shall know this update on train line EC 7:
"Eurocity train lines EC 7 and EC 9 end now in Basel (not Zurich or Interlaken)"
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/eurocity-train-lines-ec-7-and-ec-9-end-now-in-basel-not-zurich-or-interlaken
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1900 posts
You should seriously consider flying from Cologne to Zurich, and taking the train from there. Costs about $60, takes a hour. No need for huge before times at the airport either, as it's basically a local flight. Multiple flights daily, and you don't have to worry about missing your connection.
Posted by
Green Bay
22121 posts
Wow, 2 hours to CGN from Boppard plus a 34 EUR train ticket, then 2 hours before flight departs, 1 hour in the air, 1/2 hour from arrival to the airport train station, then 2 1/2 hours by train to Interlaken and a 79 CHF train ticket. That is 8 hours, 1 hour more than by train but also requires 2 train tickets plus an airline ticket and the joy of airport security.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1900 posts
If you go to the airport more than an hour ahead of a local flight you're just wasting time. And if Koln is too far, fly from Frankfurt Hahn. Or into Bern. The point being that trains are not the best answer, especially when you're looking at a major portion of the route being under construction. And rarely when the train is over 5 hours.
If you haven't actually tried a short hop via air inside the EU, you really shouldn't presume it's like the USA.