Train from Cologne to Rudesheim, river cruise Rudesheim to Koblenz, train Koblenz back to Cologne

As is often stated here, the scenic part of the middle Rhine is from Bingen to Boppard or St. Goar. There is no point in any other boat ride. It will be time consuming and much less scenic. The trains on both side of the Rhine are so much faster than the boat that you should plan to use the train on either side of the boat ride, which also gets you a discount when you present the train ticket at the boat ticket desk. Note that you want to ride the boat north, with the current.

You should download the (seasonal) boat schedule from KD (the most popular vendor) and see how long the rides are. Then go to the DB (train) site and see how frequent (very frequent) the trains you need are, and how long they take. DO NOT boat back to Cologne, there is no point in it.

Most people taking this boat ride stay in one of the old towns along the way, and may even visit a castle by land. We were staying near Koblenz. I like Cologne very much, but it is not the ideal location from which to cruise the scenic Rhine.

Thanks Tim...we have a reason to be in Cologne, so not able to change that...appreciate the tip about the train ticket allowing for a discount on the boat ride...

According to the 2017 schedule for the KD line, pages 17 & 18 (pdf page 9 or 10), the boat leaves Rüdesheim at 9:15, not 9:30. It leaves Bingen at 9:30. It gets to Koblenz at 13:10, leaving plenty of time to get back to Cologne.

There are also boats leaving Rüdesheim at 10:15 and 11:15, but they only go as far a Boppard, getting there at 12:50 and 13:50 respectively (St. Goar @ 11:55 and 12:55). So, if you only want to go that far, you could have more time in the morning to get to Rüdesheim.

There are no boats between Koblenz and Linz, so you would have to train that segment.

BTW, it is a considerable distance from the KD dock in Koblenz to the Hbf, closer in Boppard, and even closer in St. Goar.

I think an afternoon riverboat following lunch in Bingen would be a more appealing option re timings.

IC 119
Dep 09:18 KOELN HBF (Germany)
Arr 10:50 BINGEN(RHEIN) HBF (Germany)

KD Line Riverboat
Dep 14:30 BINGEN
Arr 18:10 KOBLENZ

ICE 26
Dep 19:13 KOBLENZ HBF (Germany)
Arr 20:05 KOELN HBF (Germany)

The cruise is enjoyable but as Tim says, Bingen (or Ruedesheim) to St. Goar (1.5 boat hours) really does cover the best scenery. The part further north is pleasant but may seem a bit repetitive of what you saw south of St. Goar. And it gets a but industry-ugly near Koblenz.

The curious thing about the Rhine is that many first time visitors fail to get the word that there's more here than just the cruise!

Once you get off in St. Goar you can walk up and tour Rheinfels Castle. Then you have good choices in the afternoon as well.
- Catch a train north to Boppard - lovely town and a cool chairlift ride to a lookout over town - then walk a couple of minutes to Gedeonseck Terrace.

• OR: Ferry across the river from St. Goar to St. Goarshausen and take the train north to Braubach (nice old town)for a tour of Marksburg Castle.

From either Braubach or Boppard you can catch a train back to Cologne via Koblenz.

you've all been extremely helpful and informative...thanks to you all so much!

We are looking at doing a day trip similar to the OP's itinerary, just a little shorter. Somewhere, I read in one of these threads, that you can get a discount on the boat tickets by showing your train ticket for the day? We are staying in Bacharach, and I thought to take the train south to Bingen, ride the boat north to St. Goar, then return to Bacharach via train, using the same day ticket. If I can get a discount with my train ticket, I would probably not want to purchase the boat tickets in advance.

Thoughts?

I appreciate that there are so many great threads on the forum - I don't want to take over yours, Jack & Paola - but I feel like my questions might also be helpful.

Thanks!

What you read is correct, Jenny. Train fares:
Bacharach-Bingen - €4.40
St. Goar-Bacharach - €3.90

"...using the same day ticket" ???

Maybe not. The Rheinland-Pfalz ticket for two costs €29/2. So if you're only two, and you're only traveling those two segments by train, then together you'll save about €13 just on the train tickets buy buying normal tickets at the Bacharach and St. Goar stations. The normal fares btw are good at any hour of the day (so, early if you like.) The R-P ticket is valid only after 9 am on weekdays (Sat or Sun anytime.)

The standard cruise fare (€20) should be €16 w/ discount.

no worries, Jenny...the more info, the better! Have a great trip!

I am planning a similar trip, and would like some advice please. We are coming from Dortmund to Heidelberg with two nights in between and had thought to go to Ruedesheim for a night, and take the boat up to Braubach or Bacharach (we want to go to Marksburg Castle) but are wondering the best route and where to stay the second night. We are travelling by train. Any assistance appreciated please.

I have a similar situation and need help planning as I have never been in the area and don't speak much German. I have to fly in and out of Cologne (most affordable flights from Rome and then to Sarajevo) but would like to do the following things in 2-3 days.
1. Burg Eltz ( train to get there and would like to hike up to the castle and tour it)
2. Boat ride on the Rhein from Rudesheim and would like to get off somewhere to tour another castle.
3. End back in Cologne and check out the cathedral.

Also, we are not renting a car, so it must be possible with public transport. Suggestions on accommodations are welcome as well :-) Figuring out an itinerary is proving to be a challenge without a car and with a ton of luggage!

carolivey1 and mirelaalekic: You should each start your own thread. This way, you'll get answers customized for your situation, and you'll be notified when there's a response in your thread.

mirelaalekic:

Luggage and trains should not be a problem if you book in a smaller Rhine town where everything is steps away. That said, you would be foolish not to read and heed Rick's packing tips:

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-smart
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light

As for your Rhine visit - no problem. You have time for that with 3 nights no sweat. It's trickier with 2 nights but doable depending on your flight arrival and departure times from Köln-Bonn airport. BOPPARD, a nice old-world Rhine town that is close enough to Burg Eltz for a day trip, has lots of accommodations and dining choices and will probably work best, but it depends on your flights. I'll suggest something if you can provide your estimated time/date of departure/arrival so please provide that info as well as the # of travelers.

You do NOT want to even try to cruise all the way to Cologne. Best cruise is Rüdesheim/Bingen to Boppard (2.3 hours.) That's where the demand is because that's where the stunning scenery is, and that's where you'll find multiple boats per day (the cruise is another good reason for staying in Boppard.) Here is a map of the scenic cruise zone; Boppard isn't shown but it's just north of St. Goar on the same river bank:

https://gruppentouristik.com/sites/default/files/anbieter%202/Bingen-R%C3%BCdesheimer%20F%C3%A4hr-%20und%20Schiffahrtsgesellschaft/Rheinlauf.jpg

Hi Jack!
My husband and I are taking a similar trip the last 2 weeks in July. We plan to stay in Cologne, Boppard, and Rudesheim and do a Rhine cruise as well. My family is from Cartersville, Ga and my husband has family in both Acworth and Canton! Maybe we will run into you along the way :) Its a small world! Safe travels.
Tiffany & Josh from Savannah, Ga

How about that Tiffany & Josh...looks like our Rhine day will be either July 17 0r 18...it is a small world, isn't it...

We're staying in Cologne July 16-18, then of to Heidelberg for 2 days...

We'll look for you on the Rhine cruise...us Americans are easy to spot!

Safe travels to you as well

Jack & Paola...Canton, GA

Another Georgia couple headed to Germany and the Rhine. We leave June 6 so a bit earlier than you. We're staying in St. Goar and will do a short cruise from Bingen. DH is a musician so we have to hit the Hildegard sites in and around Bingen, too.

Celeste from Cumming, GA