Train from Hamburg to Koblenz

11:53 - 16:46

This journey is one of only two DIRECT trains that serve these stations on the date that i checked. I would book a direct journey at the DB site like this one rather than a 2-3 train journey to minimize the chance you will miss a connection. The German Railways system is mostly dependable but trains often run late and cause missed connections. I would purchase a saver fare (non-refundable) ASAP for the best pricing; fares rise as tickets sell and you will pay more later.

Thanks, Russ, for pointing out there was a direct train I hadn't seen before. I can appreciate the wisdom in minimizing potential problems with connections, but this single scheduled direct train will make me late for the tour meet & greet at 4:00. Plan B would be to spend one less day in Hamburg and one more day in Koblenz arriving before the tour starts. Is avoiding a single transfer/connection that perilous? I'd rather stay in Hamburg but open to persuasion.

Perilous, no, but I would pretty much plan around a potential delay. Leave Hamburg earlier than the schedule implies you should leave to ensure meeting up with your group.

Koblenz is probably a convenient place to start a tour, but it doesn'pt offer much IMO; arriving a day early would allow you to visit some worthwhile places on the Rhine that your tour ignores altogether.

Marksburg Castle in Braubach, just 10 minutes from Koblenz Hbf. Or just a walk around the town if time is short - it's a handsome old-world town, as these pages of photos demonstrate:

https://www.stadtbild-deutschland.org/forum/index.php?thread/7322-braubach-am-rhein-und-marksburg-galerie/

Rheinfels Castle in St. Goar.

A Rhine cruise from Rüdesheim (nice gondola ride above the vineyards and other sights) to St Goar past vineyards, villages and dozens of castles.

Or take a walk through Oberwesel or Bacharach, both lovely towns as well.

The towns mentioned are all easy to reach by train from Cochem. Map of railways, cruise boat stops, and ferry crossings for this area:

http://www.loreley-info.com/eng/rhein-rhine/walking-hiking.php

Map with castles: http://www.loreley-info.com/eng/rhein-rhine/castles.php

You can reliably expect to get to Koblenz by train if you somehow make it to the station in Hamburg. Trains run frequently along the entire route. While delays happen, you can count on getting there.

And you can just go to the station in Hamburg, go to the ticket office and ask for a ticket to Koblenz, and you will get one. Train travel is actually just mass transit.

But booking in advance will save you money. Reserving a seat is a good idea as well. (Seat reservations are not automatic).

Thank you all for your input! I made my decision and reserved a seat on the direct train (thanks Russ) in 1st class. I'll be a little late but not by much. Prost!