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Cruises on the Rhine (late October)

If I read correctly, the K-D line doesn't run in during the last 3 days of October. I tried looking at the Bingen-Rudesheimer Line website but there's no mention of when they stop running. Does anyone know? I'm looking for a cruise between Bacharach and St. Goar. If they don't run during that time, are there any other cruises that do run during this time? I don't mind if it doesn't run in the morning or doesn't run in the afternoon, I'd just like to be able to get on a cruise. Thank you!

Posted by
2297 posts

Here is the winter schedule for KD (in German):
http://www.k-d.com/de/linienfahrten/winterfahrplan/ I wasn't able to find an English version. Basically it says that ships are only running if a minimum number of passengers have booked the cruise in advance. Booking by phone is therefore highly recommended. From what I've heard, they end up running boats occasionally on weekends, less often during the week. You could inquire by email about the details: info@k-d.com

Posted by
6590 posts

"I'm looking for a cruise between Bacharach and St. Goar." That's a very scenic segment but a very short one - only 13 km and only 40 minutes. If you are able to cruise, I'd suggest a longer ride from Bingen to St. Goar (1:25) as the Bingen-Bacharach part is great too (if staying in Bacharach, just catch a train down to Bingen to start.) Here are two of several castles you'll see by starting in Bingen instead. http://www.klaes-w.de/fotos/mittelrhein/mittelrhein_/bingen_maeuseturm_mit%20ruedesheim_ruine_ehrenfels_8418sqx.jpg B-R ends its regular cruise season at the same time KD does. But you still might get a cruise on one line or the other by calling in advance - if a sufficient number of others do the same, they'll schedule a cruise from somewhere to somewhere. The cruise is NOT the only way to see the river and maybe not even the best way. The train between Bingen and St. Goar follows the river the entire way - so grab a window seat on one of the slower MRB trains. A rail daypass (22€ for 1, 26€ for 2)allows you ride the rails at will on BOTH sides of the river and gets you on some of the ferries as well - like the St. Goar ferry, which runs all day. You could do a loop - start in Bacharach, train north to St. Goar, ferry over to St. Goarshausen, train south to Kaub (boat excursion there to Pfalzgrafenstein Castle (former toll station) in the middle of the river runs through October 10:00 - 16:00 exc. Mon.) then train south to Rüdesheim, ferry across to Bingen, then train north to Bacharach. Pfalzgrafenstein

Posted by
7181 posts

To each his own-I'll agree that the train is better and safer than a car, but a boat ride is the best way to see the scenic part of the Rhine. Rick (and I) think that Bingen to Boppard or Braubach is a better scenic route. Note that you would prefer to cruise downstream, or North, but you may have to take the boat that's offered! Bundle up, just in case. Hope Gluewein is on the boat menu. You might even ask when you telephone (if you dare) whether buying a day-pass (for more money than you need to spend) might push them over the top for a certain departure guarantee. But I'm speculating, and I'm sure you won't get a refund if they renege!