Germany in a week!

It's about a 5 hour train trip from Koln and Berlin. You could pick a stop or two in between--just make sure you allow enough time for visiting Berlin! You could easily spend your entire week there and have plenty to see and do!

Actually I am very confused with the train tickets. I want to buy 3 twin rail passes but I am not sure how surcharges work on night (sleeper) trains. Is this the webpage correct for that?

http://www.bahn.de/nachtzugreise/view/en/reiseinformationen/preise_en.shtml#aufpreis

Wing,

You might want to download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website, as it explains all the details about rail travel. As you're in the U.K., I believe you'll be using Interail passes rather than the version that we use, however these should be similar.

If you're using Rail Passes, you'll have to pay extra for Couchettes / Sleepers. One other thing to note is the "7 pm rule" (explained in the Rail Guide).

Happy travels!

go here to see train schedules so you know travel time between destinations

If the trip only lasts five hours, as stated above, why would you want to pay extra for a sleeper car?

This is what I have planned so far:

Day 1: afternoon flight (sleep in Koln)
Day 2: river cruise in St Goar & Rheinfels Castle (sleep in Koln)
Day 3: Koln cathedral in the morning, late afternoon train to berlin (sleep in Berlin)
Day 4-7: Berlin, maybe day trip to Dresden

The most expensive train journey is the train from Koln to Berlin. The cheapest ticket avaliable costs 39 euros per person, but then it takes 6 hours. I am considering the 2nd class twin rail pass now, which allows me to get on the 89 euros train, but it's 1.5 hours faster. What do you think about this?

Hi Wing,
Your plan sounds great--the only modification that you might want to consider is: On the day you arrive plan some activities--I'd see the Koln Cathedral on that day. Then, on Day 3, I'd leave for Berlin early in the day to maximize the time you have to spend in Berlin.

Dresden would be a nice day trip if you find you have time!

I'm not an expert on rail passes but it doesn't seem like you'd need one. Hopefully, someone else will comment on rail passes.

Enjoy your trip!

Wing, if you are going in July, you have time to book Dauer-Spezial fares. These are non-refundable, date/train specific fares for as low as €29 pP. Look up you connections on the German Rail website. The Dauer-Spezial fares should show up as "Savings fares". You can book them online, pay with you credit card, and print them out at home.

If it were I, I would start with Köln, go next to the Mittelrhein (St. Goar), then take the train to the Harz Nat. Park (Braunlage) for a few days (take the steam train up to the top of the Brocken), then finish in Berlin.

Check out the K-D boat schedules at www.k-d.de. I don't believe you can start in Köln and cruise RT to St. Goar. I don't even think you can do one way in a day. You should take the train to Bacharach, cruise down to St. Goar, and take the train back.

Hi lee, thank you so much for your advice. Could you tell me where I can find more information about the steam trains? I don't seem to find info about them on the internet (especially english ones). It seems that the national park is not very accessible by train.

Actually I will visit Germany in late June. I have searched briefly on the internet. Those Dauer-Spezial fares that you have mentioned have probably sold out. Then I came across Länder-Tickets in the free rail guide. Can I use them for my travel in the st goar region?