Germany Rhine River area by car

Hi David, Where are you starting from? In 2007, we flew into Frankfurt at 7am, got our rental car and drove to Bacharach to have a look around, same in St. Goar, took the car ferry back and forth across the Rhine to visit Marksburg and take the tour, and then drove to Cochem (near Burg Eltz), arriving by mid afternoon. I guess I'd have to say yes, it's enough time. www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/index.html www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/travel15.html Paul

Hi Paul, Thanks for the info. I am just starting my planning for a trip in June of 2014. My plan was very similar to yours. I plan to fly into Frankfurt and drive to either Bacharach, St Goar or Boppard as my home base for two nights. I was thinking of trying to get in St Goar and Burg Rheinfels on that same day. The next morning I was thinking of driving to Burg Eltz and maybe explore Cochem before returning to home base. The next morning visit Markburg then on to Rothenburg or Wursburg. Your thoughts Thanks,
David

Your plan makes perfect sense to me. After our stay in Cochem, we drove to Rothenburg just as you plan on doing. Easy drive. Just my opinion, take the Nightwatchman's Tour at 8 pm in Rothenburg. No reservations, just show up at the town hall square at 8 pm. Best hour we spent in Rothenburg. Paul

With a car, two days is more than enough time to visit those three castles. Just note that English-language tours of Marksburg are relatively infrequent, so you'll have to time your visit carefully. Rheinfels is self-guided, and Burg Eltz offers many English tours throughout the day.

"How easy is it to travel in the Rhine River area by car." There are bridges over the Rhein at Mainz and at Koblenz. In between there are only a few ferries. Keep that in mind if driving, but that is also a consideration when using the trains. Train service on the Rhein is excellent, but there is little public transportation to Burg Eltz. "Is that enough time with a car?" It's enough time to get from place to place, as long as you don't spend a lot of time at any venue. A visit to the Marksburg is only on a tour, which last, as I remember, less than an hour. I believe Burg Eltz is the same situation. On the other hand, Rheinfels is open to unlimited exploration. I spent about half a day exploring the tunnels where the soldiers lived and from which they defended the castle. I'd go first to Rheinfels, then, if time permits that day, do the K-D cruise between St Goar and Bacharach. For the second day, visit the Marksburg. Then, if time permits, go to Burg Eltz. The reason I put Burg Eltz last and make it a contingency is that I feel the difficulty getting there makes it less of a must see than the others.

Thanks to all for your feedback