We would like to go by train from Cologne(2nights in Cologne) to Bacharach, Heidelberg, Rothenburg in two days. Spending the night in Heidelberg and Rothenburg. We're not sure about how to get to these places with the train, any ideas or good advice would be appreciated. It's our 40th anniversary and we will then go to Salzburg and Vienna for several days and then to Paris for a week. We've traveled a lot in Italy by train but only on escorted river cruises in Germany. Is Cologne and some of the river towns too much to do in four days? Not sure how long the train trips will be between?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19232 posts
The first suggestion is that you learn to use the German Rail query page to find schedules in Germany (actually, anywhere in Europe).
I really think you will find that one night each in Heidelberg and Rothenburg with not be enough.
Posted by
burlington
427 posts
Posted by
Atlanta
5142 posts
Not sure why 2 nights in Cologne -- only the church is noteworthty. You can get to all three of the towns by rail. Do a google search on the german rail system and you will find a world of info.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
95 posts
I agree with Lee and TC about some of your plans. I don't know if you've already got some travel booked but you might want to look around at your options a little more.
There may be some people that would tell you to spend more time in Cologne but we used it more as a 1/2 day stop to see the cathedral, have a nice meal near the river and then catch a night train. Having been further down the Rhine to Bacharach and also to Rothenburg, i would vote for taking those 2 nights away in Cologne and adding them somewhere else on the Rhine/Mosel or to Rothenburg. Cologne to Bacharach takes about 2 hours on the regional trains.