RS recommends a cru between St Goar and Bacharach. Is it better to leave from either of these towns? Is it worthwhile to do a round turn cruise from either? Thanks, Dorsey
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I found the cruise up the river, against the current, from St Goar to Bacharach, which took 70 minutes, tedious. With the current, Bacharach to St Goar, it only takes 40 minutes. That's the way I would go. The train back to Bacharach from St Goar only takes a little more than 10 minutes.
Posted by
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
430 posts
I wouldn't do a round trip from either. Boat one direction, train back.
The St. Goar toward Bacharach direction takes longer (upstream) than the other direction.
Where are you coming from? If you are coming from Cologne, were it me, I'd switch to the local regional train at Koblenz. Ride that as far as Bacharach, using Rick's guide to see castles (quickly) out the window. Get on a boat at Bacharach and boat Bacharach to St. Goar. Have lunch. See Rheinfels castle while in St. Goar. Get on another boat from St. Goar to Boppard. Have dinner in Boppard. Train back to Cologne or on to next stop.
Posted by
OP
Centennial, CO
189 posts
We are taking the train from Paris to St. Goar. But because of your responses, we will probably take the train to Bach, cruise to St. Goar and train back to Back. Thanks for the information. Dorsey
Posted by
OP
Centennial, CO
189 posts
What is the approximate cost of the cruise from Bach to St Goar and of the train fare? Dorsey
Posted by
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
430 posts
The train portion costs 3.20 Euro, 10 minutes, runs hourly. To check rail connections for yourself, use the DB Bahn rail site -- www.bahn.de. Language selection top right of first page.
The boat fare is 10 Euro, with some discounts for other people traveling as a group. Check out this website for some more detail: www.bingen-ruedesheimer.com/rhine-cruise/lorelei/.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Although there are a number of companies operating boats on the Rhein, I think K-D (Köln-Düsseldorf) is the main one. Their website is at www.k-d.de. The trip one way between St. Goar and Bacharach is 10,50; round trip is 12,80, so it is less expensive (€2,30 vs €3,20) to come back on the boat, but takes an hour longer. So pay yourself €0,90 per hour (or not).
Posted by
OP
Centennial, CO
189 posts
Thanks, everyone. We will take the boat from Bacharach to St. Gore. Do we need advance reservations? We will be taking the boat ride June 11, 2010. Dorsey
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
According to the K-D website, under fares, "At each KD landing stage you will receive a 20% discount off the KD schedule tariffs when you present a valid German Rail ticket".
Travel on the K-D boats is also covered with a German Rail or Eurail pass validated for that day.