My wife and I are planning a 2-day trip on the Rhine with her parents (healthy, active in their 60's) in May. We are driving to the Rhine and would like to hit Bacharach, St. Goar, and Burg Eltz without being rushed. What's the best boat/train (or car if necessary) combo to keep the logistics as simple as possible and have some relaxed time in each of these places? I've been instructed that my mother-in-law wants to do at least part of it on a boat. And for one last complication, is it possible to do all this and still spend the night in Bacharach or is it too much backtracking? Thanks.
Posted by
Marietta, Georgia
157 posts
We actually decided not to take a boat trip, but did multiple car trips on the Rhine.
However, a boat trip is easily accessible.
A car will give you maximun flexibility for St Goar & Burg Eltz.
Maybe your best best is to spend the night in Bacharach.
Posted by
Bend, OR, USA
14 posts
It has been quite a few years since I took that trip. We basically followed Rick's recommndations. We took a boat trip to Bacharach. Spent the night in the castle by the train track that Rick recommends. It was an experience worth doing. It is so small, I proably wouldn't spend more than one night there. The castles along the river were worth the trip, even if you went back and forth in one day. Have fun! Kimi
Posted by
Cartersville, GA, USA
55 posts
I stayed in Bacharach [ at the hotel by the train track,a little loud but the lady who runs it is super nice] and the boat dock is just across the street. The cruise on the Rhine to see the castles was a real treat.I took it in both directions ! I then took the train to Koln to see the cathedral. Distances are short so Bacharach is a good base. Rheinfels castle was a highlight and the town of St. Goar was a good little wander.I would boat on the outward journey and train back.Just check the location of the train station at your last stop so you don't end up walking too far.
Posted by
Bend, OR, USA
14 posts
Good information ~ Thanks! Kimi
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I would stay in St. Goar. It is in the Rhine-Mosel transit district (www.vrm-info.de); Bacharach is outside the district. From there you can use a VRM Gruppenkarte. It is an all day pass for up to 5 people to go anywhere by bus and regional trains from Oberwesel down the Rhein to Remagen or up the Mosel to Bullay for only €20. Also, there is a ferry at St. Goar to the other side of the river at St. Goarshausen. Most accommodations in St. Goar are just down the hill a couple of blocks from the train station. You can find accommodations at www.st-goar.de. Some people on this site have stayed at Hotel-am-Markt and liked it. It's on the Market square, right across from the boat landings.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I spent five nights on the Rhein a few years ago, and I found it easy to get around by train. A car, IMO, would be a nuisance. There are frequent trains going along both side of the Rhein, and the local trains stop in every little town. The only place a little difficult to get to (long walk) without a car would be Burg Eltz, but the Marksburg in Braubach makes a good substitute and has a shuttle from town to the castle on the bluff above. It, along with Burg Eltz, were the only castles in the area that were never destroyed. You can see everything conveniently by train except Burg Eltz, and I don't think it is worth the cost of a car rental just to save the walk.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
As for the boat. Don't take it very far. It is slow, time consuming, and gets boring quickly. If you stay in St. Goar, take the train to Bacharach for a "look-around", then come back on the boat to St. Goar. The stretch from Bacharach to St. Goar includes the Pfalzgrafenstein (the mid-river toll castle) and the Loreley. That's the most interesting stretch, IMO.
Going up river, from St. Goar takes 70 minutes against the current. Too long. Coming down the river from Bacharach only takes 40 minutes.
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
I would agree with most of the above - but also add Cochem as a great home base. I did Burg Eltz and Marksburg - and found them both easy without a car. Train is fine. Boat from the Rudesheim area to Bacharach and St Goar was nice. Train the rest of the time. If youre not into a 1.5 hr hike (beautiful as it is tho) - the only place you need a taxi is to Burg Eltz. (and maybe Marksburg if you dont want that street hike either). Since you have only 2 days - Bacharach may well be your best best to stay and do side trips via train. You can do all your above plans without problem and save plenty for next time (like the Mosel area past Eltz - Cochem, Bernkastel and Trier)
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
St. Goar and Bacharach are only about 10 minutes apart on the train. Both have train stations and K-D boat stops.
HOWEVER, St. Goar has a ferry right there to the other side of the river, somewhat unusual for that part of the Rhein. St. Goar is closer to Koblenz, the Mosel, and Braubach (Marksburg); Bacharach is closer to FRA. St. Goar is within the Rhein-Mosel transit district so you can use a €20 Gruppenkarte for up to 5 people to the other places on the Rhein and Mosel; Bacharach is outside the district so you have to use a €26 Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket.