train from Paris to Koblenz, Germany

"This June, following 8 days in Paris, we want to take train to the Rhine River area for a day cruise. We were thinking of starting out cruise at Koblenz and cruise to Rudesheim. We would love recommendations."

Koblenz to Rüdesheim takes over 6 hours. Don't spend all your very limited time on the boat. See just the most scenic part - Bacharach to St. Goar is very good.

Get an early start. Leave Paris 7:09, arrive Bacharach 12;26; check in or just drop bags, have lunch, see town; catch 3:15 pm cruise boat to St. Goar, arrive 3:55; tour Rheinfels Castle (open 'til 6:00.)

http://www.k-d.com/englisch/schiffstouren/fahrplan-rhein-peak.html

Dinner in St. Goar or Bacharach (they're only a few minutes apart by train.)

You can see Rüdesheim if you wish on your way to Frankfurt or Mainz for a car, or pick one up in Bingen (ferry across the river from R'heim) or in Koblenz.

Thanks for the responses. We will need to get from Gare d'Austerliz or Gare de Lyon to Gare Est,; how do we do this? Dorsey

Thanks, Russ, however, which train do we take to St Goar; we will have our 11 year old granddtr with us and understand that cruise ships have little for teens to do on board? Dorsey

These short river boat cruises are not like a ship cruise. You just sit there and watch the scenery go by, there is nothing for anyone to do at all, exept take photos, or have a drink or snack to eat. Thus, usually a couple of hours is enough for most people, no matter what the age.

Which train to St. Goar, you ask?

To find itineraries, use this website:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Type in Paris under "start" and St. Goar under "destination". You'll get connections to St. Goar that way. If you type in "Koblenz", you only get connections as far as Koblenz. You have to switch trains in Koblenz for a 25-min. ride along the Rhine.