We want to spend a few days along the Rhine and would like to do a day cruise through some of the more scenic parts and spending a night or two at the more quaint, smaller towns. We will not have a car and will be connecting by bus and/or train. Any suggestions? Also, is it necessary to book ahead for the cruises or local connections? And, lastly, is it worth it to get a local rail pass? Thanks.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
There are train lines with hourly local trains on both sides of the Rhein from Koblenz to Mainz, as well as several ferry crossing in the span, so getting from place to place is not a problem. If you are talking about the K-D ship line, as far as I know there are no reservations. It's like the city bus. Buy your ticket and get on. They are big boats with lots of spaces. A Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket (26€ for two) will cover all-day travel by train or bus between Mainz and Bonn. The local transit district (Rhein-Mosel-Verkehrsverbund) covers from down river (NW) of Koblenz almost to Bonn up (SE) to Oberwesel (does not include Bacharach). They sell day passes for unlimited train and bus travel in the entire Verkehrsverbund, 18€ single, 21,20€ up to five people. Most people stay in Bacharach or St Goar. I stayed in Boppard because it is a little more centrally located. You can also stay in Braubach, under the Marksburg, but it is near the NW end of the scenic part of the river.
Posted by
Paradise
6960 posts
Staying in St. Goar makes the trip to Marksburg Castle in Braubach a bit shorter than if you stay in Bacharach, Oberwesel, or Boppard - just take the ferry (runs all day) across the river and ride a northbound train (22 miutes) to Braubach. St. Goar is also the town with the best scenery, IMO - 3 castles visible from town - and one of them, Rheinfels, is right there. But I'm also very fond of Boppard, which has better dining options, more interesting older buildings, lots of wineries, and a cool chairlift ride. Boppard makes a daytrip up the Mosel River to Cochem all that much closer, another advantage. Bacharach and Oberwesel are great too. Oberwesel has a wonderful old town wall you can walk on from tower to tower for great views; Bacharach has the finest collection of half-timbered buildings. I'd recommend some time in each of these towns and a visit to Marksburg as well. Spend 2-3 nights if possible. "...would like to do a day cruise through some of the more scenic parts..." It shouldn't take a day. Best section is between Bingen and Boppard - takes about 2.3 hours if you travel south to north, 4 hours north to south (against the current.) When you arrive at the KD dock in Bingen, be sure to show the train ticket you used to get there - you get a 20% cruise discount. The local transit authority - the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Mosel, or VRM - offers 3-day passes as well as the one-day passes Lee mentions. Look for mini-group tickets and 3-day mini-group tickets (40€) at THIS PAGE.