My husband and I are seeking advice to purchase train tickets for a portion of our visit to Germany, We will arrive in Amsterdam and stay for 3 days and 3 nights. Checking the Bahn website, on May 31,we can take a 10:37a.m. train to Boppard, Germany, arriving at 15:15pm for 98 EUR.
1st question: We will be in Boppard for 5 nights and 4 full days, so we have options to make best use of our time. Our plans include one day taking the train from Boppard to begin a Rhine cruise in Bingen. We may end in Boppard or Braubach, depending on how the day goes. One day we plan to go to Cochem. Another day is free to visit other villages and castles and pick up what we missed seeing on our cruise. Would a 3- day VRM ticket be worth it for us, or is it better to buy separate tickets? (I know VRM ticket needs an added 2.20EUR fare from Oberwesel).
2nd question: Our 4th day in Boppard is Sunday, June 4, and we want to go to Cologne. I understand Bahn has a Schones-Wochende Ticket (“Happy Weekend” fare) for 29 EUR for 2 passengers, It is for 2nd class seats on regional trains. I am not sure how to get this ticket fare, or if this type of train ticket using regional trains makes it too long a ride to Cologne and back for a day. And…could we purchase these tickets the day we want to use them?
3rd question: We also need train tickets June 5, from Boppard to Mainz where we will be renting a car to drive to Alsace, via Baden Baden. I see Bahn Rheinland-Pfalz tickets at 9:16am for 52 EUR. Would these be our least expensive fare at 52 EURO? Can we also purchase the RP ticket the day we need it, or should we buy it ahead of time?
Thank you for any advice on purchasing these tickets.