Dresden to Boppard - by train or train + boat?
May 25th, 2014, 04:21 AM
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Dresden to Boppard - by train or train + boat?
We had planned to travel by train from Dresden to Boppard. A long day, we know.
It's been suggested by someone on this forum (Russ?) a while back, that we leave the train at Bingen (stadt station), walk to river - 5-10 mins - and do the last leg by KD ferry. We love this idea!
The only issue is our luggage. We'd like to travel light, but it's a 4-week trip altogether with weather varying from quite cold (Kirkenes) to quite mild (we hope) in the Rhein and Mosel valleys. So realistically it's going to be a largish suitcase each + small cabin bag.
KD have confirmed it's OK to take luggage on board, but we wonder if it will be difficult if the boat is full (August - either 2.30 or 4.30pm boat from Bingen), and we're rushing anyway, to get to the boat, buy tickets and board.
Has anyone done this and were there any issues?
Thank you.
It's been suggested by someone on this forum (Russ?) a while back, that we leave the train at Bingen (stadt station), walk to river - 5-10 mins - and do the last leg by KD ferry. We love this idea!
The only issue is our luggage. We'd like to travel light, but it's a 4-week trip altogether with weather varying from quite cold (Kirkenes) to quite mild (we hope) in the Rhein and Mosel valleys. So realistically it's going to be a largish suitcase each + small cabin bag.
KD have confirmed it's OK to take luggage on board, but we wonder if it will be difficult if the boat is full (August - either 2.30 or 4.30pm boat from Bingen), and we're rushing anyway, to get to the boat, buy tickets and board.
Has anyone done this and were there any issues?
Thank you.
May 25th, 2014, 05:52 AM
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"It's been suggested by someone on this forum (Russ?) a while back, that we leave the train at Bingen (stadt station), walk to river - 5-10 mins"
I gave you a lot of logistic stuff in that other thread but perhaps wasn't clear about this. While it is possible to get off with luggage in Bingen, I wasn't suggesting that. It's a lot to manage unless you pack/travel int the Rick Steves fashion.
So take the train from Dresden to Boppard. Check in and drop bags. You will be there for several days, right? So on the day you arrive or on a subsequent day, just take the train to Bingen to start your cruise back to Boppard. (That's what I meant by "you'll also need a train ticket for Boppard-Bingen, so add about €19 walk-up price...") It's 25-35 minutes to Bingen Hbf, depending on which train you take. The €19 is the standard train fare two adults. Or you could buy a Rheinland-Pfalz ticket daypass for €27 for two if you intend to use the trains later that day after your cruise. Either way, show your ticket for the 20% cruise discount at the KD kiosk.
I gave you a lot of logistic stuff in that other thread but perhaps wasn't clear about this. While it is possible to get off with luggage in Bingen, I wasn't suggesting that. It's a lot to manage unless you pack/travel int the Rick Steves fashion.
So take the train from Dresden to Boppard. Check in and drop bags. You will be there for several days, right? So on the day you arrive or on a subsequent day, just take the train to Bingen to start your cruise back to Boppard. (That's what I meant by "you'll also need a train ticket for Boppard-Bingen, so add about €19 walk-up price...") It's 25-35 minutes to Bingen Hbf, depending on which train you take. The €19 is the standard train fare two adults. Or you could buy a Rheinland-Pfalz ticket daypass for €27 for two if you intend to use the trains later that day after your cruise. Either way, show your ticket for the 20% cruise discount at the KD kiosk.
May 25th, 2014, 05:55 AM
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Those tickets, the VRM tickets, etc. can be purchased from ticket machines in Boppard on the train platform. The machines should still look like this:
http://abload.de/img/kbop03c3kht.jpg
http://abload.de/img/kbop03c3kht.jpg
May 26th, 2014, 12:22 AM
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Russ, I just checked the earlier comments and what you wrote (some time ago now) was:
Why not get off the train before Boppard in Bingen (the southern end of the most scenic cruise segment) and cruise north to Boppard? There are good reasons to do it this way:
.......
4.) You will experience the Rhine in the most scenic way the first time through; if you take the train to Boppard, which follows the riverbank and offers views of the river valley, you spoil the cruise experience a bit.
It was this #4 which sold the idea to me! However, I think we both agree that from a practical point of view (that damned luggage), we should travel straight through and take the train back to Bingen another day - I'm sure the experience will only be spoilt a little!
Thanks for photos (interesting you take photos of such things!) and all your advice. It's been interesting and very helpful.
Why not get off the train before Boppard in Bingen (the southern end of the most scenic cruise segment) and cruise north to Boppard? There are good reasons to do it this way:
.......
4.) You will experience the Rhine in the most scenic way the first time through; if you take the train to Boppard, which follows the riverbank and offers views of the river valley, you spoil the cruise experience a bit.
It was this #4 which sold the idea to me! However, I think we both agree that from a practical point of view (that damned luggage), we should travel straight through and take the train back to Bingen another day - I'm sure the experience will only be spoilt a little!
Thanks for photos (interesting you take photos of such things!) and all your advice. It's been interesting and very helpful.
May 26th, 2014, 03:44 AM
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Aha. DW and I (early 60's) just last month got off at Bingen(Rhein)Stadt station, with bags, and walked past the KD dock and on to the end of the promenade to our hotel there. No trouble at all. It's an easy walk with the way we pack, and anyone staying in Boppard or elsewhere north of Bingen, should consider this approach if trying to squeeze in a quick cruise.
But mobility issues or doubts about one's ability to handle luggage over that distance must factor in. On that January thread that you quoted, I see that you DID bring up your luggage issue later on - but I wasn't reading the thread any longer at that point and didn't post any comments.
I am a bit of a billy goat / pack mule when it comes to walking and climbing around, but DW is NOT, and I've been trained to plan around her sensibilities about what constitutes a do-able walk; the paragraph you dedicated to your luggage prompted the suggestion that you head straight to Boppard. Also any expectation of "mild" August weather might be unrealistic - I'd expect the walk to be that much more trying if it's hot and muggy, as it very well might be.
I can't take credit for those photos! Just found that one online for folks who might want to know what to look for.
Have a good trip.
But mobility issues or doubts about one's ability to handle luggage over that distance must factor in. On that January thread that you quoted, I see that you DID bring up your luggage issue later on - but I wasn't reading the thread any longer at that point and didn't post any comments.
I am a bit of a billy goat / pack mule when it comes to walking and climbing around, but DW is NOT, and I've been trained to plan around her sensibilities about what constitutes a do-able walk; the paragraph you dedicated to your luggage prompted the suggestion that you head straight to Boppard. Also any expectation of "mild" August weather might be unrealistic - I'd expect the walk to be that much more trying if it's hot and muggy, as it very well might be.
I can't take credit for those photos! Just found that one online for folks who might want to know what to look for.
Have a good trip.
