Rheinland-Pfalz Day Pass & Rhine Cruise
Sep 21st, 2013, 03:13 AM
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Rheinland-Pfalz Day Pass & Rhine Cruise
Hi!
Does this day pass need to be bought on-line or can we buy it at a ticket machine or kiosk at the train stations?
Also, do we get some discount having this pass on k-d boats?
And lastly, for the Rhine cruise, as we are coming from Cochem, do we start in Bingen or Rüdesheim, then maybe end in Braubach? I thought this is quite long, ~ 3hours, and then from Braubach, we backtrack towards Bacharach, Oberwesel and Sankt Goar by train to see more of the towns. Does this make sense?
Thanks for your input.
Does this day pass need to be bought on-line or can we buy it at a ticket machine or kiosk at the train stations?
Also, do we get some discount having this pass on k-d boats?
And lastly, for the Rhine cruise, as we are coming from Cochem, do we start in Bingen or Rüdesheim, then maybe end in Braubach? I thought this is quite long, ~ 3hours, and then from Braubach, we backtrack towards Bacharach, Oberwesel and Sankt Goar by train to see more of the towns. Does this make sense?
Thanks for your input.
Sep 21st, 2013, 04:10 AM
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This website may answer your questions.You can buy tickets from machines at the station or at a attended booth. K-d boats offer 20% discount. Some other ferries rides are included in the ticket.Read on...
www.vrm.info
www.vrm.info
Sep 21st, 2013, 04:23 AM
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The R-P ticket can be bought at station ticket machines. There's not much point of buying it online in advance since there's no discount and these tickets do not sell out.
You will receive a 20% discount on the KD cruise fare by showing this or any rail ticket.
Your travel plan makes sense. I agree that 3 hours makes for a long sit and less time in the other towns. A quicker way and a good way to reduce the cost of your cruise is to shorten it. The long cruise to Braubach will cost you about 19€ (with your discount) and about 3 hours, as you said. A shorter cruise to St. Goarshausen takes about 1.5 hours from Bingen and costs about 15€ (with discount) and you will still get to see the most impressive part of the river. From the KD dock in St. Goarshausen (where you arrive at maybe 12:05 or 1:05, right?) walk north to the station (takes maybe 10 minutes) and catch the next northbound train (at :31 after the hour) to Braubach. You'll be there in 21 minutes.
If you start the cruise in Bingen, you can reach the dock on foot from either the Bingen Rhein Hauptbahnhof station or the Bingen Rhein Stadt station - but the Stadt station is a little closer to the dock.
When you return to the west bank to see Bacharach, etc. you can do so via St. Goarshausen (hourly trains leave Braubach at :07 after the hour, additional trains at :37 after on weekdays in late afternoon) and use the ferry (runs all day, R-P ticket covers passage) over to St. Goar. This is ofen faster than taking the train to Koblenz and changing there for a southbound train along the west bank.
Do pay attention to the rules of use on the R-P ticket (local & regional trains only, weekdays after 9 am.)
You will receive a 20% discount on the KD cruise fare by showing this or any rail ticket.
Your travel plan makes sense. I agree that 3 hours makes for a long sit and less time in the other towns. A quicker way and a good way to reduce the cost of your cruise is to shorten it. The long cruise to Braubach will cost you about 19€ (with your discount) and about 3 hours, as you said. A shorter cruise to St. Goarshausen takes about 1.5 hours from Bingen and costs about 15€ (with discount) and you will still get to see the most impressive part of the river. From the KD dock in St. Goarshausen (where you arrive at maybe 12:05 or 1:05, right?) walk north to the station (takes maybe 10 minutes) and catch the next northbound train (at :31 after the hour) to Braubach. You'll be there in 21 minutes.
If you start the cruise in Bingen, you can reach the dock on foot from either the Bingen Rhein Hauptbahnhof station or the Bingen Rhein Stadt station - but the Stadt station is a little closer to the dock.
When you return to the west bank to see Bacharach, etc. you can do so via St. Goarshausen (hourly trains leave Braubach at :07 after the hour, additional trains at :37 after on weekdays in late afternoon) and use the ferry (runs all day, R-P ticket covers passage) over to St. Goar. This is ofen faster than taking the train to Koblenz and changing there for a southbound train along the west bank.
Do pay attention to the rules of use on the R-P ticket (local & regional trains only, weekdays after 9 am.)
Sep 21st, 2013, 04:45 AM
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JoyC: What day of the week did you have in mind for this trip? Weekdays look a little problematic. A look at the schedule from Cochem tells me it's going to be quite snug to accomplish all this on a weekday (when you have to start after 9 am with the R-P ticket.) It might be smart to leave on the 8:58 from Cochem (purchase regular tickets for the first few km to Treis-Karden (3.55€ each) in addition to the R-P ticket (which will kick in as you leave Treis-Karden.) OR, if the inn you choose participates in the local program, you may be able to do this short stretch at no charge with the free "Gästeticket" good for transport in the immediate area of Cochem (you get it from your hosts, I believe.)
You are planning to tour Marksburg Castle (the main reason for visiting Braubach usually,) correct? And where do you plan to spend the night? Somewhere covered by the R-P ticket, maybe?
You are planning to tour Marksburg Castle (the main reason for visiting Braubach usually,) correct? And where do you plan to spend the night? Somewhere covered by the R-P ticket, maybe?
Sep 21st, 2013, 04:59 AM
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travelnut: many thanks for the website. Great info!!
Russ: as always your detailed information is very much appreciated. I've learned so much from your insights.
We are planning to do the cruise on a Wednesday or Thursday. Hopefully, we'd like to catch the 9:15 or 9:30 boat, which means leaving Cochem (where we are staying for 4 nights) really early.
Yes, we wanted to visit the Marksburg Castle - the reason why we will be ending in Braubach. But don't know if we have too many castles for this trip, as we are already planning to visit both the Burg Eltz and the castle in Cochem.
I believe Cochem is covered by the R-P ticket?
Russ: as always your detailed information is very much appreciated. I've learned so much from your insights.
We are planning to do the cruise on a Wednesday or Thursday. Hopefully, we'd like to catch the 9:15 or 9:30 boat, which means leaving Cochem (where we are staying for 4 nights) really early.
Yes, we wanted to visit the Marksburg Castle - the reason why we will be ending in Braubach. But don't know if we have too many castles for this trip, as we are already planning to visit both the Burg Eltz and the castle in Cochem.
I believe Cochem is covered by the R-P ticket?
Sep 21st, 2013, 05:25 AM
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Cochem is covered by the R-P ticket but not that early in the morning; only travel after 9 am will be covered, so if catching the 9:30 boat, your train ride from Cochem to Bingen is going to cost about 42€ normal fare for two, then the the R-P ticket (26€ for two) can be used after that for Braubach-Bacharach. 68€ total for the trains if you do it that early.
It makes more sense to me to use the R-P ticket at 26€ and to leave Cochem at 8:58. You can probably fit it all in with some good planning. I will help you put a plan together but I need to know...
1.) Sounds like Marksburg is optional, right?
2.) Which hotel are you using in Cochem the night prior to this trip? (not being nosy, just need to know if they offer the free travel card.)
3.) Are you returning to Cochem after this trip for the night?
(Also: There are also 3-day passes for the Rhine/Mosel area; if you'll be staying that long and doing outings, they may be very helpful to you. Provide more details on your plans for the other days if interested.)
If you want to tell me where you're spending the night
It makes more sense to me to use the R-P ticket at 26€ and to leave Cochem at 8:58. You can probably fit it all in with some good planning. I will help you put a plan together but I need to know...
1.) Sounds like Marksburg is optional, right?
2.) Which hotel are you using in Cochem the night prior to this trip? (not being nosy, just need to know if they offer the free travel card.)
3.) Are you returning to Cochem after this trip for the night?
(Also: There are also 3-day passes for the Rhine/Mosel area; if you'll be staying that long and doing outings, they may be very helpful to you. Provide more details on your plans for the other days if interested.)
If you want to tell me where you're spending the night
Sep 21st, 2013, 05:35 AM
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For the area between Cochem and Bingen/Rüdesheim, these designations are used for local/regional trains on the train schedules at the stations and at the DB website:
RE
RB
MRB
VIA
Using the DB itinerary page below, click on "only local transport" under "means of transport" to get connections on these trains:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
Once the itineraries appear, click on the white-on-red arrow at the left for any itinerary, and the specific train type will appear under the "Products" column.
RE
RB
MRB
VIA
Using the DB itinerary page below, click on "only local transport" under "means of transport" to get connections on these trains:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
Once the itineraries appear, click on the white-on-red arrow at the left for any itinerary, and the specific train type will appear under the "Products" column.
Sep 21st, 2013, 05:55 AM
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Hi Russ,
Thanks again.
What I meant about local/regional trains is, how do we distinguish them visually from express/high-speed trains? I am afraid we might get in on the wrong train once in the station especially if the timetable shows several trains to the same destination.
As for your other questions:
- Yes Marksburg is optional.
- As for hotel, a couple of family members are staying at villa vinum and the rest in an apartment.
- Yes, we are returning to Cochem for the night.
As for the rest of the trip, even though we are staying in Cochem for 4 nights, its actually only 3 full days. So:
day 2 - Rhine River Cruise + couple of Rhine towns
day 3 - Burg Eltz + whatever small town we can fit in
day 4 - daytrip to Cologne (would have like to visit some Mosel towns but I was outvoted)
Another question: On arrival day noonish, after going around Cochem town + castle, do you think we have time to see another nearby village/town?
Thanks again.
What I meant about local/regional trains is, how do we distinguish them visually from express/high-speed trains? I am afraid we might get in on the wrong train once in the station especially if the timetable shows several trains to the same destination.
As for your other questions:
- Yes Marksburg is optional.
- As for hotel, a couple of family members are staying at villa vinum and the rest in an apartment.
- Yes, we are returning to Cochem for the night.
As for the rest of the trip, even though we are staying in Cochem for 4 nights, its actually only 3 full days. So:
day 2 - Rhine River Cruise + couple of Rhine towns
day 3 - Burg Eltz + whatever small town we can fit in
day 4 - daytrip to Cologne (would have like to visit some Mosel towns but I was outvoted)
Another question: On arrival day noonish, after going around Cochem town + castle, do you think we have time to see another nearby village/town?
Sep 21st, 2013, 06:13 AM
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"What I meant about local/regional trains is, how do we distinguish them visually from express/high-speed trains?"
The high speed IC, ICE, etc. trains are sleek affairs. The VIA and MRB local/regional trains look a bit like streetcar equipment:
http://bahnamateurbilder.startbilder...-am-106339.jpg
RE and RB trains might be double-deckers like this one:
http://szal.electric-trick.org/album...-RE1-n-EHM.jpg
In larger towns like Koblenz, electronic boards on the platforms will indicate the train type and departure time; in smaller stations like Cochem, you'll identify the train not by appearance but by the presence of any train on the correct platform at the correct time - it will probably be the only one in the station area. I believe most of the local/regional trains have lighted signs at the head of the train and often on the sides with RE, MRB etc.
Will get back to you soon on the rest.
The high speed IC, ICE, etc. trains are sleek affairs. The VIA and MRB local/regional trains look a bit like streetcar equipment:
http://bahnamateurbilder.startbilder...-am-106339.jpg
RE and RB trains might be double-deckers like this one:
http://szal.electric-trick.org/album...-RE1-n-EHM.jpg
In larger towns like Koblenz, electronic boards on the platforms will indicate the train type and departure time; in smaller stations like Cochem, you'll identify the train not by appearance but by the presence of any train on the correct platform at the correct time - it will probably be the only one in the station area. I believe most of the local/regional trains have lighted signs at the head of the train and often on the sides with RE, MRB etc.
Will get back to you soon on the rest.
Sep 21st, 2013, 07:48 AM
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Start at Bingen if possible as many boats start there and as Bingen in bus-tour central groups flock on taking up many of the best seats so to get a good seat - those outdoors up front hop on first and head right to the front. Boarding at later stations may find many of these seats taken.
Many folks report getting quickly bored on these boats - the best part of the ride is between Bignen/Rudesheim and Boppard - Boppard's train station is a short walk from the docks.
www.k-d.com shows schedules and Russ has given you, as he usually does in this area, superb advice.
I like Koblenz too though many folks say they do not - if taking the boat to Koblenz, end of the line for many services it is a nice walk along the Rhine Ufer esplanade along the river to the famous Deutsches-Eck monument to German Unity - it once had an equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm on it but that was blown to bits at the end of WW2 by an American GI from across the Mosel (Deutsches Eck is at the confluence of the 'Mother' Mosel and 'Father' Rhine) as target practice - this told to me by the camp owner of the public campground now at the place where the GI blasted to smitereens Kaiser Wilhelm.
Koblenz also has a neat old town center - the Altstadt and a pleasant pedestrian shopping center.
Many folks report getting quickly bored on these boats - the best part of the ride is between Bignen/Rudesheim and Boppard - Boppard's train station is a short walk from the docks.
www.k-d.com shows schedules and Russ has given you, as he usually does in this area, superb advice.
I like Koblenz too though many folks say they do not - if taking the boat to Koblenz, end of the line for many services it is a nice walk along the Rhine Ufer esplanade along the river to the famous Deutsches-Eck monument to German Unity - it once had an equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm on it but that was blown to bits at the end of WW2 by an American GI from across the Mosel (Deutsches Eck is at the confluence of the 'Mother' Mosel and 'Father' Rhine) as target practice - this told to me by the camp owner of the public campground now at the place where the GI blasted to smitereens Kaiser Wilhelm.
Koblenz also has a neat old town center - the Altstadt and a pleasant pedestrian shopping center.
Sep 21st, 2013, 09:02 AM
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Some ticket suggestions first.
Buy tickets from Cochem ticket machine (except for VRS pass.)
Day 2, R-P ticket, 38€ for 5; also, 14.30€ for a price-level 3 1-day VRM minigroup ticket (day pass) for 5 to cover Cochem - Treis-Karden if you leave at 8:58 as suggested (cheaper than 5 single tickets.)
Day 3, New 3-day VRM mini-group ticket, 42.40€ for 5: http://www.vrminfo.de/en/tickets-and...eisure-ticket/
Day 4, Same 3-day VRM mini-group ticket (no extra €) plus VRS Tagesticket 5 Personen: 32.60€ for Price level 5, round trip between Remagen and Cologne, buy this vrs pass in advance online (I've nbever done but looks possible): http://www.vrs-ticketshop.de/ You don't get off in Remagen - the VRS ticket will just take over there.
Day 5: Don't know where you're going, but you can use the 3-day pass again to get some of the way and reduce train expenses on this day?
If you don't need to use the 3-day pass on Day 5, you can get the 3-day VRM pass on Day 2 and use the first day of it for Cochem-Treis-Karden instead of the 1-day mini-group ticket (14.30) I suggested.
Back soon with itinerary possibilities for you.
Buy tickets from Cochem ticket machine (except for VRS pass.)
Day 2, R-P ticket, 38€ for 5; also, 14.30€ for a price-level 3 1-day VRM minigroup ticket (day pass) for 5 to cover Cochem - Treis-Karden if you leave at 8:58 as suggested (cheaper than 5 single tickets.)
Day 3, New 3-day VRM mini-group ticket, 42.40€ for 5: http://www.vrminfo.de/en/tickets-and...eisure-ticket/
Day 4, Same 3-day VRM mini-group ticket (no extra €) plus VRS Tagesticket 5 Personen: 32.60€ for Price level 5, round trip between Remagen and Cologne, buy this vrs pass in advance online (I've nbever done but looks possible): http://www.vrs-ticketshop.de/ You don't get off in Remagen - the VRS ticket will just take over there.
Day 5: Don't know where you're going, but you can use the 3-day pass again to get some of the way and reduce train expenses on this day?
If you don't need to use the 3-day pass on Day 5, you can get the 3-day VRM pass on Day 2 and use the first day of it for Cochem-Treis-Karden instead of the 1-day mini-group ticket (14.30) I suggested.
Back soon with itinerary possibilities for you.
Sep 21st, 2013, 09:26 AM
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Day2: leave Cochem 8:58, change in Koblenz, arr. Bingen Rhein Stadt 10:57, walk north to KD dock, show R-P ticket for discount. Board 11:30 boat to St. Goarshausen (13:05.) walk south to ferry (covered by R-P ticket, no charge) and cross to St.Goar. See town, have lunch, Rheinfels Castle? Board 15:20 southbound train to Oberwesel (arrive 15:25, walk town wall with towers?) Then board 16:25 train to Bacharach (arr. 16:30,) see town, have a meal. Board 19:28 train back to Cochem (arr. 20:56.) There's also an 18:28 train if you prefer to get back at about 20:00.
It would also be possible to see the Rhine villages first and do the cruise in the afternoon. But you will finish up in St. Goar, and if you plan to visit Rheinfels, remember that through 10/26, it closes at 6 pm (museum closes at 5 pm.) so it might be better with the cruise first.
I think you can figure your own itin. for Cologne using the DB itinerary page. If possible - I suggest a stop in Linz am Rhein - the most attractive of all the Rhine Villages, IMO - on the way south to Koblenz (enter Linz am Rhein as a stopover at the DB itin. page when you search for Cologne-Cochem trains.)
Remember to click on "only local transport" for all the daytrips where you'll be using these inexpensive daypasses.
Any Q's or problems you see, feel free to re-post, though I may not get back to you until tomorrow.
It would also be possible to see the Rhine villages first and do the cruise in the afternoon. But you will finish up in St. Goar, and if you plan to visit Rheinfels, remember that through 10/26, it closes at 6 pm (museum closes at 5 pm.) so it might be better with the cruise first.
I think you can figure your own itin. for Cologne using the DB itinerary page. If possible - I suggest a stop in Linz am Rhein - the most attractive of all the Rhine Villages, IMO - on the way south to Koblenz (enter Linz am Rhein as a stopover at the DB itin. page when you search for Cologne-Cochem trains.)
Remember to click on "only local transport" for all the daytrips where you'll be using these inexpensive daypasses.
Any Q's or problems you see, feel free to re-post, though I may not get back to you until tomorrow.
Sep 21st, 2013, 10:30 AM
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JoyC: In my 10:02 post, I suggested for Day 4: "VRS Tagesticket 5 Personen: 32.60€ for Price level 5, round trip between Remagen and Cologne, buy this vrs pass in advance online (I've nbever done but looks possible)"
This VRS pass is sadly not available in Cochem or elsewhere at ticket machines in the area. If you can't or don't want to buy it online, there's also the "Schöner Tag" ticket, which will cover 5 adults on the same route between Rheinland-Pfalz and Cologne, for 39.50€; this ticket CAN be bought at Cochem's station or elswhere within Germany.
Click on "Nordrhein-Westfalen" on this page for a few details on the Schöner Tag ticket:
http://www.bahn.com/i/view/DEU/en/pr...r-ticket.shtml
This VRS pass is sadly not available in Cochem or elsewhere at ticket machines in the area. If you can't or don't want to buy it online, there's also the "Schöner Tag" ticket, which will cover 5 adults on the same route between Rheinland-Pfalz and Cologne, for 39.50€; this ticket CAN be bought at Cochem's station or elswhere within Germany.
Click on "Nordrhein-Westfalen" on this page for a few details on the Schöner Tag ticket:
http://www.bahn.com/i/view/DEU/en/pr...r-ticket.shtml
Sep 21st, 2013, 02:55 PM
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Wow Russ!! I don't know how to begin to thank you for all the research you did for me(us) re: ticket options and detailed ways to go from one place to another. But I'll say it anyway....THANK YOU!!
We'll try the Schöner Tag ticket for our trip to Cologne. Again thanks for checking availability.
No more questions as I have taken so much of your time already. Many, many, many thanks for your outstanding advice.
And PalenQ...thank you too for your recommendation about Koblenz.
We'll try the Schöner Tag ticket for our trip to Cologne. Again thanks for checking availability.
No more questions as I have taken so much of your time already. Many, many, many thanks for your outstanding advice.
And PalenQ...thank you too for your recommendation about Koblenz.
Sep 22nd, 2013, 06:22 AM
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Russ...I said no more questions, but as I read and researched, I do have one more (and actually getting a bit confused, sorry!)
Why do we need both the VRM and R-P ticket on Day 2? I know VRM goes only up to Oberwesel, while the R-P goes all the way to Bingen.
Also, when I purchase the 3-day VRM pass (use from Day 2), I should only get up to zone 3, correct? So if we want to use it up to Linz or south to Bullay, we are covered?
Thanks again.
Why do we need both the VRM and R-P ticket on Day 2? I know VRM goes only up to Oberwesel, while the R-P goes all the way to Bingen.
Also, when I purchase the 3-day VRM pass (use from Day 2), I should only get up to zone 3, correct? So if we want to use it up to Linz or south to Bullay, we are covered?
Thanks again.
Sep 22nd, 2013, 07:53 AM
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"Why do we need both the VRM and R-P ticket on Day 2? I know VRM goes only up to Oberwesel, while the R-P goes all the way to Bingen."
Apologies in advance for the confusion - I myself got tripped up on this one... and for the complicated explanation that follows...
Leaving Cochem for Bingen very early on this day as you first planned would be relatively pricey because the R-P ticket isn't valid before 9 am weekdays and you'd have to pay regular price for your tickets. If you tried to catch that 9:30 boat, you'd leave Cochem at 6:58, and the price would be 106€ for 5. So... I am trying to get you there as early as possible on the R-P ticket. That means leaving Cochem at about 9 am and catching the 11:30 boat instead. But the only train out of Cochem then leaves at 8:58 - so with only the R-P ticket in hand, you'd be in violation of the rules. You have to buy passage from Cochem to the next stop - Treis-Karden - where the train departs AFTER 9 am and where the R-P ticket first becomes valid. So... you what you SHOULD do is buy a ticket for 5 at regular price (Price level 3, 3.55€ each for a total of 17.75€.) DO NOT BUY the VRM mini-group ticket as I previously suggested - the mini-group daypass is cheaper but it IS NOT valid before 9 am either! (This slipped my mind because the one-person daypass which I bought there recently IS VALID before 9 am - sorry!!!)
The R-P ticket will cover you from Treis-Karden to Bingen and on all the other trains you are taking on Day 2.
The VRM mini-group ticket becomes important to you on Day 3 and beyond, so buy it then. It's the same price as two 1-day tickets, but you get an extra day (Day 5) for free. Yes - you can use it to Bullay or to Linz on any of those days (after 9 am.) Bullay is a nice place to cross the river to Alf (ferry or bridge) if you want to do some short scenic hikes (Marienburg, Prinzenkopf lookout, Arras Castle)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...g_Umgebung.jpg
http://www.ferienwohnungrejansen.de/...opfturm_gr.jpg
http://www.arras.de/html/english.html
Apologies in advance for the confusion - I myself got tripped up on this one... and for the complicated explanation that follows...
Leaving Cochem for Bingen very early on this day as you first planned would be relatively pricey because the R-P ticket isn't valid before 9 am weekdays and you'd have to pay regular price for your tickets. If you tried to catch that 9:30 boat, you'd leave Cochem at 6:58, and the price would be 106€ for 5. So... I am trying to get you there as early as possible on the R-P ticket. That means leaving Cochem at about 9 am and catching the 11:30 boat instead. But the only train out of Cochem then leaves at 8:58 - so with only the R-P ticket in hand, you'd be in violation of the rules. You have to buy passage from Cochem to the next stop - Treis-Karden - where the train departs AFTER 9 am and where the R-P ticket first becomes valid. So... you what you SHOULD do is buy a ticket for 5 at regular price (Price level 3, 3.55€ each for a total of 17.75€.) DO NOT BUY the VRM mini-group ticket as I previously suggested - the mini-group daypass is cheaper but it IS NOT valid before 9 am either! (This slipped my mind because the one-person daypass which I bought there recently IS VALID before 9 am - sorry!!!)
The R-P ticket will cover you from Treis-Karden to Bingen and on all the other trains you are taking on Day 2.
The VRM mini-group ticket becomes important to you on Day 3 and beyond, so buy it then. It's the same price as two 1-day tickets, but you get an extra day (Day 5) for free. Yes - you can use it to Bullay or to Linz on any of those days (after 9 am.) Bullay is a nice place to cross the river to Alf (ferry or bridge) if you want to do some short scenic hikes (Marienburg, Prinzenkopf lookout, Arras Castle)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...g_Umgebung.jpg
http://www.ferienwohnungrejansen.de/...opfturm_gr.jpg
http://www.arras.de/html/english.html
