Help! best area to stay
Mar 26th, 2016, 07:28 AM
#1
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Help! best area to stay
Hi! I am planning a trip through Europe and my final destination is Cologne Germany. My return flight is from this city. I am staying June 23-26 and only count on two whole days since my flight arrives at Cologne the 23 late at night and my return flight to PR the 26, 1:40 pm. I would love to visit the Cathedral and Burg Eltz. My question is where is the best place to stay if I want to visit these places that I am aware they are far apart. Maybe somewhere central with access to public transportation? Or do you suggest to stay in two separate areas? Please, need help!
Mar 26th, 2016, 08:14 AM
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The best is to stay in Cologne. Cologne is a fantastic city which has much more to offer than the Cathedral. Visit the Romano-Germanic Museum, explore the remnants of the Roman Palace under the City Hall, walk through a 2,000-year-old sewer, visit one of the world-class art museums.
The other day, do a daytrip to Burg Eltz. You can take the train to Moselkern (2 hours from Cologne) and from there a taxi to the castle. Or, if you go on Saturday, take the train to Hatzenport and from there the Bus (Burgenbus) to Burg Eltz. Or you take the train from Cologne to Koblenz and board the boat at 9:45. At 13:00 you leave the boat in Moselkern and take a taxi to Burg Eltz. Take the train back to Cologne.
The other day, do a daytrip to Burg Eltz. You can take the train to Moselkern (2 hours from Cologne) and from there a taxi to the castle. Or, if you go on Saturday, take the train to Hatzenport and from there the Bus (Burgenbus) to Burg Eltz. Or you take the train from Cologne to Koblenz and board the boat at 9:45. At 13:00 you leave the boat in Moselkern and take a taxi to Burg Eltz. Take the train back to Cologne.
Mar 26th, 2016, 08:48 AM
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Burg Eltz by public transport is somewhat involved. The bus operates only on weekends, so that means it has to be June 25th Sat. The bus is not frequent, read the time table carefully to see if it is even an option. There are only 4 buses a day. http://burg-eltz.de/en/planning-your...transport.html.
From the Cologne direction, you get on/off bus at Hatzenport. Treis-Karden is for those coming from Cochem or Trier area.
To find out train logistics for Cologne-Hatzenport, use www.bahn.com. You will find that it takes minimum of 111 minutes from Cologne to Hatzenport.
Return from Burg Eltz, you have some options presuming you have more time.
1. You can wait for bus back to Hatzenport.
2. If the weather is good, you are a hiker, and you have shoes with good traction, you can hike down to Moselkern, then take train from there. This path is quite steep and rugged in several places. It is not recommended on a day with soft ground conditions and not recommended with street shoes.
At the half way down by distance to Moselkern, but after coming down to the flat part of the path, there is a hotel in the forest http://www.ringelsteiner-muehle.de/ which makes a nice lunch stop if you visited Burg Eltz at the opening time.
3. You can also catch a KD boat from Moselkern or Treis-Karden, both served by bus #330 from Burg Eltz. There is only one KD boat per day on weekends. http://www.kdrhine.com/rhineschedule.htm. See the third table labeled "Moselle". If you miss the boat, you can always take a train back from Moselkern or Treis-Karden.
Taxis in this area is sparse. You will have to prearrange one unless there happens to be a taxi dropping off someone.
From the Cologne direction, you get on/off bus at Hatzenport. Treis-Karden is for those coming from Cochem or Trier area.
To find out train logistics for Cologne-Hatzenport, use www.bahn.com. You will find that it takes minimum of 111 minutes from Cologne to Hatzenport.
Return from Burg Eltz, you have some options presuming you have more time.
1. You can wait for bus back to Hatzenport.
2. If the weather is good, you are a hiker, and you have shoes with good traction, you can hike down to Moselkern, then take train from there. This path is quite steep and rugged in several places. It is not recommended on a day with soft ground conditions and not recommended with street shoes.
At the half way down by distance to Moselkern, but after coming down to the flat part of the path, there is a hotel in the forest http://www.ringelsteiner-muehle.de/ which makes a nice lunch stop if you visited Burg Eltz at the opening time.
3. You can also catch a KD boat from Moselkern or Treis-Karden, both served by bus #330 from Burg Eltz. There is only one KD boat per day on weekends. http://www.kdrhine.com/rhineschedule.htm. See the third table labeled "Moselle". If you miss the boat, you can always take a train back from Moselkern or Treis-Karden.
Taxis in this area is sparse. You will have to prearrange one unless there happens to be a taxi dropping off someone.
Mar 27th, 2016, 08:05 AM
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The village is called Treis-Karden. The way to the castle is 6.2km steep uphill, it will take 1 1/2 hours one way.
On Saturdays, there is a bus going up to Burg Eltz from Treis-Karden. Here is the schedule:
http://burg-eltz.de/images/stories/doc/burgenbus.pdf
Or take a taxi, it won't break the bank.
For detailed information, see here:
http://burg-eltz.de/en/planning-your...transport.html
On Saturdays, there is a bus going up to Burg Eltz from Treis-Karden. Here is the schedule:
http://burg-eltz.de/images/stories/doc/burgenbus.pdf
Or take a taxi, it won't break the bank.
For detailed information, see here:
http://burg-eltz.de/en/planning-your...transport.html
Apr 2nd, 2016, 05:31 AM
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My flight arrives at 22:15 and there is a last train at 22:53 to Cochem. Not familiar with the airport. Do you guys think I will be able to make it and stay in Cochem? Its a pretty area.
Apr 2nd, 2016, 06:15 AM
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It is hopeless to count on the 22:53 train from Köln Hauptbahnhof.
The only chance is the train from Bonn Hbf which leaves at 23:14 and arrives in Cochem at 0:55. You have to travel from the airport to the train station by taxi which will take 20 minutes, even at night.
So, if your flight is on time and you have handbaggage only, you can make it. With checked baggage, it is doubtful. And a slight delay will ruin your connection. The next train leaves at 4:16 from Bonn and arrives at 6:37 in Cochem.
A taxi to Cochem would be pretty expensive.
The only chance is the train from Bonn Hbf which leaves at 23:14 and arrives in Cochem at 0:55. You have to travel from the airport to the train station by taxi which will take 20 minutes, even at night.
So, if your flight is on time and you have handbaggage only, you can make it. With checked baggage, it is doubtful. And a slight delay will ruin your connection. The next train leaves at 4:16 from Bonn and arrives at 6:37 in Cochem.
A taxi to Cochem would be pretty expensive.
Apr 2nd, 2016, 07:35 AM
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Cochem should be doable if you want to stay there. But it's too late at night to make that trip on the 23rd...
There are numerous direct trains from Köln/Bonn airport to Cologne's main station (Köln Hbf) and to Cologne Messe/Deutz station until well after midnight. The trip takes only 10-15 minutes max. You can get a hotel room near either station, see the cathedral early the next morning; if that's your only goal and you hope to spend most of your time in the much more scenic Mosel Valley, then depart for Cochem at around 10 or 11 and spend the rest of the 24th and the 25th there. The train trip to Cochem takes only 2 hours. (Same for the train trip back to Köln/Bonn airport on the 26th.)
You could arrive by 12 or 1 pm on the 24th in Cochem - check in or drop bags at your hotel and head straight back to Moselkern (only 17 min. by train) for the walk to Burg Eltz:
http://www.bensbauernhof.com/burgeltzfrommoselkern.html
Then spend the 25th in Cochem (Reichsburg Castle, falconry show, chair lift, river cruise...)
CGN - Cologne: (a few Euros for a few minutes' ride)
Cologne-Cochem and reverse: standard fare bought from a ticket machine is about €30 on the high-speed trains. You may or may not wish to pre-purchase a saver fare (some are only €19) for one or both of these trips. Saver fares are train-specific. I see a 8:19 departure from Cochem on June 26 for €19 that gets you to CGN 3 hours early (a reasonable cushion.)
Cochem-Moselkern-Cochem for the hike to Eltz: €4.70 each way.
There are numerous direct trains from Köln/Bonn airport to Cologne's main station (Köln Hbf) and to Cologne Messe/Deutz station until well after midnight. The trip takes only 10-15 minutes max. You can get a hotel room near either station, see the cathedral early the next morning; if that's your only goal and you hope to spend most of your time in the much more scenic Mosel Valley, then depart for Cochem at around 10 or 11 and spend the rest of the 24th and the 25th there. The train trip to Cochem takes only 2 hours. (Same for the train trip back to Köln/Bonn airport on the 26th.)
You could arrive by 12 or 1 pm on the 24th in Cochem - check in or drop bags at your hotel and head straight back to Moselkern (only 17 min. by train) for the walk to Burg Eltz:
http://www.bensbauernhof.com/burgeltzfrommoselkern.html
Then spend the 25th in Cochem (Reichsburg Castle, falconry show, chair lift, river cruise...)
CGN - Cologne: (a few Euros for a few minutes' ride)
Cologne-Cochem and reverse: standard fare bought from a ticket machine is about €30 on the high-speed trains. You may or may not wish to pre-purchase a saver fare (some are only €19) for one or both of these trips. Saver fares are train-specific. I see a 8:19 departure from Cochem on June 26 for €19 that gets you to CGN 3 hours early (a reasonable cushion.)
Cochem-Moselkern-Cochem for the hike to Eltz: €4.70 each way.
Apr 2nd, 2016, 03:52 PM
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Thank you very much for the suggestions. I just made a reservation on the 23 in Cologne for one night. I'll se later if it's worth all the efforts to stay the leave the 24 to Cochem and stay the 25. Is the train the only way to get to Cologne main station or there are buses?
Apr 2nd, 2016, 11:57 PM
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From the airport, you take the S-Bahn or RE train to Köln Main Station which takes 13 or 15 minutes. It departs 22:49 (RE), 22:54 (S), 23:24 (S), 23:49 (RE) etc.
The bus takes slightly longer, between 15 and 24 minutes, departing at 23:02, 23:34, 0:02 etc.
It also depends on the exact location of your hotel in Köln.
Actually, for an overnight stay after your flight, you have three options:
1. A hotel in downtown Köln.
2. A hotel near the airport.
3. A hotel in downtown Bonn.
Option 1 makes sense because it gives you the chance to see a bit of the wonders of Köln before you board the train to Cochem.
The Cathedral is one of the few gothic cathedrals which has been completed, including two spires. It is also one of the largest and has the Shrine of the Three Magi (from the 13th century, made of gold and over 1,000 gemstones) and a most beautiful treasury.
Also, do not miss the Romano-Germanic museum, just round the corner of the Cathedral. You will see one of the finest mosaics of the Roman world, a splendid tomb, the very best glassworks of Roman times and thousands of Germanic and Roman artifacts.
And go for lunch or a light snack into one of the traditional breweries (Früh would be the nearest, just opposite the museum).
The bus takes slightly longer, between 15 and 24 minutes, departing at 23:02, 23:34, 0:02 etc.
It also depends on the exact location of your hotel in Köln.
Actually, for an overnight stay after your flight, you have three options:
1. A hotel in downtown Köln.
2. A hotel near the airport.
3. A hotel in downtown Bonn.
Option 1 makes sense because it gives you the chance to see a bit of the wonders of Köln before you board the train to Cochem.
The Cathedral is one of the few gothic cathedrals which has been completed, including two spires. It is also one of the largest and has the Shrine of the Three Magi (from the 13th century, made of gold and over 1,000 gemstones) and a most beautiful treasury.
Also, do not miss the Romano-Germanic museum, just round the corner of the Cathedral. You will see one of the finest mosaics of the Roman world, a splendid tomb, the very best glassworks of Roman times and thousands of Germanic and Roman artifacts.
And go for lunch or a light snack into one of the traditional breweries (Früh would be the nearest, just opposite the museum).
Apr 3rd, 2016, 07:32 PM
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Yes, I reserved 5 min walk from the train station I think 7 min walk from the cathedral. Do you have the bus company's name? I just want to compare price of each (train and bus) and where I can take it.
Apr 5th, 2016, 06:49 AM
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http://www.kvb-koeln.de
The prices for train and bus are the same (as long as you take S-Bahn or RE). It is called "City-Ticket" or "Ib" and the price is €2.80. The ticket is valid both on buses and trains.
The prices for train and bus are the same (as long as you take S-Bahn or RE). It is called "City-Ticket" or "Ib" and the price is €2.80. The ticket is valid both on buses and trains.
