How busy are the Rhine & Mosel River Valleys in early May?
Apr 13th, 2017, 06:08 PM
#21
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I would like to address some comments above that might unnecessarily alarm travelers with plans to visit the Mosel.
"...there is the possibility of no boats on the Mosel in May???"
I believe this is some very bad information. AFAIK there are no plans to cancel any of the normal sightseeing boats. In any case, the Mosel river boats are SIGHTSEEING boats, not vessels for transportation; it would take DAYS to navigate the Mosel by boat if there were such boats. Boats play no role at all in the decision to drive or take trains.
"...picking up a rental in Koblenz, staying in Beilstein on the Mosel, and driving over to Oberwesel..."
Yep, you pretty much need a car for that. Beilstein has no train station. Without a car, you would need to taxi or use the bus to another town in order to ride the trains.
"...train lines on the Mosel are under construction while I'm there..."
Yes, that's true for most of May and the first week in June - but MOST TRAINS are STILL RUNNING. Koblenz-Cochem trains run hourly, so anyone who bases in Cochem or other towns downstream will have no trouble getting between there and the Rhine.
From Trier, trains will still run east to Wittlich and Bullay - but not all the way to Cochem. DB will be running buses to connect passengers traveling between Cochem and Bullay/Wittlich - then they take the train to Trier. You can see these towns on this map of the Mosel Railway:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...80%93Trier.png
As far as Sandals is concerned... There is no railway construction and no change in the sightseeing boat schedules AFAIK on the Rhine. And I believe the Rhine is the only place Sandals might need to use trains.
"...there is the possibility of no boats on the Mosel in May???"
I believe this is some very bad information. AFAIK there are no plans to cancel any of the normal sightseeing boats. In any case, the Mosel river boats are SIGHTSEEING boats, not vessels for transportation; it would take DAYS to navigate the Mosel by boat if there were such boats. Boats play no role at all in the decision to drive or take trains.
"...picking up a rental in Koblenz, staying in Beilstein on the Mosel, and driving over to Oberwesel..."
Yep, you pretty much need a car for that. Beilstein has no train station. Without a car, you would need to taxi or use the bus to another town in order to ride the trains.
"...train lines on the Mosel are under construction while I'm there..."
Yes, that's true for most of May and the first week in June - but MOST TRAINS are STILL RUNNING. Koblenz-Cochem trains run hourly, so anyone who bases in Cochem or other towns downstream will have no trouble getting between there and the Rhine.
From Trier, trains will still run east to Wittlich and Bullay - but not all the way to Cochem. DB will be running buses to connect passengers traveling between Cochem and Bullay/Wittlich - then they take the train to Trier. You can see these towns on this map of the Mosel Railway:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...80%93Trier.png
As far as Sandals is concerned... There is no railway construction and no change in the sightseeing boat schedules AFAIK on the Rhine. And I believe the Rhine is the only place Sandals might need to use trains.
Apr 13th, 2017, 06:11 PM
#22
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"I'm going to check the boat schedule now. I just may bag it and go to Italy instead."
Do you know where to look for boats from Beilstein? Don't check KD - they don't cruise there - not ever.
http://www.moselrundfahrten.de/en/cochem/home
Do you know where to look for boats from Beilstein? Don't check KD - they don't cruise there - not ever.
http://www.moselrundfahrten.de/en/cochem/home
Apr 14th, 2017, 04:34 AM
#23
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Thank you Fuss for the detailed clarification. I did check the KD websight and saw that the sightseeing boats go to certain towns certainly not all. Somehow I had the impression that there was regular transportation service via boat in addition to sightseeing cruises. These are some of the things you just dont know until you have been to a place! Or even better when Fodorites help with local knowledge!
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Apr 14th, 2017, 08:06 AM
#24
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PalenQ, we are taking your advice, about the car on the Mosel. We changed approaches, and are taking a train from Antwerp through Luxembourg to Trier, picking up a car, and going from there. Thanks!>
Good move -I'd biked and driven the Mosel Trier to Cochem and Koblenz zillions of times - trains do not go along the sinuous river valley much - but driving along the river can be slow -don't be in a hurry.
Good move -I'd biked and driven the Mosel Trier to Cochem and Koblenz zillions of times - trains do not go along the sinuous river valley much - but driving along the river can be slow -don't be in a hurry.
Apr 14th, 2017, 12:24 PM
#25
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Bernkastel makes a sweet stop - and downstream from here to Belistein is arguably perhaps maybe could be the most gorgeous of the whole Mosel gorge.
You'll see lots of Zimmer Frie -bed-and-breakfast signs along the way and in May you can easily just stop wherever the whim comes up.
Also lots of local wineries to stop and visit but keep in mind that alcohol limits are very low for drivers and there are roadside checks.
You'll see lots of Zimmer Frie -bed-and-breakfast signs along the way and in May you can easily just stop wherever the whim comes up.
Also lots of local wineries to stop and visit but keep in mind that alcohol limits are very low for drivers and there are roadside checks.
