Is Trier Worth It?
 

We're planning a trip to Germany in August and will be based in Heidelberg. Trier sounds very interesting in the guidebooks, but is it worth a daytrip from Heidelberg? It looks like it is 2-3 hours each way by train. Thanks.

Hi Maura, <BR> <BR>I've never taken the train out there, but it is probably a good 3 hour drive, so... I'm not sure of the train scenery, but from the autobahn, it's really nice, so I can only assume the train's view will be even better. It is a beautiful town. Really amazing. You'll find the pedestrian zone very similar to HD's, but the ruins are fabulous. I'm leaving for HD in a week and I'm planning a day trip to Trier to show my cousin, who's never been.

Tough call. We spent approx. 24 hours in Trier on our way from the Rhine to Paris, and that was worth it. However, it was on our way. Here are a jumble of thoughts: The previous poster was correct about the ruins. We enjoyed the Kaisertherman and the churches/basillica. The Porta Negra is interesting, but somehow I was disappointed. Maybe due to its proximity right next to a busy street. However, it anchors a nice pedestrian square. Please note that Trier is not quaint; it is a reasonably sized city. I would recommend Trier for someone passing through, but I think you could find some interesting sights closer to your base. Perhaps spend some time in the Rhine area, which is still a bit of a train trip from H., but not nearly so. BTW: We got around most of the Trier attractions by foot, although that required some walking. Good luck.

If you have never seen Roman ruins, I think it would be worth it for you to go to Trier. We spent an afternoon there a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. <BR>

I was recently in Trier and really enjoyed it, especially the Roman ruins. The town center is nice, so I think it's worth a few hours stop. We were staying in Assmannshausen on the Rhine and went to Trier on a day trip stopping on the Moselle River at Bernkastel-Kues, another lovely town.

Thanks to everyone who responded. I think we'll leave it on our list of places to visit. We'll be staying with friends in Heidelberg and using public transportation to get around. Our trip is Trier will be by train. Is there anything else we should see that day in the Trier area (or on the way)we can reach by train? Thanks again.

We, too, traveled exclusively by pub. transportation. I don't recall if there is a more direct route between Heidelberg and Trier, but we always traveled down the Rhine to Koblenz then down the Mosel. We love the Rhine/Mosel areas, with their quaint towns, castles and vinyards. I hope you would not be going past all of that to get to Trier and then turn around and go all the way back to H. in one day. IMO I would spend a night or two along the Rhine/mosel on the way to/from Trier. This would make it less hectic. Just a thought.