After reviewing the posts, we've decided to spend 1-2 nights along the Rhine before we fly home from Frankfurt. We will be coming from Amsterdam by train so will not have a car. Will this be an issue? Can we just take the train to one of the towns such as Assmannshausen and are the hotels w/in walking distance from the train station? The Auf Schoenburg was also recommended but the restaurant is closed on Monday and I think it is up on a hill away from town. If we stay in Assmannshausen, will we get by without a car?? Thanks!!

You'll be fine without a car. We traveled by train and stayed in Assmannshausen, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for shops and things-it's VERY tiny. I'd probably choose St. Goar next time.

You will probably be fine based on the time you have. However, in order to properly explore the Rhine & Mosel I would suggest a car. There is a lot you will miss as some areas are not accessible by train or stops may not be convenient.

Nearly every town along both sides of the Rhine is served by train, and it's a lovely way to take the place in. I wholeheartedly agree with Liz that Assmannshausen is too small for a 2-night stay, and I also agree that St. Goar, though not much large, has a few more dining options and makes a very good jumping off point (it's also in one of the most scenic locations of any of the Rhine towns, in my opinion.) From there, you are only a few train stops from the interesting towns of <BR>Oberwesel, Bacharach, and Boppard, all on the &quot;left&quot; side of the Rhine. There are no bridges between Koblenz and Mainz, but St. Goar has a ferry across to St. Goarshausen on the other side, and from there, you can head either north or south by train. A'hausen is on what is known as the &quot;wrong&quot; side of the Rhine and fairly far south of the more interesting towns. <BR><BR>That said, Auf Schoenburg is best with a car if you'll be coming and going much, as the taxi rides will add up getting between town and castle. <BR><BR>Not all hotels are within walking distance of the stations in these towns. You need to ask about this. Each hotel should be able to tell you how many meters it is to the station. In St. Goar, the Hotel am Markt, the Zur Loreley, and the Hotel Hauser are all about 50-100 meters from the station, I think (I like the am Markt's location best.)<BR><BR>Boppard is also a lovely town to stay in, larger than St. Goar and with a few more things to do, but the ferry doesn't let you off near enough to a train station if you're planning on exploring the opposite bank - go via Koblenz or St. Goar instead.<BR><BR>If you want to tour a castle instead of sleep in one, go to Marksburg Castle in Braubach, south of Koblenz on the east bank: www.roadstoruins.com/marksburg.htm

We just came back from our trip to the Rhine River and I fully agree that you don't need a car. We too travelled from Amsterdam to Bacharach by train and stayed in a place called Pension Lettie (highly recommended by readers of Rick Steve's guidebook). 5 mins walk from train station without rail noise. Lettie was very friendly and helpful (the best host). Bacharach is a very nice and safe town. There we took the KD rhine river cruise (free if you hold the Eurail pass) up &amp; down the Rhine river (to Bingen, St Goar). Do take note there are limited cruise service during this off-season period.