River day cruise
 

We would like to take a day trip on the rine river from frankfurt and just get on and off when we want to. We have no idea who does this locally so any help is greatly apppreciated.

Also, what about the Loreley, do you river cruise to see it and from where?

There are multiple boats along the Rhine that allow you to get on and off like a train or bus. The main line is KD Rhine. I don't have the website, but someone will undoubtedly post it. The "classic" part of the Rhine is from Rudesheim in the south to St. Goar or Boppard in the north. You should probably drive or take a train from Frankfurt to Rudesheim or Assmannhausen and pick up the boat there. The Lorely is across from St. Goar and can be seen from the boat. You can cruise one way and catch a train back or cruise round trip.

Hi Jennifer, Oops I hit the wrong key!

I don't know when you are going, or if the boats a sailing when you will be there. 3 or 4 years ago we were in Germany during the grape harvest in September.

We stayed in Assmannshausen on the Rhine for 2-3 nights. It's just short distance from Frankfurt. From there we were able to board a boat right in front of our hotel. The boat goes down the Rhine, past the Loreley and through the Rhine Gorge.

It stops at different towns along the way. You can get off and catch another boat up or down the river. We went as far down as Sankt Goarshausen. We spent a wonderful day, from morning to night on the boat and in the river towns

Here is the URL for K-D Rhein.

http://www.k-d.com/

Loreley is south of St. goar a bit, between St. G. and Oberwesel.

Frankfurt isn't on the Rhine; you should start in the scenic part of the Rhine Gorge - not before you get to Rüdesheim on the east bank or Bingen on the west. This is where the landscape becomes dramatic.

Suggest a tour of no more than 2 hours; it actually gets a bit tedious, and uncomfortable on a hot day, especially if crowded. Take the slow (RB) train back upstream and you'll stop at every station, giving you a chance to spot castles along parts of the river you haven't traveled by boat.

Best way to see a castle is up close; best tour is Marksburg in Braubach: www.marksburg.de . Suggest you end your boat ride there, have lunch in town, take the shuttle up to the castle before heading back to Frankfurt.

By the way, Rüdesheim, where the gorge proper begins, boasts the home of www.asbach.de - a maker of brandy, chocolate, and brandy-filled chocolates.

Here is a somewhat more direct link to the K-D line timetable: k-d.com/englisch/schiffstouren/fahrplan-rhein.html