Can one take a short river trip on a picturesque section of the Rhine if the only time available is a half -day starting at Frankfurt? Planning to arrive in Frankfurt at the end of the first week in November (getting there early for a morning flight home from Europe). We will have the time after our arrival at about 1pm into Frankfurt. I am also concerned about the weather on a boat that time of year as well as whether there are any available trips scheduled for after October. I was wondering about taking a train to a town (which one?) on the Rhine and going on a boatride, then training back to Frankfurt. I don't know how long it takes by train... Any suggestions? Thanks!

www.k-d.com for schedules - before past few years was no service in winter but now runs one or two boats a day over best part of Rhine - rudesheim to Koblenz. Reservations essential according to web site in 2005 winter service. Boats are not guaranteed unless enough interest. About an hour from Frankfurt airport to rudesheim and same back from koblenz.

Thanks for the suggestions. What stretch of the Rhine do you think would be the shortest worthwhile boat trip one can make in that area? Looking at a map, I wonder whether going all of the way to Koblenz might take spouse and me too late into the dark evening hours for returning. But if that is what we need to do, we will. Would there maybe be a good place for dinner at the end of the river trip before getting back on a train? Or should we just wait to get back to Frankfurt? This will be our first trip there.

the 'best' part of the Rhine is the Rhine Gorge and the Lorelei cliff, redolent of German mythology when sirens once lured boatsmen to their demise on the rocks. The best part is between Rudesheim/Bingen and Boppard - in winter options may be limited by the one or two daily services, subject to enough interest, but no doubt goes between these ports - going downstream is quicker than upstream - suggest boarding at Rudesheim and getting off at Boppard - Boppard classic Rhine wine town - lots of restos - train station a few-minute stroll from the dock. The boat dock at Rudesheim is right by the train station (trains from Mainz) Boppard has trains right back to Frankfurt direct i think and very frequently. Even in winter this cruise should be nice - get commentary in English as you cruise.

Thanks a lot! You have been most helpful. I will plan my Rhine visit around your advice!

As I recall, one of the Rhine area experts on this board, Russ, used to suggest that anything over two hours on the boat made for a too long trip. So, you might make your northern stop
St. Goar if you leave from Ruedesheim.