Train across Lake Constance - Anyone ever done this?
 

Looking at train connections from Luzern to Lindau, Germany I see a train that includes a boat trip from Romanshorn to Friedrichshafen then connecting back to regional train and on to Lindau. Looks like the train takes one to within a short distance of the dock, then you board the cruise boat and cross the lake.

I am intrigued by this option, although it does involve 4 changes along the way. But, maybe a wonderful opportunity for beautiful scenery?? Anyone have any more information? It looks like the cruise company is Schiff and I have located their website, all in German.

I'm wondering if this is a great scenic travel opportunity? Looks like the connection from train to cruise is tight. Does cruise wait for train, are they connected in any way? If you have done this journey, please share your experience. Thanks.

According to the bahn.de site, you have to walk 100 meters from boat to train in Friedrichshafen. Are you comfortable carrying your luggage this distance?

To me it would make more sense to take the train straight to Lindau and get a cruise on the lake from Lindau.

If you are taking the boat from Switzerland the lake boat schedules are generally timed to coincide with train arrivals and departures.

In my experience it is very rare for you to miss one of these connections because one or the other (train/boat) was off-schedule.

Musicteacher,

100 meters is ONLY 328 feet. Surely anyone would walk this far just entering a train station. No, carrying the luggage 100 meters is nothing!

Intrepid, yes the schedules do coincide. Thanks for the observation about timeliness.

Still wondering if anyone has first-hand experience that he/she can relay??

The ships running between Romanshorn and Friedrichshafen are big ferries that carry cars and trucks as well as passengers. At one time, they carried trains as well. The ships were run by the Swiss and German railways, but the fleets are now owned by separate companies. They still run to a precise schedule designed to connect with trains (like all public transport in Switzerland). The ships have upper passenger decks with saloons and catering. "Schiff" is simply the German word for "ship". The companies' web sites are:
www.sbsag.ch
www.bsb-online.com
The land around the lake is not very mountainous so it is not as scenic as some of the Alpine lakes. There is a large fleet of passenger ships on the lake and you may be able to go all the way by boat to Lindau - the harbour there is next to the railway station.

Thanks Geoff, that helps alot!

DeeDee -- I'm in the planning stage for a 2006 trip that includes the Lake Constance area; I'm thinking of staying in Lindau or Meersburg and biking around part or all of the lake. If you do this train ride option, would love to see a trip report.

Hi DeeDee, Just wanted to let you know that I contacted iceland excursions allrahanda about what they do with our luggage while we visit the Blue Lagoon. They advised that they lock up the bus. I found on the internet that the Blue Lagoon also has small lockers for personal items. I have gone ahead and purchased a Splash Caddy waterproof waist belt from Magellan's and plan on putting on valuable paperwork in it and actually wearing it in the Blue Lagoon. If anything else gets stolen, oh well, we will still have our money, passports and tickets. What else do you need? :)
Thanks for the headsup on the luggage weight restriction on Iceland Air. We are travelling very light with 22 inch back packs, but we won't make the carry on weight limit no matter how hard we try. We will check it through and take comfort in the fact that it is a direct flight and hopefully there will be no problem. If so, once again we will have money etc. The trip will go on!

Babs,

Nice to hear from you. We leave on Saturday! We will try to carry on our bags, but I'm sure we'll be over the weight limit. Just hoping they don't check! I'll let you know. We will be prepared to check, if necessary. Just hate to check them and have problems. Only being in Iceland for 2 nights, any delayed luggage would probably not catch-up to us until after arrival in Germany.

One trick I have learned is to mix the clothing between all the bags. There are four of us traveling. Each bag will have a bit of the clothing of each family member. That way, if one bag is way-laid, that person will still have clothes in our other bags. When we arrive we'll switch it around.

We have decided to rent a car in Iceland and plan to hit Blue Lagoon our first day. Thanks for the info.

DeeDee

DeeDee, Have a terrific trip. Post back when you return. I am interested in what you think of Iceland as well as Germany. My girlfriend and I have decided to go to Germany next May but I don't feel right starting to plan the next vacation when I still have the current one to go on! Regards Barb

DeeDee, I see from a post that you are back. How was Iceland? Please post a trip report!! Barb

Babs,

Yes, we are back! Had a great time and am putting together all my notes, receipts etc for a trip report. And trying to pull all the digital photos into my computer. Trip report within a week.

DeeDee, I can hardly wait. My girlfriend and I are going to Germany next September so I await your report on Iceland and Germany!