using your eurrail pass on the Rhine River boats
 

please post suggestions on using rail passes for use on Rhine River boats.

http://www.k-d.com/en/kd-scheduled-c...g-stages/#c582

KD schedule is famously difficult to understand unless you also have a map. Very good in the Mosel where I've used it. Not tried the Rhine but I assume equally good

railpasses valid in Germany are good on regular services along the Rhine but not on excursion boats or dinner cruises, etc k-d boats do. IME of taking these many times with a pass you just flash it upon entering - no reservations seem possible except for groups - never seen a full boat - for lots of details on these boats and trains in general check out these fine sites: www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.seat61.com. Yes www.k-d.com has schedules. There is one daily service Aper thru Sept only I believe on the Mosel of K-D that honors railpasses - one leaving Koblenz daily about 9 am, going to Cochem and return from there about 2 pm - boat services dock at Moselkern - jumping off point for Burg Eltz.

There are other boats on the Rhine and Mosel not honoring railpasses - only certain K-D services do - well most of the K-D day services between Rudesheim and Koblenz and Koblenz and Cologne.

IME the best place to board K-D services is at Rudeshiem - where many service start - and thus as tour groups flock here to start their cruise many of the best seats - those up front on the deck go fast - board at a subsequent stop and you may have to go to the back of the boat, etc.

The classic Rhine Gorge cruise is between Rudesheim/Bingen and Koblenz - about a 2.5 hour trek I think. Though some boats start in Mainz the Mainz to Rudewheim part is rather industrial and not as scenic as the gorgeous Rhine Gorge part.

every time I take these boats more than a few folks become bored - not sure why but they do - so I recommend taking downstream boats Rudesheim to Koblenz as it is a much faster ride than going upstream - though the boats may be more crowded going downstream for that reason.