MIDDLE RHINE RIVER
Traveling by Train

The legendary Rhine River begins as a stream high in the Alps of Switzerland, forms a portion of the border between France and Germany, on to the North Sea. It is the longest river in Europe, but for visitors seeking out the beauty of the most famous part is it the section called the Middle Rhine where the river winds between Cologne and Mainz through the gorge of verdant hillsides covered with wine vineyards and dotted by castles at almost every turn that is the golden journey. Here is where the legend of the Loreley was born, singing her siren lilt to lure sailors to their doom. Here also it was the haunting ancient ruins of castles which inspired the romantic poets, like Lord Byron, to bring it to life.

There are several means to see the this section of the Rhine, from the comfort of a river cruise boat, either a long journey tour on floating hotel, docking nights at ports along the river, or by the day tour boats which travel up and down this section. You can visit by road with a rented car, following the highway which traces along either bank, crossing by ferry. But seeing the Rhine by train is quite convenient. Rail tracks run along either side of the river. Freight and some passenger train run of the eastern bank, while only passenger trains run of the western bank.

The national DeutscheBahn runs regular service through the Rhine Valley and trains of all category take this route as the main line from Mainz to Cologne with high speed ICE Intercity trains which make limited stops along this section of the river at the towns of Bingen, St Goar, Oberwesel, Boppard, Koblenz, and Bonn, Regio Regional lines, which make a schedule of other stations, and the local MittlerheinBahn (MRB) makes all the stops in this section. It is easy enough to transfer from to the other, though the ICE trains have restrictions and special ticketing.

Tickets for the MRB can be purchased at ticket machines at any of the stations. Multi-day tickets are available. It is also included in any of the various rail passes. Any DB rail ticket good between Mainz and Cologne can be used on the either the Regional or MRB trains. Tickets for the full length Mainz to Cologne are about €30. The more scenic part, Bingen to Koblenz, is about €12 and takes 50 minutes. There are often lots of seats available, though rush hours can get busy. You can take one of the other main line trains if in a hurry, but for a more casual look at the passing scenery of the river or for on and off touring, enjoy the convenience of the Middle Rhine Train.

It is quite easy to stop for a nights castle stay or a quant hotel in a riverside wine village, then, catch a Hop on Hop Off river cruise boat, and enjoy the scenery one way, then catch the train again for the rest of a journey, or take the train back to your hotel of other explorations. A Rail Pass allows a variety of options, with purchasing single tickets.

Selected Stops on the Middle Rhine Route:

Mainz Hbf Bingen(Rhein) Stadt Bingen(Rhein) Hbf Trechtingshausen Niederheimbach Bacharach Oberwesel St Goar Boppard Hbf Koblenz Hbf Andernach Remagen Bonn Hbf Köln Hbf Köln Messe/Deutz

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