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Travel to Europe (To-Europe) · Independent rail & cruise tour

5-Day Historic Cities of Rhine and Mosel (5R02)

Rhine and Mosel riverside towns via rail and cruise from Koblenz

Illustration of 5-Day Historic Cities of Rhine and Mosel (5R02)

Travel to Europe operates this 5-day independent rail and cruise journey through the Rhine and Mosel valleys, starting and ending at Frankfurt International Airport. You arrive by speed train in Koblenz (about an hour), then spend two nights exploring the Altstadt, Deutsches Eck, and day-tripping by scenic rail along the Mosel to Trier, where you visit the Porta Nigra and Imperial Baths. The itinerary moves to Rudesheim am Rhein, gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Mittelrheintal. Day 4 is dedicated to an all-day Rhine River Cruise aboard a KD Weisse Flotte ship, stopping at Oberwesel, St. Goar, and Bacharach. You navigate independently using provided itinerary sheets; no tour manager travels with the group. Hotels are centrally located, breakfasts are buffet-style, and all rail tickets and the cruise are included. This suits first-time rail travellers and independent explorers who want structure without a guide, history enthusiasts, and couples seeking two-night stays in riverside towns.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is high: US $1,189 versus US $769 base (roughly 55% more than half the double price), making this less economical for solo travellers.
  • Rail tickets are 2nd-class; 1st-class upgrade available for an additional US $59 per person but only on the Frankfurt Airport to Koblenz leg, not on other segments.
  • Meals other than daily breakfast are not included; budget for lunch and dinner in Trier, Rudesheim, and Koblenz.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Koblenz

    Koblenz

    Direct speed-train from Frankfurt International Airport Long Distance Rail Station to Koblenz (about an hour). Explore the Altstadt, Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Koblenz

    Day Trip to Trier

    Scenic train along the Mosel River from Koblenz to Trier, Germany's oldest city, passing Eltz Castle. Visit the Porta Nigra, the Basilika and the Imperial Baths.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Rudesheim am Rhein

    Rudesheim

    Train from Koblenz to Rudesheim am Rhein, gateway to the Mittelrheintal UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Drosselgasse and take the funicular to the Niederwalddenkmal.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rudesheim am Rhein

    Rhine River Cruise through the Upper Rhine Valley

    All-day Rhine River Cruise on a KD 'Weisse Flotte' ship from Rudesheim through the Upper Rhine Valley, stopping at Oberwesel, St. Goar and Bacharach.

  5. Day 5rail

    Frankfurt International Airport

    Optional hike into the vineyards before the train to Frankfurt International Airport (a little under an hour), where the tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Scenic train ride along the Mosel River to Trier passes Eltz Castle; visit the Porta Nigra, the Basilika, and the Imperial Baths in Germany's oldest city.
  • Day 4All-day Rhine River Cruise on a KD Weisse Flotte ship through the Upper Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, stopping at Oberwesel, St. Goar, and Bacharach.
  • Day 3Ride the funicular cable car to the Niederwalddenkmal above Rudesheim, overlooking the Mittelrheintal.

Included

  • Unrestricted speed-train ticket Frankfurt Int. Airport to Koblenz
  • Day trip rail ticket Koblenz to Trier and back
  • Rail ticket Koblenz to Rudesheim am Rhein
  • Cable car ride up to Niederwald recreational area and back to Rudesheim
  • All Day Rhine River Cruise through the Upper Rhine Valley (KD 'Weisse Flotte')
  • Rail ticket Rudesheim am Rhein to Frankfurt Int. Airport
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation per itinerary

Not included

  • Airfare from/to your origin to/from Frankfurt International Airport
  • All meals other than breakfast
  • Gratuities (tips)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Travel to Europe includes all 2nd-class rail tickets: Frankfurt Airport to Koblenz, Koblenz to Trier return, Koblenz to Rudesheim, and Rudesheim to Frankfurt Airport. The full-day Rhine River Cruise is also included.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Independent and self-guided. Travel to Europe provides a day-by-day itinerary and tour information sheets, but no tour manager accompanies the group.
What is included in the price?
All rail tickets, the Rhine River Cruise, four nights hotel accommodation (Ghotel Hotel & Living Koblenz for two nights and Hotel Rudesheimer Schloss for two nights), buffet breakfast daily, and a cable car ride to Niederwalddenkmal.
How much walking is involved?
Expect city walking in Koblenz, Trier, and Rudesheim am Rhein. There is an optional hike into the vineyards on Day 5 before the train to Frankfurt. Most major sites are reached on foot.
When does this tour run?
The operator has not published specific departure dates in the available information. Contact Travel to Europe directly to confirm available dates.
What is not included?
Airfare to and from Frankfurt International Airport, all meals other than daily breakfast, and gratuities (tips) are not included.

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