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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Rhine Valley Explorer

8-day independent rail and river cruise trip along the Rhine

Illustration of Rhine Valley Explorer

Railbookers operates this 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation through Germany's Rhine Valley, starting in Frankfurt and ending back at Frankfurt Airport. After one night in Frankfurt, a direct ICE train carries travelers to Cologne for two nights, with time to explore the old town's cobbled streets, tour the gothic Cologne Cathedral, and visit the Chocolate Museum on the riverside. From Cologne, a slow train follows the Rhine's west bank past castles and terraced vineyards to Koblenz for two nights, where a cable car climbs to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress above the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. On day 6, a KD Rhine cruise carries travelers past the legendary Lorelei Rock to the small wine town of Bingen for a final two nights, with the Mouse Tower and Klopp Castle offering panoramic views. As an independent trip with no guided tours built in, this suits travelers happy to explore German river towns at their own pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • The list of what's included specifies 2 nights each in Cologne, Koblenz, and Bingen, but does not separately list the first night's hotel stay in Frankfurt, even though the day-by-day itinerary and the 7-night total both include it; confirm with Railbookers that the Frankfurt hotel is part of the package price.
  • The KD Rhine cruise from Koblenz to Bingen, the centerpiece of day 6, is not possible on Mondays, according to the evidence; check this against your travel dates before booking.
  • The itinerary describes a cable car ride to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Koblenz and visits to the Mouse Tower or Klopp Castle in Bingen, but the list of what's included names only the Cologne Chocolate Museum and the KD river cruise as ticketed inclusions, so admission to these other sites may not be covered.
  • Railbookers offers 15 accommodation options across the trip's cities and tiers, from the Holiday Inn Express Frankfurt-Messe to the five-star Sofitel Frankfurt Opera, so the specific hotel depends on which tier and property you choose.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Frankfurt

    Your Journey Begins in Frankfurt

    On arrival in Frankfurt, make your way to your hotel and check in for a 1-night stay. Take a stroll along the river to the pretty old town area.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Cologne

    Frankfurt to Cologne

    Take the direct ICE train from Frankfurt to Cologne, then check-in to your hotel for a 2-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Cologne

    Cologne

    Explore the ancient cobbled streets of Cologne, visit its famous gothic Cathedral, then head to the impressive Chocolate museum located on the river.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Koblenz

    Koblenz

    Take the slow train down the west bank of the Rhine river and enjoy views of castles and terraced vineyards as it winds its way to Koblenz.

  5. Day 5overnight: Koblenz

    Koblenz

    Koblenz is located at the confluence between the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Take a trip on the cable-car to the Ehrenbreitsein Fortress, and visit the Deutsches Eck monument.

  6. Day 6overnight: Bingen

    KD Rhine Cruise/Bingen

    Board a KD Rhine cruise ship for one of the most picturesque river cruises in Europe, passing the mythical Lorely Rock. In the afternoon, disembark in the small town of Bingen.

  7. Day 7overnight: Bingen

    Bingen

    Enjoy a relaxing day in this small town, centre of the local wine industry. Visit the Mouse Tower or Klopp castle for panoramic views.

  8. Day 8rail

    Bingen to Frankfurt Airport/End Of Tour

    On check out of your hotel, take the train directly to Frankfurt Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Cologne's ancient cobbled streets lead to its gothic Cathedral and the Chocolate Museum on the riverside.
  • Day 4A slow train down the Rhine's west bank passes castles and terraced vineyards on the way to Koblenz.
  • Day 5A cable car climbs to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, and travelers visit the Deutsches Eck monument where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet.
  • Day 6A KD Rhine cruise passes the legendary Lorelei Rock on the way to the small riverside town of Bingen.
  • Day 7The Mouse Tower or Klopp Castle offer panoramic views over Bingen, a town at the center of the local wine industry.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cologne
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Koblenz
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bingen
  • Cologne Chocolate Museum tickets
  • KD River cruise from Koblenz to Bingen

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Deutsche Bahn ICE trains cover Frankfurt to Cologne to Koblenz to Bingen. A KD river cruise, not a train, covers the final leg from Koblenz to Bingen on day 6.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Railbookers lists it as an independent rail vacation with no guided tours in the itinerary.
What is included?
Rail travel, hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cologne, Koblenz, and Bingen, tickets to the Cologne Chocolate Museum, and the KD river cruise from Koblenz to Bingen.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 15 accommodation options; named examples include the Sofitel Frankfurt Opera and Holiday Inn Express Frankfurt-Messe in Frankfurt, and the Hilton Cologne and Pullman Cologne in Cologne.
When does the KD Rhine cruise run?
The evidence notes the cruise from Koblenz to Bingen is not possible on Mondays.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $1,019 USD for the 8-day, 7-night trip.

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