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By Train to Day-Trip Boat Cruises on the Rhine River from Frankfurt and Airport

Day trips and boat pleasure cruises on the Rhine River (Rhein) and Loreley Valley are easy from Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof and Airport (FRA) in Germany — use the train to Rüdesheim or Koblenz.

Regular day pleasure boat cruises on the Rhine River (Rhein) rarely depart from Frankfurt am Main itself but are easily arranged. Fast trains from the Hauptbahnhof and Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) allow even passengers with a few hour stopovers to enjoy cruising Germany’s most famous river and see popular sights including castles and the Loreley Rock. It is a short train ride from Frankfurt’s main station or directly from the airport to Rhine towns including Rüdesheim, Bingen, and Koblenz, which are all ideal departure ports for Rhine River valley day pleasure cruises. Organized day-trip tours including bus transportation are available in the high season while boats cruise on the Main River for one-hour panorama cruises almost daily.

Day Cruise Trips on the Rhine River from Frankfurt am Main

Although day pleasure cruise boats depart from many cities and towns between Mainz and Cologne, the most popular part of the Rhine River for day cruises is the Loreley Valley with boats departing from Rüdesheim or Bingen to St Goar and St Goarhausen. This part of the Rhine River valley is inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Here the valley is the steepest and narrowest, often covered by vineyards, and sporting a castle or castle ruin every two kilometers or so.

Rüdesheim is one of the best departure ports for pleasure cruises on the Rhine. Rüdesheim sees many departures by numerous cruise lines including the largest (KD Köln-Düsseldorfer) and many smaller (and sometimes slightly cheaper) boat operators. Rüdesheim also has excellent train connections to Frankfurt with the Rüdesheim (Rhein) train station very close to the boat landing, as is the case in most Rhine villages — see train timetable to Rüdesheim at Deutsche Bahn.

See also Day Trip Rhine and Main River Cruise Boats from Frankfurt for pleasure boat excursions on the Main and Rhine, although the train to Rüdesheim is generally a better choice than the boat to see the best parts of the Rhine.

By Train from Frankfurt am Main and Airport to the Rhine River

Frankfurt am Main is Germany’s transportation hub. Not only is Frankfurt International Airport by far the busiest in Germany but the Hauptbahnhof is also the most important railway hub in Germany.

Numerous routings are available from Frankfurt to the Rhine Valley but it is best to stick to direct trains – missed connections, and German regional trains, unfortunately, do not always run like clockwork, which can mean long delays in boring stations.

Regional Express (RE) or Regional Bahn (RB) trains run from Frankfurt Main Station on either side of the Rhine and again meet up at Koblenz at the confluence of the Mosel and the Rhine. Trains on the right bank run mostly once per hour while the faster trains on the left bank run every two hours. RB and RE trains are local trains on which many discount tickets such as the Hessenticket or even the RMV Day Ticket may be accepted.

Trains on the Right Bank of the Rhine River in Germany

Traveling times from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof to major stops along the Rhine where connections are available with Rhine day excursion boats are:

• Frankfurt-Höchst – 10 minutes
• Mainz-Kastel – 25 minutes
• Wiesbaden – 35 minutes
• Eltville – 53 minutes
• Rüdesheim (Rhein) – 1h12
• Lorch – 1h22
• Kaub – 1h29
• St Goarhausen – 1h39 (Loreley Rock)
• Kamp Bornhofen – 1h50
• Braubach – 2h00 (Marksburg)
• Koblenz – 2h15
• Neuwied – 2h33

Passengers from Frankfurt International Airport may save time by taking the S-Bahn train S9 to Wiesbaden and change there or at Mainz-Kastel to the RE trains rather than going to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof first. From the airport to Rüdesheim takes around 90 minutes.

See German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) timetables: Frankfurt to Rüdesheim / Frankfurt Airport to Rüdesheim

The trains on the right bank of the Rhine are operated by VIAS and may have VIA in the train name. However, for most travelers, the differences with regular DB German Railways trains are hard to spot and the same tickets and deals are accepted.

The journey through the Rhine Valley is the most scenic but if returning from Koblenz to Frankfurt via Limburg an der Lahn , consider a longer stop-over to see this most beautiful old town center and fantastic Romanesque cathedral. (Avoid the ICE train station Limburg-Süd, in contrast to Limburg Bahnhof , this station is far from the town center.)

Trains on the Left Bank of the Rhine River in Germany

Trains from Frankfurt am Main to the left bank of the Rhine River are less frequent but somewhat faster than on the right bank.

Traveling times from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof to major stops on the left bank of the Main and Rhine Rivers on the Regional Express (RE) trains are around:

• Frankfurt Airport – 15 minutes
• Mainz Hauptbahnhof – 42 minutes
• Bingen – 1h05
• Bacharach – 1h12
• Oberwesel – 1h18
• Boppard – 1h30
• Koblenz – 1h45

See German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) timetables: Frankfurt to Koblenz / Frankfurt Airport to Koblenz

Further slower Regional Bahn (RB) trains operate on the left bank but generally start from Mainz. S-Bahn trains S8 have further connections from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof and International Airport to Mainz. RB trains also stop in popular tourist towns including Bacharach, St Goar, and Boppard.

Note that the fastest trains between Koblenz and Frankfurt usually stop only in Mainz and at Frankfurt International Airport and not in the smaller Rhine villages.

More Rhine River Cruise Options in Germany

See also Loreley Valley Rhine River Day Cruises for more information on the variety of Rhine River short and single day cruises available on the Middle Rhine and Top Rhine River Day Trip Cruise Lines for a selection of the top day pleasure cruise lines operating in the Loreley Valley. Regional Express, Regional Bahn, and S-Bahn trains running along the Main and Rhine are local trains for which Deutsche Bahn has several special discount tickets .

The KD Rhine Pass savings deal has not been on sale in recent years but Get Your Guide offers easy booking (and often sensible cancelation options) for day-trip cruises on the Rhine departing from many popular cities such as Cologne , Düsseldorf , Bonn , Koblenz , Boppard , Ruedesheim , Cochem , and Frankfurt . Most cruise lines now also accept online ticket purchases but several still prefer to sell tickets directly at the quay or on board cruise boats.

More on the Rhine River in Germany

Day-Trip Excursions and Pleasure Cruises on the Rhine River:

• cruise from Rüdesheim ( cruise lines ), Koblenz ( cruise lines ), winter & Christmas
• from Frankfurt — fast trains to the Rhine , or slow boat to the Rhine
• from Mainz and Wiesbaden
• Savings Tips , Best Cruise Lines
• Lower Rhine — Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn to Linz
• Special events: Cruises to Rhine in Flames Fireworks , Christmas and New Year’s Cruises in Cologne , Düsseldorf , Frankfurt , and Rüdesheim
• Moselle River Cruises ( Cochem , Bernkastel-Kues, Trier, Koblenz , Burg Eltz )
• Cruises on the Main River in Frankfurt (or better By Train from Frankfurt to the Best Rhine Cruises )
• Cruises from Worms, Mannheim, Heidelberg (on the Neckar River)
• Cruises from Speyer
• Rhinefalls (Rhine Waterfalls, Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Kreuzlingen) in Switzerland

Tips and Savings on Day-Trip Rhine Cruises

• The best part of the Rhine for day-trip excursion cruises in the Middle Rhine between Rüdesheim / Bingen and Koblenz . See Savings Tips and the Best Cruise Lines cruising in the Loreley Valley.
• Check train times for Germany (and most of Europe) at German Railways .

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years of experience writing online. He is particularly interested in history, art, and culture. He has lived most of his adult life in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In addition to European-Traveler.com , he also owns a travel website on the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland and maintains statistical websites on car sales and classic car auction prices . Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Development Finance from the University of London.

Home » Germany » By Train to Day-Trip Boat Cruises on the Rhine River from Frankfurt and Airport

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Afb(cruise Control Or More?)db Br Locos

Discussion in ' TSW General Discussion ' started by SHINO BAZ , Apr 16, 2019 .

SHINO BAZ Well-Known Member

I watch youtube video on how to use it and i'm still not sure what it does.Is there any detailed info on how to use it anywhere and all it's various fuctions,(one thing i noted was that the blue marker that highlights when you turn afb on,doesn't light up right away.Does it only light up after you get your train moving?  

Rail Master Active Member

SHINO BAZ said: ↑ I watch youtube video on how to use it and i'm still not sure what it does.Is there any detailed info on how to use it anywhere and all it's various fuctions,(one thing i noted was that the blue marker that highlights when you turn afb on,doesn't light up right away.Does it only light up after you get your train moving? Click to expand...

Mr.Drew Member

In which German locos can AFB be activated? So far I only found it in DB BR 143, and here it is always active by default, I guess. Is there a way to deactivate it in 143? I checked the whole cab yesterday but found no button.  

Scarface Active Member

Mr.Drew said: ↑ In which German locos can AFB be activated? So far I only found it in DB BR 143, and here it is always active by default, I guess. Is there a way to deactivate it in 143? I checked the whole cab yesterday but found no button. Click to expand...

Thanks for your help, will try it out tonight. Is there any chance to turn the AFB OFF in BR 143?  

Mr.Drew said: ↑ Thanks for your help, will try it out tonight. Is there any chance to turn the AFB OFF in BR 143? Click to expand...

Oh ok, I have not found the button yet within the BR 143. So I will take a second look at the left desk. ;-) Can this be done while sitting in the drivers seat or do you have to get up to reach the button? Maybe that is one reason why I haven't found the button yet  

I don’t need get up for reach it. I only move the cursor slowly.  

xD 2Bad4You Well-Known Member

You can also select the Camera View (RS or LS, Cant remember exactly which one ) for the left panel and the right one while sitting on the drivers seat aswell. Makes it easier to find the buttons.  

Ah yes, you are right, thanks for the advice Should definitely make it easier  

Rail Master said: ↑ Yes, turn off the AFB button (left desk), and you can use the AFB throttle as a Power throttle Click to expand...

Mr.Drew said: ↑ I really checked the whole cab but cannot find the button to turn it off :-/ Is it under the desk? I even checked the panel in the engine room. Can someone please help? I would be very grateful. Click to expand...

Ok, I understand. Thanks for the information. I looked around for quite some time ...  

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The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in germany.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, inter-city train tickets from €12.90.

Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) high-speed IC and ICE trains are easily the best way to travel between major town & cities all over Germany, in comfort at ground level.  DB's ICE trains travel at up to 186 mph from city centre to city centre, and if you pre-book direct with the operator you can find some really cheap fares.

Train travel within Germany

International trains to & from Germany

Station guides, general train travel information, useful country information, how to check train times & buy tickets.

To check times & prices and to buy tickets in advance go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de ( on a mobile device, use this link ).

Anyone from any country can use bahn.de, all international credit cards accepted, you print your own ticket or can simply show it on your laptop or phone.

Tip:   I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log in, check all your bookings and re-print your tickets at any time.

Do you need to book in advance?

When does booking open.

Booking now opens up to 6 months ahead for German domestic tickets.

It was increased to 6 months from the previous 92 days in 2016.  However, the booking period is often less than this for dates immediately after the timetable changes at midnight on the 2nd Saturday in December.  Bookings for dates after the mid-December timetable change, including the Christmas period, usually open in mid-October.

Flexpreis or Sparpreis?

If you use int.bahn.de to book a long-distance train it initially shows the cheapest fare available against each train.

If you click on that fare, you'll then see a range of fares, Super Sparpreis , Sparpreis & Flexpreis .

Flexpreis is the full-price flexible fare.  A Flexpreis ticket can be bought online or at the station on the day of travel, the price in fact varies slightly on different dates, but not by a huge amount.  They are refundable, good for any train that day, just hop on and find any empty unreserved seat, seat reservation on long distance IC, ICE & EC trains is optional for a small extra charge, €4.90 in 2nd class, €5.90 in 1st class.

Sparpreis & Super Sparpreis fares are limited-availability advance-purchase fares, from €12.90, €19.90, €29.90, €39.90 and so on, the price varies significantly depending how far ahead you book and how popular that date, day and train is.  Spar is German for save .  Sparpreis & Super Sparpreis fares only allow travel on the specific train you book, although if your journey involves a connecting regional train you can use any regional train on the regional part of the route.  Prices vary like air fares, rising as departure approaches and the cheaper tickets are sold.  They disappear a few days before departure, leaving only the Flexpreis fare.

Super Sparpreis = no refunds, no changes.   Sparpreis fares are refundable (although for a DB credit voucher, not cash) up to the day before departure with a small fee deducted, no changes or refunds allowed from the day of departure onwards.

• Children go free!   On DB trains, children under 6 go free, no ticket needed.  Children over 6 but aged under 15 also go free if they travel accompanied by a fare-paying adult, a great offer.  Book your tickets at int.bahn.de and it will work all this out for you.

Only one passenger name is needed

Only one name is necessary as I.D. to support a print-at-home ticket, even if that ticket covers several passengers.

If you buy hard copy tickets at a station, no name at all is needed.

Incidentally, until 2016 you had to show the credit/debit card used for the booking when using print-at-home tickets. I'm glad to say that this changed in October 2016, all you now need is a passport or other recognised ID to support a print-at-home online ticket.  You may or may not be asked for it by the conductor.

Tips for using int.bahn.de

Stopovers .  If you'd like a stopover en route, but still want a cheap saver fare from end to end, no problem.  Go to int.bahn.de and enter your start and end point, simply click Stopover , enter the place where you want to stop off, enter the number of hours stopover and off you go.  Maximum 2 days validity with a Sparpreis fare.

Alternatives to using bahn.de:   Bahn.de is one of the best train operator sites, but if for any reason you want an alternative site which can also book DB trains at DB prices, try these two:

Raileurope.com has a direct connection to DB's ticketing system so it sells the same trains, same prices, same print-at-home tickets at Bahn.de, but with a small booking fee.  It accepts all international credit cards so can be used by anyone from any country.  Raileurope.com also connects to the French, Italian & Spanish ticketing systems so can easily book multi-operator journeys such as Munich to Naples (which involves DB and Trenitalia) or Frankfurt to Bordeaux (which involves DB and SNCF).  Raileurope.com is also capable of splitting the booking to book some cross-Germany journeys (for example, Brussels to Poland) for which you'd have to manually split the booking at some logical point within Germany if you wanted to use bahn.de.

Thetrainline.com also has a connection to DB's system, so can sell print-at-home tickets (but not those which need to be posted) for DB train at the same prices as DB, but with a small booking fee.

Competing lo-cost operator:  Flixtrain

Almost all long-distance trains in Germany are operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB), the State-owned German Federal Railways.  But there is now one other long-distance operator worth mentioning.

Buy tickets by phone in the UK

If you live in the UK you can buy German train tickets direct from Deutsche Bahn on their English-speaking telesales line, 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 .  Lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings.

Custom-made tours of Germany by train

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour of Germany for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & breaks which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They now have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Germany by train, they have suggested itineraries or they can organise a trip based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/germany .

Back to top

DB's discount card:  Bahncard

What are bahncards.

You get the discount on German domestic journeys, and on international journeys to, from or across Germany.

However, for international journeys the discount will not normally be the full 25% or 50% as the reduction is not necessarily applied to the part outside Germany (test it before buying a Bahncard to see what actual effect a Bahncard has - see my top tip below).

Man in Seat 61's top tip:   Before buying a Bahncard, run an enquiry for the journeys you actually plan to make, using int.bahn.de (a) as normal and (b) with a Bahncard 25 or Bahncard 50 discount added.  See what it does to prices.  If you see no difference, the discount may not apply to your particular journey.  If you see a difference, do the savings justify the cost of the card?

Types of Bahncard

Each type of Bahncard can be bought for either 2nd class or 1st class.

Check prices & buy a Bahncard

Special regional tickets.

These one-day unlimited travel passes are well worth knowing about, even though they're not valid on fast long-distance trains, only on slower regional trains.  If you want a railpass valid on all trains, including high-speed and long-distance ones, see the German Rail Pass section below .

Deutschland ticket

Unlimited travel on regional transport nationwide for €49 a month

From 1 May 2023 Germany offers unlimited travel on regional transport nationwide for €49 per month.  This is the successor to the popular (but temporary) €9 ticket created after the pandemic to address the cost-of-living crisis.  Unlike the €9 ticket, the Deutschlandticket will be a permanent product.

The Deutschland ticket is good for all regional trains run by DB and by other operators across the whole of Germany ()marked R, RE, RB, IRE or S-Bahn in the timetable) and other types of local & regional transport including local buses, city buses, trams & U-Bahn.

It's even valid on the famous Harz Railway , including steam-hauled trains, but not on the branch line up the Brocken.

It's not valid on long-distance ICE & IC trains or similar long-distance trains classified EuroCity, Eurostar, TGV, Railjet, Westbahn, Flixtrain or Snälltåget.  So yes, you could cross Germany with it if you wanted, but only using slower regional trains.

The Deutschland ticket covers journeys wholly within Germany, with a few exceptions:  For example, it's valid on cross-border regional trains to/from Salzburg in Austria, to/from Venlo, Arnhem, Hengelo & Enschede in the Netherlands, to/from Basel Bad Bf & Basel SBB in Switzerland, and to/from Zgorzelec in Poland.  But remember, only on the regional trains (marked R, RE, RB, BRB and so on), not EC, RJ, RJX, IC or ICE long-distance trains or privately-run Westbahn (WB) trains.

It's valid from the 1st of the month to the end of the month :  Unlike normal passes or season ticket which can start on any date you choose, each month's Deutschland ticket is valid from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month.  So if you bought one on 30 May, that would be a 'May' Deutschland ticket valid from 1 to 31 May and you'd only get 2 days use out of it, 30 & 31 May - but it would still cost €49!

Only sold as a rolling monthly subscription :  It's aimed at commuters not tourists, so the Deutschland ticket is only sold as a rolling monthly subscription or one-off annual payment.  However, you can cancel the monthly subscription it at any time, even after paying for only 1 month, just be aware that most vendors require you to cancel before the 10th of the month to avoid paying for the following month's €49 Deutschland ticket.  Most vendors require payment by direct debit, a few allow payment by credit card.

Children : As it's aimed at commuters, there's no child version and no provision to add children to your account.  However, a child can travel on an adult ticket (just not the other way around).  If you want to buy Deutschland tickets for yourself and your children, use RMVgo app at sites.rmv.de/en/deutschlandticket , the Rhein-Main Lander, because this (unlike other Landers' apps) allows one person to open an account and buy Deutschland tickets for multiple people including children, with a credit card in one transaction.  The catch?  It may not accept non-German addresses, my correspondent had to use the address of his German hotel but successfully bought tickets for himself and his kids.  Feedback would be appreciated .

If you only want a Deutschland ticket for one month to enjoy a one month's unlimited travel on regional trains across Germany, buy a Deutschland ticket before the 10th of that month by setting up a monthly credit card payment.  Then make sure you cancel the subscription before the 10th of that same month to avoid paying for the following month.

How to buy a Deutschland ticket:

Don't bother trying to use the German Railways (DB) website www.bahn.com to buy a Deutschland ticket as it only accepts payment by direct debit and setting up a direct debit with a non-German bank account results in an error message.  #fail!

The easiest way for foreign visitors to buy a Deutschland ticket is to buy from Bremen area transit authority VBN using their FahrPlaner app because (a) it accepts payment by credit card, (b) it's in English, and (c) it has no problem with overseas users, overseas addresses or UK postcodes.  #result!

Step 1, download the FahrPlaner app for iPhone or MFahrPlaner app for Android (please let me know if those links stop working).

Step 2, the app should open in English.  Click the menu icon top left and go to Tickets .  Then select Deutschlandticket.

Step 3, click the red PROCEED TO LOGIN button at the bottom.  Then click Sign up for free and register, it lists most countries including United Kingdom and United States and has no problem with UK postcodes.

Step 4, select Credit Card and buy your Deutschland ticket.

This is a rolling subscription which you can cancel at any time.

You show the Deutschland Ticket as a QR code in the app on your phone.  Easy!

If you only want one Deutschland ticket for one month, buy it before the 10th of the month then cancel your subscription also before the 10th of the month.  That prevents payment being taken for the following month.

To cancel the subscription, you must open the order confirmation email they sent you when you bought it and click on the cancellation link.  You cannot cancel your subscription from the app.

If you have children, you'll need to use the RMVgo app instead, see the paragraph about children above.

Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket

Unlimited regional off-peak train travel, €46.

The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket ( Day Ticket for Germany ) gives a day's unlimited travel from 09:00 weekdays or from 00:00 Saturdays & Sundays, until 03:00 the following morning on all regional & regional-express trains (RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn) throughout the whole of Germany.

The first traveller pays €46, each additional passenger pays just €9 to be added to the same ticket, up to a maximum total of 5 passengers.

You can't use fast IC, ICE or EC trains, only slower regional trains, so a long-distance journey which could be made on a fast direct IC or ICE train could be very slow and involve several changes if made using purely regional trains.  But it can be a very cheap way to go, especially if you haven't been able to book a cheap advance-purchase ticket for an ICE or IC train.

For more information, see int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/day-ticket-germany .

To buy a ticket online and print it out yourself, see int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/day-ticket-germany .

Alternatively, these tickets can be bought on the day of travel from the self-service ticket machines at German stations, although it costs €2 more if you buy from a staffed counter.

Lander tickets

Bayern ticket, schönes-wochenende-ticket :  discontinued, railpasses for germany, interrail germany pass:  click to check prices & buy online, german rail pass, maps of the german rail network, what are german trains like , intercity express (ice).

InterCity Express high-speed trains, usually known as ICE, are German Railways' front-rank trains, travelling at up to 200 km/h (186 mph, ICE3), 280 km/h (175 mph, ICE1 & ICE2) or 250 km/h (155 mph, ICE4).  They have 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains .

InterCity trains (IC)

InterCity trains travel at up to 200 km/h (125 mph), usually using a locomotive and conventional carriages.  Some InterCity trains cross borders into neighbouring countries and these may be classified EuroCity (EC) rather than InterCity.  Power sockets at all seats, and usually some sort of refreshment service.  More about IC trains .

A German Intercity train at Amsterdam Centraal .

2nd class seating on an Intercity train.  Larger photo .

Regional trains

Regional trains are shown as R, RB, RE and so on, where RE is a faster regional express.  Some are operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB, German Railways), others are outsourced to private operators such as Abellio, Metronom, Erixx, but still run as part of the national network with tickets sold by DB at int.bahn.de .  They come in many different shapes and sizes, some single-deck, some double-deck.  No  catering, so bring your own food & drink.  No seat reservation necessary or possible, you sit where you like.

Sleeper trains

There are several German domestic routes where a sleeper is an option.  These are now run by ÖBB (Austrian Railways) and branded Nightjet:

Düsseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz < > Munich, see the Nightjet page .

Hamburg, Hannover < > Munich, see the Nightjet New Generation page .

Seat numbering plans : Click here

Travel tips.

Language problems?

First-time visitors often think this will be a problem, but it hardly ever is.  At stations, signs are usually in English as well as German, or they use easy-to-understand pictograms.  On-train announcements on long-distance trains are often made in English as well as German.

Food & drink on German trains

Most long-distance trains have at least a bistro car serving tea, coffee, wine, beer & snacks from a counter, with some tables nearby if you'd want to eat and drink in the bistro car rather than take it back to your seat.  See sample ICE bistro menu .  Many German long-distance trains have a proper sit-down waiter-service restaurant car.  In first class on ICE you'll often be asked if you want to order food or drink, and it will be brought and served at your seat.

Alternatively, feel free to bring your own food and drink (even a bottle of wine, if you like) onto the train, there's no rules against that on the rails.

Luggage on trains

There are no baggage fees or weight limits, and you don't check your bags in, you simply take them with you onto the train, placing them on the racks at the end of each car or amongst the seats, or above your head.  It's usually possible to keep all your bags in sight.  More about luggage on trains .

Should you reserve a seat or not?

Reserving a seat is optional on most German trains.  You can add a reserved seat to your booking for €4.90 in 2nd class, €5.90 in 1st class. 

If you don't reserve, you simply sit in any empty unreserved seat.  Small LED displays above each seat show which seats are reserved between which stations, and which seats are free.  Travelling alone, middle of the day, mid-week in February, you'll have plenty of seats to choose from.  But a family group, travelling on a Friday afternoon in July would be well advised to reserve seats.  And for any long journey it's best to be on the safe side and reserve. 

You can make a seat reservation separately (i.e. after buying your ticket) by going to int.bahn.de , clicking in the from or to field to open the parameters panel, set up an enquiry and run it by clicking Book seat only .

On the seat reservation display for each seat:

ggf. reserviert - this means the train's on-board reservation system hasn't been updated with the latest information from the main DB reservation system.  Usually all of the seats show this message if this happens.  Seat reservations are still valid, but cannot be shown on the LED displays, so you can sit in these seats but you could be asked to move if someone shows up with a reservation.

ggf. freigeben - this is a last-minute reservation seat.  You can sit in it if you like, but will have to move if someone shows up with a reservation.

bahn.comfort - travellers holding a frequent traveller BahnCard have priority for these seats. You can sit in these seats but someone with a BahnCard may show up and claim it.  Though how they'd know you didn't have a BahnCard and so ask you to move is another question!

Schwerbehinderte means that seat is reserved for people with disabilities.

First class lounges at stations

There are lounges for holders of certain types of first class ticket at Berlin, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt Main Airport, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart. Follow the signs to the DB Lounge .  They're typically open 07:00-21:00 daily, search int.bahn.de for details.  The lounges offer complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer & snacks.  Unfortunately, only holders of expensive 1st class Flexpreis tickets get lounge access, you don't get access with 1st class Sparpreis or Super Sparpreis fares or 1st class Interrail or Eurail passes.

Left luggage at stations

All German stations except the smallest have left-luggage lockers in various sizes, up to suitcase-sized.  More information on left luggage lockers & prices .

Bikes can be carried on all German trains if semi-dismantled & placed in a bike bag, they then travel as ordinary luggage. 

Undismantled bikes are carried on most suburban & regional trains, you need a Bicycle Day Ticket ( Fahrradtageskarte ) which you can buy online at int.bahn.de (use the site search to find it) or at stations for a few euros.

Undismantled bikes are also carried on most InterCity trains , ICE-T & ICE4 trains for a fee as these have been fitted with bike racks, prior reservation required.  Undismantled bicycles are not carried on high-speed ICE trains other than ICE-T & ICE4 .

To find a train that takes bikes, go to int.bahn.de , click in the from field to open the details panel and select Bicycle transport possible .

To book yourself and your bike on a train in Germany, go to int.bahn.de , click in the from field to open the details panel, click on Passenger, bicycles and add a bicycle to the booking.  For more information, see the bicycles by train page .

Dogs & pets

Dogs can be taken on all German trains, sometimes free, sometimes for a small fee.  For more information, see the dogs & pets page .

Places not served by the main rail network

Neuschwanstein, Germany's fairytale castle:   See details here .

Eagles's Nest:   See details here .

Take a good guidebook.  For independent travel, the best guidebook is either the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide.  Both guidebooks provide an excellent level of practical information and historical and cultural background.  You won't regret buying one!

Buy in the UK from Amazon.co.uk

Or buy in the usa from amazon.com.

Or buy the Lonely Planets from the Lonely Planet website , with shipping worldwide.    Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Tours of Germany by train

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

If you want to tour Germany by train, with all your train reservations and hotels sorted for you, contact rail travel specialists Railbookers and they'll create the best rail holiday for you, hassle-free.  They take good care of their clients and get a lot of repeat business.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Germany by train based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Recommended hotels

Here are my suggested hotels conveniently located for arrival by train in key German cities, all with good or great reviews.  You are unlikely to be disappointed by any hotel scoring over 8.0 out of 10 on Booking.com .

In Frankfurt

If you walk out of Hamburg Hbf's main eastern exit, you'll find a row of good hotels lined up in front of you on the opposite side of the Kirchenallee.  The pick of these is the excellent 4-star Hotel Reichshof Hamburg , across the road and to the left with art deco-based design and great reviews.  It has its own restaurant for lunch or dinner, although I'd still be tempted to try the beer & traditional German food at Nagel's bar, 150m south along the Kircheallee, restaurant-kneipe-hamburg.de .

The Hotel Europaischer Hof is another good choice and directly in front of you across the road when you walk out of the station.  Other hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include the 5-star Hotel Continental Novum (to the right of the Europaischer), Hotel Furst Bismarck (to the right of the Continental Novum), and the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski .

If you'd prefer a hotel right in the city centre, the Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown is 5 minutes walk from the station on the city side, and gets really great reviews.

If you're on a budget, private rooms in the A&O Hotel start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com .  The A&O is an 11-minute 900m walk south of Hamburg Hbf, see walking map .  Also try the innovative Cab20 capsule hotel , a 550m 6-minute walk from the station, see walking map .

Affordable hotels right next to Munich Hbf with good or great reviews include the reliable Eden Hotel Wolff or the NH Collection München , both directly across the road from the station's north side exit, ideal for an overnight stop between trains.  I've used the Hotel Wolff myself.

Also consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian , Excelsior by Giesel or Mercure München City Center , all a stone's throw from the station with great reviews.

If you want to push the boat out, the luxurious 5-star Sofitel Munich Beyerpost is right outside the station's south side exit, located in the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building dating from 1896-1900.  It comes complete with a spa with massage service and sauna.

If you're on a budget, the Wombat's Hostel Munich is close to the station's south side exit with private rooms & dorm beds, with good reviews.

Booking.com for hotels

I generally use Booking.com for hotels for 3 reasons:

(1) It keeps all my hotel bookings together in one place;

(2) I've come to trust Booking.com 's review scores;

(3) Booking.com usually offers a clearly-marked Free cancellation option.

Free cancellation means you can secure hotels risk-free even before trains open for booking, and if necessary change those bookings if your plans evolve.

If I'm only staying a night or two, I look for a hotel near the station to make arrival & departure easy.  You can enter the station name (e.g. Berlin Hbf ) as search location.  If staying longer, I look for a hotel close to the sights, entering the name of a city attraction as the search location, then using map view.

AirBnB:  Airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels: Hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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9 great vacations that combine a cruise and a train trip

Editor's Note

Some people can think of nothing better than spending every moment of their vacation time on a cruise. Others dream only of train trips.

There are also people who love both modes of travel so much that they have a tough time deciding which to choose for a getaway.

If you want the best of both worlds — a "train cruise," if you will — we have some good news: You don't have to choose between the two types of trips. You can arrange vacations that combine the best of cruising with the best of train travel.

Most commonly called cruise-and-rail trips, many aren't even official pairings. That is, you'll have to book the cruise portion and the train portion separately, as few companies sell them together as a package. (Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is one line that does. See below for details.)

But don't worry about that too much. You'll be able to find a travel agent to work out the logistics for you.

The more significant issue you'll face is deciding which stunning part of the world with train corridors and cruise ship-plied waters you should focus on for a cruise-and-rail adventure.

We can help. Here are our picks for nine of the most spectacular cruise-and-rail combination trips.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter.

An Alaska cruise with the Rocky Mountaineer

One of the great hubs for Alaska cruises , the port of Vancouver, British Columbia, is also the gateway for one of the most scenic train experiences in North America: a two-day ride through the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer. As a result, travelers can easily combine the two experiences into an extended cruise-rail vacation.

Fans of trains and ships can board the Rocky Mountaineer in Banff or Jasper, Alberta, for a one- or two-day journey through the mountains to the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station in Vancouver, British Columbia. From there, it's just a seven-minute cab ride to the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, where vessels operated by Princess Cruises , Holland America Line , Royal Caribbean International and several other lines depart on seven-night trips to Alaska.

Expect to see soaring mountains, forests and wildlife — and learn a little about Gold Rush-era history — during both parts of the trip. The Alaska cruise portion also will include stops in small port towns, such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Read more: The 6 coolest things to do on an Alaska cruise

An Alaska cruise with the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

Are you looking for a shorter train experience to tie into an Alaska cruise? Consider signing up for a daytrip on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Skagway as your shore excursion when visiting the small Alaska port town on a cruise.

A ride into the mountains on this narrow-gauge railroad is the "tour that everybody does" when visiting the Gold Rush town turned tourist hub — and for a good reason. It offers an easy way to venture deep into the great Alaskan outdoors.

Personally, I'm a fan of more active excursions in Skagway. But, for someone who isn't going to hike, bike, horseback ride or raft their way through the wilderness around the town (there are tours for all of those things, too), a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railway is one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the area's classic Alaskan scenery.

From the comfort of a vintage rail car, you'll take in stunning views of mountains, gorges, glacial rivers and waterfalls as you climb nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass — the headwaters of the mighty Yukon River. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the 20-mile route is a marvel in its own right; it has improbably steep grades at times and segments that pass over soaring wooden trestles and around tight, cliff-hanging curves.

A Mediterranean cruise with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

You'll want to pack a copy of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" for this combination trip. It pairs an overnight ride from Paris to Venice on the train that Christie made famous — the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express — with a Mediterranean cruise out of Venice (if you're sailing a small ship cruise line like Windstar , Sea Cloud Cruises or Uniworld). If your cruise is aboard a larger vessel with lines like Seabourn Cruise Line , MSC Cruises and Oceania Cruises , you'll likely sail out of other nearby ports, such as Ravenna or Marghera.

Read more: Big cruise ships may say goodbye to the classic Venice sail-away

Now owned by U.K. luxury hospitality company Belmond, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express features restored art deco carriages. You can view the heart of Europe as the train travels southward from Paris through the Alps to Italy before your cruise. Or, you can save the train portion of your trip for the end of your vacation and ride the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in reverse. You can also extend the trip with an add-on train ride between Paris and London.

From Venice, the cruise portion of the trip can take you to Adriatic ports such as Dubrovnik, Croatia; or it can bring you to the Greek islands or western Italy, France and Spain, depending on which vessel you pick. Several ships sail out of the region around Venice each year.

Read more: Orient-Express debuts new, dream-worthy European routes

An Asia cruise with the Eastern & Oriental Express

Like Europe's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Southeast Asia-focused Eastern & Oriental Express is owned by U.K.-based hospitality company Belmond. It will take you on a multi-day rail journey through the region that can be paired with an Asia cruise for an epic cruise-rail adventure.

Routes of the scenic luxury train include a three-night round-trip journey from Singapore. When you return, you can hop on one of several dozen cruise vessels that call the city-state home at various times during the year.

Onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express — which features elegant green and gold carriages — you'll find magnificent interiors adorned with cherry wood paneling, Thai silks and Malaysian embroidery. The train's routes will take you past lush jungles, paddy fields, ancient temples and quaint villages.

Cruise lines departing from Singapore include Celebrity Cruises , Regent Seven Seas and Royal Caribbean. Itineraries often visit coastal destinations in Thailand and Vietnam; some venture farther afield to Indonesia or even as far as Australia.

A Norway cruise with the Bergen Railway

The Bergen Railway, known as the Bergensbanen to the locals, will take you across the mountainous "Roof of Norway" from Oslo to Bergen. From Bergen, you can catch a cruise along the scenic coast with such lines as Hurtigruten or Viking .

Expect stunning mountain scenery on both legs of the trip. The seven-hour railway portion of the adventure taking you across the snowy Hardangervidda mountain plateau. Stretching just more than 300 miles, the Bergen Railway route is the highest in all of Northern Europe and will bring you stunning views of mountains, forests, fjords, waterfalls and rivers. A marvel of engineering, it'll take you through 180 tunnels and make stops at some of the highest train depots in Europe.

From Bergen, cruise vessels can deliver you up the Norwegian coast to fairytale lands like Alesund and the mountainous and glacier-carved Lofoten archipelago.

Read more: 9 mistakes travelers make on their first train trips

A Mekong River cruise with Vietnam Reunification Express

Vietnam's North-South Railway Line is often referred to as Vietnam Reunification Express. Built by the French and completed in 1936, the rail system linked Hanoi with Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) until 1954, when the country was divided into north and south. The line was restored in 1975 when Vietnam gained independence, and it's a testament to the country's resilience and unification. Several trains run daily.

The journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City can take 32 to 37 hours. Along the way, the train rolls through rice fields, fishing villages, a dense jungle and bustling neighborhoods.

You can book a seat or sleeper, both "soft" or "hard" options. Soft accommodations are more comfortable, thanks to roomy cushioned beds and plush chairs. Hard seats and sleepers are smaller and lack cushions (though sleepers come with pillows and blankets). Passengers can visit the restaurant car or get a snack or freshly prepared meal from one of the food trolleys when it comes around.

A number of lines ply the Mekong, departing from Ho Chi Minh City. Among them are AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Abercrombie & Kent and Scenic. Itineraries might include visits to Phnom Penh's Royal Palace and ancient temples like Angkor Wat and Wat Nokor in Cambodia.

A Caribbean cruise with Amtrak

Beginning in Chicago, Amtrak 's Chicago-to-New Orleans route traverses 900 miles through Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee within roughly 19 hours. In Chicago, stroll along the Riverwalk or through Millennium Park, and visit the Art Institute of Chicago.

The journey ends at the Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans, just about a 10-minute cab or Uber ride from the Port of New Orleans. Before your cruise, enjoy an overnight stay in the Big Easy with time to explore the National World War II Museum, the French Quarter and Louis Armstrong Park.

Carnival Cruise Lines , Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean offer four- to 11-night round-trip sailings to the Caribbean . They might include port calls to the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Aruba and the Dominican Republic.

A luxury Cruise & Rail itinerary with Uniworld

Unlike many lines that offer separate pre- or post-cruise rail tours you can add to your sailing, Uniworld's Cruise & Rail itineraries include them automatically. The upscale line partners with luxury train companies Golden Eagle Luxury Trains and the Maharajas' Express to create a seamless, high-end, river-to-rail travel experience.

With six itineraries to choose from, travelers can opt for 15-, 16- and 19-night trips that visit Venice, Italy; Milan; Istanbul; Nuremberg, Germany; Mumbai; and New Delhi.

For example, the 15-day Grand Alpine & Enchanting Danube itinerary takes travelers down the iconic Danube River on S.S. Maria Theresa. You'll visit Vienna and Budapest before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express for a weeklong rail journey with stops in Zurich, Milan and Venice.

Travelers on the 16-day Sacred Ganges & The Maharajas' Express begin their trip with seven nights on board Ganges Voyager II, traveling through the bucolic villages lining India's Ganges River. The rail portion begins in Mumbai and includes stops in Jodhpur, Jaipur and New Delhi.

A train trip on a cruise ship ... sort of

Passengers sailing on Utopia of the Seas can have a unique rail experience and upscale dining at sea. Royal Caribbean's new and final Oasis Class ship will launch in July 2024. At the time of writing, the line has yet to release full details about the new Royal Railway - Utopia Station. However, what we know about this tech-forward, train-inspired restaurant is very exciting.

The "locomotive" will carry guests to "any place and time," thanks to LED screens in the windows and onboard performers sharing the train-inspired storyline. After imbibing pre-dinner drinks on the station platform, passengers will hear a train whistle sound, signaling diners to board. Throughout the immersive experience, passengers enjoy a multicourse dinner.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Train Sim World® 2020

• Reverse train so that last wagons are placed at the top of the hump, as in the picture above.
• Release brakes and set minimun traction to continue reversing at slow speed.
• While in external view ("8" or "3" keyboard shortcuts) uncouple wagons in groups so that they freely roll to the classification tracks.
• Manually set switches in map view to send the wagons to the desired target tracks.

• Switch on battery
• Check voltage level and observe any power leak
• Perform a fuse test
• Perform a panel lights test
• Perform a fire alarm test
• Test spotter buttons
• Rise and lower pantographs and observe power indications
• Check master switch and observe power indications
• Test electrical brake isolation
• Test safety systems activation and isolation
• Test train consist doors switches
• Test wipers
• Test horns and bell
• Test locomotive light settings
• Test master/slave lights configurations
• Check train power supply line and train heating
• Check engine fans
• Check the carriage lighting switches
• Check the carriage ventilation system
• Apply parking brake
• Switch off air compressor (or battery) to stop air generation
• Perform brake application and relase loops to deplete reservoir
• Switch on air compressor (or battery) to allow air generation
• Observe reservoir pressure indications
• Perform a train brake test
• Perform an indepedent brake test
• Observe brake pipe and brake cylinder indications
• Test emergency brake valve
• Test EoT emergency brake switch
• Test brakes isolation
• Observe fuel level indication
• Perform an engine start-up
• Check governor
• Check power generator
• Check engine pump
• Check engine isolation
• Test regulator and reverser
• Test engine gears
• Observe tractive effort indicator
• Check sander
• Test shunting controls
• Test cruise control or AFB
• Check master/slave traction configuration
• Perform an engine shutdown
• Check windows and doors
• Check sun visors
• Check couplers
• Perform a coupling test
• Perform an uncoupling test
• Check carriage doors and windows

• Climb to stairs or platforms
• Open/close doors or tankers intakes
• Apply/release wagon´s parking brake

• Manual operation of driver´s cab doors
• Manual operation of passenger doors on the carriages
• Open/close cab windows (increases outside sound level)
• Operate sun visors (block bloom effect from sun simulation)

• Cab is not active (master key is OFF).
• Traction and reverser are OFF.
• Brakes are applied (as a safety rule) or isolated.
• Parking brake is released.
• Safety systems are isolated.
• All carriages doors are closed (if any door is open the consist brakes may not be released).
• Open/close coupler doors
• Deploy Buckeye adapter

• Manual operation of couplers

• If train is at standstill apply parking brake to prevent train movements
• Move brake lever to release position
• Overcharge brakes until brake pipe is above the nominal pressure (typically 5 bar)
• Return brake lever to release position (if required)
• Wait until brake cylinders pressure indicates that brakes are fully released
• Wait until brake pipe reaches the nominal pressure again

• "Trail 6 or 26" is used when the locomotive is a trailing unit being lead by a locomotive hauling 6 SL or 26 L brake equipment (e.g: GP-38 or SD-40).
• "Trail 24" is used when the locomotive is a trailing unit being lead by a locomotive having 24 RL brake equipment (e.g: GP-9 or F7) so that compatibility is assured between leading and trailing units.
• Train is managed by one engine (leading group master) via radio banking COMM control
• Any group master needs distributed power and radio circuit breakers activated
• Any group master needs all engine controls activated
• Leading group master needs brake valve set to Cut In and MU-A2 valve set to Lead
• Banking groups master needs brake valve set to Cut Out and MU-A2 valve set to Lead
• Engine control and brakes isolation are configured as required in any group slaves

• Leave reverser and traction on the OFF position.
• Set brakes to full application.
• Put the brake switch control in the trailing position moving the right switch in the brake console.
• You can also isolate the electric brakes using the control on the panel behind driver´s seat.

• Set the HEP mode switch to RUN
• Press the HEP ENGINE START button
• Once HEP engine is started the right side indicator will be lit
• Press the TRAIN HEP ON button to enable HEP system
• Once HEP is providing power to the train line the left side indicator will be lit

• Set the HEP mode switch to NORMAL
• Press the HEP ON button to start the HEP engine
• Once HEP engine is started the green indicator will be lit
• The HEP system will be enabled automatically to provide power to the train line
• Acknowledge alerter alarm (if active)
• PCS open indicator is lit
• Set reverser to NEUTRAL
• Set brakes to FULL SERVICE
• Set brakes to RELEASE
• Wait until PCS open indicator is turned off
• Set brakes to EMERGENCY
• Wait 60s while brake system is being reset
• Start the distance counter system in the cab.
• Place yourself on external view ("8" key) next to a nearby and clearly visible trackside reference such as a board, point machine or signal.
• Once the rear of the train has passed next to your camera position go back to the cab view and note down the displayed distance value.
• After that you can count distance again while in cab each time you are in a speed restriction area and compare it with your train length.

• Enable it using the switch on the left side panel and set the desired speed with the two-way push button next to it.
• Enable the start of system using the display on the overhead panel.
• Release brakes and apply traction.

• Set traction to 0.
• Enable AFB.
• Set desired AFB target speed.
• Release brakes.
• Apply traction.
• Set AFB target speed to MAX.

• Set reverser to FORWARD
• Set throttle to MIN (or set AFB handler to ON for the case of BR143)
• Set shunting control to NEUTRAL
• Press the "FREI" button
• Move shunting control forwards and backwards to adjust traction

• Switching 1 : This is the normal position for yard switching. Generator provides fast but controlled throttle response for switching operations.
• Switching 2 : Same as Switching 1 mode, but engine idles faster resulting in faster acceleration. This position is used when you require fast movements to push empty cars for instance.
• Series (Forstalling) : This position is only used when shunter is coupled to other locomotives that require this type of engine control and prevents that the trailing units make the series --> series-parallel transition when driving at low speeds. This position is used in slow speed heavy drag services and provides also smooth application of power for a softer start.
• Road (Auto) : This position is only used when shunter is coupled to other locomotives that require this type of engine control and allow trailing units to make the series --> series-parallel transition. This position is used during moderate and high speed road operation.

• Series: This position is used in slow speed heavy duty operations and provides smoother throttle response from generator.
• Parallel: This position is used in regular shunting or during moderate and high speed operations in mainline and generator provides higher throttle response.

• Set traction to OFF
• Open main circuit breaker before entering the powerless section
• Close main circuit breaker after passing the powerless section

• Set reverser to 0 to activate the desk
• Open main circuit breaker
• Lower pantograph
• Enter pantograph configuration menu pressing the 0 softkey in the display
• Select new configuration from the list using the arrows softkeys
• Apply changes using the E softkey
• Raise pantograph
• Close main circuit breaker

• Set reverser to FORWARD to activate the desk
• Enter pantograph configuration menu pressing the 1 softkey in the display

• O lowers pantograph
• N raises rear pantograph (normal operation)
• S raises rear pantograph (train rescued or being towed)
• L raises front pantograph
• M for AC lines (other lines)
• C for DC lines (Marseille area)
• LGV (high speed line)

• Set the required electrification mode
• Rearm main circuit breaker when the rearm indicator is lit
• Lower pantograph before entering the track changeover section
• Set the required new electrification mode
• Raise pantograph after passing the track changeover section
• Rearm main circuit breaker after passing the powerless section when the rearm indicator is lit

• Press and hold the Aux On button during 5s to switch on battery
• DC system will be enabled automatically
• Main circuit breaker indicator will be lit
• Press and hold the MCB Close button during 5s to close main circuit breaker
• Main circuit breaker indicator will be turned off
• Line voltage indicator will be lit

• Press and hold the Aux On button during 10s to switch on battery
• Press and hold the DC (third rail) or CTRL (pantograph) button during 2 seconds
• Press the PAN UP SHOES DOWN button to deploy shoes or pantograph
• Line voltage indicator will be lit if power supply is available from the selected source
• Press the PAN UP SHOES DOWN button again to close main circuit breaker

• Three stripes announce a sandite application area
• Two stripes define where sandite application should start
• One stripe defines where sandite application should end

• The vertical yellow-green aspect indicates a speed reduction after the signal.
• The diagonal yellow-green aspect announces a standard 40 km/h limit after next signal.
• The diagonal yellow-green aspect with a speed limit below announces limit after next signal.
• The flashing green aspect indicates "proceed and expect speed reduction after next signal". Signal can also include the announced speed limit in a board below it. If no board is included then the announced limit is 160 km/h (this is normally used at the LZB lines).
• On top of signal head the limit at the switches after the signal is indicated (white number).
• Below the signal head the limit expected at the next signal is announced (yellow number).
• Signal mast can include a rectangular white board with the limit applicable at the signal itself.
• Signal mast can include a triangular orange board for regular speed limit announcements.

• Required signal aspects not acknowledged
• Speed restriction announcement not acknowledged
• Approach a speed restriction above the required speed limit
• Approach a stop signal above 100 mph (TPWS+ only)
• Approach a stop signal above 75 mph
• Approach a buffer stop above 10 mph
• Overpass a stop signal
• Mode selector : used to change the PZB operating mode (requires a PZB restart)
• PZB acknowledge : used to acknowledge 1000 Hz magnets and speed boards
• PZB release : used to release speed limits and brakes application
• PZB override : used to override the 2000 Hz magnet at stop signals

• Stop announcement (single yellow or diagonal double yellow)
• Standard reduced speed announcement to 40 km/h (diagonal yellow-green)
• Custom reduced speed announcement (diagonal yellow-green + custom speed limit)
• Proceed and expect speed reduction after next signal (flashing green + custom speed limit)
• Speed restriction announcement lower than 100 km/h (yellow light board or orange board)
• Distant signal announcement board (see special signals chapter)

• An audible warning is triggered and new target speed is displayed below the speedometer.
• If target speed is 0 then system is announcing the approach to a stop.
• No driver acknowledgement is required when receiving new speed limits.
• The red G indicator will be lit and remain steady if we approach the braking curve limit.
• If we overspeed the G indicator will start blinking and brakes will be applied.
• While being below the braking curve limit the G indicator will be turned off.

• An audible warning will be triggered and the Ende indicator will start blinking.
• Transition must be acknowledged by pressing PZB release button or brakes will be applied.
• After acknowlegment the Ende indicator will remain steady until we find the first PZB magnet.
• Then a new audible warning will be triggered and Ü / Ende indicators will be turned off.
• The PZB indicators will be turned on and PZB supervision will start.

• Press the acknowledge button
• Set traction lever to OFF
• Set brakes lever to RELEASE
• Rearm main circuit breaker (in case of traction cutoff)

• Adjust train speed according to signal aspects prior to enter the block
• In case of overspeed an audible warning will be triggered and the indicator will be lit
• Start braking immediatelly to adjust train speed
• When required : reach the minimum required deceleration (ATC forestall indicator is lit)
• Maintain deceleration until displayed speed limit is reached

• Set brakes to MAX
• Perform a brake pipe full recharge

• On the speedometer corona the signals related speed limits are displayed (STOP, RES, 30, 45, 60, 80, 90 and MAS)
• On top of the speedometer the trackside related speed limits are displayed (any value)
• When required : reach the minimum required deceleration (SUPPRESSION indicator is lit)
• Maintain deceleration until most restrive displayed speed limit is reached
• Set traction to 0
• Brakes will be automatically released when train is at standstill

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Train Ticket website, app: DB (int.bahn.db), OMIO, etc. - Rhineland-Palatinate Forum

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Train Ticket website, app: DB (int.bahn.db), OMIO, etc.

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It has taken us some time to become acquainted with the many selling organizations, and which ones are best for which countries.

Someone in Belgium educated us that BelgianTrain (SNCB and SNCB International) is possibly better for Train trips within Belgium than DB (int.bahn. db).

In a similar way, someone in Austria, educated us on using ÖBB for Train Travel.

Likewise, for Italy , TrenItalia seems to be one of the better websites.

As much as these website make perfect sense AFTER one has used them. If you have never heard of them, you would never know to try them.

We recognize that the problem is OUR problem, not the countries' problem. People who are new to traveling in a country need to educate themselves.

This is what THIS post is about.

To come full circle, We are interested in knowing the best company (website, and/or App) for purchasing Train Ticket from Trier to Luxembourg (Return Trip). ?

I think that both DB and OMIO allow you to book a train. Is one better than the other? Is there yet a different one that is better, more appropriate?

9 replies to this topic

ÖBB is the Austrian national rail operator so that‘s what you use for Austria.

For cross border traffic, you can usually use the company of either country to book your tickets.

Definitely do not use OMIO. There is no point in using re-sellers if you can buy from the operator.

There is a „Luxemburg Spezial“ ticket sold by DB which is valid for a round trip between Trier and Luxembourg on the same day and it is only €6 per person.

I believe trains and public transportation in Luxembourg are free anyway. That ticket would still be good enough to get you from Trier to the border though.

You can simply purchase that ticket from ticket machines at the station or online through http://bahn.com/en

YT - We thank you. Great answer, Very helpful.

Cochem lies within the boundaries of the VRM transport authority. This means that any journeys from Cochem WITHIN the VRM zone for local train trips will be VRM Tickets. VRM zone:

https://www.vrminfo.de/fileadmin/data_vrminfo/PDF/2024/Plaene/VRM_Schienennetzplan_2023.pdf

So whether you walk up to a ticket machine or use a ticket app, ticketing corresponds to the VRM rule for a trip from Cochem to nearby destinations like Traben-Trarbach, or to Cochem, or to Koblenz , or to Braubach, or to St. Goar, or to Oberwesel, or to Remagen.

Ticket types for destinations within the VRM:

https://www.vrminfo.de/en/tickets/tickets/leisure-tickets/

Any VRM tickets you by cover the regional trains as well as any buses you need.

Travel destinations from Cochem to places OUTSIDE the VRM are DB's responsibility. The Rheinland-Pfalz Ticket is a DB product that may come in handy for you; you can read about it at the previous link.

Reservations are not possible for these local train or bus trips, so "booking" is irrelevant. Buy your tickets just prior to travel. Use the DB site for scheduling purposes.

You are probably good candidates for the Deutschland-Ticket (€49 each, good for a month of local transport on regional trains and buses around the entire country.) Please read up on it at DB.

Thank you, Thank you.

Wittlich (to get to the Bus, to get to Bernkastel-Kues).

Traben back to Cochem, via Bullay.

Cochem to Hatzenport (to go to Burg Eltz). and return

And, finally to Frankfurt , plane back home.

Train legs:

Brussels to Ghent.

Ghent to Bruges (and back) day trip.

Ghent to Trier (via Brussels, and Luxembourg)

Trier to Luxembourg (and back) day trip.

Trier to Cochem .

Cochem to Wittlich

Traben to Cochem.

Cochem to Hatzenport (and back). Day trip.

Cochem to Frankfurt .

Travel for free within Luxembourg: https://luxembourg.public.lu/en/living/mobility/public-transport.html

D-Tickets or Rheinland-Pfalz (RLP) ticket for two (€35) for one day

2) " Trier to Cochem" - D-Tickets or RLP ticket for 2 for one day

3) "Cochem to Wittlich. Traben to Cochem." I assume these are separate journeys within the same day. I assume also that you will be using the bus between Wittlich and Bernkastel, Kues-Forum (where the bus terminal is) in between the train trips. Your choice is the same here. D-Ticket or RLP ticket for 2 for one day.

I also assume you are cruising the Mosel from Bernkastel to Traben-Trarbach. Separate cruise fare for this!

4) "Cochem to Hatzenport (and back). Day trip." I assume you will also travel Hatzenport > Burg Eltz, Wierschem > Hatzenport by bus in between train trips.

This day trip is entirely within the VRM zone.

- D-Tickets cover everything - both trains and buses.

- Alternatively, a VRM mini-group day ticket priced at €29.90 for two (price-level 7) covers everything as well.

5.) Cochem > Frankfurt or Frankfurt Airport:

- D-Tickets cover this

- "Day Ticket for Germany for two" (DB) covers you for €55:

https://int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/day-ticket-germany

You may not use the ICE or IC trains for any of these specific journeys. The tickets are valid only on the RE and RB trains. To find schedules for these trains you must specify "local transport only" under "mode of transport" when you do your search.

The VRM mini-group ticket and the Rheinland-Pfalz ticket have a ban on travel before 9 am on weekdays. Anytime on weekends and holidays is OK. These are day passes that are valid for as many trips as you wish within the period of validity and within their respective zones. That's good flexibility.

Ghent > Trier: look for a discounted fare for the entire journey at the B-Rail site or the DB site.

The D-Ticket looks like a definite winner for you all around. NO pre-9 am bans on travel, no zones of validity other than Germany. One ticket each for all your time in Germany is hard to beat.

We have printed (for ease of reading, and marking up) your latest post. We're not asking for an explanation yet, but in mid-stream (meaning we are still reading) we are a bit confused about D Ticket (which you mentioned above) and the RLP ticket for Two for one day. We are assuming since you are mentioning both, that the D-Ticket (one price for the Entire Month) does not cover everything (otherwise, you would have said 'yes, just get the D One Month Ticket. But we may be mistaken. Again, we are still reading, over and over again. We will need to look up the details on RLP tickets.

Thank you so much for your help. We think you have solved our entire trip, at least most of the transportation. We really appreciate your information.

We did not includle in our post, since it is entirely by boat, one day we will be going from Cochem to Beilstein, visit, each lunch, and the boat back.

And, yes, about Burg Eltz

" that the D-Ticket (one price for the Entire Month) does not cover everything "

The D-ticket (Deutschland ticket) covers bus and trains, but not fast/hi speed trains such as IC,ICE

As to which one is a winner, you would need to do similar compariosn such as I did in post # 6 in the following thread

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g187309-i118-k14599447-Advice_requested_Travel_around_Munich_later_to_Swiss-Munich_Upper_Bavaria_Bavaria.html#120573335

Thank you, that is helpful. We will look at that thread. We do try searching before asking. Sometimes, what we find (via search) is 10-12 years old, and we are not sure if it is still accurate. Other times, what we find is just not close enough. Our apologies if the thread that you pointed us to, answers all of our questions.

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Trains and cruises offer similar vacation experiences — but after trying both, I'd rather ride the rails

• Last summer, I cruised in the Caribbean. This summer, I took a two-day train ride in the US. 
• I thought aspects of the trips were similar, like the warm hospitality and ability to disconnect.
• Ultimately, I'd rather ride a train for its lower carbon emissions and to see diverse landscapes.

In May, a red carpet and smiling host welcomed me aboard the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train for my first major train ride as an adult.

With a red carpet rolled out and American and Colorado flags stationed at each train car, a beaming host welcomed me onboard the Rocky Mountaineer .

The luxury train company specializes in trips in Canada and the US and I was onboard for a two-day trip on the Canadian train company's first US route. We departed from Denver, Colorado, and ended in Moab, Utah, with an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

My ticket, which I purchased on sale for $1,052 (it typically costs $1,465) included meals, alcohol, a hotel in Glenwood Springs, and the experience of admiring the West's landscapes through glass-dome windows . 

As I boarded the Rocky Mountaineer by myself, I reflected on my last big solo trip — an eight-day cruise across the Caribbean in July 2021.

The train ride was my first big solo trip this year. And while I had traveled around Colorado to places like the ritzy ski town Aspen and the quaint mountain town of Estes Park with friends, boarding the train reminded me of a year earlier, when I traded my land legs for sea legs and embarked on another popular mode of travel, cruising. I sailed on the Carnival Vista, the first Carnival cruise to set sail after the pandemic . 

The seven-night cruise stopped in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. It cost $1,288 including gratuities and vacation protection.

By the end of the second day on the train, I thought certain elements of the trip felt surprisingly similar to my cruise. Ultimately, I left realizing that I much prefer trains.

I wasn't expecting to find similarities between a train and a cruise since the vacations seemed drastically different. One was all about water, relaxing, and soaking up the sun. The other was focused on luxury and dramatic landscapes. 

However, they were more alike than I expected. From the ability to disconnect to an environment catered to socializing, I was shocked to find so many similarities between the two vacation styles. 

But by the end of the train trip, I was eager to hop back on and head to my next destination. The same wasn't so true for cruising, as I previously wrote . 

Here's how they each stacked up, and why ultimately, you're more likely to find me on the rails than the sea.

Both the cruise and train felt like natural environments to meet strangers and make friends, which made them ideal trips for solo travelers like myself.

I've spent nights sitting alone in bars, hiking through national parks by myself , and staying in tiny homes without interacting with another human.

Throughout my years of solo traveling, I've learned that some trips and activities cater to making friends more easily. Trains and cruises top that list.

Between an endless flow of drinks and the natural shared environment of the Rocky Mountaineer's train car, it was almost impossible not to chat with the people seated next to me. Quite quickly, I made friends with all the nearby passengers. I was alone on the Rocky Mountaineer, but I never felt lonely.

The same was true for the cruise. On a cruise, there are activities every hour — you can dance to live music, compete in trivia, or laugh with strangers at a comedy show. If I wasn't singing karaoke with strangers on the Carnival Vista, I was relaxing in the hot tubs and bonding with other cruisers. Everywhere I looked on the cruise was an opportunity to make friends. 

My train had an overnight stop, which I thought felt similar to port stops on a cruise.

Cruise stops are a large part of most sailings and for my cruise, I explored Mohogany Bay by kayak , spent an afternoon in Belize, and went scuba diving off the coast of Cozumel. 

Each cruise stop was short, which provided me with enough time for an excursion or an afternoon shopping spree. 

While less tropical, my overnight stop in Glenwood Springs felt similar to the cruise stops. We disembarked the train around 6 p.m. There, I swapped my train attire for a bathing suit and took a dip in the town's natural hot springs. After that, I popped into shops before the mountain town closed for the evening.

I left the stops on both the cruise and train feeling similar — there was enough time to get a taste of the destination, but I wasn't there nearly long enough to feel like I could check it off my bucket list. 

Both trips offered me an endless flow of drinks and food.

Food and drinks were bountiful on both my train ride and cruise.

From classic cruise buffets to Guy Fieri inspired barbeque , there were more than a dozen eateries on the Carnival Vista ship, which meant nonstop eating. I didn't opt-in for the drink package, but it seemed like most of the passengers around me were enjoying piña coladas, daiquiris, and tropical drinks.

While the Rocky Mountaineer didn't have as many dining options as a cruise, the passengers around me all agreed that there was never a moment when we were hungry. Our meals came with multiple courses and when we weren't being served food, our train host was pouring unlimited soft drinks, beer, or wine, which were included in the ticket price. 

I thought that both trips had some of the most welcoming, friendly staff I've encountered during my travels.

The staff on cruises and trains have strenuous jobs . They're away from home and working more than eight-hour days . 

But even with their tough gigs, everyone I encountered on both the cruise and train was eager to make sure guests felt welcomed and comfortable. 

On the Rocky Mountaineer, the chef and train host, who served passengers meals and functioned as a tour guide, were constantly chatting with guests, offering advice, and sharing insights into the region. 

Every morning on my Carnival cruise, I knew I'd step out of my 185-square-foot stateroom and bump into Komang, my stateroom steward, who'd wish me a good morning and ask me about my plans for the day. In the evening, I'd go to the main dining room for dinner where I'd be greeted by familiar faces, who were also eager to engage in conversation. 

I left both the train and cruise impressed by how welcomed the staff made me feel.

I was able to disconnect on both trips thanks to a lack of cell service.

I was surprised that guests on the Rocky Mountaineer didn't have Wi-Fi or cell service  for the majority of the ride, but it turned out to be a silver lining of the train experience. It allowed me to disconnect from my news feed and social media and placed my focus on the vast landscapes that were passing by.

And when I spoke with seasoned cruise superfans on the Carnival Vista , most shared one common thing they all loved about cruises — the ability to disconnect. Cruising often places you in the middle of the ocean with no cell service. Guests can buy Wi-Fi, but from my experience, it was often slow and spotty. 

I thought the lack of cell service and Wi-Fi also helped contribute to the ship and train's friendly environments. Since no one could scroll, we were forced to chat with one another.

Even though parts of the experiences were similar, I thought my train ride had more diverse views of nature in two days than my cruise did in eight days.

One of the Rocky Mountaineer's main appeals to me is the views. Through the glass-dome windows, I watched Denver's cityscape transform into towering Rocky Mountains. Once we crossed the border into Utah, the grey rock turned into rusty red sandstone, and the lush mountain environment was swapped for desert scenery.

For me, there wasn't a moment throughout the whole trip where I was sick of peering out into the horizon in search of the next landscape we'd pass. 

On the other hand, the cruise's main appeal was the lengthy list of scheduled activities and the port stops. For the vast majority of the cruise, all I could see was 360-degree views of blue water. 

Belize, Honduras, and Cozumel have a diverse range of ecosystems, historical landmarks, and scenery, but unfortunately, I couldn't admire most of those views from the cruise deck. 

As someone who loves nature, I thought the Rocky Mountaineer offered a better viewing experience. 

My environmental impact was also much lower on the train than on the cruise.

To me, exploring the world also means taking care of it. That involves booking trips with lower carbon emissions and participating in carbon-offset programs. 

According to the International Council on Clean Transportation , cruises are one of the most carbon-intensive ways to travel. Trains, are the opposite and are some of the lowest emitters. 

When comparing the two trips by day, I found that my environmental impact was much higher on the cruise than on the train. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation , the "world's largest and most efficient cruise ships" produce 250 grams of CO2 per passenger per kilometer. That's compared to rail travel, which emits 14 grams per passenger per kilometer, according to estimates from the European Environment Agency .

When I arrived in Moab, which is home to otherworldly landscapes that I hope future generations can experience, I felt better knowing that I had traveled in a less carbon-intensive manner. 

I learned more about the destination I was traveling through on the train than on my cruise.

On the Rocky Mountaineer, the train staff fills gaps between meals with history, facts, and knowledge about the local region.

As we traveled through the Moffat tunnel, for instance, I learned from my train host about its history and its builder, David Moffat, who spent his entire fortune on the 6-mile tunnel. When we arrived in Utah and passed the ghost town of Cisco, we had another history lesson on the fascinating destination. 

Meanwhile, the only time I learned about history, culture, and facts on the cruise was at the ports where I paid for excursions. While some of the excursions I chose highlighted facts about the area, others did not.

Since learning about a region and its history is my main motivator for traveling, I preferred the Rocky Mountaineer where I learned much more about America's West than I did about the Caribbean on my seven-night cruise. 

I'd happily board another train in the future. For future cruises, I'll be pickier about which ones I book.

I likely won't ever board a massive cruise ship again , but I haven't completely given up on traveling by ship. For future sailings, I'm dreaming about Alaskan cruises with just a few dozen people instead of a few thousand. No matter the ships I embark on in the future, I plan to be more selective about the size and destination. 

As for trains, I'm looking forward to exploring more of the world from the window seat of a train car. 

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WHATSINPORT.COM: YOUR CRUISE GUIDE TO 1200 PORTS OF CALL

Interactive world cruise map, home | cruise ships | port expenses | hints and tips, warnemunde germany cruise port guide.

The cruise ships dock in the center of Warnemunde and is only 300 meters from the train station and city center. From there on one can travel to Rostock (20 min) and Berlin (a 2 and a half hour trip) Train schedules. The terminal can accommodate 3 cruise liners at a time. If all occupied, ships dock at the main commercial piers of Rostock at Seehafen on the other side of the river.

Getting to Berlin under your own steam in one day isn't practical, since trains run on specific schedules that may conflict with your ship's time table. Shore excursions use charter trains or coaches, so that is the best way to reach the capital.

Port Authority

Printable map to take along.

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Cruise calendar for this port. P=Warnemunde LP=Seehafen

Watch a destination video .

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers of Warnemunde Cruise Center and Port Location on Google Maps

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers of Seehafen Rostock and Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Warnemunde

Sightseeing:

Being a center of maritime traffic, the district of Warnemünde comprises numerous navigational aids, the oldest is the lighthouse, which is currently still in use. The lighthouse was built in 1897. In the summer, the tower, approximately 37 meters (121 ft) high, allows visitors to enjoy an impressive view over the Baltic Sea and the northern districts of Rostock. The nearby Teepott (Teapot) with its slightly curved roof, the resort’s second famous landmark, is an interesting example of East German (DDR) architecture. Built in the 1960s and renovated in 2002, it today houses different restaurants and a sea voyage exhibition.

Warnemünde's acres of fine sand makes a sure fire hit as a holiday resort and this is where the ship docks. So if your ambition is no more than a touch of sunbathing and a stroll around the resort then all that is very close by.

Yachts at anchor, a jumble of fishing boats, sea, cafes and bars, not forgetting the famous teapot, and a pier all lend character to this small but charming resort.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

Trains to Rostock leave about every 10 minutes for Rostock Hauptbahnhof. The train trip is less than 20 minutes, tickets are 1.80 Euro one way, which includes the tram in Rostock. Once you arrive at Rostock Main station, go two levels down and take either tram 5 or 6 to Neuer Markt and you are in the center of this charming town. The ticket machines at the train station and in the tram (for your return trip) accepts Euro coins and small bills and are automatically time stamped and your tickets are automatically validated. You can also buy a day ticket 4.60 Euro, which allows you to travel on all modes of travel, even ferries, in the municipal area of Rostock.

There are HOHO buses in Warnemunde to Rostock but both cities are so compact it is not necessary. Also the intervals are 2 to 3 hours apart. Everything is within easy walking distance once you are in the center.

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here .

Nearby Places:

Rostock town center is relatively compact so it is fairly easy to take in a number of sites within the course of a day. The place to start is St Peter's Church (St Petrikirche) in the oldest part of the city in the east. It started life as a wooden church in the 13th century but was followed by a brick Gothic construction with an 117m (380ft) tower which served as a landmark for sailors for centuries. Air raids destroyed the tower and part of the church in 1942. After a long wait of 52 years, the tower was rebuilt to a height of 125m (410ft) this time with a modern lift so visitors can ascend to a viewing floor.

You can also take a train from Warnemunde to Lubeck , with a change in Rostock. Lubeck is a delightful old city to visit. Trains run quite frequently.

Visit Schwerin, about an hour away. You can purchase a Mecklernburg-Vorpommern Ticket 1st person €20 + €3 for each additional person up to maximum 5 people. It is valid from 9 a.m. on weekdays and the whole day on weekends for regional trains (RE or RB) and suburban trains (S).

Shopping and Food

In Warnemunde in the vicinity of the canal called der Alte Strom (Old Channel), with its various restaurants, pubs and traditional fishing boats is rather touristy but fun to spend a few hours.

Rostock has a wider selection of stores and restaurants and has an more metropolitan atmosphere.

Important things to know about Germany, like tipping, toilets etc.

Euro. There are plenty of ATM machines around.

In smaller establishments ask first if they accept Credit Cards.

Currency Converter

Communication:

German spoken. Germans are regarded as being punctual, disciplined and last but not least, a little formal. In German there are two forms of you: "Du" and "Sie." "Du" is less formal, "Sie" is more so. You almost always should use the "Sie" form and someone's last name with people you don't know.

110 -- Police Emergency 112 -- Fire Emergency or Ambulance Call

Wifi is sparce in both Warnemunde an Rostock, and often has to be paid for. There is no WiFi in the direct port area.

Opening Hours and Holidays:

All stores must close no later than 8 p.m. Some close as early as 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays stores lock up at 1 or 2 p.m.; although in big city centers most stay upon until 2 or 4 p.m.

Sundays all stores are closed, except some bakeries which are open on sunday morning.

January 1 New Year's Day January 6 Epiphany varies - Good Friday varies - Easter varies - Easter Monday May 1 Labor Day varies - Ascension Day (usually in May) varies - Whit monday (usually mid-May) October 3 Unity Day December 25 Christmas Day December 26 St. Stephan's Day

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