Best Rhein Riverboat Trips from Köln, Bonn, and Düsseldorf

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) offer cheap day trip cruises on riverboats on Rhine River (Rhein) from Cologne, Bonn, and Düsseldorf, to Remagen, Linz, and Koblenz.

photo credit: el_tommo

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD), the largest operator of day cruises on the Rhine River (Rhein), offer many roundtrip cruises in both Cologne (Köln) and Düsseldorf. However, most Rhine River day cruises on this section of the Rhein are from Bonn to Linz. Many more cruises are available in the Middle Rhine (Loreley) Valley between Koblenz and Rüdesheim / Bingen.

Rhine River day pleasure boat cruises are generally available from late March to end October. The high season is from late April to early October when more Rhein cruises are operated. Winter cruises on the Rhine is rare but sightseeing cruises in Cologne (Köln) and Düsseldorf are popular during the Christmas market Advent season.

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Short Riverboat Pleasure Trips from Frankfurt on the Mittel Rhein

Cruising on riverboat on the Rhine, especially the Mittelrhein with the famous Lorelei Rock, is a popular day-trip excursion from Frankfurt am Main, Airport or Cologne (Köln).

photo credit: Daxis

A day-trip excursion including a pleasure cruise on a riverboat on the Rhine River is for many travelers a highlight of a German vacation. Few tourists can afford luxurious, multiple-day riverboat cruises on the Rhine River (Rhein) but shorter day cruises are more common and fairly cheap. The Loreley Rock (Lorelei) is the most popular spot along the romantic UNESCO-listed Mittelrhein – many riverboats cruise this section of the Rhine River. Great public transportation links bring the Rhine within easy daytrip reach from Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), Mainz, Wiesbaden, and Cologne (Köln).

Many cruise lines have special savings offerings for children, pensioners, birthdays, anniversaries, and even cyclists.

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From CGN by Train or Bus to Köln, Bonn, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf Airports

Getting to  Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN) near Cologne in Germany is cheapest (and often fastest) by train or bus. ICE trains are also available to Frankfurt (FRA), and Düsseldorf (DUS) airports.

photo credit: fxp

Köln / Bonn Airport (CGN) is the closest airport to the German city Cologne. CGN is particularly popular with low-cost airlines allowing for cheap flights from many part of Europe to the Rhineland city with its famous cathedral (Kölner Dom) and refreshing Kölsch beer.  Trains are generally the cheapest and easiest way to travel from Köln / Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne while buses are best used for Bonn.

• Small groups, those traveling with lots of luggage, or at odd hours may also find private airport shuttle bus services worth the splurge. Always compare prices as fees vary widely. »»»Continue reading…

Low Airfares on Budget Airlines Flying to Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)

Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN) is very popular with low-cost budget airlines. Cheap flights go to over 100 destinations including London, the UK, Scandinavia, and Southern Europe.

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photo credit: fxp

Cologne/Bonn Airport (Köln/Bonn Flughafen or CGN) claims to be the most important low-cost airline hub on continental Europe. Non-stop flights from Cologne/Bonn Airport went to 130 destinations in 2006. In contrast to many other European airports popular with low-cost airlines, Cologne/Bonn Airport is very conveniently located for travelers to Cologne (Köln) and other Rhineland towns. Ground transportation is particularly fast and easy to Cologne Main Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof), which is a major railway hub in Western Germany.

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The Kölner Weihnachtsmarkt, Cathedral, Churches, and Top Museums

Cheap flights and fast trains help to make the Kölner Weihnachtsmarkt (Cologne Christmas Market), Dom (Cathedral), and museums popular travel destinations in Germany.

photo credit: heldr

Cologne’s Christmas market has long been popular with travelers on ferry and bus trips from London, the UK, and even Ireland. Cheap flights to Cologne-Bonn Airport / Köln/Bonn Flughafen (CGN) on low-cost airlines continue to bring tourists from Great Britain and the rest of Europe to the Rhinelands. Fast trains bring Cologne within easy reach of travelers from most of Germany as well as from neighboring countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, France and even England.

Cologne has attractive Christmas markets but visitors will also appreciate the other attractions of this mostly modern city. Cologne has some of the best shopping opportunities in Germany, an active nightlife scene, great Romanesque and Gothic churches, and top impressive museums.

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By Train or Car to Great Hotels and Restaurants in the Lahn Cathedral Town

Fast trains and autobahns make Limburg an der Lahn with its Romanesque cathedral, magnificent medieval old town, and cheap hotels an interesting day trip or overnight stop from Cologne or Frankfurt Airport.

photo credit: Dittmeyer

Fast transportation links (autobahns and ICE trains) make Limburg an der Lahn an easy day trip from Frankfurt am Main or Cologne. The main sights are the colorful Romanesque St George’s cathedral and one of the best preserved medieval town centers in Germany. Cheap hotels and numerous restaurants make Limburg an der Lahn also a great overnight stop for travelers traveling via Frankfurt International Airport (FRA).

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Cathedral and Medieval, Half-Timbered Town Center in the Lahn Valley

The top sights in Limburg an der Lahn in Germany are its Romanesque-Gothic cathedral and magnificent medieval town center with half-timbered buildings. Limburg is an ideal day trip when on a Frankfurt Airport stopover.

photo credit: Dittmeyer

The old town of Limburg an der Lahn with narrow alleys and half-timbered houses is one of the best preserved medieval town centers in Germany. However, visitors will first see the colorful Romanesque cathedral that towers over Limburg and the Lahn Valley. Excellent transportation links (ICE trains and autobahns) make Limburg perfect for a half-day excursion trip from Frankfurt am Main or even from Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) when on a long stopover. »»»Continue reading…

ICE Train Excursions from FRA to Limburg, Cologne (Köln), and Heidelberg

Inter-City-Express (ICE) trains allow transit passengers with long stopovers at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), Germany, to visit Limburg, Cologne (Köln), and Heidelberg on day trips.

Dom / Cathedral in Limburg an der Lahn

Transit passengers on short stop-overs at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), usually head for Frankfurt am Main downtown, Mainz, or Wiesbaden. However, fast long-distance and Intercity-Express (ICE) trains allow passengers with longer stopovers to visit Limburg, Cologne (Köln), and Heidelberg. Many ICE trains stop directly at Frankfurt Airport making detours via the Hauptbahnhof unnecessary.

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German Cultural, Architectural, and Natural Treasures

Quedlinburg Dom & Schloss (Cathedral & Castle)

Germany is a keen participant in UNESCO activities and takes the UNESCO World Heritage List very seriously. Presently, 32 German sites are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These cultural, architectural, and natural treasures help explain German influence in humanity’s common heritage.

German sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List (in order of inclusion on the list) are:

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