Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Bacharach by Train to: St. Goar
(hourly, 10 minutes),
Köln
(hourly, 1.75 hours
with change in Koblenz, 2.5 hours direct),
Frankfurt Airport
(hourly, 1-1.5 hours, change
in Mainz or Bingen),
Frankfurt
(hourly, 1.25-1.75 hours, change in Mainz or Bingen),
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
(every 2 hours, 4.25 hours, 3-4 changes),
Munich
(hourly, 5
hours, 2 changes),
Berlin
(hourly, 6.5-7.5 hours, 1-3 changes),
Amsterdam
(hourly, 5-6
hours,changeinKöln,sometimes1-2morechanges),
Bruges
(atleastevery2hours,5.5-6.5
hours, some via Thalys, 2-3 changes).
St. Goar (sahnkt gwahr) is a classic Rhine tourist town. Its hulk of a castle overlooks a half-
timbered shopping street and leafy riverside park, busy with sightseeing ships and contented
strollers. Rheinfels Castle, once the mightiest on the Rhine, is the single best Rhineland ruin
to explore. While the town of St. Goar itself is less interesting than Bacharach, be sure to
explore beyond the shops: Thoughtful little placards scattered around town explain factoids
(in English) about each street, lane, and square. St. Goar also makes a good base for hiking
or biking the region. A tiny car ferry will shuttle you back and forth across the busy Rhine
fromhere.(Ifyourunoutofthingstosee,agreatpastimeinSt.Goarissimplychattingwith
friendly Heike at the K-D boat kiosk.) For train connections, see “Bacharach Connections,”
earlier.
St. Goar is dominated by its mighty castle, Rheinfels. The village—basically a wide spot in
the road at the foot of Rheinfels' hill—isn't much more than a few hotels and restaurants.
From the riverboat docks, the main drag—a dull pedestrian mall without history—cuts
through town before ending at the road up to the castle.
Tourist Information
The helpful St. Goar TI, which books rooms and stores bags for free, is on the pedestrian
street,threeblocksfromtheK-Dboatdockandtrainstation(May-SeptMon-Fri9:00-18:00,
Sat 10:00-13:00, closed Sun; April and Oct Mon-Fri 9:00-12:30 & 13:30-17:00, closed
Sat-Sun; Nov-March Mon-Thu 9:00-12:30 & 13:30-17:00, Fri 9:00-14:00, closed Sat-Sun;
from train station, go downhill around church and turn left, Heerstrasse 86, tel. 06741/383,
