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Table of Contents:
How to get to Koblenz from Frankfurt
How to get to Koblenz from Dusseldorf
How to get to Koblenz from Cologne
When to travel to Koblenz
Koblenz is an important historical town located in the west of Germany, in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. The town is famous for its medieval architecture, many historical monuments, as well as its picturesque location on the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. There is a so-called “German Corner” in the town center, where two rivers meet each other.
Koblenz is situated in a very scenic place, in the valley of the Moselle and Rhine rivers, where medieval castles can be found literally every couple of kilometers. Koblenz also has its own medieval castle. It is not surprising that dozens of tourists visit the region, paying great attention to the architectural attractions of Koblenz and other towns, some of which are even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The best time of the year to visit Moselle valley is summertime. The beauty of nature is unmatched during the summer. Moreover, river navigation is available only in a period from mid-April to mid-October. These months are the best ones to visit Koblenz and its surroundings.
In case you are planning to visit the region during the “low” tourist season from mid-October to mid-April, you`d better know that the climate is quite mild here and, although nature is not so bright this time of the year, architectural points are worth visiting any season you choose. I have travelled a lot around Germany and I can say that south-western regions look fabulous at any time of the year due to their incredible architecture and mild climate.
How to get to Koblenz
Where do you fly into to get to Koblenz? Getting to Koblenz is relatively easy, because within a distance of 100 km there are three major cities with international airports – these are Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Cologne. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I use Aviasales quite regularly when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options, and the results can be sorted by individual settings. Then you can get directly to Koblenz from any of the listed cities by public transport or by renting a car. By the way, the second option is becoming more and more popular among tourists, because having a car makes it possible to drive along the Moselle-Rhine Valley and see many medieval castles that the region is so famous for.
How to get to Koblenz from Frankfurt
The distance between Frankfurt and Koblenz is about 123 km. Tourists can use public transport to get to their destination or rent a car to travel on their own.
By train: Direct trains run between the cities, the travel time is about 1,5 hours. Trains run along the route during the day, 2-3 times per hour, and depart from Frankfurt main railway station. You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets on the Raileurope service. I use Raileurope regularly to check out the current train timetable. In my opinion, it is a very convenient service, because I can compare different routes to choose the best one.
By renting a car: Also in Frankfurt, at the airport or at the car rentals in the city center, you can rent a car for travelling on your own. To rent a car, you need a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card. You can book a car in advance via the international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and other similar ones. The travel time to Koblenz is approximately 1.5 hours; you need to take the route # A3 (see on the map). I travelled a lot from Frankfurt by car and I can say that the local highways are very convenient and it is often the fastest way to get to the desired destination.
How to get to Koblenz from Dusseldorf
I did some research and found out that the distance between Dusseldorf and Koblenz is 154 km. Public transport runs between cities, which is quite convenient to get to your final destination. You also can rent a car to travel along the Moselle River and visit Koblenz and other picturesque towns of Moselle Valley.
By train: there are direct trains between Dusseldorf and Koblenz; the travel time is approximately 1.5 hours. Trains run on the route up to 3 times per hour during the day. You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets on the Raileurope service.
By renting a car: You can also rent a car at Dusseldorf Airport or in the city center for your trip around the region. To rent a car, you will need a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card. You can book a car in advance via the international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Based on my research, these services have a lot of positive reviews so I can recommend them. The cities are connected with highway # A3 (see on the map); the travel time is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes.
How to get to Koblenz from Cologne
The distance between Cologne and Koblenz is 117 km. You can use either public transport or a rented car to reach the destination.
By train: Direct trains run between the cities, and the travel time is only 50 minutes. Trains run three times an hour during the day. You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets on the Raileurope service.
By renting a car: In Cologne, as well as in other major cities in Germany, you can rent a car. To rent a car, you will need a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card. You can book a car in advance via the international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and other similar ones. Cologne and Koblenz are connected with motorway # A3, and the travel time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes (see on the map).
Where to stay in Koblenz
Koblenz is a popular tourist destination in Germany, so you can find a lot of hotels of different categories here. Guests can choose between various star hotels. By the way, if you want to live close to the main attractions, I recommend looking for accommodation in the old town or in the Mitte area.
Top Hotel Kramer 3* – the hotel has an excellent location relatively close to the railway station and public transport stops. The main attractions of the city can be reached on foot in 20 minutes or by transport in 5-7 minutes. The hotel has a bar. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is paid separately. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Public parking is available nearby for an additional fee. The front desk provides luggage storage services;
Hotel Brenner 3* – the hotel is located in the old town and has a bar in its area. Guests can stay in rooms of various sizes, including family rooms. Depending on the type of room, breakfast may be included in the price or paid separately. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Public parking is available nearby at an additional cost and upon reservation. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services;
Hotel & Weinhaus Zum Schwarzen Baren 3* – the hotel is situated in a picturesque location, near the Moselle River. Its location is great for exploring the Moselle Valley. The hotel has a bar, a restaurant and a gym. You can stay in spacious rooms equipped with everything you need. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Free private parking is available on site. The hotel is surrounded by gardens and has a breakfast terrace. The front desk provides luggage storage services;
GHOTEL hotel & living Koblenz 3* – the hotel is located near the railway station and a 10-minute walk from the center of Koblenz. There is a bar on site. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price or paid separately. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Public parking is available nearby for an additional fee. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services;
Trierer Hof 3* – the hotel is located in the “heart” of Koblenz and a 5-minute walk from the German corner, where the Moselle and Rhine rivers meet. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is provided in public areas and is free of charge. Public parking is available nearby, upon reservation and at an additional cost. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services.
What to see & do in Koblenz
Koblenz has very remarkable architectural points and scenic views of the Moselle Valley, where a huge number of medieval castles are concentrated. Koblenz is also home to several castles and palaces, as well as many churches and other valuable architectural monuments.
Perhaps the main highlight of the town is the German corner area. It is the place where two powerful rivers meet – the Moselle and the Rhine Rivers. There is an excellent park area and an observation deck to see freely the confluence of two rivers. If you are interested in architecture as much as me, perhaps you will be pleased to know that there are lots of historical attractions preserved here.
Koblenz has several churches and cathedrals of outstanding architectural value. You should definitely see the Basilica of St. Castor built in the 9th century. Another medieval building is the Church of Our Lady, which is the main parish church of Koblenz. It`s decorated with two towers, on the tops of which the bells ring. The Church of Jesus, having an impressive size, was built at the beginning of the 20th century and is designed in the style of neo-Romanesque architecture.
Then we move on to palaces and castles. The symbol of the city is the Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which rises above the city on a 118-meter cliff. To get to the rock, tourists have to use the Koblenz cable car. In cabins of a closed type, but with panoramic windows, you can ride over the Rhine, through the forest and, finally, climb the rock and see the majestic fortress with your own eyes. The cable car is one of the main attractions of Koblenz. I would love to share some detailed information for experiencing a cable car ride:
- The cable car is open daily from 10.00 to 19.00
- The ticket price for the cable car is €11 one way or €14.90 round trip
- The entrance ticket to the fortress is 8 euros
- You can use a combined ticket for 19 euros (cable car + fortress)
Another castle called Stolzenfels also rises above Koblenz. It was built much later – in the 19th century and has a very remarkable architecture in the style of romantic castles in Germany, such as Neuschwanstein or Hohenschwangau in Bavaria. The castle is surrounded by a picturesque park area where you can take long walks and admire the Rhine. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:
- The castle is open from the end of March to the end of October, except Mondays
- Opening hours: from 10.30 to 16.30 (on weekdays) and from 10.00 to 18.00 on weekends and holidays
- The entrance ticket costs 5 euros
- You need to get to the castle along the footpath (uphill). The way up takes about 20 minutes
✓ Walking in the center of Koblenz, you can also see the Old Castle (13th century building), which is surrounded by a moat. The castle is decorated with two semicircular towers. Today, the City Archive is located within the walls of the castle.
✓ No less interesting is the building of the Prussian government, built at the beginning of the 20th century. The style of the building is neo-Romanesque.
✓ And be sure to get to the Electoral Palace. The palace was built in the style of early classicism. You can explore the palace from the outside, as well as take a walk in its terraced gardens. Banquets and events are held inside the building.
✓ Finally, take a walk along the embankment, where you can see the famous Balduinsky arch bridge, built in the 14th century. The bridge passes over the Moselle River.
As I see it, there is a huge number of historical and architectural monuments in Koblenz. You can mix visiting them with enjoying the local nature views as Koblenz is situated on two great rivers – Moselle and Rhine. You can also take an excursion or drive by your own along the Moselle River where a lot of medieval castles are preserved. By the way, you can continue your trip by taking a Rhine Wine Road which starts right after you cross over the Moselle valley. I have partly travelled along the Wine Road and I can confirm it is one of the most scenic landscapes I have ever seen. I can definitely recommend exploring the area.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Gustav Sommer
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…