Check schedules online and then purchase tickets at the station. While all seats must be reserved, you will have plenty of trains and departures to choose from, even when booking on the day of departure.
Expect fares to climb as your departure date nears. Book well in advance to be eligible for the best deals. To book train travel from Belgium to the German Rhine region, call Rail Europe at (888) 382-RAIL or visit the link below.
Check for age discounts. Most trains in Belgium offer discounts to youths age 25 and under. Students receive an additional discount. Discounts are also available for Eurail passes, which cover train travel in both Belgium and Germany. See the Resources section below for a link to Eurail.
Book to Koblenz if you plan to reserve all your tickets in advance from Belgium all the way to the German Rhine. Koblenz is in the heart of the area.
Pick a city. Rudesheim, Koblenz, Bingen or Mainz are the medieval cities that offer typical German Rhine attractions and that the German trains serve.
Avoid missing the scenery. If you book Cologne directly to Frankfurt, you'll pass through the German Rhine in around an hour. Book the trip via Koblenz to experience the original scenic route along the Rhine.
Rent a bike to experience as much of the German Rhine as you can between train stations. The bike paths are flat and well-maintained, making the ride easy even for novices.
Visit a castle. There are more than 30 castles in a 50-mile radius in the Rhine River Valley.
Consider taking a KD boat. The boat sails along the Rhine River, offering the best vantage point for seeing the magnificent cliffs and hillside vineyards. There are passes available for KD boat combined with train travel.
