Exploring Burg Eltz: Travel Options From Cologne

Germany's enchanting Burg Eltz Castle, also known as Eltz Castle, is a dreamy destination that can be reached from Cologne in various ways. Located in the Moselle area, this medieval castle is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Germany, still owned by the Eltz family who have lived there since the 12th century. Here's a guide on how to get from Cologne to Burg Eltz Castle for your fairytale-like experience.

Travel by car

Driving is the fastest way to get from Cologne to Burg Eltz Castle, taking approximately 1 hour and 17 minutes to cover the 69-mile (111 km) distance. The route is fairly straightforward:

• Get on the A48 Autobahn from Cologne, heading towards Koblenz.
• Exit the Autobahn at Mayen (exit 6) towards Münstermaifeld.
• Follow the signs to Burg Eltz via Wierschem.
• Park at the designated parking lot, Antoniuskapelle (St Anthony’s Chapel), about half a mile (800m) from the castle.

The parking fee is €2 per day for cars and €4 for larger vehicles with trailers or camper vans. From the parking lot, you can either walk to the castle or take a shuttle bus. The shuttle costs €2 each way and operates from April to November when the castle is open for tours.

Please note that some sources suggest the driving distance is about 77 miles (124 km) and the journey time is up to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Travel by train

Travelling to Burg Eltz by train is possible, although it is a little less straightforward than travelling by car. The closest train station to the castle is Moselkern, which is about 4.5-5km from the castle. From Moselkern, it is possible to walk to the castle, or take a taxi for the remaining part of the journey. The walk is mostly unpaved, with some steep sections, and takes around 60-90 minutes.

To get to Moselkern, you will first need to take a train to Koblenz, and then change to a regional train to Moselkern. The regional trains run hourly and the journey takes around 30 minutes. The journey from Cologne to Koblenz takes less than an hour.

If you are travelling between April and October, you can take a bus from Hatzenport train station to the castle. To get to Hatzenport, you will first need to take a train to Koblenz, and then change to a regional train to Hatzenport. The bus from Hatzenport to the castle is the Regio Bus Linie 365, which runs twice per hour and takes less than 30 minutes.

The whole journey by train and bus from Cologne to Burg Eltz takes between 2.5 and 3 hours.

Travel by bus

To get from Cologne to Burg Eltz Castle by bus, you'll first need to take a train to Hatzenport. From Cologne, you can take a train to Koblenz Hbf, and from there, take another train to Hatzenport Bf. This journey will take around 2.5 to 3 hours. From Hatzenport, you can then catch the bus to Burg Eltz Castle.

During the summer months, usually from April to November, the Regio Bus 365 provides a direct bus service to the parking lot at Burg Eltz Castle from Hatzenport train station. The service operates twice per hour and the journey takes just under half an hour.

Please note that the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the castle itself does not operate during the winter when the castle is closed.

Travel by boat

One of the most romantic ways to reach Burg Eltz is by boat. During the Mosel and Rhine River cruise season, usually from late April to mid-October, you can travel to Burg Eltz by boat from Cochem or Koblenz. The two main boat operators are Köln–Düsseldorfer (KD) and Kolb.

The boat ride to Moselkern is a great option, and you can return by train, as cruises are not very frequent. The Regio Bus 365 provides a public transportation bus service from Hatzenport train station to the parking lot at Burg Eltz. This service operates twice per hour and takes less than half an hour.

If you're looking for a more active journey, you can also hike to the castle from Moselkern. The traditional approach to Burg Eltz is via a 5-km hike from Moselkern, which takes around an hour to 90 minutes. The trail is marked and offers a mix of unpaved paths and steep inclines near the castle itself.

For those seeking a more relaxed experience, you can opt for the shuttle bus or taxi services available at Moselkern. A taxi from Moselkern to Burg Eltz should cost around €10-20.

Keep in mind that the castle is only open for tours from April 1 to November 1, and you'll need to purchase a ticket to enter the castle and access the guided tours.

So, if you're planning your trip during the river cruise season, travelling by boat from Cochem or Koblenz is a wonderful way to reach Burg Eltz, offering a mix of convenience and scenic views along the way.

Travel by foot

If you're up for a hike, there are several walking routes to Burg Eltz from Cologne. The castle is located in a somewhat isolated valley just off the Mosel Valley, so you can expect some truly stunning scenery along the way.

The Eltz Stream Trail

The traditional route to Burg Eltz is the 5km hike from Moselkern on the Mosel River. This easy trail takes around an hour to 90 minutes and is mostly unpaved. It's marked "Burg Eltz" from the station and boat landing in Moselkern. The trail becomes steeper with some inclines near the castle itself.

The Eltzer Dream Path

This award-winning dream hike is one of the most beautiful in the Rhineland-Palatinate. The 12.6km trail takes around five hours and loops around Eltz Castle, through the Eltzbach Valley, the Eltz Forest and the southern rises of the Maifeld.

Up the Romantic Eltz Stream

This 2.5km trail starts at the Ringelsteiner Mühle in Moselkern and follows the Eltzbach through the nature reserve Eltz Forest to Eltz Castle. It's a light to medium ascent and takes around 35 minutes.

From Müdener Berg to Eltz Castle

This 1.7km route is only for seasoned hikers as it's very steep in parts. It offers a unique view of the two castles Eltz and Pyrmont.

From Karden to Eltz Castle

This challenging 7km route is also for seasoned hikers only. It takes you from Karden through vineyards, meadows and forests, offering spectacular views of the Moselle, the Hunsrück and Maifeld.

From Pyrmont Castle to Eltz Castle

This 9.5km hike between the two castles takes in all the beauty of the Eltz Valley. On weekends and public holidays, there is a shuttle bus between these two neighbouring castles.

From Moselkern

As a last resort, if you find yourself at Moselkern train station with no bus in sight, you can always hike the 70-80 minutes to the castle. It's a mostly flat and easy route, but not the most scenic.

Frequently asked questions