Exploring Burg Eltz: Travel Tips From Cologne

Germany's Burg Eltz, also known as Eltz Castle, is a medieval castle located in the Moselle area. It is one of the most beautiful and famous castles in Germany, known for its fairy-tale-like charm and impressive architecture. The castle is a popular day trip destination from nearby cities such as Cologne, Frankfurt, Koblenz, and Trier. In this article, we will explore the different ways to get to Burg Eltz from Cologne, including public transportation, driving, and hiking options.

Travel by train and bus

Cologne to Koblenz

Take a train from Koeln Sued or Köln Hbf in Cologne to Koblenz Hauptbahnhof or Koblenz Stadtmitte in Koblenz.

Koblenz to Hatzenport

Take another train from Koblenz Hauptbahnhof to Hatzenport Bf.

Hatzenport to Burg Eltz

Take the Regio Bus Linie 365 from Hatzenport train station to the parking lot at Burg Eltz. This bus operates twice per hour during the summer, from April to November, and the journey takes less than half an hour.

Alternative Route

As an alternative, you can take a train from Cologne to Moselkern, which is the traditional departure point for hikes to Burg Eltz. From Moselkern, it is a 5-km hike on mostly unpaved paths that take around an hour to 90 minutes.

Travel by car

Driving is the fastest way to get from Cologne to Burg Eltz, taking around 1 hour and 30 minutes for the 69-mile journey. The route is mostly via the Autobahn A48, which you can join near Cologne and follow to just past Koblenz. Leave the Autobahn at Mayen, exit 6, and follow the signs towards Münstermaifeld. From Münstermaifeld, follow the signs to Burg Eltz via Wierschem.

The parking area at Burg Eltz costs €2 per day, and from there it is a short walk of around 10 minutes to the castle. A shuttle bus is also available for the final stretch to the castle.

If you are driving in the Mosel Valley, rather than using the Autobahn, turn off from the B416 on the left (north) bank of the river in Hatzenport towards Münstermaifeld. Alternatively, you can park at the Ringelsteiner Mühle car park in Moselkern and walk to the castle along the Elzbach.

Travel by taxi

If you're looking to get from Cologne to Burg Eltz by taxi, there are a few options.

Firstly, you could take a train to Moselkern, which is the traditional departure point for hikes to Burg Eltz. From Moselkern, it's a 5km hike to the castle, or you can order a taxi for the final leg of the journey, which will cost you around €10-20.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Moselkern or Hatzenport to Burg Eltz, which will cost around €30. A taxi from Koblenz will cost around €70, and from Frankfurt Hahn Airport, you're looking at around €100. It's always a good idea to booksection in advance.

If you're travelling by car, the easiest route to Burg Eltz is to follow Autobahn A48 from Koblenz to Trier, turning off at Mayen towards Münstermaifeld. From Münstermaifeld, follow the signs to Burg Eltz via Wierschem. From the Antoniuskapelle car park, it's an 800m walk to the castle.

Travel by boat

To get from Cologne to Burg Eltz by boat, you will need to first travel to either Koblenz or Cochem, which are cities near Burg Eltz. The best way to get to either of these cities from Cologne is by train. The train ride takes around 90 minutes from Cologne to Koblenz and 2 hours from Cologne to Cochem.

Once you are in Koblenz or Cochem, you can take a boat on the Mosel River to Moselkern, which is the traditional departure point for hikes to Burg Eltz. The boat ride from Koblenz or Cochem to Moselkern takes around 30 minutes.

From Moselkern, it is a 5-km hike to Burg Eltz, which takes approximately 1 hour to 90 minutes. The trail is marked with signs that read "Burg Eltz" and is mostly unpaved with some steep inclines near the castle itself.

Please note that boat cruises on the Mosel River are generally only available from late April to mid-October, and they are not very frequent. Therefore, it is recommended to take the boat to Moselkern and return by train or car.

Overall, travelling by boat from Cologne to Burg Eltz will take a full day, including transfers, and the total travel time will be approximately 3 to 4 hours one-way.

Travel by foot

If you're keen to travel by foot from Cologne to Burg Eltz, there are a few options. The distance between Cologne and Burg Eltz is around 77 miles, so it's a long journey, but there are some beautiful routes.

One option is to take a train to Moselkern and then walk to Burg Eltz. This is a 5km hike and takes around 1 hour to 90 minutes. The route is marked "Burg Eltz" from the station and is mostly unpaved with some steep inclines.

Another option is to take the train to Hatzenport and then walk to Burg Eltz. This route is around 4.5km and takes about 60-80 minutes.

You could also hike along the Eltzer Dream Path, a 12.6km panorama trail that takes you through the Eltz Valley and provides some great views of the castle.

If you're looking for a longer and more challenging hike, there are several other trails that depart from different starting points. You can enquire about these at the castle or local tourist information offices.

Frequently asked questions