Port information & tips for Linz (Rhine)
Linz am Rhein is a picturesque jewel on the Middle Rhine and is known far beyond the region as the "Colorful Town on the Rhine." The town impresses with its idyllic location directly on the riverbank and enchants visitors with its well-preserved medieval charm and characteristic, colorful half-timbered houses. Cultural highlights include the historical Burg Linz with its traditional glassworks, the Gothic church of St. Martin, and the lively Buttermarkt in the heart of the old town. Cruise ships dock directly at the central Rhine promenade at the Steiger Linz am Rhein, which allows the historic alleys of the town center to be explored comfortably on foot in just a few minutes due to its immediate proximity.
The idyllic cruise port of Linz am Rhein, known as the "Colorful City on the Rhine," is easily accessible for river cruise guests from the DACH region and, thanks to its central location and good transport links, offers a relaxed start to your travel experience. The docking points are located directly on the banks of the Rhine and allow for easy access to the charming old town.
Car
You can reach Linz am Rhein easily via a well-developed road network. From the direction of Cologne, take the A555 to Bonn, followed by the A565 towards Bonn-Beuel Nord and the A59 towards Königswinter, before taking the B42 directly to Linz. From Frankfurt, use the A3 to the Bad Honnef/Linz exit and then follow the L253. Direct parking is available immediately next to the ship docking points on the banks of the Rhine (street "Am Gestade"). In addition, the Stadtmitte parking garage in Asbacher Straße or parking spaces under the viaducts on the other side of the B42 offer further options. For flexible short-term parkers, the parking apps Parkster and EasyPark also prove to be practical helpers.
Train
Linz am Rhein station is centrally located and well-connected from many cities in the DACH region. You can reach Linz directly with regional trains (RB27, RE8), for example, in about an hour's travel time from Cologne main station. From the station, the ship docking points and the city center of Linz are within walking distance in only about 10 minutes.
Airplane
The nearest major airport is Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN), located about 45 kilometers from Linz am Rhein. A car or taxi ride takes about 35 minutes. The direct train connection from Cologne/Bonn Airport (station) to Linz am Rhein is particularly convenient. Alternatively, Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is reachable at a distance of about 106 kilometers, although the train journey from there requires transfers and takes around 2 hours and 13 minutes. For a relaxed arrival after a flight, especially with longer international connections, we recommend pre-booking a transfer or staying overnight in a hotel near the airport or directly in Linz the day before.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
The idyllic cruise port of Linz am Rhein, known as the "Colorful City on the Rhine," is easily accessible for river cruise guests from the DACH region and, thanks to its central location and good transport links, offers a relaxed start to your travel experience. The docking points are located directly on the banks of the Rhine and allow for easy access to the charming old town.
Car
You can reach Linz am Rhein easily via a well-developed road network. From the direction of Cologne, take the A555 to Bonn, followed by the A565 towards Bonn-Beuel Nord and the A59 towards Königswinter, before taking the B42 directly to Linz. From Frankfurt, use the A3 to the Bad Honnef/Linz exit and then follow the L253. Direct parking is available immediately next to the ship docking points on the banks of the Rhine (street "Am Gestade"). In addition, the Stadtmitte parking garage in Asbacher Straße or parking spaces under the viaducts on the other side of the B42 offer further options. For flexible short-term parkers, the parking apps Parkster and EasyPark also prove to be practical helpers.
Train
Linz am Rhein station is centrally located and well-connected from many cities in the DACH region. You can reach Linz directly with regional trains (RB27, RE8), for example, in about an hour's travel time from Cologne main station. From the station, the ship docking points and the city center of Linz are within walking distance in only about 10 minutes.
Airplane
The nearest major airport is Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN), located about 45 kilometers from Linz am Rhein. A car or taxi ride takes about 35 minutes. The direct train connection from Cologne/Bonn Airport (station) to Linz am Rhein is particularly convenient. Alternatively, Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is reachable at a distance of about 106 kilometers, although the train journey from there requires transfers and takes around 2 hours and 13 minutes. For a relaxed arrival after a flight, especially with longer international connections, we recommend pre-booking a transfer or staying overnight in a hotel near the airport or directly in Linz the day before.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
The docking points in Linz am Rhein are located directly on the charming riverside promenade, offering you an ideal starting point for exploring the colorful "Town of Towers" on the Rhine.
On Foot
The historic old town with its famous half-timbered houses can be reached easily in about 2 to 5 minutes. The path leads you directly from the banks of the Rhine into the picturesque alleys and to the lively marketplace in the center.
Linz–Kripp Rhine Ferry
The passenger ferry operates regularly between Linz and the opposite bank in Kripp. Thanks to this quick connection, you can enjoy a short trip on the water and also undertake excursions into the surrounding nature or to Remagen.
Taxi and Train
Taxis are available at the nearby train station or can be easily called directly to the pier thanks to the central location. The Linz am Rhein train station is also just a few minutes' walk away via the promenade, offering convenient connections to Koblenz or Bonn.
To make the most of your time in the "Bunte Städtchen," we recommend exploring the historic half-timbered alleys directly on the riverbank and visiting the striking castle complex in the town center.
Historische Altstadt
The picturesque old town impresses with its exceptionally well-preserved and colorful half-timbered houses from five centuries; furthermore, the winding center invites you to enjoy a relaxed stroll and take photos thanks to its immediate proximity to the pier.
Burg Linz
The historic electoral Burg Linz from the 14th century is located right in the heart of the city and today houses a traditional glassblowing workshop; in addition, the historic courtyard provides an ideal backdrop for cultural discoveries in an authentic atmosphere.
Rheinanlagen & Uferpromenade
The extensive promenade stretches directly along the river and, thanks to its park benches and unobstructed views of the Rhine Valley, is perfect for a short break by the water, while also providing a convenient way back to the ship.
The historic Old Town of Linz
The picturesque Old Town of Linz, widely known as the "Colorful City on the Rhine," is located directly by the ship pier and is easily reachable on foot within a few minutes. The winding alleys with their lovingly restored half-timbered houses from five centuries provide a fascinating backdrop for a cultural walking tour and also feature numerous inviting wine taverns and cozy cafés directly on the historic market square. Thanks to the compact size of the city center, you can enjoy a relaxed experience full of history and Rhenish joie de vivre in close proximity to the riverbank. Ideally, start your walk in the morning to admire the colorful architecture in peace, and use the early afternoon for an enjoyable break in one of the traditional establishments before returning to the ship in a completely relaxed manner.
The way back to the docking points in Linz am Rhein is particularly short and easy to navigate thanks to the central location of the ship piers directly on the Rhine promenade. Thanks to the good signage within the historic old town, you will find your way back to your ship punctually and safely.
On Foot
Most sights, such as Burg Linz or the historic marketplace, are just a short walk away from Rheinallee. Simply walk through the striking Rheintor gate and you will reach the promenade, where the ships dock clearly visible at the various piers.
Taxi
You can find taxis reliably at Linz station as well as at central points such as the Hotel Linz on the edge of the old town. In addition, you can easily order a taxi at the marketplace, which will take you comfortably and in the shortest possible time back to your pier on Rheinuferstraße.
Local Ferry
The Linz-Kripp Rhine ferry provides excellent orientation and docks in the immediate vicinity of the cruise piers. Thanks to the regular shuttle service, guests can quickly return from the opposite side of the Rhine and also directly reach the riverside promenade for the short remaining distance to the ship.
