Port information & tips for Eltville
Eltville am Rhein is the oldest town in the Rheingau and enchants visitors as a charming city of wine and roses right on the banks of the majestic river. The idyllic location in the midst of world-famous vineyards provides an exclusive flair, which is also characterized by historic half-timbered houses, noble sparkling wine cellars, and a magnificent riverside promenade. Cultural highlights include the imposing Kurfürstliche Burg with its fragrant rose garden and the picturesque old town with its winding alleys. River cruise ships dock directly at the central landing stage on the banks of the Rhine (KD-Anleger), from where guests can easily reach the historic center and all sights on foot within a few minutes thanks to the first-class location.
Eltville am Rhein welcomes you as a charming city of roses and wine directly on the Rhine and is a popular destination for river cruises. The pier is centrally located on the banks of the Rhine and is easily accessible from the entire DACH region thanks to the good infrastructure.
Car
Eltville is excellently connected to the German motorway network. You can reach the city easily via the A66, which leads directly west from Frankfurt and Wiesbaden towards Rüdesheim and merges into the B42. Numerous parking options are available in the city area for a relaxed stay. Especially practical are the free and unlimited parking spaces such as P3 Rheinufer and P2 an der Weinhohle, which are located in the immediate vicinity of the Rhine and the railway station, thus enabling short distances to the piers.
Train
Eltville (Rhein) station is very centrally located and well connected to the regional rail network. From the ICE hubs of Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof or Mainz Hauptbahnhof, you can reach Eltville in a short time by regional trains (VIAS) or buses. The journey from Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof takes about 15 minutes by train and around 40 minutes by bus. Please note that between July and December 2026, construction work with rail replacement services may occur on the railway line between Troisdorf and Wiesbaden, making early travel planning advisable.
Airplane
The nearest international airport is Frankfurt am Main (FRA), located about 40 kilometers away. The travel time by car or private transfer is around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can take the train from Frankfurt Airport to Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof and continue from there by regional train or bus to Eltville; the entire rail journey can take about 1 hour and 8 minutes. Numerous private transfer providers such as Maxi Daxi or Flughafentransfer-24h also take you directly from the terminal to your desired destination in Eltville at fixed prices from about 57 to 64 euros.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the shipping company and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Eltville am Rhein welcomes you as a charming city of roses and wine directly on the Rhine and is a popular destination for river cruises. The pier is centrally located on the banks of the Rhine and is easily accessible from the entire DACH region thanks to the good infrastructure.
Car
Eltville is excellently connected to the German motorway network. You can reach the city easily via the A66, which leads directly west from Frankfurt and Wiesbaden towards Rüdesheim and merges into the B42. Numerous parking options are available in the city area for a relaxed stay. Especially practical are the free and unlimited parking spaces such as P3 Rheinufer and P2 an der Weinhohle, which are located in the immediate vicinity of the Rhine and the railway station, thus enabling short distances to the piers.
Train
Eltville (Rhein) station is very centrally located and well connected to the regional rail network. From the ICE hubs of Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof or Mainz Hauptbahnhof, you can reach Eltville in a short time by regional trains (VIAS) or buses. The journey from Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof takes about 15 minutes by train and around 40 minutes by bus. Please note that between July and December 2026, construction work with rail replacement services may occur on the railway line between Troisdorf and Wiesbaden, making early travel planning advisable.
Airplane
The nearest international airport is Frankfurt am Main (FRA), located about 40 kilometers away. The travel time by car or private transfer is around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can take the train from Frankfurt Airport to Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof and continue from there by regional train or bus to Eltville; the entire rail journey can take about 1 hour and 8 minutes. Numerous private transfer providers such as Maxi Daxi or Flughafentransfer-24h also take you directly from the terminal to your desired destination in Eltville at fixed prices from about 57 to 64 euros.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the shipping company and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
The ship docking points in Eltville am Rhein are located directly on the picturesque riverside promenade and provide particularly easy access to the city.
On Foot
The historic old town with its charming half-timbered houses and the Electoral Castle are located right on the banks and can be reached comfortably on foot in about two to five minutes. A stroll along the traffic-free promenade also offers wonderful views of the Rhine and the well-tended rose gardens.
Train and Bus
Eltville station is only a few minutes' walk from the banks of the Rhine and is ideally connected to cities such as Wiesbaden, Mainz, or Rüdesheim thanks to the RheingauLine. Regional RMV buses also depart from near the station and take guests directly to the surrounding monasteries and well-known wineries in the region.
Taxi
Travelers can find official taxis at the station forecourt, or they can be conveniently ordered by telephone directly to the docking point. These offer a flexible option for short trips to individual destinations in the Rheingau and guarantee fast transport thanks to short distances.
To make the most of your stay in the picturesque town of roses, we recommend exploring the historic core directly on the waterfront in combination with a visit to the world-famous cultural monuments in the surrounding area.
Kurfürstliche Burg and Old Town
The impressive castle directly on the banks of the Rhine is home to a magnificent rose garden with hundreds of fragrant varieties and, thanks to the adjacent, lovingly restored half-timbered alleys, is perfect for a romantic stroll in the footsteps of Johannes Gutenberg.
Kloster Eberbach
This world-famous Cistercian monastery is located just a short drive from the harbour in the middle of idyllic vineyards and offers an unforgettable experience for culture enthusiasts and connoisseurs thanks to its monumental architecture and historic wine cellars.
Eltviller Rheinpromenade
The extensive riverside promenade impresses with its Mediterranean charm and the inviting wine tasting stands of the local winegrowers; it is also ideal for a relaxed break under shady plane trees with a direct view of the glittering river.
Kurfürstliche Burg and the Rose Garden
The historic Kurfürstliche Burg is located directly on the picturesque Rhine promenade and is easily accessible from the ship pier in just a few minutes' walk. This cultural highlight impresses with its magnificent castle gardens featuring over 350 rose varieties, as well as the accessible residential tower, which offers a wide panoramic view of the Rheingau and the glittering river. Thanks to its central location in the old town, you will also find first-class wine shops and cozy cafés right in the neighborhood, perfect for tasting regional Rieslings. Ideally, visit the site in the morning to enjoy the idyllic atmosphere and the floral splendor in peace, and plan your short walk back to the ship about thirty minutes before departure.
Returning to your ship in the rose town of Eltville is very relaxed thanks to short distances and clear orientation along the banks of the Rhine.
Taxi
Taxis are available at Eltville station and near the Kurfürstliche Burg at the Burggraben, and can also be easily called directly to your location via local dispatch centers. The ride to the pier at the Leinpfad is short and guarantees a stress-free arrival in time for boarding.
Regional Buses and Trains
The centrally located stops at the station and in Rheingauer Straße offer regular connections to the surrounding area and lead you directly back to the city center. From there, you can reach the ship docks after a short walk through the pedestrian zone and easily get back on board.
On Foot Along the Rhine Promenade
The way back from the historic old town to the port is excellently signposted and leads you directly to the picturesque riverside promenade. Thanks to the manageable size of the town, you can enjoy a comfortable walk of just a few minutes from the Kurfürstliche Burg to the Leinpfad while enjoying the safety of the busy pedestrian areas.
