The imperious white vessels of the K-D Linie (Rheinwerft, Koblenz; tel 02 61/3 10 30, www.k-d.com ) have several sailings daily during the June to September high season; the services thereafter progressively run down, and stop altogether at the end of October, to resume in a skeleton form at Easter or the beginning of April, whichever is the earlier. Although prices are lower than they used to be, they're still far from cheap (Bingen to Koblenz costs DM42.40/¬21.20; Mainz to St Goar DM48/¬24). However, day returns are available for only slightly more (DM44.80/¬22.40 and DM54.60/¬27.30 respectively in the case of the two examples quoted), and you travel free of charge if you can prove that it's your birthday. Eurail passes are valid, while other rail passes should bring a discount. In addition, a number of smaller companies offer much cheaper sailings along shorter stretches:

 

FERRY COMPANIES AND ROUTES

Bingen-Rüdesheimer Fährgastschiffahrt Rheinkai 10, Bingen (tel 0 67 21/1 41 40, www.bingen-ruedesheimer.com)	Bingen-St. Goar
Hebel Linie Rheinallee 35, Boppard (tel 0 67 42/24 20, www.boppard.com/Hebel-Linie)	Boppard-Koblenz-Kobern-Gondorf
Hölzenbein Rheinzollstr. 4, Koblenz (tel 02 61/3 77 44)	Koblenz-Bingen
Merkelbach Emster Str. 57, Koblenz (tel 02 61/7 68 10)	Koblenz-Braubach
Rheinschiffahrt Goar (tel 0 67 71/26 20)	St Goarshausen-St Goar