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How to get to Cologne by train
| Routes | 528 |
| Trips per day | 8,581 |
| train lines | 9 |
| Stations | 5 |
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About Cologne
There's no shortage of sights, culture, history, and adventure in Cologne, an alluring city on the Rhine. One of the most famous landmarks of the city is the Cologne Cathedral. This Gothic building and UNESCO World Heritage site remains the most iconic structure in the city. In fact, the Cologne Cathedral is the most visited landmark in Germany. Next door, the Museum Ludwig contrasts the cathedral's sense of history with an impressive collection of modern art, including works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
Cologne's breadth of museums also caters to a younger crowd. Families with children should head to the Cologne Chocolate Museum along the river or the Cologne Zoological Garden for memorable, kid-friendly experiences.
Foodies, rejoice! Cologne is home to mouthwatering German delicacies and upscale restaurants. Start your day with breakfast at Café Sehnsucht. For lunch, visit Herings Im Martinswinkel, and for dinner, head over to Bei Oma Kleinmann to feel like you're visiting your long-lost German grandmother.
Trains like Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, and FlixTrain connect Cologne to other major European cities, including Munich, Paris, and Vienna. You can also catch a bus from Cologne on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Sindbad, Union Ivkoni, or Columbuzz. Plus, the Cologne Bonn Airport is a large, well-outfitted airport with daily international flights for travelers coming from afar.
What train companies travel to Cologne, Germany?
Located in Germany, Cologne is accessible by train from 528 other cities. You can choose from 8581 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Cologne on Wanderu. Deutsche Bahn usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to Cologne are also available.
Train companies serving Cologne
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bahn | 1162 | 3h 44m | $62.35 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 1038 | 3h 43m | $55.49 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 431 | 3h 14m | $66.89 |
| DB Intercity | 211 | 2h 37m | $33.07 |
| Non-federally owned railway company | 95 | 1h 56m | $30.43 |
| National Express | 61 | 1h 30m | $25.24 |
| DB Eurocity | 37 | 3h 4m | $45.53 |
| FlixTrain | 23 | 2h 44m | $16.30 |
| vlexx | 14 | 1h 52m | $28.81 |
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Deutsche Bahn IC is the German railway's long-distance train service provider with service across Germany and neighboring countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland. Onboard amenities include restrooms, power outlets, and a restaurant car where passengers can purchase drinks, snacks, and meals.
Part of the FlixBus family, FlixTrain launched in 2018 to offer affordable and sustainable train travel in Germany. Its trains provide Wi-Fi, power outlets, air conditioning, onboard restrooms, and access to an entertainment portal full of movies, games, and music. In addition, each passenger gets a guaranteed seat, so you don't have to worry about standing in any aisles.
Vlexx is a German train company based in the city of Mainz that runs regular passenger services across western Germany in Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Hesse, plus branching out to Wissembourg in France. Vlexx trains have large picture windows to enjoy the landscapes, plus plenty of legroom for each seat, step-free access, and specific areas for storing bicycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
The busiest train station in Cologne is Central Station. There are several other active stations in addition to this main station. The most popular train stations in Cologne are:
- Central Station
- Köln Messe/Deutz Gl.11-12
- Cologne Central Station
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Munich | 5h 30m | $101.44 |
| Saarbrücken | 4h 23m | $61.91 |
| Hanau | 2h 33m | $54.57 |
| Eisenach | 4h 38m | $66.04 |
| Halle | 5h 50m | $103.55 |
Top train routes to and from Cologne
Popular train routes in Europe
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