Duisburg to Cologne train

Duisburg is located at the junction of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers in western Germany. Duisburg's harbor is the largest inland port in the world, with 21 docks in total. The Innenhafen, or Inner Harbor, used to be the center of the city's industry but today is a center for dining and nightlife. Make a point to stroll along the marina to check out the many kinds of boats, relax in one of the green spaces, and of course, stop in one of the many restaurants for a delicious dinner.

In the Meiderich district, make sure to check out the Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord. This industrial steelworks complex had gone disused since 1985 before its reinvention into a public park. The unique complex includes trails along what used to be sewer systems, a viewing tower made from the blast furnace, and even a scuba diving center in what originally was a gasometer. Kaiserberg, on the other hand, is a more traditional park that is home to both a zoo and a botanical garden.

Hundreds of bus and train routes to Duisburg make the city extremely accessible. Train companies, including Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain, provide rail travel, and FlixBus provides the bulk of Duisburg's bus service. This means Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, and more cities across Europe are within just a short bus or train ride from Duisburg.

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.