Trains to Köln Hbf

Cologne train station

Whether a tourist’s main interest lies in history, culture, art, or just a huge tankard of authentic German beer, Cologne is a city that consistently charms. Cologne train station is situated in the city centre, right next to Cologne’s most popular attraction, a spectacular Gothic cathedral. Passengers travelling to the station can do so via the long-distance ICE high-speed trains, the S-Bahn for shorter distances, the Regionalbahn, or the U-Bahn. Direct trains from major German cities like Stuttgart and Hamburg take 2h 13mins and 4h 3mins respectively, while journeys from Düsseldorf take under 30mins. It is also possible to travel directly from Brussels in just 1h 44mins, and from both Dusseldorf’s and Frankfurt’s airports on a direct train in under an hour. Other long-haul journeys from the Rhine-Sieg and Rhine-Ruhr regions arrive into the city’s other major station, Cologne Deutz. Once in Cologne, the subway, bus and tram networks allow visitors to travel easily around the city.

Main attractions near Cologne train station

Cologne’s crowning glory is its cathedral, Kölner Dom, and lucky train travellers can see it in all its splendour after a short 1-minute walk from Cologne train station. This brooding hallmark of the city took seven centuries to complete and is just as intriguing inside as it is outside. Visitors can even climb the tower for panoramic views of the historic streets. In the same square, the Römisch-Germanisches Museum will fascinate visitors with the archaeological heritage of the city, ranging from the Palaeolithic period, through to Roman antiquity, and into the Middle Ages. Behind this, the Museum Ludwig hosts an impressive collection of Picasso’s work, while the Kölner Philharmonie is a fabulous spot to catch some classical music.

A 10-minute walk (or 1-minute tram ride) from the station will bring visitors to Rathausplatz and Marsplatz, where pedestrians can explore Cologne’s cobbled streets, toy-town houses, and Gothic facades. Foodie fanatics can either hop on the tram for 10 minutes or walk for approximately 25 minutes from the station to reach the Rudolfplatz food market, which is held every Thursday afternoon. With its laid-back atmosphere and overwhelming variety, there are few better ways to pass the time. Visitors can pick up almost anything here, from unusual Peruvian food to tasty Thai or luscious Lebanese! Alternatively, tourists might prefer to discover local delicacies like Reibekuchen or Currywurst, alongside a tankard of Cologne’s liquid speciality, Kölsch. Breweries can be found dotted throughout the city centre.