Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
FINDING TICKETS:
When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘ - do so and you will be able to see journeys that arrive at both Köln Hbf and Köln Messe/Deutz stations.
Tickets for journeys to Koln Messe/Deutz can also be cheaper than those to Koln Hbf, and it can also be easier to book a journey which involves changing trains at Koln Messe/Deutz
Some ICE trains have much longer journeys as they take the non-high speed (but much more scenic) route via Koblenz and Mainz.
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If you want to take the fastest direct trains to Koln Hbf, on the DB Bahn booking site look for journeys that have:
- 0 in the Chg. column
- A jouney time of between 1 hour and 1hr 20 min*
Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.
Our step-by-step guide to booking train tickets on the DB (German national railways) website is available HERE.
There's also a guide to booking with an independent ticket agent.
If you're new to booking tickets for train journeys in Germany, we also recommend taking a look at our guide to German train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.
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RESERVATIONS:
Book 1st class ticket journey tickets and your seat reservation is included - but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.
Opting to reserve is particularly recommended if you will be travelling at business hours on this route
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
DB | from €17.90 | |
Omio | from €17.90 | |
SaveATrain | from €17.90 | |
Happyrail | from €17.90 | |
Trainline | from €17.90 |
A choice of stations in Koln/Cologne and routes:
*The frequency refers to the ICE trains from Frankfurt (Main) which take the high speed route and arrive at Koln Hbf - the main station in the city centre
There are also other (generally hourly) ICE trains from Frankfurt (Main) which take this high speed route, but arrive at Koln Messe/Deutz station - which is some distance from the city centre
In some hours there can be a departure to Koln Messe/Deutz, but not Koln Hbf.
Though if you take a train to Koln Messe/Deutz, there are simple and frequent connections available into trains on to Koln Hbf station - and this can be cheaper than taking these direct trains.
Though be aware that the connection at Koln Messe/Deutz station isn't step-free, so can be awkward if you have heavy luggage etc.
Though if you want to arrive at Koln Hbf station and are happy to trade a slower journey time for a much more scenic trip, then an option is to take the trains which travel through the Rhine Valley.
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Taking these trains to Koln Hbf station:
Final Destination: Amsterdam or Bruxelles or Dortmund (or others)
All trains also call at: Frankfurt Flughafen/Airport
Some trains also call at: Seigburg/Bonn
The fastest trains only make one station call during the journey at Frankfurt Flughafen.
Other trains can make up to three other station calls.
These trains travel at up to 285 km/h on Germany's fastest high speed line between Frankfurt Flughafen and Siegburg/Bonn.
The video was taking on a train travelling in the opposite direction, but it gives a sense of what a thrill this train ride can be - this is a journey when it's especially obvious that you're travelling on a high speed train!
---------------------------------------------------------
If you are new to travelling by train in Germany, we recommend taking a look at our German Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
A choice of stations in Koln/Cologne and routes:
*The frequency refers to the ICE trains from Frankfurt (Main) which take the high speed route and arrive at Koln Hbf - the main station in the city centre
There are also other (generally hourly) ICE trains from Frankfurt (Main) which take this high speed route, but arrive at Koln Messe/Deutz station - which is some distance from the city centre
In some hours there can be a departure to Koln Messe/Deutz, but not Koln Hbf.
Though if you take a train to Koln Messe/Deutz, there are simple and frequent connections available into trains on to Koln Hbf station - and this can be cheaper than taking these direct trains.
Though be aware that the connection at Koln Messe/Deutz station isn't step-free, so can be awkward if you have heavy luggage etc.
Though if you want to arrive at Koln Hbf station and are happy to trade a slower journey time for a much more scenic trip, then an option is to take the trains which travel through the Rhine Valley.
---------------------------------------------------------
Taking these trains to Koln Hbf station:
Final Destination: Amsterdam or Bruxelles or Dortmund (or others)
All trains also call at: Frankfurt Flughafen/Airport
Some trains also call at: Seigburg/Bonn
The fastest trains only make one station call during the journey at Frankfurt Flughafen.
Other trains can make up to three other station calls.
These trains travel at up to 285 km/h on Germany's fastest high speed line between Frankfurt Flughafen and Siegburg/Bonn.
The video was taking on a train travelling in the opposite direction, but it gives a sense of what a thrill this train ride can be - this is a journey when it's especially obvious that you're travelling on a high speed train!
---------------------------------------------------------
If you are new to travelling by train in Germany, we recommend taking a look at our German Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
Book these tickets only IF you specifically want to take the trains that travel the longer, but much more scenic route via Koblenz through the Upper Rhine Valley.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
---------------------------------------------------------
RESERVATIONS:
Book 1st class ticket journey tickets on DB Bahn and your seat reservation is included - but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.
Opting to reserve is particularly recommended if you will be travelling at business hours and/or during the day on Fridays and Sundays.
---------------------------------------------------------
FINDING TICKETS:
When looking for tickets to Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.
Check that you’re looking at booking info for the direct trains.
On the DB Bahn booking site look for journeys that have:
- 0 in the Chg. column
- A journey time of over 2hr 15mins
Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.
---------------------------------------------------------
Our step-by-step guide to booking train tickets on the DB (German national railways) website is available HERE.
There's also a guide to booking with an independent ticket agent.
If you're new to booking tickets for train journeys in Germany, we also recommend taking a look at our guide to German train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
DB Bahn | from €17.90 | |
Omio | from €17.90 | |
SaveATrain | from €17.90 | |
Happyrail | from €17.90 | |
Trainline | from €17.90 |
The express trains between Frankfurt (Main) and Koln/Cologne take two very different routes:
(1) These trains**,** which follow the most spectacular route taken by German express trains, the journey through the Upper Rhine River valley
(2) Or if you want to get to Koln/Cologne as quickly as possible form Frankfurt (Main) you can experience the adrenalin rush of taking the alternative ICE trains which travel on Germany's fastest high speed line.
---------------------------------------------------------
Final Destination: Hamburg or Hannover (or others)
All trains also call at: Koblenz and Bonn
Type of Scenery: River
Star Rating: ****
Step on board for the most spectacular journey taken by German express trains!
(The video clips were taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction)
After Bingen there are some fabulous views of the Upper Rhine Valley from the right of the train - when facing the direction of travel.
The views of the valley last for around an hour between Bingen and Bonn.
The journey is a delight, you can't miss the endless parade of boats travelling up and down the river and look out for the multitude of castles perched on top of the hills.
As our images show, this is a journey which can be worth taking for the sake of making the trip - even if the weather isn't absolutely perfect.
This journey is also so fabulous that it's also included on Thrillist's guide to Europe's Most Beautiful Train Rides and on Go Go Places' list of Europe's Most Scenic Train Rides AND on Far And Wide's list of the Most Remarkable Train Journeys in Europe.
---------------------------------------------------------
If you are new to travelling by train in Germany, we recommend taking a look at our German Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
The express trains between Frankfurt (Main) and Koln/Cologne take two very different routes:
(1) These trains**,** which follow the most spectacular route taken by German express trains, the journey through the Upper Rhine River valley
(2) Or if you want to get to Koln/Cologne as quickly as possible form Frankfurt (Main) you can experience the adrenalin rush of taking the alternative ICE trains which travel on Germany's fastest high speed line.
---------------------------------------------------------
Final Destination: Hamburg or Hannover (or others)
All trains also call at: Koblenz and Bonn
Type of Scenery: River
Star Rating: ****
Step on board for the most spectacular journey taken by German express trains!
(The video clips were taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction)
After Bingen there are some fabulous views of the Upper Rhine Valley from the right of the train - when facing the direction of travel.
The views of the valley last for around an hour between Bingen and Bonn.
The journey is a delight, you can't miss the endless parade of boats travelling up and down the river and look out for the multitude of castles perched on top of the hills.
As our images show, this is a journey which can be worth taking for the sake of making the trip - even if the weather isn't absolutely perfect.
This journey is also so fabulous that it's also included on Thrillist's guide to Europe's Most Beautiful Train Rides and on Go Go Places' list of Europe's Most Scenic Train Rides AND on Far And Wide's list of the Most Remarkable Train Journeys in Europe.
---------------------------------------------------------
If you are new to travelling by train in Germany, we recommend taking a look at our German Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
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This is one of more than 1000 journey guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.