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Train Travel Info► All Journeys► From Köln / Cologne / Koeln◮ From Frankfurt (Main)

Köln / Cologne / Koeln to Frankfurt by train

How to travel by train from Cologne to Frankfurt (Main) on the faster and more frequent high speed ICE trains

There are two options for a taking a direct train from Cologne/Köln to Frankfurt (Main).

  1. The fastest and most frequent option for a daytime journey are the swish ICE trains.
  2. For those who favor a scenic journey over a train ride with a wow factor, you can also take the beautiful route through the Rhine Valley.
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Routes

Option 1: taking the high speed route

Journey Summary

From
Köln / Cologne / Koeln
Köln/Cologne Hbf Rail Station Guide
To
Frankfurt (Main)
The main station buildings at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
Frankfurt Main Hbf Rail Station Guide
Travel Time
1hr - 1hr 20min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Frankfurt (Main) or Munchen

All trains also call at: Frankfurt Flughafen/Airport

Departing from Koln/Cologne:

The frequency refers to these ICE trains that depart from the city centre station - Koln Hbf

There are other (generally hourly) ICE trains to Frankfurt (Main) which depart from Koln Messe/Deutz station and not Koln Hbf.

In some hours there can be a departure of an ICE train from Koln Messe/Deutz, but not Koln Hbf.

Tickets for journeys from Koln Messe/Deutz can also be cheaper than those from Koln Hbf.

up to 16 x trains per day from Koln Hbf

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date

Reservations:

Book 1st class ticket journey tickets on 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.

A choice of stations in Koln/Cologne:

On this route some of these ICE trains depart from Köln Messe/Deutz station.

When making an online booking, check that you’re looking at booking info for the direct trains
On the DB booking site look for journeys that have:

  • 0 in the Chg. column
  • A journey time of between 1 hour and 1hr 20 min*

Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.

*Some ICE trains have much longer journey times, as they take the non-high speed, but much more scenic alternative route via Koblenz and Mainz.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
DB from €17.90

DB Guide

DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.

It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.

A key feature of DB website worth keeping mind is that it offers 1st class ticket purchasers complimentary seat reservations on journeys both within and to/from Germany.

Seat reservations for daytime in both 1st and 2nd class can also be booked separately from tickets.

Trainline from €17.90

Trainline Guide

SaveATrain from €17.90

SaveATrain Guide

Happyrail from €17.90

Happyrail Guide

Happy Rail is a Netherlands rail ticket agency which sells tickets for both national and international journeys within a range of countries including Belgium France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland.

HappyRail doesn't charge booking fees in the conventional sense, but if you're not Dutch you can expect to pay additional transaction fees, which will be added to the total cost.
That's because the most common form of online payment used in The Netherlands is 'iDEAL' and HappyRail doesn't charge a transaction fee for 'iDEAL' payments, but only Dutch residents can sign up to 'iDEAL'.
Other forms of payment include Visa debit cards will incur a fee.

On this journey

Travelling On
An ICE 3 (406) train on a Bruxelles - Frankfurt service
ICE 3 (Germany) Train Guide
ICE 4 (Germany) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - NoHigh Speed

Good to Know

The fastest trains from Koln to Frankfurt (Main) only make one station call at Frankfurt Flughafen (and more of these fast trains depart from Koln Messe/Deutz than Koln Hbf).

Other trains can make up to three other station calls; so take note of the journey times when looking up this journey, the slower trains can be cheaper.

The view from the high speed south of Limburg #1 The view from the high speed south of Limburg #1
The view from the high speed south of Limburg #2 The view from the high speed south of Limburg #2

These trains travel at more than 270 k/mh Germany's fastest high speed line between Siegburg/Bonn and Frankfurt Flughafen.

If you have never travelled between Koln/Cologne and Frankfurt by train before, you have a choice between;

(1) experiencing the G-force on Germany's fastest train journey - this is a high speed line that most definitely has the wow factor,

OR (2) taking the alternative longer route via Koblenz*with its stunning views of The Rhine Valley;  it's Germany's most scenic journey taken by express trains.

Option 2: taking the scenic route

Journey Summary

From
Köln / Cologne / Koeln
Köln/Cologne Hbf Rail Station Guide
To
Frankfurt (Main)
The main station buildings at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
Frankfurt Main Hbf Rail Station Guide
Travel Time
2hrs 20min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Wien or Nurnberg or Stuttgart (or others)

All trains also call at: Mainz

1 x train every other hour (approx)

Tickets

Book these tickets only if you specifically want to take these trains, which travel the longer, but much more scenic route via Koblenz through the Upper Rhine Valley.

This route is the alternative to the faster trains that take the high speed line instead.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date

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 and/or during the day on Fridays and Sundays.

Finding tickets:

When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.

Check that you’re looking at booking info for these trains.
On the DB 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.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
DB from €17.90

DB Guide

DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.

It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.

A key feature of DB website worth keeping mind is that it offers 1st class ticket purchasers complimentary seat reservations on journeys both within and to/from Germany.

Seat reservations for daytime in both 1st and 2nd class can also be booked separately from tickets.

Trainline from €17.90

Trainline Guide

SaveATrain from €17.90

SaveATrain Guide

Happyrail from €17.90

Happyrail Guide

Happy Rail is a Netherlands rail ticket agency which sells tickets for both national and international journeys within a range of countries including Belgium France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland.

HappyRail doesn't charge booking fees in the conventional sense, but if you're not Dutch you can expect to pay additional transaction fees, which will be added to the total cost.
That's because the most common form of online payment used in The Netherlands is 'iDEAL' and HappyRail doesn't charge a transaction fee for 'iDEAL' payments, but only Dutch residents can sign up to 'iDEAL'.
Other forms of payment include Visa debit cards will incur a fee.

On this journey

Travelling On
A DB IC train departs from Koln Hbf
IC (Germany) Train Guide
An exterior view of an ICE-T train
ICE T (Germany) Train Guide
front end of an ICE 1 train
ICE 1 (Germany) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - Yes

Good to Know

This journey is 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.
​​​​​

The views of the Middle Rhine Valley as the train heads south from Koblenz The views of the Middle Rhine Valley as the train heads south from Koblenz
The views of the Rhine Valley can be seen from the left of the train The views of the Rhine Valley can be seen from the left of the train
A highlight of a Rhine Valley train journey is the view of Lorely A highlight of a Rhine Valley train journey is the view of Lorely
The spectacular Rhine Valley views from the train continue to Bingen The spectacular Rhine Valley views from the train continue to Bingen

Step on board for the most spectacular journey taken by German express trains!

If you have time on your side and have yet to experience the stunning journey through the Rhine Valley, then take these trains instead of the alternative trains which take the high speed line

After Bonn there are some fabulous views of the Upper Rhine Valley from the LEFT of the train, when facing the direction of travel; if the train takes its usual route along the west bank, but if its switched to the east bank, the railway line is still right by the river.

The best of the views occur when the trains travel through The Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Bingen.

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 the video clips and 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.

Take the stress out of your journey Everything planned to your specification, so sit back and relax… Try Concierge

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