Getting around · Cologne · Germany
Getting around Cologne
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Cologne's centre is compact: the cathedral, old town, museums and Rhine promenade are all within a 15-minute walk of the main station. KVB trams and Stadtbahn lines, S-Bahn and buses cover the rest. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Walking
- Airports
- CGN, DUS
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- KölnCard
Ways to get around
Walking
Walking covers the old town, the cathedral area, the Rheinauhafen and the Hohenzollern Bridge to Deutz.
Tram
KVB Stadtbahn and tram lines run partly underground through the centre to the Belgian Quarter, Ehrenfeld, the Südstadt and the zoo.
Buy and validate tickets before boarding; inspections are common.
Train
S-Bahn and regional trains from Köln Hauptbahnhof reach the airport, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Brühl and Aachen frequently.
Cycling
The KVB bike-share and flat Rhine paths make cycling easy, including the riverside route south to the Rheinauhafen.
Boat
Sightseeing boats run panoramic cruises from the old town piers and longer trips up the Rhine towards Bonn and Königswinter.
Tickets and passes
KölnCard
Unlimited local transport in Cologne for 24 or 48 hours, with discounts at museums, tours and restaurants.
Deutschlandticket
A monthly subscription valid on local and regional transport across Germany, including Cologne's network and regional trains to Bonn, Düsseldorf and Aachen.
From the airport
Cologne Bonn Airport is about 15 km south-east of the centre; S-Bahn and regional trains reach Köln Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes. Düsseldorf Airport is about 45–60 minutes away by direct train.
Do you need a car?
No. Trains and trams cover the city and nearby cities, and parking is expensive. A car helps only for the Eifel hills or rural villages.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Bonn | About 20–30 minutes by train | Regional train or Stadtbahn line 16/18 |
| Brühl palaces | About 15–20 minutes by train | Regional train to Brühl |
| Aachen | About 35–55 minutes by train | ICE or regional train |
| Düsseldorf | About 25 minutes by train | Regional train or S-Bahn |
| Königswinter and the Drachenfels | About 1 hour by train or tram | Train to Königswinter, or Rhine boat in summer |
| Koblenz | About 1 hour by train | Intercity or regional train along the Rhine |
| Phantasialand | About 40 minutes by train and shuttle bus | Train to Brühl, then bus |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Cologne?
No. Trains and trams cover the city and nearby cities, and parking is expensive. A car helps only for the Eifel hills or rural villages.
+How do you get from the airport to Cologne?
Cologne Bonn Airport is about 15 km south-east of the centre; S-Bahn and regional trains reach Köln Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes. Düsseldorf Airport is about 45–60 minutes away by direct train.
+What is the best way to get around Cologne?
Walking: Walking covers the old town, the cathedral area, the Rheinauhafen and the Hohenzollern Bridge to Deutz.