Köln Hbf: A Guide to the Main Railway Station of Cologne
Köln Hbf is the main railway station of the German city of Cologne: this guide tells you all you need to know about travelling by train to or from this station.
Railway stations in Cologne
Köln Hauptbahnhof (usually abbreviated as Köln Hbf) is the main railway station of Cologne, with the German word Hauptbahnhof simply meaning main station.
Although Köln Hbf, located on the left bank of the River Rhine, is the most centrally located station in Cologne and the city’s busiest, it is not the only important mainline station in the city.
Across the river on the east bank of the Rhine lies Köln Messe/Deutz railway station, named after Cologne’s Deutz neighbourhood and its trade fair (Messe).
Most trains to Cologne use Köln Hbf or stop at both Köln Hbf and Köln Messe/Deutz, although some only serve Messe/Deutz, so it’s always worth checking which station your train to or from Cologne uses.
Köln Hbf. ©AndyBTravels
About Köln Hbf
Köln Hbf is one of Germany’s most iconic railway stations, located right next to Cologne Cathedral, which towers above it.
Just minutes after stepping off your train, you can find yourself standing in front of this magnificent Gothic cathedral.
Köln Hbf is one of Germany’s busiest stations, with its 12 platforms handling about 116 million passengers per year – around 320,000 people each day.
Cologne Cathedral. ©AndyBTravels
Facilities at the station
Inside Köln Hbf you will find an information centre for any questions about train services, as well as a staffed ticket office and ticket machines.
The station also has plenty of left-luggage lockers, along with a wide range of shops and food outlets if you want to grab something to eat or drink before your train departs.
The platforms are one level above the main concourse and can be reached by stairs, escalators, or lifts, making the station fully accessible.
You can check out my YouTube guide to Cologne’s main railway station below, which includes a walkthrough and gives you a good impression of what it’s like to take a train from here.
Trains from Köln Hbf
From beneath Köln Hbf’s beautiful train shed, there are numerous departures to destinations across Germany and neighbouring countries.
These include ICE high-speed trains, InterCity (IC) and EuroCity (EC) services, a wide range of regional trains, Cologne S-Bahn commuter trains, and night trains.
After my last visit to Cologne, I took the EuroCity train to Zurich, which travels along a scenic route following the banks of the River Rhine.
Conclusion
Köln Hbf, the main railway station of Cologne, is one of Germany’s most iconic stations, thanks to its beautiful train shed and its location right next to the city’s famous cathedral.
From Cologne’s main station, you can travel to numerous domestic and international destinations, making it one of the country’s most important and busiest stations.
