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Cologne Central station (Köln Hbf) guide
All about the departure platforms, station facilities, and special assistance at Cologne Hauptbahnhof station.
Departing from Cologne Central station
Get all the info you need on when to arrive and how to travel from Cologne Central station, otherwise known as Cologne Hauptbahnhof or Cologne Hbf. The process differs if you’re going to London or travelling direct to France or Belgium. Check the sections below to prepare for your trip.
Departure tips for trains to France or Belgium
Departing from Cologne Central station
For a stress-free getaway, please arrive at Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf) at least 20 minutes before departure. Check the boards for your platform and be ready to get on your train at least 5 minutes before it leaves.
How to find your platform
Check the departure board to find your platform. Make sure you're ready to board at least 5 minutes before your train is scheduled to leave.
Departure tips for trains to London from Cologne
Departing from Cologne Central station
For a stress-free getaway, please arrive at Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf) at least 20 minutes before departure. Check the boards for your platform and be ready to get on your train at least 5 minutes before it leaves.
How to find your train to London at Brussels-Midi/Zuid
Once you arrive at Brussels-Midi/Zuid station, follow the signs for platforms 1 and 2 to the 'Channel Terminal'. You'll find Eurostar departures on the ground floor in the main concourse. It's next to the Eurostar information and services desk.
What to expect at the Channel Terminal at Brussels-Midi/Zuid
As you'll go through luggage and passport checks at the Channel Terminal, please make sure to arrive before the ticket gates close. Ticket gates close 30 minutes before departure in Eurostar Standard and Plus and 15 minutes before departure in Eurostar Premier. Following the passport checks, you will find the departure lounge where you can wait to board your train.
Eurostar Premier travellers and Carte Blanche or Étoile members can also use the Eurostar Premier Lounge.
Find out everything you need to know about how to change for your train to London at Brussels-Midi/Zuid station.
Booking accessible travel in Cologne Central station
Find everything you need to know about accessible travel, including who we can help and how to book assistance for direct journeys.
Practical information
How to get to and from Cologne Central station
Cologne Central Station (Cologne Hbf) is one of Germany’s busiest stations, with local, regional, national and international connections.
If you’re staying in the city, find out how to get around Cologne with local transport (opens in a new tab). For onward travel in Germany, including high-speed trains to Frankfurt or Düsseldorf, visit the Deutsche Bahn (DB) website (opens in a new tab). You can also travel to destinations in Belgium and France with Eurostar.
Flying via Cologne Bonn Airport? See our FAQs below for how to get there and back.
Station facilities and passenger services
Address: Trankgasse 11, 50667 Köln (Cologne), Germany
Station facilities: Nearby car park, bike park, bureau de change "Reisebank", luggage lockers (24-hour service), DB Call a Bike rental, shops and restaurants, 3-S Centre (All queries for service, safety, and cleanliness, available 24/7)
Passenger services: Need a hand? Head to the DB Information desk for all questions related to your Eurostar or connecting journey.
Car rental: Take advantage of the Eurostar partnership with Hertz (opens in a new tab) to rent a car.
Train services for onward journeys
From Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf), you can continue your journey across Germany or to other European cities. For tickets, travel advice, and services, visit these service centres in the station:
- DB Information desks: Located throughout the ground-floor passages. Get help with train services, disruptions, and special assistance.
Opening hours: 24/7 (including public holidays) - DB Travel Centre ("Reisezentrum"): Located in the D-passage on the first floor near platform 1. Buy or exchange tickets for German and international trains and get travel advice.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 6:00-22:00 CET, Saturday and Sunday from 07:00-21:00 CET - KVB Customer Centre ("Kundencenter"): Located on level -1. Buy and exchange S-Bahn tickets for local trains, trams, and buses. Ticket machines are also available for regional DB trains.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 07:30-19:00 CET, Saturdays from 08:30-14:00 CET
Lost property at Cologne Central station
You can report lost items online with DB (opens in a new tab) (items must be worth at least €15) and they'll get in touch if they're found. Collection and/or postage fees may apply. Check our lost property page for more info.
If you lose something at the station or on a train terminating at Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf), you can also visit the Lost Property office on the ground floor, to the right of the main entrance. It's open Monday to Sunday from 06:00 to 22:00 CET.
FAQs
Cologne's main station is Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf). It's one of Germany's busiest rail hubs, with regional, national, and international connections.
From Cologne Central station, you can easily travel to major cities in western Germany, including Aachen, Düsseldorf, Essen, Duisburg, and Dortmund, with frequent direct and high-speed ICE trains.
Cologne Cathedral is just a two-minute stroll from the main entrance of Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf).
The quickest way between Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf) and Cologne Bonn Airport (Köln/Bonn Flughafen) is by S-Bahn or RE train. Journeys take about 15 to 20 minutes, and trains run frequently throughout the day.
From Cologne Central station to Cologne Bonn Airport
- Follow the signs for S-Bahn or regional trains
- Buy a ticket to Köln/Bonn Flughafen from the DB Navigator app or a ticket machine.
- Check the departure boards for S19 or RE8 trains.
- Make sure Köln/Bonn Flughafen is listed as a stop before boarding.
- Upon arrival, follow the signs for departures to reach check-in.
From Cologne Bonn Airport to Cologne Central station
- Follow the signs for Bahnhof/train station.
- Buy a ticket to Köln Hbf (Cologne Central station).
- Take an S19 or RE8 train towards the city centre.
- Check the onboard displays or announcements for Köln Hbf.
Cologne has over ten train stations. The main one is Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf), but Köln Messe/Deutz is another key station with high-speed ICE trains and easy access to major event venues like Koelnmesse exhibition centre and the Lanxess Arena.
Other stations such as Köln Süd, Ehrenfeld, and West serve regional and S-Bahn trains. They're useful for local travel, but don't offer international connections.
You can find your scheduled departure time on your ticket. For the latest timetable updates, check our Train Status and Timetables page or the departure board at the station.
Our trains from Cologne Hbf to France or Belgium depart from platforms 7 or 8. Check the departure board at the station for the exact platform.
If your Eurostar journey is disrupted, we'll keep you informed as quickly as possible by email or text, so make sure your contact details are up to date.
If your train is cancelled, you can either:
- exchange your ticket for free via Manage Your Booking
- claim a refund from the company or person you booked with.
For last-minute cancellations, station staff will help you with alternative travel options (where available) and answer any questions.
Before departing, Carte Blanche and Étoile members can relax in the DB Lounge, which is located in the D-passage on the first floor near platform 1.
Please ensure you leave the lounge early enough not to miss your train. You should be ready to board at least 5 minutes before your train's scheduled departure.
To buy a ticket for Cologne public transport (U-Bahn/metro, tram, or bus), there are several options:
- Ticket machines: Self-service Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB) ticket machines can be found in and around Cologne Central station (Cologne Hbf).
- KVB Customer Centre: Located on the station's underground/U-Bahn mezzanine level. Staff can sell you tickets and advise on the right one to choose.
- Kiosks: Look for kiosks displaying the KVB logo.
Paper tickets must be stamped at a validation machine before boarding a bus, tram or U-Bahn.
If you want to skip the lines or avoid paper tickets, you can purchase a digital ticket using the KVB journey planner (opens in a new tab).
Hotels near Cologne Central station
Many hotels are within walking distance of the station, with options to suit all tastes, whether you're visiting the Christmas markets or exploring the city's parks in spring.
You can book your hotel at the same time as your train ticket to save time, money, and hassle.
See all available hotels in Cologne and make your trip seamless from route to room.
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