- Train
- London to cologne
London to Cologne trains
Take a Eurostar train from London to Brussels, then change onto a Eurostar train to Cologne.
Flexible tickets
no exchange fees*
Go greener with Eurostar
take the train to reduce your carbon footprint**
One single booking
for your entire journey
From 01 March to 25 April 2025:
- no trains will stop at Düsseldorf Airport and Essen Hbf.
- fewer trains will stop at Düsseldorf Hbf, Duisburg Hbf and Dortmund Hbf.
From 03 to 18 May 2025:
- no trains will stop at Cologne Hbf.
Go from London to Cologne with a quick change
Travelling to Cologne with us is simple, smart, and speedy. After a quick change at Brussels-Midi/Zuid, you’ll be there in no time. And whether you’re going for work or play, we’ll get you there feeling relaxed and rested. Read on to discover why taking Eurostar from London to Cologne is the only way to travel.
Departing from London St Pancras International
London St Pancras International is located in King's Cross and is well connected by London Underground lines and buses.
When to arrive
Please check our recommended arrival times when planning your journey.
Travel documents
Make sure to bring a valid passport with you and complete your Advance Passenger Information (API) well in advance. Check UK-EU border requirements for travel to and from London.
Station facilities
Before you jump on your train, you can indulge in some boutique shopping or fine dining. After border and security checks, you'll find food options, a duty-free shop, and our Eurostar Premier Lounge.
Changing trains in Brussels
The journey from London to Brussels takes 1hr 52mins. You'll then change to our Brussels to Cologne train for the remainder of the journey.
When you arrive in Brussels-Midi/Zuid from London, follow these steps:
1. Go to the end of the platform.
2. Take the exit into the main hall.
3. Check the departure boards for your connecting train's platform.
4. Follow the signs to platform 3 to 6 for the Netherlands or Germany.
5. Board your train at least 5 minutes before departure.
Our booking system will have given you two trains that provide you enough time to connect. And you won't need your passport checked again. If you need a hand, staff will be available to help.
To learn more about connections in Brussels, read our station guide page.
Arriving at Köln Hbf/Cologne
Your train will arrive at Köln Hbf/Cologne, which is right in the heart of the city. And to get where you're going, you'll have easy access to metro, train, and tram lines.
Looking for a hotel near Köln Hbf/Cologne? Find a place to stay.
Onboard experience and travel classes
Hop on board and enjoy free wi-fi, at-seat plug sockets, tasty food, and a generous luggage allowance. And if your plans change, you'll have more flexibility than ever before. View our fares, fees, and conditions.
Eurostar Standard
Your fast and flexible way to travel from city to city. Take up to two pieces of luggage and one small daypack, and pop to Eurostar Café for light bites, snacks,and drinks.
Eurostar Plus
Choose a little extra – including more space to work or relax. Take up to two pieces of luggage and one small daypack, and enjoy a light meal served at your seat.
Eurostar Premier
Our signature Eurostar experience for business and pleasure. Unwind in our exclusive lounges, speed through our priority ticket gates, and savour our onboard fine-dining experience.
Frequently asked questions
For your London to Brussels train get to St Pancras International at our recommended arrival time to allow plenty of time to get through border controls and security.
For the remainder of the journey, from Brussels to Cologne we recommend that you arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your train.
Overall the train journey between London and Cologne takes just over 5 hours. The first part of your journey between London and Brussels takes 1 hour and 53 minutes and the second leg onto Cologne takes 1 hour and 52 minutes.
You can take liquids on the Eurostar and there is no volume limit, so you can bring all your toiletries and even a bottle of bubbly!
Unlike airlines, there are no hidden costs when travelling by Eurostar. Once you have picked your train tickets, there will be no additional fees for seat selection, advanced booking, or luggage allowance.
Between London and Cologne, the high-speed lines allow our trains to drive at a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour (300 km/h).
No, your connection will take place in the same station. Eurostar's main connecting train stations in Europe are Brussels-Midi, Lille-Europe and Paris Gare du Nord.
Yes. As you'll be travelling with Eurostar for both legs of your journey, you can cancel your entire booking directly via Manage Your Booking, according to our fare and fees conditions.
Please contact our customer service team via the Contact Us form if you require support with making a cancellation.
Our staff will book you on the next available high-speed train at no extra cost. Just speak to a member of our team on your delayed train or at your connecting station.
They'll give you a form to prove that you missed your train because of a disruption. To find out more about missed connections, go to our Connections page.
What to do in Cologne
With its landmark spires, world-class art and cool cocktail bars, this famously laidback city is perfect for short breaks.
Kölsch beer and comfort food? That’s just for starters, in a city that excels at everything from vegan eats to fine dining.
From its cultural highs to its cathedral – via famous local beer Kölsch – here’s how to do a trip to Cologne for less.
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Terms and conditions
*Flexible tickets conditions
Eurostar Standard & Eurostar Plus tickets can be exchanged free of charge up to 1 hour before the original departure time. If your new ticket is more expensive, you will have to pay the difference. If the new price is cheaper, the difference will not be refunded. Tickets exchanged less than 7 days before the departure date become non-refundable. You can also get a refund up to 7 days before travel for 25€/£.
With Eurostar Premier, you can exchange your tickets or get a refund up to 2 days after travel. If your new ticket is more expensive, you will pay the difference. If your new ticket is cheaper, you will not receive a refund of the difference.
For all our fares, check our after-sales conditions here. Our conditions of carriage are available here.
**The analysis by EcoRes uses average CO₂ emissions per passenger travelling 1km. The calculations used 2022 internal data from the entire Eurostar-Thalys network (annual consumption of traction electricity, number of passengers transported, number of km travelled by these passengers), and CO₂ emission factors attributed to traction electricity produced in the respective countries crossed. For thermal cars, the emissions factor used is average for a combustion-powered car (averaged fuel) on a long-distance journey at 171gCO₂/km considering 2.2 person per car, taken from the ADEME (French Agency for Ecological Transition) Carbon Base. Calculations for the average CO₂ emissions per passenger for flights used combustion emissions from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) calculator, with additional upstream emissions data (WTT) based on DGAC (direction Générale de l’aviation civile) ratio of 22%. Non-CO₂ effects (condensation trails and cirrus clouds) were not taken into account. For full details, see eurostar.com/uk-en/sustainability.
Calculations taken from an independent study carried out by EcoRes SCRL in July 2023.