Cathedral city on the Rhine, 40km south. Famous for Cologne Cathedral, museums, and Kölsch beer.

About Cologne (Köln)

Cologne (Köln) is Germany\'s fourth-largest city and one of its most spirited, centered on the breathtaking Kölner Dom—a UNESCO World Heritage Gothic cathedral that took 632 years to complete (1248–1880) and still dominates the skyline with its 157-meter twin spires. The cathedral, directly adjacent to the Hauptbahnhof (main station), is free to enter and its treasury holds medieval relics and goldwork.

Cologne\'s character is defined by its Kölsch culture—not just the light, refreshing beer (served in signature 0.2L Stangen glasses and brewed only within the city limits) but a warm, inclusive Rhineland mentality. The Belgisches Viertel (Belgian Quarter) is the hippest neighborhood with independent shops and third-wave coffee. The chocolate museum (Schokoladenmuseum) on the Rhine, the Romano-Germanic Museum, and Museum Ludwig (home to a world-class Pop Art collection) are within walking distance of the cathedral. Cologne\'s Karneval (carnival season, peaking in February) is Germany\'s wildest festival.

Nearby Landmarks

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) Schokoladenmuseum Museum Ludwig Hohenzollern Bridge (Love Locks) Belgisches Viertel

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost €100-130
Time 50-70 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost €70-100
Time 50-70 minutes

Arrivals level

Train (RE1/RE5 Regional Express)

Cost €13-20
Time 50 minutes
Frequency Every 20-30 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Take SkyTrain + S-Bahn to Dusseldorf Hbf. Then take RE1 or RE5 regional express to Cologne Hauptbahnhof. Trains run frequently.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi €100-130 50-70 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare €70-100 50-70 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train €13-20 50 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Direct trains from Düsseldorf Airport to Cologne run until about 11:30 PM. After that, night trains and RE services run less frequently but are still available until about 1:00 AM. A taxi from Düsseldorf Airport to Cologne would cost EUR 100–140 (45–60 min)—the train is far more practical and affordable.

Luggage Tips

German regional trains have luggage racks at the end of carriages and between seats. ICE trains have dedicated luggage areas. Köln Hbf has lockers (EUR 3–6) directly under the cathedral for bag storage. The station is the main interchange for all of western Germany, so navigating with luggage is straightforward.

Accessibility

Köln Hauptbahnhof is fully accessible with elevators to all platforms. The cathedral square (Domplatte) is flat and paved. Cologne's old town (Altstadt) near the Rhine is mostly flat and pedestrian-friendly. The Schokoladenmuseum and Museum Ludwig are wheelchair accessible. KVB (Cologne transit) buses and trams are accessible.