Exploring Germany: Cologne And Gelnhausen's Distance Delights

Cologne is a city in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, known for its Eau de Cologne, Roman Catholic heritage, and medieval architecture. It is the fourth-most populous city in Germany, with nearly 1.1 million inhabitants. Meanwhile, Gelnhausen is a town in Hesse, Germany, located approximately 40 kilometres east of Frankfurt am Main. It was founded by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1170 and has a population of around 22,000 inhabitants.

The distance between Cologne and Gelnhausen is approximately 178 kilometres, with a road distance of 228.2 kilometres. The train journey between the two places takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes, while driving takes about 2 hours.

Cologne to Gelnhausen by train

Cologne and Gelnhausen are two towns in Germany, located about 177 km apart. Although there are no direct trains from Cologne to Gelnhausen, travelling between the two towns by train is possible and usually takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Train Operators

You can choose to travel with ICE or DB, two train companies that offer modern and comfortable services. ICE, or Intercity-Express, is a high-speed train connecting major cities and is also used for international travel to neighbouring countries. It is equipped with air conditioning, a dining car, a children's compartment, and power sockets, and offers free WiFi. On the other hand, DB, or Deutsche Bahn, is the German State-owned rail company that controls the majority of rail traffic in Germany and many border regions of the country.

Tickets

Deutsche Bahn offers saver fare tickets on many travel routes, and you can also buy a ticket from the local public transport company for short train connections. The saver fare ticket, or "Super-Sparpreis", starts at €17.50 for long-distance trains and local trains following or as a feeder.

Train Route

The train route from Cologne to Gelnhausen usually involves making one change. You can take a train from Koeln Messe/Deutz Gl.11-12 or Koeln Hbf to Frankfurt(Main)Hbf, and then take another train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Gelnhausen. There are about 33 trains running on this route every day.

Train Amenities

Both ICE and DB trains have comfortable seats with power sockets, fold-down tables, and free WiFi in Second Class. Some IC trains are double-decker trains (IC2). If you upgrade to First Class, you can enjoy additional amenities such as Fast Track in some German stations and free access to DB lounges.

Luggage

You can take as much luggage as you like for free without making a reservation. Luggage items can include briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags, suitcases, pushchairs, folding bikes, scooters, skis, and surfboards.

Onboard Services

Onboard catering options vary depending on the class of travel. In Second Class, you can purchase snacks and drinks from the bistro carriage, while in First Class, complimentary food and drinks are served at your seat.

Travel Tips

To get the best train deals, book your tickets as early as possible. Also, consider travelling outside of peak hours or taking a slower or connecting train to find lower-priced tickets.

Alternative Options

In addition to travelling by train, you can also get from Cologne to Gelnhausen by bus, car, or a combination of train and flight. The quickest way to get there is by driving, which takes about 2 hours.

Cologne to Gelnhausen by bus

The bus and train route from Cologne to Gelnhausen takes around 4 hours and 27 minutes. First, take the bus from Cologne South to Frankfurt Central Train Station. Then, take the train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Gelnhausen.

There are several other ways to get from Cologne to Gelnhausen. The fastest way is to drive, which takes around 1 hour and 59 minutes. The distance between the two cities is 178 km, and the road distance is 228.2 km.

You can also take a train directly from Cologne to Gelnhausen with one transfer, or take a train and then a flight, or go by train the whole way.

Cologne to Gelnhausen by car

The distance between Cologne and Gelnhausen is 178 km or 139 miles. The road distance is 228.2 km or 142.6 miles. The fastest route to drive from Cologne to Gelnhausen is the Autobahn A3, which goes directly between the two cities. This route will take approximately 1 hour and 59 minutes.

If you would like to take a more scenic route, you can drive along the Rhine River. This route takes about 20 minutes longer and is 126 miles (203 km). To get on this route, take the A3 from Frankfurt for 88 miles (142 km), continue onto the B48, and then take Exit 11 to merge onto the B42. After driving through the town of Neuwied, this highway travels right along the river until you pass Drachenburg Castle on your right and B49 changes to A59. Stay left at the fork to continue onto A559 and follow signs to Gelnhausen.

Cologne to Gelnhausen by plane

To get from Cologne to Gelnhausen by plane, you'll first need to travel to an airport near Cologne. The closest airport to Cologne is Cologne Bonn Airport, which is around 8 miles from the city centre. Alternatively, you could fly from Düsseldorf International Airport, which is about 25 miles from downtown Cologne.

Once you've arrived at either of these airports, you'll need to catch a connecting flight to Frankfurt Airport, as there are no direct flights between Cologne and Gelnhausen. Frankfurt Airport is a major hub, so you should have no trouble finding a flight.

From Frankfurt Airport, you can take a train to Gelnhausen. The train journey will take just over an hour, and there are plenty of trains going in both directions every hour. When you arrive in Gelnhausen, you'll be right in the heart of the city, with easy access to all the local attractions.

Alternative Options

If you don't want to travel by plane, there are a few other ways to get from Cologne to Gelnhausen. You can take a train, bus, or drive. The train is the fastest option, taking just over an hour, while the bus is the cheapest option, with tickets as low as $9. Driving will take around 2 hours, and you can take the scenic route along the Rhine River if you want to enjoy the German countryside.

Cologne to Gelnhausen without a car

The distance between Cologne and Gelnhausen is approximately 178 km (111 miles), and the road distance is about 228 km (142 miles). There are a few ways to travel from Cologne to Gelnhausen without a car, including:

By Train:

The train is the fastest and most popular way to travel between the two cities. The journey from Cologne to Gelnhausen by train takes around 2 hours and covers a distance of roughly 222 km. There are no direct trains, but you can make a transfer at Frankfurt(Main)Hbf. The train journey will cost between 26€ and 85€.

By Bus and Train:

Taking the bus from Cologne to Frankfurt central train station and then transferring to a train to Gelnhausen is another option. This journey will take approximately 4 hours and 27 minutes and cost between 21€ and 45€.

By Plane and Train:

You can also travel from Cologne to Gelnhausen by plane and train. This involves taking a train to Düsseldorf Airport, flying to Frankfurt, and then taking another train to Gelnhausen. This option will take around 4 hours and cost more than the previous options due to the flight.

By Train via Koblenz:

Another train option is to take the train from Koeln West to Koblenz Stadtmitte, then transfer to a train from Koblenz Stadtmitte to Frankfurt(Main)Hbf, and finally take the train to Gelnhausen. This journey will take approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes.

Frequently asked questions