Trams In Cologne: Buying Tickets And Riding The Rails

Cologne's public transport system is highly efficient, with 60 lines, 380 trams, and 320 buses. The city is well-connected, and you can get anywhere by tram, subway, bus, or the suburban railway. Tickets can be purchased online, at ticket machines, or inside the tram. Tickets bought at retail outlets must be validated on board, while those purchased from ticket machines are already validated. Tickets are available for single journeys, four trips, 24 hours, and longer periods. The price depends on the number of zones travelled and the type of ticket. It is recommended to use coins for payment at the machines, as they do not accept bills.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets for the tram in Cologne can be purchased at Customer Centres in the major railway stations, at ticket machines at the stops, and inside the tram. The local mobility company is KVB, so look out for ticket machines with those letters. Some stations do not have ticket machines, but you can purchase tickets inside the tram from a machine in the middle of each coach. Tickets purchased at retail outlets or Customer Centres must be validated on board the respective transport service. Tickets purchased from ticket machines are already validated.

Tickets can also be purchased on the KVB app, where you can get a 10% discount. Tickets bought online are valid for a few hours after purchase.

If you are staying near the cathedral, head to the tram station Dom/Hauptbahnhof. Go down the escalator inside the train station, and then head one further level down to the platform, in the direction of Neumarkt.

Ticket types and prices

The price of a ticket depends on the number of journeys, the number of passengers, and the zones covered. Ticket machines do not accept cash, only coins, credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), bank cards (Maestro), and "Geldkarte". Tickets can also be purchased on the KVB app, which offers a 10% discount. Tickets can also be purchased on board the tram, although this is not recommended as ticket checkers do board the trams and there is a €60 fine for travelling without a valid ticket.

Single Ticket

The EinzelTicket allows one person to make one journey with changes, but not for return journeys or round trips. It is valid for all buses, trams, and underground trains (U-Bahn), as well as local train services (S-Bahn, Regionalbahn, and RegionalExpress). However, it is not valid for the "Kurzstrecke" price category or for S-Bahn, RB, RE, or express bus services. The ticket must be validated on board the respective transport service unless it was purchased from a ticket machine, in which case it is already validated. The Kurzstrecke (short trip) ticket is valid for a journey of up to four stations and is not valid for journeys on S-Bahn, RegionalBahn, or RegionalExpress trains, or certain express bus routes or partial routes.

4-Journey Ticket

The 4erTicket allows one or several people to make four journeys with changes, but not for return journeys or round trips. It is valid for all buses, trams, and underground trains (U-Bahn), as well as local train services (S-Bahn, Regionalbahn, and RegionalExpress). However, it is not valid for the "Kurzstrecke" price category or for S-Bahn, RB, RE, or express bus services. The ticket must be validated on board the respective transport service unless it was purchased from a ticket machine, in which case it is already validated. One field must be validated per journey and per person.

24-Hour Ticket

The 24StundenTicket allows one person or up to five people to make an unlimited number of journeys within 24 hours after validation. It is valid for all buses, trams, and underground trains (U-Bahn), as well as local train services (S-Bahn, Regionalbahn, and RegionalExpress). The ticket must be validated on board the respective transport service unless it was purchased from a ticket machine or by mobile phone (HandyTicket), in which case it is already validated. Tickets from the VRS (Rhine-Sieg Transport Authority) ticket shop do not need to be validated because the date of the journey is predetermined. The ticket is transferable to other people.

KölnCard

The KölnCard allows one person or up to five people to make an unlimited number of journeys on all public transport within 24 or 48 hours. It also offers discounts of up to 50% with partners from the arts, culture, and gastronomy sectors. The KölnCard is a paper ticket that must be validated before departure and is non-transferable. The passenger must enter their name, date, and time in the appropriate field by hand at the start of the journey. It can be purchased from KVB Customer Centres.

Ticket validation

Tickets Purchased from Retail Outlets:

If you have bought your ticket from a retail outlet, such as a kiosk or a customer centre, you must validate it on board the respective transport service. This includes tickets for single journeys (EinzelTicket), 4-journey tickets (4erTicket), and 24-hour tickets for 1 or 5 people (24StundenTicket). Remember that these tickets are not valid for return journeys or round trips.

Tickets Purchased from Ticket Machines:

Tickets obtained from ticket machines, which are usually located at tram stops or stations, are already validated. You don't need to take any further action. These machines accept coins, credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), and the local "Geldkarte". However, they do not accept bills or cash.

Tickets Purchased via Mobile Phone (HandyTicket):

Tickets purchased through your mobile phone, such as the 24-hour ticket or the 10TageFlexTicket (10-day flexible ticket), are also considered already validated. You don't need to do anything further.

Tickets from the VRS Ticket Shop:

Tickets bought from the VRS (Rhine-Sieg Transport Authority) ticket shop do not require validation as the date of the journey is predetermined.

KölnCard:

The KölnCard is a special type of ticket that offers both travel and discounts. It is a paper ticket and must be validated before departure. The passenger must write their name, date, and time on the card by hand at the start of their journey. The KölnCard can be purchased for 24 or 48 hours and offers discounts of up to 50% with various partners in the arts, culture, and gastronomy sectors.

Remember to always carry a valid ticket and validate it correctly to avoid any issues or fines while using Cologne's public transportation system.

Zones and travel areas

The price of your ticket will depend on the number of zones you travel through. The zones are grouped into different colours: red and orange. If you travel within one zone, it's the colour code 'a', and if you travel across several zones, it's 'b'.

There are seven price categories for tickets in Cologne. The price category determines the area in which the ticket holder is allowed to travel.

Price category 1a (CityTicket) is for journeys within one town or municipality (except for Cologne and Bonn). It is valid, for example, within Frechen, Leverkusen, Siegburg, and Euskirchen.

Price category 1b (CityTicket) is for journeys within Cologne or Bonn.

Price category 2a (CityPlusTicket) is for journeys between neighbouring towns or municipalities (except for Cologne and Bonn). It is valid, for example, for journeys from Erftstadt to Kerpen, or Rösrath to Lohmar.

Price category 2b (CityPlusTicket) is for journeys starting from Cologne or Bonn and is valid for journeys from a neighbouring town or municipality to Cologne or for journeys from a neighbouring town or municipality to Bonn and vice versa. It is valid, for example, for journeys from Cologne to Bergisch Gladbach or Bonn to Bornheim.

Price category 3 (RegioTicket) is for journeys through several towns and municipalities. It is valid, for example, for journeys from Cologne to Erftstadt or Cologne to Kerpen.

Price category 4 (RegioTicket) is for journeys through a large number of towns and municipalities. It is valid, for example, for journeys from Cologne to Bonn or Cologne to Euskirchen.

Price category 5 (RegioTicket) is for journeys in the wider VRS (Rhine-Sieg Transport Authority) network. It is valid, for example, for journeys from Cologne to Neuwied or Hennef to Kerpen. It is also valid in the VRR (Rhine-Ruhr Transport Network) areas of the "greater VRS/VRR travel area", for example, from Cologne to Düsseldorf or Cologne to Mönchengladbach.

Price category 6 and price category 7 are for journeys between the VRS (Rhine-Sieg Transport Authority) and the AVV (Aachen Transport Authority).

Payment methods

Tickets for Cologne's trams, buses, and trains can be purchased through various methods, including ticket machines, retail outlets, customer centres, and mobile apps. Here is an overview of the different payment methods available:

• Ticket Machines: Ticket machines are available at many stations and stops, identified by the "KVB" logo. These machines accept coins, credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), and local bank cards (Maestro). However, it is important to note that they do not accept banknotes.
• Retail Outlets and Customer Centres: Tickets can also be purchased in person at retail outlets and customer centres located in major railway stations. These outlets may offer a wider range of payment options, but specific options may vary by location.
• Mobile Apps: Cologne offers several mobile apps for ticket purchases, including the official KVB app and the VRS (Rhine-Sieg Transport Authority) app. These apps often provide discounts, such as a 10% discount on tickets purchased through the KVB app. Additionally, tickets purchased through apps may already be validated for immediate use.
• On-Board Purchase: In some cases, tickets can be purchased directly on board the tram from the conductor or ticket machine. Payment methods for on-board purchases may vary, but they typically accept cash or card payments.

It is important to note that payment methods may differ depending on the specific transport company, ticket type, and location. Always check the official sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding payment methods and ticket options.

Frequently asked questions