Cologne's Public Transportation: 24-Hour Access To The City's Pulse

Cologne's public transportation system is called KVB and includes trains, trams, buses, and the suburban railway. The system is well-connected and offers frequent service, with trains and buses running at least every 20 minutes until late at night and thinning out to 30 to 40 minutes. During rush hours, trains run as frequently as every 5 minutes, and most buses run every 10 minutes. The city's 86 neighbourhoods are easily accessible by public transport, and the system is designed to be foreigner-friendly, with English as a standard language. Cologne's public transport is also safe and offers affordable ticket options, including 24-hour tickets and monthly passes.

Cologne's public transport system

Trains, Trams, and Metros

Cologne's train system includes the U-Bahn (underground trains) and the S-Bahn (suburban trains). The U-Bahn is indicated by a "U" on the line, while the S-Bahn is denoted by an "S" and a two-tone colour code. The S-Bahn runs faster than the tram and serves as a connection to the city centre from the airport, stopping at the main train stations. The U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines together form the Stadtbahnlinien, or city train lines, numbered from 1 to 18. While all S-Bahns pass through the main station, some U-Bahns do not. In most areas, they function similarly to trams, running alongside or in the middle of streets, but they also have dedicated rails in certain sections.

The tram and subway systems in Cologne are integrated, with the same vehicles operating both above and below ground. This means that you can take a train from the central station and get off at a street-level stop, such as Barbarossaplatz, without changing lines. On weekdays, most lines operate until 1 am, and on weekends, they run throughout the night.

Buses

Cologne also boasts an extensive bus network, with approximately 76 lines serving various districts. The bus system is numbered from 120 to 196, with each district assigned a specific range of numbers. While the buses provide a convenient mode of transportation, the tram stations are generally within walking distance, making the tram a more popular choice for many.

Tickets and Fares

The KVB ticketing system is organised by distance, with zones defined by bright colour codes. The basic tariff for residents within the city limits is the "1b" CityTicket. For travellers staying within a single colour-coded zone, the ticket type is "a", while crossing multiple zones requires a "b" ticket. From colour code 3 to 7, a single tariff applies.

Single tickets, valid for one journey with changes, are available for all modes of transportation, including buses, trams, underground trains, and local train services. These tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or retail outlets and must be validated before boarding. Short-trip tickets, valid for up to four stops, are also available at a lower price.

For those planning multiple journeys or travelling in a group, KVB offers various ticket options, including 24-hour tickets for individuals or groups of up to five people, weekly tickets, monthly tickets, and the KölnCard, which includes discounts on cultural attractions and restaurants.

Cycling

In addition to its comprehensive public transportation system, Cologne also encourages eco-conscious mobility through its well-developed cycling infrastructure. The city provides red and white KVB bikes for rent, and companies like Nextbike offer bike-sharing services, allowing users to pick up and return bikes at various locations across the city.

Ticket options

Cologne's public transport system is well-connected, with 60 lines, 380 trams, and 320 buses. The city offers a range of ticket options for its public transportation network, catering to both occasional and frequent travellers.

Single Ticket:

The EinzelTicket allows passengers to make one journey with changes but not return or round trips. It covers all buses, trams, underground trains (U-Bahn), and local train services (S-Bahn, Regionalbahn, and RegionalExpress). The ticket is valid for different durations based on the number of stops or price categories. An adult single ticket allows an unlimited number of children aged 5 or under to accompany the ticket holder for free.

4-Trip Ticket:

The 4erTicket offers four single trips and is valid for one or more persons. Like the single ticket, it covers all buses, trams, underground trains, and local train services. Each person must validate one field per journey. This ticket is also not valid for return or round trips.

24-Hour Ticket:

The 24StundenTicket is available for 1 person or up to 5 persons. It offers an unlimited number of journeys within 24 hours of validation across all buses, trams, underground trains, and local train services.

10-Day Flex Ticket:

10TageFlexTicket is a bundle of 10 individual 24-hour tickets for one person in the same price category. The tickets must be retrieved and used within 30 days of purchase. This ticket is non-transferable and only available through mobile apps.

Week Ticket:

The WochenTicket is valid for seven consecutive days for one person, ending at 3 am on the eighth day. It offers unlimited journeys in the chosen price category and is transferable to other people (except for online or mobile tickets).

Month Ticket:

The MonatsTicket is valid for one person for one month, ending at 3 am on the following day. It provides unlimited journeys in the chosen price category and is transferable to other people (excluding online or mobile tickets).

KölnCard:

The KölnCard offers visitors unlimited travel on all public transport in Cologne for 24 or 48 hours. It is valid for 1 or up to 5 persons and provides discounts of up to 50% with partners in the arts, culture, and gastronomy sectors. The card must be validated before departure and is available for purchase at KVB Customer Centres.

Additional Information:

Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines at stops, major railway stations, or on board from the respective transport service. Tickets bought from ticket machines or by mobile phone are already validated. Tickets from the VRS (Rhine-Sieg Transport Authority) ticket shop do not need validation as the journey date is predetermined.

Cologne also offers the MobilPass, which provides discounted 4-journey and month tickets to eligible individuals.

Transport history

Cologne's public transport system has a long history. The first horse cart system was put into operation by a private company on behalf of the city of Cologne on 20 May 1877 between Deutz and Kalk. On 1 January 1900, the operation of the horse tram was transferred to municipal ownership. Shortly after, the city began work on the electrification of the railway operations. The first electric tram cars drove through Cologne from 1901, and the first buses from 1925.

The first German limited-access highway (autobahn) was opened in 1932 between Cologne and Bonn. Today, this is A 555. In 1965, Cologne became the first German city to be fully encircled by a beltway. The first line of the U-Bahn (underground) system was opened in 1968. The U-Bahn stands for 'underground' and is relatively young compared to other systems. The first stretch of an underground route network was completed in that year.

The Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn has 5 lines which cross Cologne. The S13/S19 runs 24/7 between Cologne Hbf and Cologne/Bonn Flaughafen. The Cologne Stadtbahn operates an extensive light rail and rapid transit system (partially underground) serving Cologne and some neighbouring cities. Its name derives from the German term for light rail. It is operated by the Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB) (Cologne Transit Company) and is part of the Rhine-Sieg Transit Association. The rail system stretches across 192 kilometres with 11 lines.

The Cologne Stadtbahn traces its beginnings to 1877 when the first horse-drawn tram line was opened. The average cruising speed is 26.6 kilometres per hour.

The KölnCard

In addition to unlimited public transport, the KölnCard also provides discounts of up to 50% at various attractions, restaurants, and cultural institutions in Cologne. This includes partners from the arts and cultural sectors, such as museums, galleries, and theatres. The card can be purchased at KVB Customer Centres or from ticket machines at the stops.

The public transport system in Cologne is well-connected, with 60 lines, 380 trams, and 320 buses. The city also has a suburban railway, the S-Bahn, which connects the airport to the main station. From the main station, you can take underground trains or buses to reach your desired neighbourhood in Cologne. The KölnCard is a great way to make the most of this extensive public transport network.

So, if you're planning a trip to Cologne and want to explore the city's cultural offerings while also navigating it easily and affordably, the KölnCard is a great option to consider.

Transport safety

Cologne's public transport system, KVB, is considered very safe. The transport system is well-connected, with 60 lines, 380 trams, and 320 buses. The city's infrastructure is well-developed, allowing easy access to different parts of the city by bus, underground, and S-Bahn.

The trains and buses are accessible at least every 20 minutes until late at night, with shorter intervals during rush hours. The city centre is easily navigable, with most destinations reachable within a few minutes.

The ticketing system is straightforward, with zones defined by bright colour codes that indicate which ticket to purchase. Tickets can be bought at ticket machines, online, or at customer centres and sales offices. The KVB app is also available in English and is user-friendly.

For those who prefer a more active mode of transportation, Cologne offers well-developed cycle paths, and bicycle-sharing systems like Nextbike, making cycling a popular and efficient way to get around the city.

Frequently asked questions