Cologne Train Station: Finding A Place For Change

Cologne's main train station, Cologne Hauptbahnhof, is located in the heart of the city, next to the city's historic cathedral and a few minutes' walk from the banks of the River Rhine. The station has several amenities, including a large DB travel centre, ticket machines, luggage lockers, ATMs, and WiFi. There are also various restaurants and cafes within the station, as well as nearby dining options for those looking for a meal between trains.

Ticket machines and offices

There are several self-service DB ticket machines scattered all over the station. These machines have a touchscreen and an English language option. To find the ticket office, enter the station and turn left into the passageway. The ticket office entrance is on the right, behind the Ibis sign, marked Reisezentrum.

Currency accepted at machines

The Cologne Hauptbahnhof (main train station) has several self-service DB ticket machines that accept multiple forms of payment. These machines are located all over the station and have a touch screen and English language facility. The machines accept coins, credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), normal bank cards (Maestro), and another card called "Geldkarte," which needs to be charged with money first. It is important to note that these ticket machines do not accept banknotes.

In addition to the ticket machines, there are various ATMs located around the station where you can withdraw cash if needed. These ATMs provide access to your funds and offer convenience and flexibility during your time at the Cologne train station.

When using the self-service ticket machines, you can follow the instructions on the screen, which are available in multiple languages, making it convenient for travellers from different parts of the world. These machines are designed to be user-friendly and efficient, allowing you to purchase tickets with ease.

By utilising the ticket machines and ATMs available at the Cologne train station, you can conveniently access the services you need, whether it's purchasing tickets or obtaining cash, making your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Location of machines and offices

Cologne's main station, Cologne Hauptbahnhof (Köln Hbf), is located in the heart of the city, next to the historic Cologne Cathedral. The station is easily accessible by various means of transport, including the S-Bahn (suburban railway), tram, subway, bus, and bicycle.

Upon entering the station, you will find yourself in the main hall, where the main departures board and an information desk are located. Turning left from the main entrance will lead you to the passageway for the ticket office and left luggage machines. This area also houses a large DB travel centre (DB ReiseZentrum) selling national and international tickets and reservations. Additionally, numerous self-service DB ticket machines are scattered throughout the station, offering a touch screen and English language options.

For those seeking currency exchange, Cologne Hauptbahnhof provides various ATMs located around the station. These ATMs can be found near the ticket machines and offices. Additionally, the station offers left luggage services, including innovative self-service left luggage machines located in the main passageway outside the DB travel centre. These machines securely store your luggage in underground storage compartments, providing a convenient and efficient solution for travellers.

The station also boasts an array of shops, cafes, and kiosks located in the passageways beneath the tracks, ensuring that travellers have easy access to food, drinks, and other amenities during their time at the station.

Other amenities at the station

Cologne Central Station, or Cologne Hauptbahnhof, is located in the heart of Cologne, next to the city's historic Cologne Cathedral and a few minutes' walk from the banks of the River Rhine. The station is accessible by train, taxi, or a 30-minute walk from the city centre. It is also just 10 minutes away from the Cologne/Bonn Airport via train.

Cologne Central Station offers various amenities for travellers, including:

• Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes (network: Telekom)
• ATMs
• Luggage lockers and left luggage service
• A first-class DB Lounge offering complimentary tea, coffee, beer, snacks, and WiFi (accessible with an expensive 1st-class Flexpreis ticket for long-distance trains)
• Restaurants and eateries, including KFC, McDonald's, and Starbucks
• Retail outlets
• Car rental services from Avis, Europcar, and SIXT
• Wheelchair accessibility and mobility assistance

Transport options to and from the station

Cologne Central Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof) is the central railway station of Cologne, Germany. It is located on the Rhine River, at the end of the Hohenzollern Bridge, and is right next to the Cologne Cathedral. It is a major transport hub, with many local, national, and international trains calling there. The station is connected to the Köln Messe/Deutz station, which is across the river Rhine, by the Hohenzollern Bridge. This bridge has pedestrian and bicycle lanes on each side, and the two stations are frequently connected by local services.

Cologne Central Station is easily accessible by foot, as it is located in the centre of the city. It is also served by the Cologne S-Bahn network, with the Köln Hansaring S-Bahn station to the northwest, and the Köln Messe/Deutz S-Bahn station to the east. The Cologne Stadtbahn, which is often referred to as the Stadtbahn Rhein-Sieg, also serves the station with two subterranean stations: Dom/Hbf and Breslauer Platz/Hbf. These stations are located at the southern and northern ends of the main station, respectively, with Breslauer Platz/Hbf also connecting to the bus station.

Frequently asked questions