Flight-Free Travel to Cologne from the UK

Travel by Train

Getting to Cologne by Train via Brussels

Travel by Coach

Getting to Cologne by Coach

DIY Walking Tours For All

Accessible DIY Walking Tours in Cologne

Travel to Cologne Without Flying

There are five different ways to get to Cologne (Köln) in Germany which don’t involve going anywhere near an airport:

  1. The DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam; followed by the direct ICE International train from Amsterdam to Cologne;

  2. The direct Eurostar train between London and Brussels Midi; followed by the direct ICE International train from Brussels Midi to Cologne.

    And as both trains connect in the same train station in Brussels (Brussels Midi), the connection is very easy.

    If you are arriving in London by train from other parts of the UK and need to travel across London first, see the Getting To London St.Pancras International From Other Major London Railway Stations article;


  3. The direct Eurostar train between London and Brussels Midi; followed by the direct Thalys train from Brussels Midi to Cologne.

    And as both trains connect in the same train station in Brussels (Brussels Midi), the connection is very easy.

    If you are arriving in London by train from other parts of the UK and need to travel across London first, see the Getting To London St.Pancras International From Other Major London Railway Stations article;

  4. The direct Eurostar train between London and Paris (Nord); followed by the direct Thalys train from Paris (Nord) to Cologne.

    And as both trains connect in the same train station in Paris (Paris Nord), the connection is very easy.

    Again, if you are arriving in London by train from other parts of the UK and need to travel across London first, see the Getting To London St.Pancras International From Other Major London Railway Stations article;

  5. A FlixBus coach from London to Cologne* (12-15 hours).

    * The London to Cologne bus doesn’t take you to central Cologne though. Flixbus uses 3 different stations near Cologne (Cologne Airport, Cologne East and Leverkusen-Mitte S-Bahn station).

    This is NOT an accessible option though (yes, some coaches are accessible, but until coaches have accessible toilets too, they’re to be avoided – 15 hours is a long time to have to cross your legs).

Option 1a (Accessible): Overnight Ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam

The biggest advantage of taking the DFDS ferry between Newcastle and Amsterdam, is that the crossing is overnight. So, even after the Ijmuiden-Amsterdam Centraal transfer on the Amsterdam side, you arrive in Amsterdam in plenty of time to catch the direct afternoon Amsterdam to Cologne train (even after a good lunch in Amsterdam).

It may seem like a more expensive option at first, but this is definitely the best option for those of us who live anywhere north of Birmingham, as it saves on a night’s hotel accommodation in London too (which is no small thing – a somewhere-decent London hotel can cost up to £200 a night).

The ferry actually docks a bit outside both Newcastle (North Shields) and Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) though. DFDS run shuttle buses at either end though (from Newcastle train station to North Shields; and from Ijmuiden to Amsterdam Centraal train station), meaning that your entire journey is from Newcastle Train Station to Amsterdam Centraal Train Station.

Accessibility:

The DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam is very accessible. And accessible cabins (which have accessible toilets/showers) are available.

There’s a wee bonus too:

The shuttle bus from Newcastle to North Shields is accessible too. So no problems there.

However, the coach used to transfer passengers between Ijmuiden and Amsterdam Centraal train station on the Netherlands side, is NOT accessible.

But.

DFDS do take accessibility seriously, so a wheelchair accessible taxi from Ijmuiden to central Amsterdam is included in the price of your accessible cabin.

Result!

For full details of the accessibility of the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, see the Accessible Newcastle Amsterdam Ferry guide.

Option 1b (Accessible): ICE International train from Amsterdam to Cologne

The direct Amsterdam to Cologne train takes just 2 hours 41 minutes (14:38 – 17:19).

And as the DFDS transfer bus will arrive in Amsterdam late morning, you will have plenty of time to have a decent lunch in Amsterdam before you have to catch the direct Amsterdam to Cologne train.

There are other, much slower, trains too (but these trains all mean making multiple changes, so I would definitely take the direct afternoon train).

Accessibility:

To arrange ramp assistance to get on/get off the train, you must contact NS (the national Dutch rail operator) directly – immediately after booking your travel ticket, by calling NS International on 030-235 78 22 (available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day). You will need to have your existing booking details handy during the call.

In all cases, this assistance must be requested at least 48 hours before departure. 

Option 2a (Accessible): Eurostar Train from London to Brussels

The direct London to Brussels Eurostar train takes just 1 hour 53 minutes (just under 3 hours to Brussels when you include the time difference).

The last connecting ICE train to Cologne, leaves Brussels at 18:25 though (although there is a later Thalys train leaving at 19:25).

So if you want to make it to Cologne in the same day, and if you want to travel on the ICE train, then you will have to leave London by around 3pm at the very latest (adding the +1-hour time difference, you arrive in Brussels around 3 hours – local time – after leaving London).

So taking the later Thalys train (as explained in Option 3 below) will give you an extra hour to play with – and that extra hour may be pretty significant for you.

Accessibility:

There’s a real benefit for wheelchair travellers travelling on Eurostar trains:

Wheelchair spaces are indeed available. But these wheelchair spaces are only available in the pricier Standard Premier and Business Premier class carriages.

However.

They are sold to wheelchair using passengers at a discounted Standard Class rate.

And, although your companion/assistant also has to buy a ticket too (no free companion tickets here I’m afraid), they also travel at this same reduced rate.

To book a wheelchair space, simply click the wheelchair link at the foot of the normal search form.

Although the actual assistance may be available without booking, priority is given to people who have requested/arranged assistance in advance. So I really recommend that you arrange your assistance at least 24 hours before travel. Either by using the Eurostar contact form (and clicking the Special Assistance button); or by calling Eurostar  on +44 (0)3432 186 186 (select your language, then select option 4).

In all cases, you must present yourself to a Eurostar employee at least 60 minutes before departure.

Option 2b (Accessible): ICE International train from Brussels to Cologne

The ICE International train (which originates in Amsterdam, and continues to Frankfurt) takes just under 3 hours to transport you between Brussels and Cologne in comfort.

Accessibility:

Dedicated wheelchair spaces are available on the ICE International trains between Brussels and Cologne. They are located in 2nd class only though, near wheelchair accessible toilets. If you wish to travel in First Class, and at a specially discounted 2nd Class fare (for both yourself and one companion), you will have to use the Thalys train between Brussels and Cologne instead (explained in Option 3b below).

To book your 2nd Class wheelchair space on the ICE International train though, call  SNCB on +32 2 432 38 01 (lines available from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 4.30pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays).

Assistance must be requested separately though, and you must have booked a wheelchair space first (as detailed above).

Assistance can be requested either by completing the online wheelchair assistance form or by calling the SNCB information and assistance centre (+32 2 528 28 28  available daily from 7.00 am to 9.30 pm).

Requests for assistance must be made at least 24 hours before you start your journey in Brussels (as SNCB will actually have to arrange your assistance to leave the train with Deutsche Bahn).

On the day of travel, make sure you arrive at the agreed meeting point 30 minutes before departure of the Brussels-Cologne train.

SNCB staff will then accompany you to the train and help you board (and they will also arrange for the Deutsche Bahn staff to assist you to leave the train in Cologne).

[My advice? Take the later Thalys train between Brussels and Cologne – and you both travel in First Class comfort (and enjoy the extra space afforded to First Class passengers). And all at a specially discounted Second Class fare.]

Option 3a (Accessible): Eurostar Train from London to Brussels

The direct London to Brussels Eurostar train takes just 1 hour 53 minutes (just under 3 hours to Brussels when you include the +1 hour time difference).

And the last connecting Thalys train to Cologne, leaves Brussels at 19:25.

So if you want to make it to Cologne in the same day, and if you want to travel on the Thalys train, then you will have to leave London before 4pm at the very latest (adding the +1-hour time difference, you arrive in Brussels around 3 hours – local time – after leaving London).

So taking this later Thalys train (rather than the earlier ICE International train – as explained in Option 2 above) will give you an extra hour to play with – and that extra hour may be pretty significant for you.

Accessibility:

There’s a real benefit for wheelchair travellers travelling on Eurostar trains:

Wheelchair spaces are indeed available. But these wheelchair spaces are only available in the pricier Standard Premier and Business Premier class carriages.

However.

They are sold to wheelchair using passengers at a discounted Standard Class rate.

And, although your companion/assistant also has to buy a ticket too (no free companion tickets here I’m afraid), they also travel at this same reduced rate.

To book a wheelchair space, simply click the wheelchair link at the foot of the normal search form.

Although the actual assistance may be available without booking, priority is given to people who have requested/arranged assistance in advance. So I really recommend that you arrange your assistance at least 24 hours before travel. Either by using the Eurostar contact form (and clicking the Special Assistance button); or by calling Eurostar  on +44 (0)3432 186 186 (select your language, then select option 4).

In all cases, you must present yourself to a Eurostar employee at least 60 minutes before departure.

Option 3b (Accessible): Thalys train from Brussels to Cologne

The Thalys highspeed train takes just 3 hours 14 minutes to transport you in comfort between Brussels and Cologne.

Accessibility:

Dedicated wheelchair spaces are also available on all Thalys trains between Brussels and Cologne.

And similarly to Eurostar, these wheelchair spaces are only located in the Premium areas – but are sold at a discounted Standard Class rate (and in the case of Thalys, this is a seriously discounted flat-rate – currently, tickets cost just €19, for each of the wheelchair user and 1 companion).

Unlike Eurostar though, you can’t book a wheelchair space online. As these fares are not available on the internet. You can only book at this rate by calling: (+33) 183 75 49 69 (the price of a local call) daily from 07:00 to 22:00 – at least 24 hours before travelling.

To be allowed on board, wheelchairs must comply with the accepted dimension norms, i.e.:

  • 70 cm wide/120 cm high
  • Turning circle diameter: 150 cm. 
  • Maximum weight: 300 kg with the passenger and luggage

Combustion engine-powered wheelchairs are not allowed on board the trains. Any chair that cannot enter the nominated coach cannot be accepted.

Electric-powered wheelchairs are permitted on board.

Booking assistance:

Assistance has to be arranged separately, and can be requested either by completing the online wheelchair assistance form or by calling the SNCB information and assistance centre (+32 2 528 28 28  available daily from 7.00 am to 9.30 pm).

This will ensure assistance is available in both Brussels-Midi and Cologne stations.

Requests for assistance must be made at least 24 hours before you start your journey in Brussels.

Option 4a (Accessible): Eurostar Train from London to Paris-Nord

The direct London to Paris Eurostar train takes just 2 hour 20 minutes (just 3 hours 20 minutes to Paris-Nord when you include the +1 hour time difference).

And the last connecting Thalys train to Cologne, leaves Paris-Nord at 17:54.

So if you want to make it to Cologne in the same day, you will have to leave London before 2pm at the very latest (adding the +1-hour time difference, you arrive in Paris around 17:20).

Accessibility:

There’s a real benefit for wheelchair travellers travelling on Eurostar trains:

Wheelchair spaces are indeed available. But these wheelchair spaces are only available in the pricier Standard Premier and Business Premier class carriages.

However.

They are sold to wheelchair using passengers at a discounted Standard Class rate.

And, although your companion/assistant also has to buy a ticket too, they also travel at this same reduced rate (there are no free companion tickets here I’m afraid).

To book a wheelchair space, simply click the wheelchair link at the foot of the normal Eurostar search form.

Although the actual assistance may be available without booking, priority is given to people who have requested/arranged assistance in advance. So I really recommend that you arrange your assistance at least 24 hours before travel. Either by using the Eurostar contact form (and clicking the Special Assistance button); or by calling Eurostar  on +44 (0)3432 186 186 (select your language, then select option 4).

In all cases, you must present yourself to a Eurostar employee at least 60 minutes before departure.

Option 4b (Accessible): Thalys train from Paris-Nord to Cologne

The Thalys highspeed train takes around 3 hours 30 minutes to transport you in comfort between Paris and Cologne.

And as both trains (your incoming Eurostar train from London, and the departing Thalys train to Cologne) use the same station in Paris (Paris-Nord), then the connection is pretty quick & simple.

Accessibility:

Dedicated wheelchair spaces are also available on all Thalys trains between Paris and Cologne.

And similarly to Eurostar, these wheelchair spaces are only located in the Premium areas – but are sold at a discounted Standard Class rate (and in the case of Thalys, this is a seriously discounted flat-rate – for each of the wheelchair user and a companion).

Unlike Eurostar though, you can’t book a wheelchair space online (as these fares are not available on the internet). You can only book at this rate by calling: (+33) 183 75 49 69 (the price of a local call) daily from 07:00 to 22:00 – at least 24 hours before travelling.

To be allowed on board, wheelchairs must comply with the accepted dimension norms, i.e.:

  • 70 cm wide/120 cm high
  • Turning circle diameter: 150 cm. 
  • Maximum weight: 300 kg with the passenger and luggage

Combustion engine-powered wheelchairs are not allowed on board the trains. Any chair that cannot enter the nominated coach cannot be accepted.

Electric-powered wheelchairs are permitted on board.

Booking assistance:

Assistance has to be arranged separately, and can be requested either by completing the online wheelchair assistance form or by calling the SNCB information and assistance centre (+32 2 528 28 28  available daily from 7.00 am to 9.30 pm).

This will ensure assistance is available in both Brussels-Midi and Cologne stations.

Requests for assistance must be made at least 24 hours before you start your journey in Brussels.

Option 5: Flixbus Coach from London to Cologne (NOT Accessible)

This is the budget option.

You’ll be sitting on a coach for 12 hours on a direct coach though (and up to18 hours on an indirect service).

FlixBus coaches leave from London Victoria Coach Station, and arrive in Cologne at either Cologne Airport (15km to the southeast of central Cologne), or from Leverkusen S-Bahn Station (14km to the north of Cologne city centre).

Accessibility:

The coach is NOT an accessible option for getting to Cologne though.

Yes, some coaches are accessible, but until coaches have accessible toilets too, they’re to be avoided (unless you’re happy crossing your legs for 12-18 hours).

Public Transport in Cologne

Please note: Masks are mandatory in all trams and buses in Cologne – as well as at all tram/bus stops too.

Public transport within the city centre of Cologne is provided by KVB – who offer extensive tram and bus networks. For journeys further afield, there is also a pretty wide-ranging S-Bahn network.

However, for central Cologne visits, you will probably just end up using the quick & efficient trams, as they go just about everywhere you will want to visit in Cologne city centre. In the city centre itself, most trams can be found underground though, but lifts will take you down to the trams from street-level.

So, in the centre of Cologne at least, it feels like a proper underground/subway system. However, outside of the city centre, you’ll find these trams sharing the same streets as the traffic.

Buying Tickets.

There are four options for buying tickets for the trams and buses in Cologne:

  1. Buy separate tickets (from the ticket machines before each journey). Tickets bought from the ticket machines, or bought onboard the trams or buses, are already validated.

    This is probably going to be the cheapest option if you only intend to use the public transport in Cologne one or two times during your visit;

  2. If you plan to use the trams and buses in Cologne more than 3 times in each 24-hours (a return trip will be two journeys anyway, so this is very likely), but don’t plan on visiting that many attractions in Cologne, a much more flexible, and convenient, option is to buy a 24-hour ticket each day;

  3. However, if you do plan to see a lot in Cologne, then an even better option is to buy a KölnCard (available for 24 or 48 hours). As well as being valid on all public transport in central Cologne (trams and buses), the KölnCard also gives discounts at museums and sights in Cologne.

    It is also available in two different formats:

    Either a ticket that is valid for just one person (€9 per 24-hours); or a group ticket that covers up to 5 people (€19 per 24-hours).

    This is the easiest and most practical option (it’s also the most expensive option too though – but depending on how much of Cologne you plan to see during your visit, it might actually make good financial sense as well).

    The KölnCard can also be bought from any ticket machine (and also from most retail kiosks, as well as all KölnTourismus tourism offices).

  4. However, THE best way to buy your Cologne public transport tickets is via the KVB app (in German only though).


    As well as being able to purchase all tickets detailed above with a 3% discount (including the KölnCard), the KVB app also provides LIVE departure information.

    The KVB app is available on both Google Play and the App Store.

IMPORTANT: Tickets purchased at retail outlets must be validated on board the tram or bus. However, tickets purchased from ticket machines are already validated.

Accessibility:

All trams & buses in central Cologne are wheelchair-accessible.

However, not all tram or bus stations are.

Worry not though. The good people at KVB have produced an excellent online map which shows you which Cologne tram or stops are accessible (PDF).

The map uses a “traffic light” system:

All stations marked green are totally step-free (you simply roll on to the tram); stations marked in yellow are partially accessible (they are indeed accessible, but a long ramp is involved, or there’s a bit of a gap between platform and bus); or they are colored red (totally not step-free, so avoid completely).

As well as using this colour scheme, the map also shows if a stop is at street-level, or is underground. Accessible underground stations involve using a wheelchair accessible lift to reach the actual trams from the street above.

Cologne Hotels / Cologne Hostels / Cologne Apartments

Where in central Cologne is the best place to look for a hotel?

Hmmm?

There are actuallty two main public transport hubs in Cologne: Cologne Central Train Station, and Neumarkt tram station (it’s where east-west tramlines meet north-south tramlines, so it’s a great area to stay in as there are direct trams to most places).

As you will be arriving in Cologne at Cologne Central Train Station though (Köln Hauptbahnhof – sometimes just abbreviated to Köln Hbf), and as you will also be departing from there at the end of your visit to Cologne – then it would make sense to stay as close as possible to there (the Neumarkt area’s pretty close too though).

The following hotels are moments away from either Neumarkt or Köln Hauptbahnhof (the hostel is a bit further away – but is still easily accessible using the trams in central Cologne). And all three receive seriously good reviews:

4-Star Hotel

Dorint Hotel Heumarkt Cologne

Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt

Heumarkt, Central Köln

Less than 1km from Cologne Central Station

Indoor swimming pool, Spa, Sauna & Fitness Centre

Accessible Rooms Also Available

Book Now

3-Star Hotel

Cologne Hotel Eden Früh am Dom

Eden Hotel Früh am Dom

Cologne City Centre

Opposite Cologne Cathedral, and less than 500m from Cologne Central Train Station

Accessible Rooms Also Available

Book Now

Hostel

Cologne Hostel die Wohngemeinschaft

Hostel die Wohngemeinschaft

Central Cologne

2-minute walk from Moltkestraße Station

1950s style common lounge

Dorms & Private Rooms Available

Book Now

More....

For details of other Cologne hotels, Cologne hostels and apartments in Cologne, see Booking.com Cologne

Accessible Cologne Hotels, Hostels & Apartments:

Finding a truly accessible hotel, hostel or apartment anywhere can be a bit of a nightmare.

But the accessibility filters on the Booking.com Cologne Hotel search (simply scroll down on the left), make it much easier.

There’s a wee trick though:

By default, the filters are a bit limited. So, ignore the filters initially, simply enter your desired dates, and make an initial search. You will then be presented with ALL properties that are available on your desired dates – and much more detailed filters (on the left – keep scrolling down until you see the “Property accessibility” and “Room accessibility” filters). NOW, filter the results as required. As I need step-free access & a roll-in shower as a minimum, I select BOTH of the “Wheelchair accessible” Property and “Roll-in shower” Room filters.

IMPORTANT: Always specify that you MUST have an accessible room, in the “Comments” during the hotel booking process.

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Thank you so very much  – and have a great time in Cologne!