All that’s good to know about taking the train from Amsterdam to Cologne / Köln / Koeln

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Amsterdam to Köln / Cologne / Koeln by train

Fabulous state-of-the-art German ICE trains provide the super easy rail link between these two cities.

Routes you can take to go from Amsterdam to Köln / Cologne / Koeln

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Amsterdam Journey guides for travel from Köln / Cologne / Koeln

Route Information

Station Guides

Amsterdam Centraal / Amsterdam CS Rail Station Guide

Köln/Cologne Hbf Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

2hr 40min - 2hr 45min approx

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

7 x trains per day

Is the journey from Amsterdam to Cologne / Köln direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.

Is this journey scenic?
Not particularly, though it passes through multiple cities and before Utrecht the railway is beside a canal, which is over on the left.

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Köln Hbf?
After 09:20 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to travel on from the station inCologne / Köln?
Köln Hbf is conveniently located in the city centre - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighborhood..

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Amsterdam-Centraal?
After 18:35 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam Centraal is served by three metro lines and multiple tram routes / lines which head into the city centre - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by Amsterdam Centraal.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access guides to how rail tickets are managed in Germany, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these trains?
It can be up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December; and when looking up summer travel in March to May.

What are the child ticket terms for these trains?
Adults (aged 15 and over) purchasing discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets for travel in either First or Second class, can take up to four children (aged 14 and under) at no additional cost.

Does the ticket for these trains include assigned seats?
They are included for travel between June 1st and September 1st.
At other times of year seats are only when booking the most expensive types of ticket = Flexpreise tickets for travel in 1st class; They are available, so they can be added for an additional cost, when booking those types of ticket.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these trains?
It is mandatory from June 1st to September 1st, but it is optional at the other times of year.
Though due to the length of the journey, ShowMeTheJourney recommends making the reservations regardless - see the rail pass reservation guides to Germany for info on the multiple booking options.
See the rail pass guide for details of the booking options.

Is catering available on these trains?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant car.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany

What else is good to know about Dutch rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in The Netherlands

Travel Information

Final Destination: Frankfurt (Main) or Basel SBB

The trains also calls at: Utrecht, connect from Rotterdam and Arnhem connect from Nijmegen; and Dusseldorf

There has a been a major recent change on the Amsterdam to Köln/Cologne rail route, namely the trains which are heading on to Frankfurt (Main) are now calling at Köln Messe-Duetz station, instead of the city's main rail station Köln Hbf.
The only daytime train from Amsterdam to Köln Hbf is the daily train heading to Basel, which typically departs Amsterdam just after 08:00.

Making a connection between Koln Messe-Duetz and Koln hbf is fairly awkward, particularly if you'll have luggage etc, as the connection up to the trains on to Koln hbf isn't step-free.
So it's worth looking up the location of your final destination in the city, as transferring to the U-Bahn (Metro) at Messe-Deutz could be an easier option than trying to access Koln hbf.
All four U-Bahn lines from Messe-Deutz call at Neumarkt, while lines/routes 3 and 4 also go to Appelhofplatz and Friesenplatz; and lines/routes 1 and 7 also go to Rudolfplatz.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

An ICE 3 (406) train on a Bruxelles - Frankfurt service

ICE 3 (Germany) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - NoHigh Speed (partial journey)

Good to Know

Note that Koeln is the Dutch spelling of Cologne, so this name for the city will be used on the train information screens at Amsterdam Centraal.

This is nearly always a stress-free journey, which showcases the best aspects of European international train travel.
The stations at both ends of the route have ideal city centre locations and the ICE 3 trains definitely have a wow factor!

Though what's a tad odd about this journey is that you'll be on board a train that's in the Top 5 on a 'fastest trains in Europe' list, but there's no high speed railway line between Amsterdam and Cologne.

So this route isn't particularly fast and it isn't going to wow scenery fans, but there's still lots to see as the train passes through numerous towns and cities.
And if you sit on the left, you'll see a typical Dutch canal between Amsterdam and Utrecht; so you can sit back and watch the boats go by.

Tickets

Online bookings open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date
This booking period tends to be shorter when looking up journeys between mid August and mid October.

A choice of tickets on the DB website

Three types of tickets are always available: Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis and Flexpreis.

A key difference between these types of tickets is refunds:

Super Sparpreis tickets are cheapest, but they can't be refunded at all.
Sparpreis tickets can be refunded for a fee, but the refund will be in the form of travel vouchers to be used for alternative / future journeys.
Flexpreis tickets can be refunded at no additional charge.

The other key difference is that both types of Sparpreis tickets are only valid on the specific departures selected when booking, but the Flexpreis tickets live up to their name, as they can be used on any departure on your travel date.

Note that none of the tickets can be exchanged to a different departure.
There's no need for this to be available for Flexpreis tickets, as they aren't train departure specific.
If you book a Sparpreis ticket and want to travel by a different departure you can refund it and then use the travel voucher towards the cost of the new booking.
Super Sparpreis tickets can't be exchanged or refunded.

Seat reservations

For ticket holders seat reservations are always optional on this route, but if you will be using a rail pass they are now mandatory when travelling between mid-June and mid-August - check the Train guide for the exact dates.
Regardless of whether you will be using tickets or rail passes they cost €4.90 when travelling in 2nd Class and €5.90 when travelling in 1st class.
They are included within the cost of booking 1st class Flexpreis tickets and both 1st and 2nd class Flexpreis Plus tickets.
Specific seats can be selected from seating plans - you don't have to accept the seat(s) that you will be automatically offered.

When booking Super Sparpreis, Sparpreis and 2nd class Flexpreis tickets, you have the option of purchasing seat reservations later.
It can be worth re-looking up a journey a week or two ahead of travel, because the DB website will indicate how busy a departure will be.
Although if you do book your reservations later and your journey involves more than one train, you will then have to pay for separate reservations per train.
They are included within the cost of booking 1st class Flexpreis tickets and both 1st and 2nd class Flexpreis Plus tickets.
Specific seats can be selected from seating plans - you don't have to accept the seat(s) that you will be automatically offered.

Booking on the DB website

You can find these direct trains more easily by making a proactive selection of 'Direct Trains Only'.
Or to see all the combinations of trains and journey options, some of which may be cheaper, take off the 'fastest connections' default.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so if you can be flexible with your departure time use the 'best prices' tool - at the top right on the list of journey options.

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