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Köln / Cologne / Koeln to Frankfurt by train
How to travel by train from Cologne to Frankfurt (Main) on the faster and more frequent high speed ICE trains
There are two options for a taking a direct train from Cologne/Köln to Frankfurt (Main).
- The fastest and most frequent option for a daytime journey are the swish ICE trains, though though around half of these trains depart from Koln Messe-Deutz station and not the city's main station, Koln hbf.
- For those who favor a scenic journey over a train ride with a wow factor, you can also take the beautiful route through the Rhine Valley.
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Routes
Option 1: taking the high speed route
Journey Summary
1hr - 1hr 23min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Frankfurt (Main) or Munchen
All trains also call at: Frankfurt Flughafen/Airport
Departing from Koln/Cologne:
There are also trains which depart at least hourly from Koln-Messe/Deutz station.
So it's worth keeping this in mind when planning and booking a rail journey from Koln/Cologne to Frankfurt, as some areas in the southern sector of the city centre are better connected to Koln Messe-Deutz station; so heading off from Koln hbf doesn't have to be the default option; transferring from the U-Bahn (Metro) at Messe-Deutz could be an easier option.
Lines/routes 3 and 4 to Messe Deutz call at Friesenplatz and Appelhofplatz; lines/routes 1 and 7 call at Rudolfplatz and all four lines to Messe-Deutz call at Neumarkt.
Tickets for journeys from Koln Messe/Deutz can also be cheaper than those from Koln Hbf.
1 or 2 x trains per hour from Koln Hbf
During the middle of the day the timetable is arranged so that there is an hourly fast train, which is either non-stop from to Frankfurt Flughafen or only stops once, then in every other a slower train is available which calls at all of the stations on the high-speed route
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
Reservations:
Book 1st class ticket journey tickets on and your seat reservation is included, but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.
Opting to reserve is particularly recommended if you will be travelling at business hours and/or during the day on Fridays and Sundays.
A choice of stations in Koln/Cologne:
On this most of these ICE trains depart from Köln Messe/Deutz station.
When making an online booking, check that you’re looking at booking info for the direct trains
On the DB booking site look for journeys that have:
- 0 in the Chg. column
- A journey time of between 1 hour and 1hr 20 min*
Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.
*Some ICE trains have much longer journey times, as they take the non-high speed, but much more scenic alternative route via Koblenz and Mainz.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DB | from €17.90 | |
| Trainline | from €17.90 | |
| Save A Train | from €17.90 | |
| Happy rail | from €17.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The fastest trains from Koln to Frankfurt (Main) only make one station call at Frankfurt Flughafen (and more of these fast trains depart from Koln Messe/Deutz than Koln Hbf).
Other trains can make up to three other station calls; so take note of the journey times when looking up this journey, the slower trains can be cheaper.
These trains travel at more than 270 k/mh Germany's fastest high speed line between Siegburg/Bonn and Frankfurt Flughafen.
If you have never travelled between Koln/Cologne and Frankfurt by train before, you have a choice between;
(1) experiencing the G-force on Germany's fastest train journey - this is a high speed line that most definitely has the wow factor,
OR (2) taking the alternative longer route via Koblenz* with its stunning views of The Rhine Valley; it's Germany's most scenic journey taken by express trains.
Option 2: taking the scenic route
Journey Summary
2hrs 20min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Wien or Nurnberg or Stuttgart (or others)
All trains also call at: Mainz
1 x train every other hour (approx)
Tickets
Book these tickets only if you specifically want to take these trains, which travel the longer, but much more scenic route via Koblenz through the Upper Rhine Valley.
This route is the alternative to the faster trains that take the high speed line instead.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
Reservations:
Book 1st class ticket journey tickets and your seat reservation is included - but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.
Opting to reserve is particularly recommended if you will be travelling at business hours and/or during the day on Fridays and Sundays.
Finding tickets:
When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.
Check that you’re looking at booking info for these trains.
On the DB booking site look for journeys that have:
0 in the Chg. column
A journey time of over 2hr 15mins
Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DB | from €17.90 | |
| Trainline | from €17.90 | |
| Save A Train | from €17.90 | |
| Happy rail | from €17.90 |
On this journey
Journey Features
Good to Know
This journey is so fabulous that it's also included on:
Thrillist's guide to Europe's Most Beautiful Train Rides and on
Go Go Places' list of Europe's Most Scenic Train Rides
AND on Far And Wide's list of the Most Remarkable Train Journeys in Europe.
Journey description:
Step on board for the most spectacular journey taken by German express trains!
If you have time on your side and have yet to experience the stunning journey through the Rhine Valley, then take these trains instead of the alternative trains which take the high speed line
After Bonn there are some fabulous views of the Upper Rhine Valley from the LEFT of the train, when facing the direction of travel; if the train takes its usual route along the west bank, but if its switched to the east bank, the railway line is still right by the river.
The best of the views occur when the trains travel through The Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Bingen.
The journey is a delight, you can't miss the endless parade of boats travelling up and down the river and look out for the multitude of castles perched on top of the hills.
As the video clips and images show, this is a journey which can be worth taking for the sake of making the trip, even if the weather isn't absolutely perfect.
Then after Mainz the train will cross the river; this video was taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction.
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This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.
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