There are two options for taking the train from Cologne/Köln to Hannover:
1: the ICE trains which are more frequent and faster; despite the lack of a high speed line between Cologne/Köln and Hannover
2. Slower IC trains, which are typically cheaper.
Final Destination: Berlin Geseundbrunnen
All trains also call at: Bielefeld
There are two different train services from Koln/Cologne to Hannover:
(1) These ICE trains, which travel via Wuppertal
(2) The slower IC trains, which travel via Essen
When looking up this journey on DB, these ICE trains can cost the same price as the IC trains, so when they are, they become the logical choice of trains to take.
1 x train per hour (usually)*
*The early morning trains do not operate on Sundays and the 15:48 departure from Koln does not typically operate on Saturdays.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
Finding tickets:
When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn **type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.
Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.
Check that you’re looking at booking info for the direct trains
On the DB booking site look for journeys that have:
*If you specifically want to take these ICE trains and not the alternative service of IC trains from Koln to Hannover.
Seat 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.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
DB | from €17.90 | |
Trainline | from €17.90 | |
Omio | from €17.90 | |
Save A Train | from €17.90 | |
Happy rail | from €17.90 |
Final Destination: Berlin or Leipzig or Dresden
There are two different train services from Koln/Cologne to Hannover:
(1) These slower IC trains, which travel via Essen
(2) The [alternative ICE trains which travel via Wuppertal
When looking up this journey on DB, those ICE trains can cost the same price as these IC trains, so when that is the case, they become the logical choice of trains to take.
The ticket prices depend on how popular a specific departure is, and how quickly the discounted tickets sell out, so you can save more than €20 by taking these IC trains.
up to 8 x trains per day
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
As these IC trains are slower and less frequent than the alternative ICE trains they're only worth considering when the cheapest tickets* for the ICE trains have sold out; but are still available on these IC trains.
*The cheapest tickets for those ICE trains are the same price as the cheapest tickets on the IC trains.
Book 1st class ticket journey tickets and your seat reservation is included - but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets,
When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
DB Bahn | from €17.90 | |
Trainline | from €17.90 |
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