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Köln / Cologne / Koeln to Hannover by train
How to take the rail journey from Cologne/Köln to Hannover
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.
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Routes
Option 1: the ICE trains
Journey Summary
2hr 40min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
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.
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but this period of time is shorter when looking up journeys in August to October.
A choice of tickets
Four types of tickets are available:
Two types of discounted tickets, which will be cheaper the further ahead you book - Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis
Two types of non-discounted ticket - Flexpreis and Flexpreis Plus
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 and Flexpreis Plus 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 both types of 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.
When travelling to and from the major cities, the Sparpreis, Flexpreis and Flexpreis Plus tickets also include 'City tickets', which can be used on public transport between locations in the city centre and the stations in Cologne and Hannover.
Seat reservations
Seat reservations are optional on ICE trains for journeys within Germany.
They cost €4.90 when travelling in 2nd Class and €5.90 when travelling in 1st class.
Specific seats can be selected from seating plans - you don't have to accept the seat(s) that you will be automatically offered.
They are included within the cost of booking 1st class Flexpreis tickets and both 1st and 2nd class Flexpreis Plus tickets.
Though despite seats being automatically assigned when booking these three types of ticket - and these tickets being valid on any departure, you will need to pay to re-book the reservations, if you subsequently decide to travel on an alternative train.
So because you won't save by booking these types of tickets in advance, it can be a good idea to wait until you are sure when you will want to travel.
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.
1st Class tickets
No matter what type of ticket booked, if you choose to travel 1st class, you will have access to the same seating areas on the train, ICE trains do not have Business or Executive lounges.
Though only those who have booked 1st class Flexpreis or Flexpreis Plus tickets can access the DB Lounges at the major stations.
Booking on the DB website
When looking for tickets from Köln Hbf on the DB website type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.
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.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DB | from €17.90 | |
| Omio | from €17.90 | |
| Save A Train | from €17.90 | |
| Happy rail | from €17.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Good to Know
Option 2: taking the IC trains
Journey Summary
2hr 55 min - 3hr 30min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
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
Tickets
The ticket terms are the same as when taking the ICE trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DB Bahn | from €17.90 |
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