How to take a rail journey from Cologne/Köln to Koblenz

There are 2 x types of train service between Koln and Koblenz:

(1) These double deck Regio trains, which are slower because they call at more stations, but those upper decks give great views.
They also terminate at Koblenz, so will stand out on the departure screens.

These Regio trains also call at Koblenz-Stadtmitte, which is more convenient for the town center than Koblenz Hbf.

Seats cannot be reserved on the Regio trains, but during the day (before 16:00) it shouldn’t be too difficult to find an upper deck seat(s) from which the scenery can be enjoyed.

(2) Alternative express trains, most of which are IC trains, but some are ICE* trains and yet others are EC trains (Swiss trains with nice big windows)

Discounted tickets CAN be booked online for the express trains; the cheapest of which have a lower price than these Regio trains.

There are 2 x types of train service between Koln and Koblenz:

Other express trains and these double deck Regio trains, which are slower because they call at more stations,

Booking tickets:

Tickets for these Regio trains are not available online, so you can only book at the station immediately before travel.
In contrast, discounted tickets can be booked online for those express trains, the cheapest of which have a lower price than these Regio trains.

So if you’re booking more than a month in advance it’s highly likely that tickets will be cheaper on the express trains.
Some of those express trains can still be cheaper than the Regio trains, if you’re booking only a couple of days ahead.

Seat reservations:

Seats cannot be reserved on these Regio trains, but during the day (before 16:00) it shouldn’t be too difficult to find seats

Though if you want the peace of mind of a reserved seat, seat reservations are available on those alternative express trains.

Final Destination: Multiple destinations including Stuttgart, Nurnberg, Wien and Interlaken

All trains also call at: Bonn Hbf

These express trains are slightly faster than the Regio trains, which also take this route.
And unlike those Regio trains, tickets for these express trains can be booked online.

Though if you will be booking tickets last minute at the station, you can save money by taking those Regio trains.

Book early and save: Yes (on these IC, EC, or ICE trains)

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 typically available:
Two types of discounted tickets, which will be cheaper the further ahead you book - Sparpreis Europa and Super Sparpreis Europa
Two types of non-discounted ticket - Flexpreis Europa and Flexpreis Plus Europa.

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 Europa and Flexpreis Plus Europa 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 Europa tickets, as they aren't train departure specific.
If you book a Sparpreis Europa 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 Europa tickets can't be exchanged or refunded.

The Sparpreis, Flexpreis and Flexpreis Plus tickets also include 'City tickets', which can be used on public transport between locations in Köln city centre and Köln Hbf.

Seat reservations

Seat reservations are optional on this route - take note if you will be using a rail pass.
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.

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‘.

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.