Train to Cologne - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: Euro (EUR). Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere and cash comes in handy in smaller establishments and at markets.

• Best time to go: April, May or September, when daytime temperatures are 14–20°C and it is easier to sightsee without long queues.

• Local transport: Cologne has an integrated KVB network of trams, metro, S-Bahn and buses — one ticket covers all modes.

• How long to stay: A weekend (2–3 days) is enough for the cathedral, the Chocolate Museum, the Ludwig Museum and a walk along the Rhine.

• Practical tip: Automatic luggage lockers are available at the station, so on arrival you can leave your suitcase and start exploring straight away.

It is best to choose spring or early autumn, when daytime temperatures are 14–20°C and it is easier to visit attractions without long queues.

Spring (March–May)

• Carnival with street parades falls at the end of winter or the beginning of spring, so it is worth booking accommodation well in advance for this period.

• From April onwards, the Rhine waterfront and the city gardens fill up with café tables.

• In May, daytime temperatures reach 19°C and accommodation prices are usually lower than in summer.

Summer (June–August)

• Daytime temperatures are 23–25°C and evenings are perfect for strolls along the Rhine.

• In summer, accommodation prices are at their highest of the year.

• Expect longer queues at the main attractions.

Autumn (September–October)

• September and October see local beer festivals and outdoor events.

• After the summer peak, accommodation prices fall.

• At 15–20°C during the day, sightseeing on foot is very comfortable.

Winter (November–February)

• From the end of November, Christmas markets with mulled wine, local delicacies and handicrafts operate on Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares.

• Carnival is the biggest event of the year in Cologne and attracts crowds to parades and balls.

• Daytime temperatures are 5–10°C, so bring a warmer jacket and shoes suitable for wet conditions.

You get to Cologne from major Polish cities via Wrocław or German railway hubs. Instead of standing in traffic jams on the motorway, you take the train and get off at the Altstadt.

From Wrocław

• From Wrocław you travel approximately 4–5 hours with one change.

• After crossing the border you change at one station on the German side.

• You can leave after work and arrive in Cologne the same evening.

From Poznań

• From Poznań you travel about 5–6 hours with one change.

• The route takes you through western Poland and on through Germany.

• You change trains at one station.

From Kraków

• From Kraków you travel about 8–10 hours and usually change trains twice, for example in Wrocław and at a German hub.

• You can leave Kraków in the morning and reach Cologne in the evening.

• The route takes you through Silesia and further west.

From Warsaw

• From Warsaw you travel about 10–11 hours with a change in Wrocław or at a German railway junction.

• You can leave in the morning and arrive in the evening.

• Overnight connections are also available, so you can get off in Cologne in the morning and start sightseeing straight away.

A seat reservation is compulsory on the international section. You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without creating an account - enter your email, pay and receive it instantly by email and SMS. An SMS reminder with a link to your ticket arrives 30 minutes before departure. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats. With PKP Intercity, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure – see the refund and exchange policy page for details. From Gdańsk, you will travel with several changes.

You get around the centre of Cologne mainly on foot. Cologne Cathedral stands opposite the station exit, and you can walk to the Hohenzollern Bridge, the Chocolate Museum and the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum.

Cologne has an integrated KVB public transport network: trams, metro (U-Bahn), S-Bahn and buses. One ticket is valid for all modes of transport. A single ticket costs a few euros and a day ticket costs a little more. If you make several journeys in a day, a day ticket is more convenient.

A taxi from the station to more distant districts costs around ten to twenty euros.

Two districts worth visiting outside the centre:

Where to stay:

• Ehrenfeld - an artistic district with local pubs, street art and fusion restaurants. Get there by tram or metro.

• Deutz - the district on the other side of the Rhine with a panoramic view of the cathedral and the Old Town. Get there via the Hohenzollern Bridge or by public transport.

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

The UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral stands opposite the train station and is one of the tallest churches in the world. Entrance to the interior is free and there is a fee to climb the tower. A tour of the interior takes about 1.5 hours. It is advisable to enter before 9am, before organised groups arrive. The stained glass windows look best at midday.

Hohenzollern Bridge

This is a historic railway and pedestrian bridge, famous for the thousands of love padlocks hung on the railings. Admission is free. The walk across the bridge and back takes about 30 minutes. The best time to cross it is at sunset, when you can see the cathedral and the Rhine well.

Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum)

Here you will learn about the history of chocolate from the Aztecs to modern production. Inside you will see a working factory in miniature and a chocolate fountain for tasting. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes about two hours. A ticket bought online cuts down the time at the ticket office.

Ludwig Museum (Museum Ludwig)

This is one of the largest collections of 20th and 21st century art in Europe - with works by Picasso, Warhol, Lichtenstein and an extensive collection of photographs. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes about 2 hours. The museum is closed on Mondays. You will find it right next to the cathedral, so visit both places in one morning.

Wallraf-Richartz-Museum

Here you will find medieval and Renaissance art, including paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt and Cologne painting. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes about two hours. The museum is closed on Mondays. From the Ludwig Museum you will walk here in a few minutes.

Old Town (Altstadt)

The Altstadt is a network of narrow streets, the Alter Markt square with the town hall and the colourful houses along the Rhine at the Frankenwerft. In the centre you will also find eight Romanesque churches, which are usually free to enter. It takes about two hours to walk around the Altstadt. In the evening, pop into a traditional beer hall for a Kölsch - light beer served in small 0.2 litre glasses.

Plan for day 1

Start the morning with the cathedral and optional tower climb, then walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge. After lunch in the Altstadt, choose either the Chocolate Museum or the Ludwig Museum. In the evening, walk through the Old Town some more and have dinner in a traditional brewery.

Plan for the weekend

Day 1: Cologne Cathedral with tower climb, walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge, Wallraf-Richartz-Museum and dinner on the Rhine at Frankenwerft.

Day 2: Ludwig Museum or Chocolate Museum, stroll through the Altstadt with a look into the Romanesque churches, and in the evening a drive to Ehrenfeld for local pubs and street art.

What to eat

Kölsch - a light beer that has been brewed in Cologne for centuries. Each brewery has its own recipe and the beer is served in distinctive little 0.2 litre glasses. The waiter brings you another glass until you put a coaster on your glass.

Halve Hahn - despite the name, this is not half a chicken, but a croissant with cheese and mustard. This is a classic beer snack, present in traditional beer bars.

Sauerbraten - marinated beef in a spicy sauce with sultanas, served with potatoes or noodles. A dish you are more likely to encounter in autumn and winter.

Where to eat:

• Brauhaus Früh (Am Hof 12, Altstadt) - one of the most famous beer bars in Cologne. The restaurant can sometimes be full, but you'll order Kölsch straight from the keg and traditional Cologne dishes here.

• Ehrenfeld - if you're looking for non-traditional cuisine, head to this district. Venloer Straße is the main gastronomic axis with specialty cafés, fusion restaurants, vegan establishments and street food from all over the world.

• Rhine waterfront (Frankenwerft) - here you'll find cafés and restaurants overlooking the river and the Deutz on the other side. This is a good place for lunch between sightseeing.

Souvenirs

• Cologne water (Kölnisch Wasser) - produced here for centuries. Buy the original bottles in the shops on Alter Markt and in the city centre.

• Chocolate from the Chocolate Museum - special editions and plaques with the museum's logo work well as gifts.

• Kölsch beer in bottles - you can buy the Früh, Reissdorf and Gaffel brands in supermarkets and at beer bars.

• Hohe Straße - the main shopping street in the centre. From the railway station, you can walk there in a few minutes.

Cologne is more expensive than Polish cities, especially in summer and during Carnival.

Amounts in PLN are approximate. Accommodation prices vary depending on the season and booking date.