I need to get to Cologne but the flights that come up at the time needed are very expensive. I found very cheap alternatives flying into Dusseldorf from LHR. Can anybody shed some light on getting into Cologne (downtown) from the Dusseldorf airport? Is it expensive? Easy or difficult? Worth the savings of $130? Thanks!

This is very easy to do.

There are trains direct from Dusseldorf Airport mainline station to the centre of Cologne. They take about 38-45 minutes and I think there are a couple of trains an hour during the daytime.

You can check out the timetable at www.bahn.de (click on 'Internat. Guests' for english)

I'm not sure what the fare would be but im guessing it would be around 20-30 euro return.

BTW there are actually 2 separate train stations at Dusseldorf airport.

The trains to Cologne go from the main 'Dusseldorf Airport' railway station, and not the much smaller "Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal" station (which is underneath the terminal).

Is this something I could just purchase the train ticket in the station for or should I buy the ticket in advance online? Thanks for the great info.

Is this something I could just purchase the train ticket in the station for or should I buy the ticket in advance online? Thanks for the great info.

For this short trip, I think buying the ticket at the station is the best course of action. You would not save very much money by booking ahead of time, and this leaves you with the greatest flexibility if anything happens with your flight (delays or whatever).

For this short trip, I think buying the ticket at the station is the best course of action. You would not save very much money by booking ahead of time, and this leaves you with the greatest flexibility if anything happens with your flight.

I would agree with this, I don't think theres any great advantage in trying to pre-book the train tickets on-line in advance.

I would just buy the ticket at the station.

Thanks, I just found an even cheaper flight from LHR to DUS, $50 including taxes! It was $185 from LHR to CGN so it is worth the small train trip. Thanks again for the info.

For this short trip, I think buying the ticket at the station is the best course of action. You would not save very much money by booking ahead of time, and this leaves you with the greatest flexibility if anything happens with your flight (delays or whatever).

I am not sure, if this is a good advise and somebody might comment:

I have gone (some years ago) several times from DUS to Cologne Central Station....and didn't pay!That's how it happened. I lived in Hamburg near the Airport and missed several times the plane to Cologne (where my company's headquarter was). So I took the plane to DUS and then the train to Cologne ... I went right on the train ... you can pay at the train. No train "conductor" ever showed up.BTW, the train was always the (slow) night train from Hamburg to South Germany.

I had to commute between DUS airport and CGN city every day for about two years and I used the train...

From DUS airport Railway Station (connected by SkyTrain to the Terminal A/B/C) are at least two IR (Inter Regio - don't be afraid - it just stops 4 times between CGN and DUS - not at every tree) trains per hour to Cologne...

If they are on schedule, they leave at X.31 and X.51 from track 4.... You are at CGN main station at X.15 the following hour (the "X.31 train from DUS) and at X.35 the following hour for the other train. So, that's exactly 45 minutes...
Round ticket is less than 20 EUR, you get them at all ticket machines (upstairs, not at the platform!!!! - cash prefered, credit cards don't work once in a while) or at the counter directly at the Skytrain exit (long lines)

There are further trains to CGN as well, all leaving from track 4as well , like the a little bit faster ICE (Inter City Express) or IC (Inter City) (both make 2 stops between DUS and CGN) but they are more expensive, they don't commute that often and they are not really more convenient.

By the way, don't count on the conductor not showing up and getting a ticket on board... If you get a nasty conductor, you'll have to pay the "no ticket" fare of 40 EUR (one-way)... Aditionally if they don't like your ID, they let the police check you... So, try to avoid that...

For further questions, don't hesitate to send me a PM...

I am not sure, if this is a good advise and somebody might comment:

I have gone (some years ago) several times from DUS to Cologne Central Station....and didn't pay!That's how it happened. I lived in Hamburg near the Airport and missed several times the plane to Cologne (where my company's headquarter was). So I took the plane to DUS and then the train to Cologne ... I went right on the train ... you can pay at the train. No train "conductor" ever showed up.BTW, the train was always the (slow) night train from Hamburg to South Germany.

This might work on the regional trains - on the long distance trains, you're far more likely to get caught. Your exposure is a 40 Euros (I think) fine on the regional trains. On long distance trains, you can even buy your ticket on the train for a surcharge of 20% percent of the full fare.

I am not sure, if this is a good advise and somebody might comment:

I have gone (some years ago) several times from DUS to Cologne Central Station....and didn't pay!That's how it happened. I lived in Hamburg near the Airport and missed several times the plane to Cologne (where my company's headquarter was). So I took the plane to DUS and then the train to Cologne ... I went right on the train ... you can pay at the train. No train "conductor" ever showed up.BTW, the train was always the (slow) night train from Hamburg to South Germany.

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Why isn't it good advice? Your a visitor and guest in the country - pay for the ticket.

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Why isn't it good advice? Your a visitor and guest in the country - pay for the ticket.

I totally agree.... ^

And not just the guests should do that... Everybody travelling without a ticket is travelling on other people's expenses :td:

Getting on a train without paying is indeed a foolish thing to do (as well as being dishonest, of course - it's theft, purely and simply).

You may be able to get away with it... but if you get caught you'll be in trouble.

Unless things have changed since I last read up on this the rules for getting on a train without a ticket in Germany are as follows:

If the ticket office at your station was closed you can buy a ticket on the train and there is no surcharge - but you MUST report to the train attendant as soon as practicable (i.e., don't sit down and wait for him/her to find you, but make an active effort to go and look for him)

If you get on a train without a ticket for other reasons (for example because you didn't have time to buy a ticket) then you can buy the ticket on the train for a small surcharge - but again you MUST report to the train attendant as soon as practicable, see above

If the attendent catches you without a ticket you are deemed to be a fare dodger and you get fined.

So - don't risk it, get yourself a ticket. Personally I would buy a ticket online - full fare tickets are valid on any train, so it doesn't matter if your flight is late and you end up going on a different train from the one you had planned to catch.

Getting on a train without paying is indeed a foolish thing to do (as well as being dishonest, of course - it's theft, purely and simply).

You may be able to get away with it... but if you get caught you'll be in trouble.

Unless things have changed since I last read up on this the rules for getting on a train without a ticket in Germany are as follows:

If the ticket office at your station was closed you can buy a ticket on the train and there is no surcharge - but you MUST report to the train attendant as soon as practicable (i.e., don't sit down and wait for him/her to find you, but make an active effort to go and look for him)

If you get on a train without a ticket for other reasons (for example because you didn't have time to buy a ticket) then you can buy the ticket on the train for a small surcharge - but again you MUST report to the train attendant as soon as practicable, see above

If the attendent catches you without a ticket you are deemed to be a fare dodger and you get fined.

So - don't risk it, get yourself a ticket. Personally I would buy a ticket online - full fare tickets are valid on any train, so it doesn't matter if your flight is late and you end up going on a different train from the one you had planned to catch.

It is not only foolish but it is a criminal offence. No chance to buy a ticket on a regional (red) train from DUS, only on the (white) ICE or IC trains (with a small surcharge)

I have never taken advantage of the system on the trains. I would be too worried about getting in trouble! ha Anyway, I don't have a problem paying for my ticket. Thanks everybody for the information on the trains, it will be very useful to me.

Just a short note:

Deutsche Bahn has decided, that since 12th december only a few High Speed trains will stop at Düsseldorf Fernbahnhof.

There is a desk in the Train Station, reached by the Skytrain from the main terminal, where you can buy tickets. If you are able to catch an IC or ICE you are able to buy tickets on board the train (surcharge), but not oboard regionla trains.

There is no need to take a high Speed into Cologe, as the regional train is only a few minutes slower. The directions of the trains to Cologne are either to Aachen or Koblenz.

And yes, it is worth saving the money.

Just a short note:

Deutsche Bahn has decided, that since 12th december only a few High Speed trains will stop at Düsseldorf Fernbahnhof.

There is a desk in the Train Station, reached by the Skytrain from the main terminal, where you can buy tickets. If you are able to catch an IC or ICE you are able to buy tickets on board the train (surcharge), but not oboard regionla trains.

There is no need to take a high Speed into Cologe, as the regional train is only a few minutes slower. The directions of the trains to Cologne are either to Aachen or Koblenz.

And yes, it is worth saving the money.

This doesn't sound good. Would this mean something like one IC/ICE per hour or even less? It's really not convenient travelling on REs with luggage.

I'll just keep watching at www.bahn.de. Hopefully they keep their schedules up to date there but maybe they don't. Right now they are showing that they still run every 20 minutes or so! Is that info outdated?

Also, what is the name of the train station in the center of Cologne so I make sure I'm looking for the right one? Thanks.

Mike

It is not only foolish but it is a criminal offence. No chance to buy a ticket on a regional (red) train from DUS, only on the (white) ICE or IC trains (with a small surcharge)

Flying Lawyer:

It's not foolish nor is it a criminal offense.
There is nothing wrong boarding a train without a ticket .. you can pay on board! It just didn't happened ... no conductor ever showed up. It was NOT my intention not to pay ... I just missed my plane HAM to Cologne, so I went to DUS ....
BTW, some mentioned that the train stops in between .... not the train I used .... I still remember that the train passed Bayer Werke, may be that helps.

... I wish dugknight a save and joyful journey ^

I'll just keep watching at www.bahn.de. Hopefully they keep their schedules up to date there but maybe they don't. Right now they are showing that they still run every 20 minutes or so! Is that info outdated?

Also, what is the name of the train station in the center of Cologne so I make sure I'm looking for the right one? Thanks.

Mike

It's called Köln Hbf - Hauptbahnhof = Central Station
Next to the Cathedral (Dom)

The famous Bierhaus Frueh is not far away.

http://www.europeanbeerguide.net/kolnpubs.htm

Am Hof,
50667 Köln (Altstadt).
Tel. (0221) 258 0389

"... In 1898 P.J. Früh moved his brewery into this building, which had previously housed the Central-Theater. It survived three fires during the war and careful reconstruction has left it a rare reminder of the pre-war city.

Its other main claim to fame, is its very useful location no more than a 5-minute walk from the main railway station. If you're changing trains in Cologne, it's quite possible to nip there, have a couple of beers and be back on the platform inside half an hour.... "
http://www.frueh.de

Flying Lawyer:
... I wish dugknight a save and joyful journey ^

Thank you USAFAN! I appreciate it. I'm sure I will enjoy Germany from all the wonderful things I have heard about it. :D

Mike

It's not foolish nor is it a criminal offense.
There is nothing wrong boarding a train without a ticket .. you can pay on board!

Sorry to disagree, this actually differs depending on the train you use. If it is a long distance train like ICE or IC you can buy tickets on board and you'll only have to pay a nominal surcharge. Boarding without a ticket therefore is not a problem, it's a legitimate option the Bahn offers. However, if it is a regional train (RB, RE, S,...) usually there will not be any staff on board (except the driver of course), therefore - the Bahn states this in their T&C and there are signs stating so next to the train doors - boarding without a ticket is indeed a criminal offense.

Regards,
Stefan

Flying Lawyer:

It's not foolish nor is it a criminal offense. There is nothing wrong boarding a train without a ticket .. you can pay on board!

Watch my lips and read my post: It is a criminal offense to board a regional (red) train in Düsseldorf (and several other urban areas) without a valid ticket.

Nobody will sell you a ticket on board of these trains. You can buy a ticket on board of a long distance (ICE/EC/IC/IR) trains. These trains are normally white. If you don't believe me, who travels through Düsseldorf at least once a week, visit Deutsche Bahn AG on the internet:

http://www.bahn.de/p/view/international/englisch/travelservice/ticket_booking.shtml

"You may purchase your tickets on board of long distance trains. Train attendants sell tickets for a small extra charge. You may pay cash or by credit card. In some regional trains ticket machines can be found."

Are you in the position to read plain English language? "You may purchase your tickets on board of long distance trains". Long distance trains...

And I take the "Lying Lawyer" very personal. It is not only impolite but rude. You also should refrain from giving dangerous advise to foreigners visiting Germany based on your obviously limited experience with train rides in this country.

I'll just keep watching at www.bahn.de. Hopefully they keep their schedules up to date there but maybe they don't. Right now they are showing that they still run every 20 minutes or so! Is that info outdated?

The trains are running every 15 to 20 minutes and bahn.de is very reliable. Your best connections will be the RE (regional express) as this takes you into Cologne Central station without the need to change trains. They leave at -51 and -32 past the hour. When taking a long distance train you normally have to change either at Cologne Deutz or at Duesseldorf. You need to buy a ticket before boarding. The machines are not very easy to deal with if you are not used to them so better buy a ticket upstairs in the station.

When arriving in Düsseldorf airport you need to look for the signs to the "SKYTRAIN" taking you to "Düsseldorf Flughafen Fernbahnhof". This takes you from the Terminal to the mainline station. Officially you even a ticket for that one, but don't care. When arriving at the terminus of the SKYTRAIN you cannot get lost. There is a ticket office. You can buy either single tickets or a so called "SchönerTagTicket NRW" for 31.50 Euro. This one is good for up to five persons on this one ticket for a fully day for all regional trains, tramways, busses etc in the state of NRW. This covers your train ride from DUS to Cologne and any local travel in Cologne and beyond up to Bonn or Aachen.

Depending where you hotel is, Köln Deutz can be more convenient.

The trains are running every 15 to 20 minutes and bahn.de is very reliable. Your best connections will be the RE (regional express) as this takes you into Cologne Central station without the need to change trains. They leave at -51 and -32 past the hour. When taking a long distance train you normally have to change either at Cologne Deutz or at Duesseldorf. You need to buy a ticket before boarding. The machines are not very easy to deal with if you are not used to them so better buy a ticket upstairs in the station.

When arriving in Düsseldorf airport you need to look for the signs to the "SKYTRAIN" taking you to "Düsseldorf Flughafen Fernbahnhof". This takes you from the Terminal to the mainline station. Officially you even a ticket for that one, but don't care. When arriving at the terminus of the SKYTRAIN you cannot get lost. There is a ticket office. You can buy either single tickets or a so called "SchönerTagTicket NRW" for 31.50 Euro. This one is good for up to five persons on this one ticket for a fully day for all regional trains, tramways, busses etc in the state of NRW. This covers your train ride from DUS to Cologne and any local travel in Cologne and beyond up to Bonn or Aachen.

Depending where you hotel is, Köln Deutz can be more convenient.

You are so right... I was used to taking the "Regional Express" everyday from Cologne Deutz - DUS airport - Skytrain A/B and back...