Originally Posted by
flyingfkb
One-Way Ticket from Düsseldorf Aiprort Trainstation (this the station outside the airport where you need to take the Skytrain and not the underground terminal station) to Köln Rudolfplatz is 11,90€. Travel time is around 1 hour. You have to buy it at VRR (the regional transportation network for Düsseldorf) or at VRS (the regional transportation network for Cologne) both networks interline. You either take Regional Express 1 to Cologne main station and from there the subway or Regional Express 5 (RheinRuhrExpress) to Cologone Deutz an also the subway/tram. I can't remember if the train station has separated ticket machines from VRR and Deutsche Bahn or if they are combined machines. I guess it is the later, a combined Deutsche Bahn / VRR machine where you select on the display if you want to buy a Deutsche Bahn or a VRR ticket. If you buy via VRR app the single ticket is for immediate use. You can't buy in advance like a day before! This is the standard for public transportation in Germany.
Thanks - the ticket is actually 11,70€ if you use the App, which is also a ticket for immediate use.
The two routes I have that look best are:
Skytrain to the RE5 to Koln Deutz/Messe to the U1 direct to Rodulfplatz. Fastest by a few minutes.
Or if that timing doesn't work The S11 from the terminal station, to the U15 at Hansaring to Rudolfplatz.
BTW - even if you don't use it for booking, the KVB app on the iphone has a wonderful display that gives all your routing information step by step - arr/dep times along with arrival and departure platforms.