Getting from Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne city center is straightforward — just take the RE6 regional train directly to Cologne Hauptbahnhof. Explore our Cologne city guide and Cologne-Amsterdam route.
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way
✅ RE6 Regional Train (Recommended)
- • Duration: 15-20 minutes
- • Cost: ~€3.40 (single ticket)
- • Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- • Destination: Cologne Hauptbahnhof (main station)
Step-by-Step Guide
Find the Train Station
The train station is located directly at the airport terminal. Follow signs to "Regionalbahnhof" or "Bahn". It's well signposted and easy to find.
Buy Your Ticket
You can buy tickets at:
- • Ticket machines at the station (cash or card)
- • DB Navigator app
- • Regional transport apps
Select "Köln Hauptbahnhof" as your destination. A single ticket costs around €3.40.
Validate Your Ticket
Important! If you bought a paper ticket from a machine, you must validate it in the red/yellow Entwerter machine before boarding. Look for the validation machines near the platform entrance.
Digital tickets from apps usually don't need validation — just show them on your phone.
Take the RE6 Train
Board the RE6 regional train in the direction of "Köln Hauptbahnhof" or "Düsseldorf". Make sure it's going towards Cologne, not away from it.
The train runs every 30 minutes and takes about 15-20 minutes to reach Cologne Hauptbahnhof.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Forgetting to validate: If you have a paper ticket, validate it before boarding or risk a €60 fine
- • Wrong direction: Make sure the RE6 is going towards "Köln Hauptbahnhof", not away from Cologne
- • Wrong ticket type: Make sure you buy a ticket that covers the entire journey to Hauptbahnhof
Book Long-Distance Trains in English
Once you're in Cologne, if you need to travel to other German cities, Omio makes booking long-distance trains easy in English.
Book with OmioPrice Disclaimer: All prices mentioned on this page are non-binding and subject to change. Prices are examples only and may vary depending on booking time, route, and availability. Current and binding prices are available exclusively on the official websites of the respective providers (e.g., bahn.com or omio.com).