How to get to Cologne Cathedral
The easiest way to get to Cologne Cathedral is by train. The cathedral, at Domkloster 4, stands directly beside the main station, and the stop is called Dom/Hbf. The cathedral stands immediately beside it, so there is no walk to plan.
Tickets for the interior are a separate step. Since 1 July 2026 a tourist visit of the interior costs entry, so book before you arrive if you can. The ticket guide explains the prices, and if you want a guide inside, compare the Cologne Cathedral tours first. The interior and treasury are step-free. The tower is not, because it has 533 steps and no lift.
By train, tram and bus
The stop at the cathedral serves long-distance trains and the city network.
Long-distance and regional trains
Cologne's main station is next to the cathedral. Step out and you stand on the cathedral square. Check the timetable and works notices for your date before you travel, because planned times do not hold during construction work.
Tram lines
Lines 5, 16 and 18 stop at Dom/Hbf. Buses 172 and 173 also serve the stop.
Single ticket in the city
Price level 1b costs €4 for adults aged 15 and over and €1.80 for children aged 6 to 14. Children under 6 travel free. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes for one trip in one direction. You may change vehicles or break the trip, but a return journey is not included. The regional Rheinland tariff has applied since 1 June 2026, so check the current fare table.
Our pick: getting around
The hop-on hop-off bus stops near the cathedral and links the main sights.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Cologne tours from the cathedral
Cathedral tours, Old Town walks and Rhine cruises that start close to the main station.
From Cologne Bonn Airport
One direct train line.
The airport train S19 takes about 14 minutes from the airport station, which lies directly at the terminal. It runs roughly every 20 minutes. These are planned times, and construction work can change them, so look up the connection on the day. The train takes you to the main station, and from there it is a short step to the cathedral.
Parking near the cathedral
One underground car park sits at the cathedral.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name and address | Tiefgarage Am Dom, Kurt-Hackenbergplatz 2 |
| Opening | Around the clock, 00:00–24:00 |
| Height limit | 1.90 m |
| Daytime rate, 09:00–19:00 | €0.80 for each started 20 minutes |
| Night rate, 19:00–09:00 | €1.20 for each started hour |
| Daily maximum | €24 per 24 hours |
The rate runs in units of 20 minutes, so an hour in the daytime costs €2.40. This car park kept its rate of €0.80 per 20 minutes and its €24 daily maximum after the city adjusted fees for municipal car parks. Cars in the city also need a green sticker for the environmental zone, and legal exceptions need a separate permit. The zone is not a fee for the cathedral. A full day at the maximum rate costs €24, so for most visitors a €4 city ticket on train or tram is the cheaper way in.
At the entrance: bags, checks and access
Everyone, including worshippers, should expect a security check at the cathedral, the treasury and the tower. Large suitcases and hiking backpacks are not allowed, and there is no place to store them. Bags up to 40 × 35 × 10 cm are fine everywhere, including the tower. Carry a small bag.
Wheelchair users reach the cathedral square through the Domgässchen. The interior and the treasury are accessible. The tower entrance is outside, on the south side near the cathedral shop, and it is independent of the interior ticket. The tower has no lift, so the tower climb guide explains the climb. For hours, see opening hours. Tickets for the interior are also sold at the central ticket office in the Kurienhaus, Roncalliplatz 2, daily 09:00–17:30.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that help once you are here.
Getting to Cologne Cathedral: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Cologne Cathedral from the main station?
The cathedral stands directly beside the main station. Leave the station and you are on the cathedral square. No bus or tram is needed.
How do I get from Cologne Bonn Airport to the cathedral?
Take the S19 from the airport station at the terminal. The ride takes about 14 minutes, with a train roughly every 20 minutes, and you end at the main station next to the cathedral. Check the timetable on the day, because works can change it.
Which tram lines stop at the cathedral?
Lines 5, 16 and 18 stop at Dom/Hbf. Buses 172 and 173 also serve the stop.
How much does parking at the cathedral cost?
At the Tiefgarage Am Dom, the daytime rate between 09:00 and 19:00 is €0.80 per started 20 minutes. At night, from 19:00 to 09:00, it is €1.20 per started hour. The maximum is €24 per 24 hours, and the height limit is 1.90 m.
Can I bring a suitcase into the cathedral?
No. Large suitcases and hiking backpacks are not allowed and cannot be stored. Bring a small bag, up to 40 × 35 × 10 cm, and expect a security check.
Is cologne-cathedral.org the official cathedral website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the cathedral, the Cathedral Chapter, Cologne Tourism, the transport companies or any tour operator.