Cologne Travel Forum

Hi Everyone, I can't find information on the web on how to get from Amsterdam Airport to Cologne. I am arriving at 7:05a and need to be in Cologne by 13:00
so it has to be a nonstop. The KLM flight leaves at 8:30a. Is this enough time?

Anyone else besides KLM do it? I'm finding prices of $512 for a RT. Yikes, for a one hour flight!! Any cheap way to get a KLM ticket like a consolidator or travel company you can share?

I would train but information is confusing. Is there a DIRECT train to Cologne without changing or going into Amsterdam Central? I have been on www.bahn.de but it wasn't helpful about options.

And lastly how much time do I need between my flight arrival and the train?
Any information or websites will be VERY GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

THANKS SO MUCH! Lorac

DB timetable
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
From: Schiphol
To: Cologne

No direct trains. There is a connection departing at 08:30 requiring a number of changes.
And a pretty good connection departing at 10:14 with only one change of trains in Utrecht. Click on '>' to see the details for a connection.

I don't think any other airline than KLM serves this connection as it is too short. I always thought there was a direct ICE train connection between Schiphol airport and Cologne Hbf -- checked on www.bahn.de and couldn't find any direct link either. In theory, there would be enough time to go by train, you'd definitely make a big save.

The answers to your similar post in the Amsterdam forum do cover all your options.

Germanwings no longer seem to fly this route, as far as I can tell, so KLM is your only choice of airline. I do not think consolidators/travel agents in Europe offer cheaper fares than you can find online.

If there had been a direct train from Schipol airport then it would have shown up on bahn.de, which is reliable and carries up-to-date information.

I would allow at least an hour after landing to catch a train. With no hold baggage you might get out more quickly.

Changing trains should not be a problem, although the 08:30 train from the airport (arriving 12:35) does involve several changes. You will find platform information on bahn.de to make changing easier, and you will also find that station staff speak at least some English (many speak excellent English).

in case your plane is early and you are zapping through customs and baggage reclaim, there also is a 7:44 train with only 1 change in Utrecht, arriving in Cologne at 10:45. Possible, if everything goes fine, but not safe.

For environmental reasons alone, I'd go for the 10:14 train and tell your folks in Cologne you will be 15 minutes late. The insane flight ticket rate of $ 512 reflects the complete stupidity of offering a flight route for this perhaps 250 km distance. KLM probaly need to do it because Schiphol is their hub and they are trying to attract customers for their intercontinental routes. Plane will likely be a city-hopper bombardier q300 or even smaller aircraft. .

Have you considered renting a car and driving?
I have done this in the past and the journey was not too difficult - if you know where in Cologne you are going, of course.
Maybe one of the people you are meeting could drive to the nearest service area on the autobahn and guide you in.