I keep trying to get tickets August 31st 2024 on the ICE from the Frankfurt Airport (round trip) to Cologne 's HBF by the Dom Cathedral out early and returning same day late. When I go into Deutsche Bahn and it wants times entered, it keeps telling me there is no service. I really need to get this scheduled even trying to get the "pries" ticket for anytime. My problem is, I am reserving a car starting 9/1/24, but if the ICE is not possible, I will reserve the car on 8/31/24 and drive to Cologne ( which I really don't want to do). Any suggestions on what to do do we (3 of us) can take the ICE? Please help !
Posted by
Green Bay
20158 posts
Where are you looking? I see lots of high speed trains from Frankfurt(Main) Fulghafen to Cologne Hbf (the station next to the Cathedral). At least 2 per hour, often more. There are also high speed trains to Koeln Messe/ Deutz, which is across the river and require a short S-Bahn ride to get to the Hbf.
https://int.bahn.de/en
Posted by
OP
6 posts
I clicked on your link and it took me to where I was searching. Do you think it best to just get tickets at the station in Frankfurt the day of as opposed to trying to get advanced? Thanks for the quick response to my first message.
Posted by
Green Bay
20158 posts
Are you arriving at Frankfurt airport on a flight that day? Then yes, buy when you arrive, since you can't know exactly when your plane lands, you get through immigration, get your luggage and get to the station. You can probably buy the return ticket to save money.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
We are flying in on the 30th and want to go to Cologne the next day.
Posted by
Paradise
6658 posts
Buy now for a cheaper non-refundable ticket (Spar-preis Ticket) or buy on the day of travel at full fare (Flex-preis Ticket.)
A "no service" message might mean that you have entered your destination as a stopover as well. (Clear the stopover.)
Posted by
Green Bay
20158 posts
Then I would buy nonrefundable tickets now to save money. Flexpreis tickets are 73.80 EUR per person each way, whereas SuperSparpreis tickets are as low as 21.40 EUR for August 31.
Posted by
Wengen
1703 posts
Getting tickets in advance is a good idea to save some money. It is however not needed to buy tickets that far in advance. 95% of the confusion people unfamiliar with European trains encounter stems from trying to book to soon. This is mass transit, Its like a subway, or commuter rail
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32813 posts
are you actually staying at the airport for your visit? Do you know that there are hotels in central Frankfurt which is just a few short minutes from the airport (around 15 depending which s-bahn stop you want) and an easy jump to Frankfurt Hbf (main station)
By the way you'll see the abbreviation "Hbf" a lot for the main station of a city or large town. It means Hauptbahnhof - main train station - as opposed to a plain old bahnhof (train station).
That's why the station near the Dom in Cologne (Köln) is Köln Hbf on signs.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you all, this information has been helpful.