Train transfer in Cologne, Germany

I am not familiar with that station. But I am familiar with fast connections on German trains. I had some tight connections like that on my German trip and made them all (sometimes hustling!).

However, I'd look at a backup plan just in case. When is the next direct train from Cologne to your destination after RE 11353? If there is another train in an hour, I wouldn't worry so much about making it. If the next train isn't for several hours? I'd worry more.

For Italian trains, I found the Trenit app on my phone was extremely helpful in knowing platform numbers when connecting (also real-time delay info), so I would know what platform I was seeking before I even got off the first train. I assume Bahn has some similar sort of app for German trains. I'd look for it if you will have a working smart phone. (I didn't have one when I did my German trip.)

You don't indicate your travel date, but that first train normally arrives at platform 8, where you switch to platform 7. You'll go down stairs to the transfer hallway, then up stairs for platform 7. Shouldn't take long. You don't indicate your destination, but should you miss that connection, there are subsequent regional trains heading the same direction at :46 after the hour and then again at 19:21.

I'm going to Speicher on the 20th.

Here is a diagram of the Cologne Hbf.
http://www.bahnhof.de/file/bahnhof-de/11022360/6UXgkrj7T8ZIDPnyGPQaVXYcTsI/11944566/data/Koeln_Hbf_de_PDF.pdf

You can see escalators on the east end of the platforms and elevators on the west end and a couple of staiways as well. Be ready to get off the train as it arrives at Cologne with your luggage standing in the car vestibule and open the door as soon as the train stops. Walk down the nearest stairs or escalator and walk about 50 feet to the next stairway/escalator marked platforms 6 & 7 and take it up to your platform. The whole process should take about 2 or 3 minutes.

It would be helpful, instead of making us suss out that you are on a train coming from the direction of Emden, and you are heading in the direction of Gerolstein and Trier, you just tell us where you are coming from and where you are going and on what date and time. Maybe get some other suggestions.

Edit - OK see you are going to Speicher. The next train is 1 hour later from the same platform, so that is your back up if you miss the connection. Since it is a regional train, you don't have to change your ticket. Grab some coffee or a snack at the station while you wait. But it should not be a problem unless your inbound IC is running late.

Thank you so, so much. I've traveled by myself in the states by car, plane, and bus but I've never been out of the US or on a train, so I really appreciate the details and advice.

We did a connection like that @ Cologne and boy did we run fast and faster! Made it!

Hi,

Cologne's main station has been remodeled, refurbished, etc. It's hectic, crowded since it is a junction point (Knotenpunkt) for trunk lines and regional trains. Still, it is much better now than prior to this refurbishing. Back then I tried to avoid transferring in Cologne, esp if it was a tight connection. Regional trains run often, you can always take the next one should you miss your intended train. I was at Cologne main station this past May coming from Dortmund Hbf.

As Andrew suspects, there is a railway app in Germany as well, which is called DB Navigator. Really useful to check for platform changes, delays etc. You can also buy tickets with the app. For local transit in some regions, there are a few apps which are even more suitable, but DB Navigator does have the schedules of nearly all public transport in Germany.