The Cologne Metro, also known as the Stadtbahn, is an underground transport system in the city of Cologne in western Germany. It is 194.8 kilometres (121 miles) long and consists of 12 lines and 223 stations, 38 of which are underground.
Inaugurated on 11 October 1968, the Kölner Stadtbahn has undergone over a hundred modifications since its inception, including extensions to existing lines and the construction of new stations. The system, which is integrated with the city’s tram and suburban rail services, operates at a standard fare of €1.90 ($2.30) and runs from 5 a.m. to midnight.
The Cologne Metro, also known as the “Stadtbahn” in Germany, does not operate 24 hours a day. Fares for this metro system are based on an honour system and the daily number of passengers is not provided.
The metro does not use driverless trains and does not have platform screen doors. Air conditioning is only available on the new trams. Passengers can walk between platforms.
The Cologne Metro operates from 5:30 am to 12:00 am, Monday through Sunday.
Cologne Metro Map
Map of Cologne Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Cologne Metro map in PDF format.
About Cologne
A metropolis on the banks of the Rhine River in western Germany, Cologne has a population of 1,081,701, making it the most densely populated city in North Rhine-Westphalia. With a total area of 405.15 square kilometres (251.7 square miles), it is the third largest city in Germany, with only Berlin, Hamburg and Munich exceeding its land area.
While Cologne is a major economic and financial centre in Germany, its cultural charm is the most captivating aspect of the city. This vibrant city is a mix of modern architectural wonders and historic structures such as Cologne Cathedral, built in 1248. Cologne has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 14 to 19°C (57.2 to 66.2°F) during the hotter months and an average winter temperature of 3 to -0.5°C (37.4 to 31.1°F).
Since its inauguration on 11 October 1968, the Cologne Metro has covered 194.8 kilometres (121 miles) in the city and its neighbouring areas. The fleet consists mainly of Flexity Swift K4500 trains and the recently introduced K5000 and K5200 models, which are low-floor vehicles manufactured by the German-Canadian company Bombardier Transportation. They are usually operated as two-car trains, although they can be operated as four-car trains due to station size constraints.
Approximately 493,150 passengers use the metro every day. The entire transport system is operated by the Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG (KVB).
Key Facts
- Known as: KVB or Stadtbahn
- Length: 194.8 kilometers (121 miles)
- Rail width: 1,435 mm (4.7 ft)
- Number of lines: 12
- Number of stations: 233
- Maximum speed: 72 km/h (44.7m/h)
- Website: www.kvb.koeln
- Operator: Cologne Public Transport Association (Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG, KVB)
- Daily ridership: 493,150
- Established: October 11, 1968
Historical Background
After the Second World War, reconstruction began on all the railways affected by the conflict. This led to a comprehensive transport development plan, which proposed the extension and improvement of surface railways and the construction of new lines. Construction of the first section of underground tunnels, an idea born out of this plan, began in 1956.
Although the initial plans presented the project as a mirror image of the surface trams on the underground lines, it was always perceived as a heavy rail system in the collective imagination of Cologne. The first underground tunnel, which went into operation in 1963, ran through the whole of the city centre from Magnusstrasse to Dom/Hauptbahnhof.
It was officially inaugurated on 11 October 1968. The first extension took place in 1970, when all tram lines were connected to the main subway system in the centre of Cologne. Since then, the city and its surrounding areas have been united by the major junctions of the rail transport system.
Lines and Stations
The Cologne underground, also known as the KVB or Stadtbahn, consists of 12 lines serving 233 stations. These are divided into 195 surface tram stops and 38 underground stops. All operate under the administration of the KVB. Stations that share routes or have parallel lines are marked with different colours.
Line 1
This line crosses the city from east to west, from Weiden West station to Bensberg station, and covers a total of 26.5 kilometres. It consists of 14 stations, the first 8 of which connect to surface trams and the remaining 6 to underground trams. This line can be identified by the colour red.
Line 3
Line 3 runs the east-west corridor of the city, with some routes running north-south. It covers a distance of 21.5 kilometres (13.4 miles) with 17 stations. 10 of these stations connect to the metro and three connect to trams. The line runs from Mengenich station to Thielenbruch station. This line is identified by the colour pink.
Line 4
Running along the west-east corridor from Bocklemünd to Schlebusch station, Line 4 has 17 stations, 12 of which are underground and the rest are tram stops. Its length is 21.7 kilometres (13.5 miles) and, as it runs parallel to Line 3, it shares the distinctive pink colour.
Line 5
Line 5 runs diagonally across the north-south corridor of the city. It is 12.3 kilometres long and has six stations, most of which are underground. The tram section of this line connects to Line 13, and the underground section connects to Line 3. The line runs from Am Butzweilerhof station to Haymarket station and can be identified by the colour purple.
Line 7
Line 7 initially runs along the east-west corridor, but towards the end of the line it begins to run north-south. The total length of the line is 25.8 kilometres (16 miles), reaching some neighbouring areas of the city. Line 7 runs from Frechen to Zündorf station and consists of 12 stations, all of which are part of the surface tramway. This line can be identified by the colour orange.
Line 9
Line 9 runs along the east-west corridor from Sülz to Königsforst station. It covers a total distance of 16 kilometres (10 miles) and serves 15 stations. Six of these stations are part of the underground system, while the rest are surface tram stops. This line shares part of its route with Line 1 up to Heumarkt station, where it begins its underground journey. The colour of this line is light pink.
Line 12
Line 12 runs from Merkenich station to Zollstock station, covering the north-south corridor of the city. It covers a total of 17 kilometres (10.6 miles) and has 15 stations. Nine of these stations are part of the underground system and 6 are surface tram stops. As it crosses the city, it connects at certain points with all the other lines. This line can be identified by the colour green.
Line 13
Line 13 stretches 16.2 kilometres (10.1 miles) across the city in a half-moon shape and integrates 21 stations, eight of which are underground, the rest being part of the surface tram system. It connects with tram lines 18 and 16, which are to the south and north of Cologne respectively. This line can be identified by its brown colour.
Line 15
Line 15 runs from Chorweiler station to Ubierring station, a total of 15.2 kilometres. It connects with line 12 at Zulpicher Platz station, where it begins to run through the underground tunnels to the northern part of the city. The line has 13 stations, 7 of which are underground. As this line runs parallel to line 3, its distinguishing colour is also green.
Line 16
This line runs along the north-south corridor of the city, connecting with Line 18 as it passes through the city centre. With a length of 45.6 kilometres (28.3 miles), it mainly runs through the suburbs of the city. Line 16 has 16 stations, running from Niehl Sebastainstr station to Bonn-Bad Godesberg station. Most of these stations are part of the surface tram system. The distinctive colour of this line is blue.
Line 17
The shortest line in the system, Line 17 is only 8.5 kilometres (5.3 miles) long. It serves the Severinstrasse, Chlodwigplatz and Rodenkirchen underground stations along the north-south corridor of the city. A pedestrian tunnel connects it to Line 5. Light blue is the distinguishing colour of line 17.
Line 18
Line 18 is the longest railway line in Cologne, with a total length of 48.4 kilometres and 30 stations on the outskirts of the city. It follows a north-south corridor and connects with Line 16 halfway along the route. The line consists of 18 stations running from Thielenbruch to Bonn Central Station. Eight of these stations are underground, the rest are on the surface. Line 18 shares its route with Line 16, and its distinctive colour is also blue.
Connectivity with Other Systems
Cologne’s transport network is fully interconnected, with sections of each line connected to underground or surface trams. The rail system is also linked to the city’s bus system, which is part of the KVB. The bus network consists of 48 lines that run from one end of the city to the other, most of them stopping near the main train stations.
The S-Bahn, a commuter train that connects Cologne with neighbouring towns, is the main transport system integrated with the Metro. The S-Bahn is part of the southern segment of the S-Bahn system in the Rhine-Ruhr region and comprises six lines and 65 stations, all of which connect to the Stadtbahn at various points.
In addition to the railway system and the bus line, the city’s public transport system also operates the Kolner Seilbahn – a cable car that crosses the Rhine to link the two ends of the city. This cable car system is connected to line 18 of the metro and line 140 of the bus system. However, due to an accident on 30 July 2017, the cable car service was suspended and is currently under review.
In 2015, the KVB launched KVB-Rad, a bicycle rental service developed in collaboration with the German company Nextbike. The service offers a large number of bike rental stations, mainly in the city’s historic centre, with thousands of bikes available for hire in the service area.
Airport Connections
Cologne-Bonn Konrad Adenauer International Airport, Germany’s sixth busiest airport, is located 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from the centre of Cologne and 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Bonn, a satellite city northeast of the metropolis. The airport has its own bus and train station, making it the busiest terminal area in the country.
Bahnhof Köln/Bonn Flughafen, the airport railway station, was opened in 2004. It is connected to Cologne Central Station by Intercity Express (ICE) trains ICE 10, ICE 45 and ICE 49, which in turn connect to underground lines 16 and 18. The airport station is also served by the RE6 and RE8 regional trains and the S13 suburban railway.
A bus station at the airport also provides connections to major underground stations and the city’s tram network.
Operating Schedule and Frequency
The Cologne Metro operates on average from 5:00 a.m. to midnight on all lines, with slight variations on each line. It should be noted that on Fridays and Saturdays the system operates continuously, with the exception of line 13, which only operates for part of the night. The frequency of services can vary considerably depending on the line, day and time. It is advisable to check the updated timetables on the official website of the Kölner Stadtbahn at https://www.kvb.koeln/, which is available in several languages.
Fare Structure and Ticketing
Like all major European transport systems, the Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe offer a wide range of fares and payment options. Ticket prices depend on the number of journeys, the geographical area and the station routes. All fares are set by the KVB. It is important to note that ticket prices for the railway system are different from those for the bus system, although both operate under the same management.
The KVB has introduced a number of schemes that offer different ticket prices depending on the occupation, age and educational level of the passenger. Some of these schemes include the PrimaTicket for primary school students, the Schüler Ticket for secondary school students and the Alumini Ticket for graduates under the age of 21.
The KVB also offers various subscription plans for frequent travellers, including weekly, monthly or annual payments. Tickets can be purchased online, from ticket machines on the streets, from ticket offices at certain stations or via the HandyTicket app, which offers a 3% discount on all purchases.
Future Expansions
The KVB has proposed several development plans for the railway system, including the construction of a 3.9 kilometre (2.4 mile) tunnel to intersect with the system’s underground lines 5 and 16. This tunnel will run from Breslauer Platz station on the 18 line to Bonntor. There is also a proposal to extend line 3 westwards to reach Görlinger Zentrum through the underground tunnels. Both projects are expected to be completed within the current decade.
Travel Tips
Although Cologne has a relatively low crime rate, it’s always wise to be careful and look after your belongings. While in the system, keep all personal belongings secure and be vigilant to prevent theft.
Always check the validity of your ticket to ensure it’s being used at the correct location. Although turnstiles are not required, officials may ask to see tickets.
The KVB has a staff-led service that provides advice on the system’s ticket plans and specific routes. It’s usually advisable to consult this team, especially for tourists.
Interesting Facts
- Although there is space for bicycles on each of Cologne’s transport services, it is ultimately up to the KVB staff to decide whether or not to allow bicycles.
- Dogs can travel free of charge on the rail network.
- Uniformed police from North Rhine-Westphalia and the Federal Border Guard can travel on all KVB systems without a ticket.
Media
Sightseeing via the Cologne Metro
Cologne is considered one of Germany’s most culturally developed cities, as evidenced by its many museums, theatres, creative spaces and artistic leisure areas. The city also boasts an impressive mix of ancient architecture and 21st century landmarks. Some notable places accessible by tram include
- Ludwig Museum: One of the country’s most impressive modern art exhibitions, it houses the world’s second largest collection of Pop Art. Inaugurated in 1986, the museum displays a huge number of works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. The museum is named after the Cologne high society couple Ludwig, who financed its initial construction and donated 350 works of art. You can reach the museum from the main railway station by underground lines 16 and 18.
- Cologne Cathedral: This cathedral is considered a seminal work of Gothic architecture and one of the city’s oldest religious landmarks. The site has witnessed millions of pilgrimages since its medieval origins. The rich artistic capital and artefacts preserved within the cathedral led to its declaration as a World Heritage Site. Cologne Cathedral can be reached by taking the number 16 or 18 tram to the main station and walking a few blocks.
- University of Cologne: Many tourists are drawn to the campus of the University of Cologne, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The campus offers a unique blend of academic brilliance, natural beauty and architectural grandeur. You can reach the university by taking the number 9 tram to the Hochschule station.