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If you want to travel from Liège to Cologne by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Liège to Cologne by train to take around 15 hours 34 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 11 hours 47 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 25 trains per day running on this route, which spans 649 km. You'll have to make 4 changes along the way on your journey to Cologne. Eurostar, Frecciarossa or ICE are the main rail operators on this route, all of which offer modern trains with plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices – we'll show you how much you can save on train tickets from Liège to Cologne if you book in advance.
If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for train schedules, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs, including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!
| First train | 5:18 am | |
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| Last train | 11:08 pm | |
| Departure station | Liège | |
| Arrival station | Cologne | |
| Journey time | From 11h 47m | |
| Distance | 403 miles (649 km) | |
| Frequency | 25 trains per day | |
| Changes | 4 changes | |
| Train and bus operators | Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, SNCF Voyageurs, Trenitalia, Trenord | 
The Deutsche Bahn Group is owned by the German State and controls the majority of rail traffic in Germany as well as in many border regions of the country. Every year, Deutsche Bahn transports several million passengers and many stations in Germany are served exclusively by DB trains, including the ICE, IC and EC fleet.
Eurostar is the exclusive high-speed train service that links London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and the rest of Europe at speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h). Eurostar also runs trains on more routes between France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. All Eurostar trains have modern, comfortable facilities, plenty of room for baggage, and onboard food and beverage car. There are three comfort classes on offer – Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus (equivalent to Premium Economy, with light refreshments served), and Eurostar Premier (equivalent to First or Business Class, with flexible travel options, priority boarding, lounge access and delicious food and drink included).
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
An express train running on German domestic routes, the Intercity is a little slower than the ICE and is also used for long distance trips. The integrated circuit covers long distances with a maximum speed of 125 mph (200 km/h). In recent years, trains of the new generation "Intercity 2" run on some lines at 100 mph (160 km/h) only – these trains, however, offer extra legroom and extra space for toddlers. They are also equipped with air conditioning, a food carriage and wheelchair parking spaces.
In Eurostar Standard, you'll find comfortable seats, free WiFi and a large selection of drinks and snacks for sale in the onboard café-bar.
As well as all the facilities you'll find in Eurostar Standard, in Eurostar Plus you'll also get a light meal served at your seat for trips to and from London. Though you won't get a meal at your seat for trips solely in Europe, you'll get to sit back and relax in comfier seats.
Eurostar Premier gives you the freedom to travel in your own time, with same-day boarding guaranteed and Eurostar's exclusive lounges (where available) where you can relax before your trip. In Eurostar Premier, you'll also benefit from complete comfort, including a free meal and free drinks at your seat.
With Frecciarossa Standard, you’ll enjoy high-quality services including eco-leather reclining seats, folding tables and free WiFi at a reasonable price. You can order food and drink from the FRECCIABistrò car or using the Easy Bistrò at-seat meal service.
Providing all the perks of First Class for the price of Second Class, Frecciarossa Premium offers more legroom and baggage space, as well as a total of 4 food / beverage products including: sweet or savory snack, welcome drink, small water bottle, 1 wet wipe.
If you’re traveling for work, Frecciarossa Business is the ideal option for you – it offers more legroom, glass dividers for more privacy, and a private 4-seat compartment called Salottino. A free food box containing 7 fresh food & beverage products differentiated according to the time of day + Illy expresso coffee is also included.
Frecciarossa Executive can accommodate up to 10 single armchairs and offers plenty of legroom, wider reclining leather seats, free entry to FRECCIALounge at the main train stations, unlimited drinks, and monthly menus (some of which were ideated by Michelin star chef Carlo Cracco).
Explore Lombardy and its neighbouring regions at an affordable price. You don't need to reserve a seat - just sit back and enjoy the views around you.
You can travel in Trenord's First Class only if you have a First Class ticket. Store your bags in the dedicated baggage racks, sit back and enjoy your journey.
From spacious armchairs to power outlets and reading lights, you’ve got everything you need to enjoy your journey in EuroCity's Second Class.
Start your journey by train and continue by bus to reach your destination. Enjoy some of the most beautiful Italian views on modern and comfortable buses.
| What baggage limits are there? | Although there's no weight limit for your baggage on Eurostar trains, you must be able to carry your bags safely by yourself. Each bag must be clearly labeled and must be no longer than 33.4 inches (for trains to and from the United Kingdom) or no larger than 29.5 x 20.8 x 11.8 inches (for trains in Europe). | 
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| What food and drink is available? | Are you traveling to or from the United Kingdom? In Eurostar Standard, choose from a wide selection of drinks and snacks at the Eurostar Café, the onboard bar car in the middle of the train. Cards and cash (Euros or pounds) are accepted. If you're traveling in Eurostar Plus, a light meal and a drink will be served at your seat.  For all other Eurostar trains (red trains, formerly Thalys), head to the bar car and choose from a wide range of hot and cold drinks as well as savory and sweet snacks.  | 
| What onboard entertainment is available? | Eurostar doesn't have an onboard entertainment portal. However, there is free WiFi available, as well as UK and EU power outlets at your seat so you can charge your devices while traveling. | 
| What facilities are there for travel with children? | 
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| Can I bring a bike on board? | Generally, Eurostar trains running to and from the United Kingdom can't transport fully assembled bikes - though on certain trains between London and Brussels, you may be able to book a bike space by contacting Eurostar. You can, however, take a foldable bike on board Eurostar trains to and from the UK provided that it's no more than 33.4 inches long and it fits in a protective bag that covers the whole bicycle. Folded bikes are treated as standard baggage. For all other Eurostar trains in Europe, a limited number of non-foldable bikes can be brought on board, provided that the wheels are taken off and the whole bicycle is stored in a suitable cover (max. size 53.1 x 33.4 x 11.8 inches). Foldable bicycles are also permitted and count towards standard baggage limits. | 
| Can I bring pets on board? | The rules around traveling with your pets depend on whether you're traveling across the Channel or not, so check before you travel: Eurostar trains to and from the United Kingdom: 
 Trains in the rest of Europe: 
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| What special assistance is available? | If you need help getting on or off the train, you should contact Eurostar directly before your trip. To use Eurostar's special assistance program, fill in this contact form at least 48 hours before your journey so that the team can help you. If you're traveling on trains to/from the United Kingdom: 
 If you're traveling on red trains in the rest of Europe: 
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| What else do I need to know? | Specific restrictions for trains to/from the United Kingdom: Liquids: 
 
 Sports equipment: 
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| What baggage limits are there? | 
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| What food and drink is available? | 
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| What onboard entertainment is available? | 
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| What facilities are there for travel with children? | 
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| Can I bring a bike on board? | 
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| Can I bring pets on board? | 
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| What special assistance is available? | If you need to request special assistance, you can call the toll-free number 800 90 60 60, which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232, which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply). | 
| What else do I need to know? | Air-conditioning is available on board. You can also charge your devices thanks to the power outlets you can find at your seat. | 
| What baggage limits are there? | 
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| What food and drink is available? | At the moment, a restaurant service is not available on Trenord trains. However, you can take your own food on board so pick up some snacks at the station before you set off. | 
| What onboard entertainment is available? | Trenord do not offer an entertainment portal on board. However, you can make use of your internet data, as well as charge your devices thanks to the power outlets that are available at your seat. | 
| What facilities are there for travel with children? | Kids under 4 travel for free on all Trenord trains if they don’t occupy a seat and sit on an adult’s lap. Children aged 4-13 get 50% off the standard fare. | 
| Can I bring a bike on board? | 
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| Can I bring pets on board? | 
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| What special assistance is available? | Passengers with disabilities can: 
 To request special assistance, passengers will need to call the toll-free number 800210955 (active every day from 8.15 am to 7:45 pm) at least 48 hours before departure. | 
| What baggage limits are there? | 
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| What onboard entertainment is available? | Free WiFi is available on Eurocity Giruno trains. | 
| What facilities are there for travel with children? | Kids under 4 can travel for free if they're accompanied by an adult and don't occupy a seat. | 
| Can I bring a bike on board? | Not all Eurocity trains allow you to take your bike on board – you’ll need to check in advance if you can travel with your bike. If that’s the case, you’ll need to buy a ticket and book your bike space before departure at the ticket office. | 
| Can I bring pets on board? | Guide and assistance dogs can travel for free and don't need a ticket. | 
| What special assistance is available? | All of Trenitalia’s Eurocity trains offer dedicated spaces to passengers with disabilities. | 
| What else do I need to know? | A quiet area (or Area Silenzio) is available on all Eurocity Giruno trains. | 
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.