GermanyNorth Rhine-WestphaliaChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Cologne Christmas Markets

Cologne packs several big Christmas markets into a walkable centre, and the cathedral market sits right outside the main station. This guide covers the train via Brussels, flights to Cologne Bonn, the coach, and when the markets open in 2026.

16 Nov – 23 DecCathedral market 2026

~5hLondon to Cologne by train

Cologne Bonn (CGN)Best airport from London

The short answer

For most people the train is the easiest option. Take the Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels-Midi (about 2 hours), then an ICE or Eurostar train to Köln Hauptbahnhof (about 1h 50m). You arrive next to the cathedral, a two-minute walk from the biggest market. If you'd rather fly, Ryanair (Stansted) and Eurowings (Gatwick) fly to Cologne Bonn all winter, and the S-Bahn gets you to the centre in about 15–20 minutes.

Market essentials

Cologne has around half a dozen main Christmas markets in and around the old town, plus smaller ones in the neighbourhoods.

Dates

The cathedral market on Roncalliplatz and the Neumarkt market both run from 16 November to 23 December 2026. The Altstadt market opens on 23 November, with the Heumarkt section staying open until 10 January 2027. The Harbour market at Rheinauhafen runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Check each market's own site before you book.

Opening hours

The cathedral market is usually open from 11:00 to 21:00 Sunday to Wednesday, until 22:00 on Thursday and Friday, and from 10:00 to 22:00 on Saturday. It is closed on 22 November 2026 (Totensonntag, a German day of remembrance). The Altstadt markets open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 and close on 24 and 25 December.

Where

The cathedral market is right outside Köln Hauptbahnhof. From there you can walk to the Altstadt markets on Heumarkt and Alter Markt, the Harbour market by the Chocolate Museum, and the Neumarkt market. Rudolfplatz and Stadtgarten are a short tram ride or a longer walk away.

Good to know

Each market has its own mug design, and you pay a deposit (Pfand) when you buy a drink. Return the mug to get your deposit back, or keep it as a souvenir. Weekday afternoons are much quieter than Friday and Saturday evenings.

Every way to get there

From London to Cologne, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

Eurostar to Brussels, then a high-speed train to Cologne

Best for most

Door to door5–6h

£ Cost££

Best forMost trips, city-centre to city-centre

Eurostar: London St Pancras to Brussels-MidiAbout 1h 55m. You check in and go through passport control at St Pancras, so allow time before departure.
Brussels-Midi to Köln HauptbahnhofAbout 1h 50m by Deutsche Bahn ICE or Eurostar (the former Thalys trains), with no change of station in Brussels. You can book both legs in one booking on eurostar.com, and if a delay makes you miss your connection, you'll be put on the next train.

Train tickets on Klook Train times: London → Brussels Train tickets on Klook Train times: Brussels → Cologne

Advance fares start at roughly £50 each way for the Eurostar and about €19 for the ICE, but December weekends sell out, so book as soon as your dates are set.

Fly to Cologne Bonn, then the S-Bahn

Cheapest

Door to door4–5h

£ Cost£

Best forTight budgets, travellers near Stansted or Gatwick

London to Cologne Bonn (CGN)About 1h 15m–1h 25m. Ryanair flies from Stansted all winter with several flights a day, and Eurowings flies from Gatwick. Jet2 adds seasonal Christmas-market flights from Gatwick from late November. British Airways has seasonal flights from Heathrow from 23 November to 28 December 2026, about five a week. Check current schedules.
Cologne Bonn Airport to Köln HauptbahnhofS-Bahn S13 or S19 from the airport station, about 15–20 minutes, roughly every 20 minutes. A single ticket costs a few euros. A taxi costs roughly €30–€45.

Find STN–CGN flights Expedia Skyscanner Find LGW–CGN flights Expedia Skyscanner Train tickets on Klook Train times: Cologne Bonn Airport → Köln Hbf

Typical returns are £40–£150 if you book early. Add a cabin bag if you plan to bring gifts home.

Coach from London Victoria

Door to door12–14h

£ Cost£

Best forLowest fares, overnight travel

London Victoria Coach Station to CologneFlixBus runs several coaches a day, crossing the Channel by ferry or tunnel. The fastest take about 12 hours, and some run overnight. Check which Cologne stop your coach uses, because not all of them stop in the city centre.

Coach options: London Victoria Coach Station → Cologne

Advance fares are often around £40–£60 each way. Bring your passport, because there are border checks on the way.

Where to stay in Cologne

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Cologne Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 🚕 Airport transfer 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

Option	Door to door	Cost	Best for
Eurostar to Brussels, then a high-speed train to Cologne	5–6h	££	Most trips, city-centre to city-centre
Fly to Cologne Bonn, then the S-Bahn	4–5h	£	Tight budgets, travellers near Stansted or Gatwick
Coach from London Victoria	12–14h	£	Lowest fares, overnight travel

Add more markets by train

Cologne is a good base for adding another Rhineland Christmas market by regional or fast train.

Your base

Cologne

Stay in the Altstadt or near the Hauptbahnhof so you can walk to the cathedral, Heumarkt and Alter Markt markets.

Hotels in Cologne Expedia

About 25 min by train

Düsseldorf

Several small markets are spread through the old town and along the Königsallee. Trains run very often from Köln Hauptbahnhof.

Hotels in Düsseldorf Expedia

About 20–30 min by train

Bonn

Beethoven's home town has a compact market around Münsterplatz, an easy afternoon trip.

Hotels in Bonn Expedia

About 40 min–1h by train

Aachen

Aachen has a market around its cathedral and town hall and is famous for its Printen gingerbread. It's on the line to Brussels, so you can stop off on the way home.

Hotels in Aachen Expedia

Local tip: If you take the train, book a Eurostar back from Brussels with a good gap after your ICE arrives. Delays on German trains are common, especially in winter.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When do the Cologne Christmas markets open in 2026?

The cathedral market and the Neumarkt market open on 16 November 2026 and run until 23 December. The Altstadt market opens on 23 November, and the Harbour market opens on 13 November. Check each market's own website for exact dates and hours.

Is there a direct train from London to Cologne?

No. You change once in Brussels-Midi, but you stay in the same station. The whole trip takes about 5 hours, and you can book both trains in one booking on eurostar.com.

Which London airports fly to Cologne?

This winter, Ryanair flies from Stansted and Eurowings flies from Gatwick. Jet2 adds seasonal flights from Gatwick from late November, and British Airways flies seasonally from Heathrow from 23 November to 28 December 2026.

How do I get from Cologne Bonn Airport to the city centre?

Take the S-Bahn (S13 or S19) from the airport station to Köln Hauptbahnhof. It takes about 15–20 minutes and costs a few euros. The cathedral market is right outside the station.

Are the markets open on Christmas Day?

Most of them close on 23 December. The Altstadt market on Heumarkt and the Harbour market stay open after Christmas, but the Altstadt market is closed on 24 and 25 December. If you want to visit between Christmas and New Year, check each market's dates.

How many days do I need?

One or two nights is enough to see the main markets and the cathedral. Add a night if you want a day trip to Düsseldorf, Bonn or Aachen.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.