- Markets open
- 13 Nov 2026 – early Jan 2027
- Train from London
- about 4–5 h, change in Brussels
- Flight from London
- about 1 h 15
- Time difference
- Cologne is 1 hour ahead of the UK
UK to Cologne: your options compared
| Option | Journey |
|---|---|
| Train (Eurostar) London and the South East, city centre to city centre | about 4–5 h, change in Brussels |
| Flight Fastest, from many UK airports | about 1 h 15 from London, then 15 min by S-Bahn |
| Jet2 break New Birmingham and Bristol routes, Mon & Fri, 27 Nov – 21 Dec 2026 | Flight or flight + hotel |
| Coach trip Good value, everything arranged | 4–5 day holiday via ferry or Eurotunnel |
London to Cologne by train (Eurostar)
The train is the easy option from London and the South East. Take Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels-Midi (about 2 hours), then change to a high-speed train to Köln Hauptbahnhof (about 1 hour 50 minutes). The whole trip takes about 4 to 5 hours and can be booked as one journey.
You step out of Köln Hauptbahnhof straight onto the cathedral square, with the cathedral Christmas market on the other side of it. There is no direct London–Cologne train yet; direct services are planned for the 2030s.
Flights from the UK to Cologne
Cologne Bonn Airport is about 1 hour 15 minutes from London. Flights leave from Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow, with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, Eurowings and British Airways on the route; check current schedules, as they change by season.
From the airport, the S-Bahn reaches Köln Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes (see how to get to the cathedral). Düsseldorf Airport is another option, under an hour from Cologne by train.
Jet2 Christmas market breaks to Cologne
Jet2 includes Cologne in its Christmas Markets programme for winter 2026/27, as flights or as a flight-and-hotel package through Jet2CityBreaks, from a number of UK airports. New for this season are routes from Birmingham and Bristol, flying on Mondays and Fridays from 27 November to 21 December 2026.
Coach trips to the Cologne Christmas markets from the UK
Coach holidays usually last four or five days and cross the Channel by ferry or Eurotunnel, often combining Cologne with other markets along the Rhine. They are good value and take care of everything, but expect long travel days.
Before booking, check where the hotel is. A hotel in central Cologne lets you walk to the markets in the evening; one outside the city means relying on the coach.
Can you do a day trip to Cologne from the UK?
Only just. With an early flight out and a late flight back you get most of a day, but by train it is 4 to 5 hours each way. Stay at least one night: the markets are at their best after dark, and the cathedral market is open until 9 or 10 p.m.
When to go and how long to stay
- Two nights covers all four big markets, the cathedral and the tower climb.
- Weekdays are much quieter than Friday and Saturday evenings.
- The cathedral market closes on 23 December. Heinzels Wintermärchen on Heumarkt (with the ice rink) runs until 10 January and the Harbour market until 3 January.
- Book hotels early for late November and early December weekends. See the best areas to stay.
Hotels near the Christmas markets
Live prices around the cathedral and the Old Town. Enter your dates to compare.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from London to Cologne?
About 4 to 5 hours. Take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi (about 2 hours), then a high-speed train to Köln Hauptbahnhof (about 1 hour 50 minutes). There is no direct train yet. You arrive next to the cathedral.
Which UK airports fly to Cologne?
From London, flights go from Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow to Cologne Bonn Airport and take about 1 hour 15 minutes. In the Christmas market season Jet2 also flies to Cologne from several UK regional airports, including new routes from Birmingham and Bristol from 27 November to 21 December 2026.
Can you do a day trip to the Cologne Christmas markets from the UK?
It is possible with an early flight out and a late flight back, but it is a long day. By train it is 4 to 5 hours each way. One or two nights lets you see all four big markets and the cathedral without rushing.
How many nights do you need for the Cologne Christmas markets?
Two nights is ideal. The four large markets are within a 20-minute walk of each other, so one full day covers them, and a second day leaves time for the cathedral, the tower climb or a trip to Düsseldorf, 25 minutes away.
Travel details checked on 17 October 2026. Timetables and flight routes change; check with the operator before booking.
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