Köln Messe|Deutz station

When the train arrives at Köln-Deutz station on September 10, 1964, it is welcomed by a line-up of brass bands, photographers, and officials waiting at the platform. Waiting for whom? For Armando Rodriguez de Sá – as he steps off the train, he has no idea that at this very moment he is becoming a symbol: officially Germany’s one-millionth guest worker. The Portuguese man receives carnations, a Zündapp moped, and a place in history.

Deutz station often served as a stage for such historic moments. In the 1920s, international guests streamed through Deutz heading to the newly founded Cologne trade fair. After being a target for allied bombing raids during World War II, the station was quickly rebuilt, later serving as a gateway for US soldiers in post-war times. Today, Köln Messe/Deutz station continues to be a major transport hub – and is Cologne’s second most important station.

Perfect Location: Trade Fair, Old Town, and the Rhine within Walking Distance

When you arrive at Köln Messe/Deutz station, you're already close to the heart of Cologne’s action: Directly across sits the vast grounds of Koelnmesse, one of Europe's largest and most famous trade fairs – annually attracting millions to international fairs, concerts, and events.

Only steps away is LANXESS arena – Germany’s largest multifunctional hall – hosting spectacular shows, sports events, and concerts.

Crossing the Hohenzollern Bridge, the famous railway bridge adorned with countless love locks, you’ll find yourself just a short stroll from Cologne’s Old Town and Cologne Cathedral. The Rhine promenade provides ample space to saunter while enjoying beautiful panoramic views of Cologne’s skyline.

Around the Station: Architecture, Art, and Culinary Highlights

Indeed, the station itself isn't the only landmark worth seeing: the immediate surroundings offer architectural and cultural highlights. The KölnTriangle, a contemporary office tower featuring a magnificent viewing platform, provides you with a fantastic 360-degree view over Cologne—an ideal photo spot. Inside the station and nearby, there are cafés, bakeries, and snack bars to explore.

If you're in the mood for art and history, you’ll find the Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum and the Chocolate Museum just a short stroll across the Severinsbrücke, situated directly at the Rheinauhafen. Hence, Deutz station becomes the perfect starting point for explorations beyond the typical tourist routes.

Tower Station Köln Messe/Deutz: Direct ICE Connections

Köln Messe/Deutz is not only architecturally distinctive but also impressively designed from a transport point of view: Thanks to dedicated tracks, the station has a direct connection to ICE long-distance routes – avoiding detours via the busy bottleneck of the Hohenzollern Bridge.

Its special structure stems from its history: Two railway lines intersect on different levels, a distinctive characteristic of a tower station. As early as the 19th century, two competing railway companies converged here: the Köln-Mindener and the Bergisch-Märkische Railway Company.

The construction of the Dombrücke in 1859 and its connection to the then Central Station marked the beginning of a phase of continuous transformations. Only the nationalization of railways in 1913 brought organizational clarity.

Architecturally like a French Baroque Palace

As Cologne’s second most critical transportation center, Deutz tower station smoothly integrates local and long-distance transport. The main station building, featuring an imposing dome, was constructed between 1912 and 1913 following plans by Hugo Röttcher: a fusion of Baroque opulence and Neoclassical elegance, inspired by French palaces. Due to its design as a tower station, two railway lines run on different levels: the upper east-west route, known as "Deutz-Hoch", and the lower north-south connection, "Deutz-Tief".

Following comprehensive restoration in 2009/2010, the historic structure regained its original splendor. Additionally, in 2009, the historically listed space in front of the station—the Ottoplatz—underwent an attractive redesign.