Take a train or bus to Eifel National Park for a day of hiking and nature exploration.
From Cologne Central Station, take a train to Kall Station. From there, you can take a bus to the park entrance. Total travel time is approximately 2 hours.
Take a train to Königswinter to visit Drachenfels Castle, perched atop a hill with stunning views of the Rhine Valley.
From Cologne Central Station, take a train to Königswinter. Then, either hike up to the castle or take the Drachenfelsbahn funicular. Total travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.