After the Essen Marathon: Cologne
The Route: Essen Hauptbahnhof → Cologne Hauptbahnhof Logistics: Direct fast train (ICE or regional), no change required. Marathon Month: October Duration: 1 night
Essen Hbf ──(direct fast train, ~45-60 mins)──> Cologne Hbf
Cologne is close enough to Essen for a same-day trip, but a single overnight stay turns it into a proper, unhurried city visit rather than a rushed few hours. The city's defining sight, its cathedral, sits directly above the Hauptbahnhof, meaning the walk from platform to plaza involves no navigation at all, a genuine advantage for a runner carrying an overnight bag on legs still recovering from the marathon.
October in Cologne brings mild, changeable weather typical of the wider Rhineland, similar to conditions in Essen itself, with the Rhine promenade offering an easy flat walk on the better days.
Night One: Cologne
Cologne Cathedral, taking over 600 years to complete and still dominating the city's skyline from every angle, is free to enter for the main nave; the south tower climb, several hundred steps, is worth skipping the night after a marathon. The old town runs downhill from the cathedral square toward the Rhine in a few compact, flat blocks, with the traditional Kölsch beer halls serving their distinctive small glasses along the way.
The Rhine promenade itself, a short walk past the old town, offers a genuinely flat riverside stretch with regular benches, a good place to finish the evening slowly rather than rushing back to the hotel. The Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum), a fifteen-minute walk along the river, is an indoor, largely level option if the weather turns, with entry around €14.50 (£12.50), worth checking current pricing.
Where to stay: the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, directly opposite the cathedral, puts a stay right at the heart of the old town for those wanting maximum convenience. The more moderately priced Ibis Styles Köln, near the station, offers similarly minimal walking with a lower price tag.
Where to eat: Früh am Dom, a traditional Kölsch brewery a few minutes from the cathedral, serves hearty regional dishes like Himmel un Ääd (black pudding with mashed potato and apple sauce) alongside its own beer, a satisfying and unfussy recovery dinner.
Getting Home
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is reachable by direct regional train from Cologne Hauptbahnhof in around 15 minutes, an alternative departure point to Düsseldorf for anyone whose return flight routes through Cologne instead. For a return to Essen or onward travel through Düsseldorf, direct fast trains run frequently from Cologne Hauptbahnhof throughout the day.