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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}{{Infobox German Location|map = <map lat='50.93982519613568'lng='Cologne6.961555480957031'zoom='12', or view='3'height='Köln500'width='350' in German/>|country = Germany|pop = 1,024,346 (31 December 2008)|state = North Rhine-Westphalia|plate = K|motorways = [[A1 (Germany)|A1]], [[A3 (Germany)|A3]], [[A4 (Germany)|A4]], [[A57 (Germany)|A57]], is a big city in [[Nordrhein-WestfalenA59 (Germany)|A59]].}} __NOTOC__

==Hitching Out==<map lat='50.93982519613568' lng='6.961555480957031' zoom='12' view='0Cologne' float='right'/>===South towards [[Bonn]], [[Koblenz]], [[Frankfurt am Main]]===To get out of or '''CologneKöln''' to the South the best possibility in German, is to go to the ''Verteilerkreis Süd'', a big roundabout where all vehicles that are heading for the motorway to the South or West are passing by. There is also a petrol station beside it and a traffic light where one can ask people for a liftcity in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Not Cars number plates starting with the best option unless you go to [[Bonn]] or [[Koblenz]]. For heading to [[Frankfurt am Main]], take the train to the last stop letter '''K'Königsforst'' (nr 9, may have changed though), walk straight for about 15 minare registered in this locality. Then after a right turn you While the following are on a decent on ramp localities in the neighbourhood of the [[A3 Cologne: ''(GermanyLEV - GL - SU - BM)|A3]], most of the cars will go to [[Frankfurt am Main]] or can drop you at least on clockwise from the North''Rasthof Siegburg'' (about 20 km south)

Another possibility to achieve the A 3 in the direction Frankfurt The whole '''[[Ruhr Area]]''' is to take the train “RB 25” from the main station a well-known pain in the direction “Marienheide” or “Overath” ass for 3,20 €. Leave at “Stümpen” and turn right and go up to the “Kiefernweg” and turn right. Follow the street anyone crossing that is later called “Dammelsfurther Weg” up to the “Pestalozziweg” for maybe 500 meters and turn rightregion. Now If you pass observe the Autobahn motorway system, you'll find out that they zig zag and turn right again cross each other in the “Plantage”Ruhr, specially right North of Cologne. Follow this way a few hundred meters through There is no "belt" motorway around the forest and you will see a service station on the right sidecity, just those zig zags. Maybe you have The flow of cars is highly difficult to predict because cars go from one motorway to climb a fenceanother. Now you There are on the a station without oil station but much traffic. Easy generally 3-4 possible motorways one can take to get a ride heretravel North/South or East/West. Totally it takes approximately 40 minutes from It's the cologne main station. In my experience this most densely populated zone in Germany, so a lot of transport is the best possibility to leave colognelocal or regional, making it even more difficult.Think about it - if you're passing by, avoid getting dropped there!

==Hitching In =East towards [[Berlin]]===The first service area on is Rasthof Remscheid. You can get there by public transport (quite inconvenient though) or try one of the on ramps in the North East of cologne. I think the best one is close to KVB-station "Rixdorfer Strasse".

===West towards When you arrive Cologne via the [[AachenA1 (Germany)|A1]], [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]]===On the motorway ring around Cologne, it's difficult to get into the west of the citytown centre, there's because the motorway service area ''is very far outside. One option is to get off at the exit Köln-Frechen'', Germany's busiest service stationNiehl. You can reach this services by catching There is a train to Königsdorf Station and then walk down Augustinus Strasse and turn right to Marienhöfer Weg which leads you direct tram station, close to the servicesmotorway, in east direction, 15 minutes walking. AlternativelyAt daytime, you can take Tram #1 get to the terminus ''(Schulstrasse)''in Weiden and walk ~4km along Aachener Strasse until Augustinus Strasse town centre in Königsdorflike 15 minutes.

There you can get lifts to From the same motorway ([[NetherlandsA1 (Germany)|A1]]), [[Belgium]] you may as well get out at Köln-Lövenich and [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]] from one of around 200 Trucks that are there in average by going in catch Tram #1 on Aachener Straße direction of [[Aachen]] down town at either Bahnstraße or [[Maastricht]]''Mohnweg'' stops.

===North towards [[Düsseldorf]] or [[Dortmund]]===Take You could as well try to catch a ride from the tram noA1 onto the A3. 5 or 13 to ''Nußbaumer Str.''And then get off for example at Köln-Dellbrück. There is an onramp. A lot of traffic goes you walk 5min in your directionwest, but it is very dangerous for drivers catch the bus 159 to stop thereWiener Platz, where can get a tram.

==Hitching in==When Coming from the South on the A555 or through the A4, you arrive Cologne via may as well as the [[A1 (Germany)|A1]], it's difficult driver to get into leave you at the Am Verteilerkreis roundabout situated just at the town centercomplete end of the A555, because the motorway is very far outside. One option is to get off at the exit '''Kreuz Köln-Niehl'''Süd (Junction A555-A4). There is The driver can really leave you at a tram petrol station, close to and gain the motorway, in east direction, 15 minutes walkingback with complete ease. At daytimeFrom there, you can get walk along the Bonner Straße to catch a bus to the town center in like 15 minutesheart of Köln.

=== South towards [[Bonn]], [[Koblenz]], [[Frankfurt am Main]] === '''Option 1''' Go to the Verteilerkreis Sü', a big roundabout where all vehicles that are heading for the motorway to the South or West are passing by. There is also a petrol station beside it and a traffic light where one can ask people for a lift. If you're headed to Frankfurt am Main, take the train to the last stop Königsforst (tram U9), walk straight for about 15 min. Then after a right turn you are on a decent on ramp of the [[A3 (Germany)|A3]], most of the cars will go to Frankfurt am Main or can drop you at least on the Rasthof Siegburg (about 20 km South), which is it worth for long-distance rides. [[File:Dariocraigmalaysia.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[User:Halt, Stop! Reudnitz kommt.|Craig]] & Dario hit the road for Thumbing Asia West to East (Königsforst always a good option!)]]  '''Option 2''' Take the train RB 25 from the main station in the direction Marienheide or Overath for EUR 3.20. Leave at Stümpen and turn right and go up to the Kiefernweg and turn right. Follow the street that is later called Dammelsfurther Weg up to the Pestalozziweg for maybe 500 meters and turn right. Now you pass the Autobahn and turn right again in the Plantage. Follow this way a few hundred meters through the forest and you will see a Shell service station on the right side. Maybe you have to climb a fence. Now you are on the a station without oil station but much traffic and it's easy to get a ride there. It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach it from Cologne Hbf (main train station).  '''Option 3''' Traffic lights at the ramp Köln-Dellbrück (Mülheim/Buchheim) or at the ramp onto the 55a (Frankfurterstraße). Ask the driver to bring you at least on the Rasthof Siegburg. To Köln-Dellbrück you can catch the bus 159 in direction Buchheim to'Gronauerstraße for example at Wiener Platz (3 stops). To the ramp at Frankfurterstraße take bus 151, 152 or 153 to Beuthenerstraße  '''Option 4''' Petrol station in Koeln Muelheim. Take the tram 4 to "Muelheim Berlinerstr" (or any of the Busses to the same stop). Turn left, then the first right into "Rixdorfer Strasse". Follow to the end till you come to an Aral petrol station to your left. Not so much traffic on the petrol station, so better to stand next to the road with a sign. It`s a good spot for people who start in the north of Koeln. Most of the traffic will at least pass "Koenigsforst West", and probably the service station "Siegburg West" as well. Make sure to ask though, because people going to Siegburg often get off the junktion before "Siegburg West".Had an average waiting time of 10 to 15 min (2022).  === North or East towards [[Berlin]], [[Dortmund]], [[Hannover]] and [[Münster]] === Hitching in that direction seems to be legendarily difficult unless you take a regional train and walk an hour. Several experienced hitchhikers got trapped countless hours and decided to take a train instead. Nevertheless it's of course possible to hitch out of Cologne, experiences about this vary extremely.  '''Option 1'''  Close to the city, you may want to try one of the on-ramps in the North East of Cologne. On-ramp Köln-Dellbrück (exit 26 on the [[A3 (Germany)|A3]]) seems to be good for hitchhiking in direction Remscheid or further along the A1. Also traffic North the A3 passes here. There's no hard shoulder but some green space to stop cars ~60m behind the Autobahn sign. Another possibility is to ask the drivers directly at the traffic light with an extra lane for the motorway. You can get there by taking the metro U18 to Holweide-Vischeringstrasse, cross the railways towards the main road and to the left you'll find the on-ramp. Or Follow the description for Köln-Dellbrück (see south towards). You just have to walk a bit more. Make sure to have a Remscheid or RS sign in case of going towards A1 because there is only one tiny resting area ahead of the A3/A1 crossing  '''Option 2'''  It's also possible to hitch from the South East of the city because there is a petrol station on the A59. The closest bus stop is Eil Heumarer, bus #152. You can take it from Steinstr. S-Bahn, which is relatively close from the main station.  '''Option 3'''  In case you try to use a ramp from Cologne, a good take-off sign is Remscheid, because the first service area on the [[A1 (Germany)|A1]] is Rasthof Remscheid, just before the exit for Remscheid. There are lots of commuters. You can also get there by train from Cologne Dom/Hbf for 6,50 Euros via Remscheid Hbf and walk 5 km to the area (map [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Remscheid+Hbf&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&geocode=FTLnDAMdiNttAClRpZsmWyq5RzGlIfHuvHkWrQ%3BFayeDAMdfEduAA&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=15&dirflg=w&sll=51.157143,7.226601&sspn=0.008559,0.023174&ie=UTF8&ll=51.169872,7.215099&spn=0.034228,0.092697&t=h&z=13 here]). If you're lucky, catch the bus 672 or 673 (valid with your zone 4 ticket) to Talsperre/Mebusmühle or Talsperre/Raststätte (closer but only 673) and avoid the walk. These buses do not pass very often, though.  '''Option 4'''  There is also the possibility to take the bus nr 260 from the central station towards Remscheid. Get off at the bus stop Kaltenherberg Ort, From there you just have to walk for about 2 minutes, the motorway is already visible. All drivers that pass can at least take you to the petrol station in Remscheid which is just about a few kilometres from there. Like that you avoid the ring and are straight on the A1.  '''Option 5'''  Crossing of the A57 and the Parkgurtel ring road. Get there using the S-Bahn get off at station Nussbaumstrasse and walk direction east until you get to the traffic lights. All the people turning left are going on A57 and there's a good chance they're heading on the A1 later. Like mentioned above, ask for Remscheid service station. The spot is protected from the rain by the train bridge! The cars only stop at the red lights, so you will have to do some jumping around.  '''Option 6'''  On the motorway ring before Cologne, to the west of the city, there is the motorway service area Autobahnparkplatz Frechen. You can reach it by catching a train to Frechen-Königsdorf (around 20 minutes). Turn right on the stairs at the station, walk through the car park, turn left on Augustinus Straße, walk straight for 2 minutes and then turn right on to Marienhöfer Weg. Keep walking up this path into the forest for 5 minutes. Eventually you will come to a crossroad, but take the tunnel under the Autobahn. After, take the first exit on the left. You will eventually reach the Frechen Tankstelle in the direction of Cologne.Many cars come from Aachen or Belgium. Regarding the location of this gas station, right before major different routes, you can basically get rides to everywhere in Germany.''(November 2021: Thomi asked to a Belgian car to pick him up, and got a ride to the next main gas station close to Dortmund)'' === East towards [[Siegen]] or [[Gießen]] ([[A4 (Germany)|A4]]) === Raststätte Aggertal Nord rest stop. Take Regionalbahn train 25 direction Marienheide Bf. Get off at Overath Bf and walk 4 km / or take bus 310 direction Gummersbach get off (2nd halt) at Klef/Hotel Lüdenbach and walk 20 minutes to the petrol staion. Check [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Klef&daddr=Unbekannte+Stra%C3%9Fe&hl=de&geocode=FZ5pCQMdtIFvAA%3BFZ52CQMdD6xvAA&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=50.948613,7.31123&sspn=0.01287,0.027595&ie=UTF8&ll=50.950154,7.312946&spn=0.012869,0.027595&z=15 map] before === North towards [[Düsseldorf]] or [[Nijmegen]] === Take the tram no. 5 or 13 to Nußbaumer Str.. There is an on-ramp. A lot of traffic goes in your direction, but it is very dangerous for drivers to stop there.  For direction Krefeld/Nijmegen riding the S-bahn to Worringen and try it from there, average waiting time around 30-60 minutes. === West towards [[Aachen]], [[Maastricht]], [[Eindhoven]] and [[Belgium]] === '''Option 1''' On the motorway ring around Cologne, to the west of the city, there's the motorway service area Autobahnparkplatz Frechen Ri. AK Kerpen. You can reach it by catching a train to Frechen-Königsdorf (around 20 minutes). Turn right on the stairs at the station, walk through the car park, turn left on Augustinus Straße, walk straight for 2 minutes and then turn right on to Marienhöfer Weg. Keep walking up this path into the forest for 5 minutes. Eventually you will come to a crossroad with the service station on the left. There you can get lifts to the Netherlands, Belgium and United Kingdom from one of around 200. Trucks are going in the direction of Aachen or Maastricht, at least.  '''Option 2''' Go near the [[A4 (Germany)|A4]], Exit 11a Klettenberg and 11b Köln-Eifeltor. When at the latest, walking slightly North there is an extra lane that looks like an ideal place for people to stop, and slightly South of it is a big truck stop and petrol station where you can try and ask people. To reach these exits from the centre, take the tram U18 to Efferen (for 11a) or to Eifelwall and then bus 138 to Güterverkehrszentrum. This option is especially interesting to know if you get trapped in Cologne while trying to cross the Ruhr area. == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki == {{nomadwiki}}    {{IsIn|North Rhine-Westphalia}} [[Category:NordrheinNorth Rhine-WestfalenWestphalia]]