Brussels to Cologne from $16: 6 ways by bus, train, flight or car

• On the Thalys and ICE services operating from Brussels to Cologne, you can expect a range of catering services on board. Thalys offers a 'Thalys Boutique' where passengers can purchase snacks and beverages, including Belgian chocolates and local beers. In First Class, complimentary meals and drinks are served. Meanwhile, ICE trains provide a 'Bordrestaurant' for dining, along with a trolley service in standard classes featuring light snacks and drinks.

• The train services from Brussels to Cologne include options from Thalys and Deutsche Bahn (ICE). Thalys offers three seating classes: Standard Class (Economy), Comfort Class (Business), and Premium Class (First Class). In Standard Class, seats are comfortable with adequate space, and in First Class, you enjoy more spacious seating and additional perks like complimentary meals. Visit Thalys' website at thalys.com or Deutsche Bahn's site at bahn.com for booking and more info.

• Upon arriving at Cologne Central Station (Kölner Hauptbahnhof), note that there are facilities for luggage storage available on the ground floor, which is convenient if you want to explore the city without your bags. Additionally, public restrooms are accessible in the station. To get to the city center quickly, the easiest route is to take the tram lines 5 or 18; they run frequently and take around 10 minutes to reach central Cologne. You can check the local transport schedules at kvb.koeln