Aachen’s prime location on the German border is a fantastic home base for exploring western Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands! Here are my favorite day trips from Aachen, all of which can be visited by train in 90 minutes or less. No rental car needed!
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Once you’ve ensconced yourself in the city that Charlemagne once called home, it’ll be tough to imagine ever wanting to leave! But after you’ve checked off all of the most popular things to do in Aachen (give yourself 1.5 to 2 days for that), you should definitely plan a day trip or two!
Here are my favorite places I’ve visited in the area, noting that the list isn’t as long as my other day trip guides because Aachen’s location right on the German border makes it’s kind of a pain to travel inland (you almost always have to change trains at Cologne or another major city if traveling into Germany, for example).
When planning a day trip, my golden rules are: 1) The destination should be no more than 90 minutes away, 2) It should be easily accessible by train or bus (i.e. no more than 1 change), and 3) The place has got to be really, really amazing.
I’ve visited all of these cities personally, so I can vouch that they’re all worth your time. But since I only write from personal experience, that means this list has room to grow!
~Claire
Claire’s Tip: Know Your Trains!
There are four main types of trains you’ll encounter during your trip to Aachen:
- ICE: This is a high-speed train that requires advance booking.
- IC: This is a long-distance train that still goes pretty fast, but not as fast as the ICE. Advance booking is also required.
- RE: The regional express trains make more stops than the ICE or IC and connect smaller cities and towns.
- RB: The regional trains are the slowest of them all, often stopping every 10 to 20 minutes.
When planning your day trips from Aachen, remember that a Deutschland Ticket includes all regional (RB) and regional express (RE) trains as part of its monthly fee, so you wouldn’t need to buy a separate ticket for those. Have your Deutschland Ticket in hand and just hop onto any RB or RE train you want to take.
As far as I know, non-residents who are visiting Germany can purchase a Deutschland Ticket (valid for an entire month) but you have to remember to cancel your subscription so you aren’t charged for a second month.
Cologne
Travel time by train: 30 to 50 minutes (depends on the kind of train you book)
If you’ve never been to Cologne before, you HAVE to take a day trip here! This is hands down my favorite city near Aachen, and it’s also the easiest to reach by train.
Cologne is “Germany’s friendliest city” and is well known for its annual Carnival celebrations leading up to Ash Wednesday.
The most famous attraction in Cologne is its soaring Gothic cathedral, which is conveniently located just steps away from the central train station. Start your visit there, then …
- Sign up for a walking tour to see the Old Town,
- Look for some hidden Roman ruins,
- Visit a quirky local museum (I suggest either the the Chocolate Museum or the Farina Fragrance Museum),
- And finish your day with a hearty dinner and a cold glass of Kölsch!
🍻 Detailed 1-Day Cologne Itinerary: What to Do, See & Eat 🍻
Düsseldorf
Travel time by train: 1 hour 15 minutes by RE
Where Cologne feels gritty yet historic, neighboring Düsseldorf feels sleek, sophisticated, and more modern.
When planning a day trip from Aachen to Düsseldorf, I suggest kicking off your day with a visit to the vibrant Carlsplatz Market for a bite to eat.
From there, you can:
- Walk around the pint-sized but pretty Old Town (stock up on the local mustard at one of the souvenir shops!),
- Window shop along the luxury Königsallee,
- Visit the famous MedienHafen with its architectural masterpieces,
- … And end on a high point (literally!) at the top of the Rhine Tower (book your tickets in advance here).
⭐️ Düsseldorf Day Trip Itinerary: What to See in 1 Day ⭐️
Brühl
Travel time by train: 1 hour 21 minutes by RE (1 transfer in Cologne)
In the small town of Brühl, you’ll find one of my favorite castles near Aachen: Augustusburg Palace.
This three-story, buttercup yellow palace was completed in 1768 for the Cologne elector and archbishop Clemens August. Unlike many castles around Germany, Augustusburg wasn’t damaged badly in WWII nor did it ever experience long periods of disuse — meaning it’s been beautifully preserved and retains many of its original furnishings!
After touring Augustusburg and admiring its sprawling French garden, set out through the English-style park to make your way to the neighboring hunting lodge, called Falkenlust. It’s sparsely furnished but still worth visiting as it’s an absolute jewel that many people overlook.
🏰 How to Spend the Day at Augustusburg Palace in Brühl 🏰
Brussels (Belgium)
Travel time by train: 1 hour 22 minutes by ICE
Yes, your day trip from Aachen can take you far beyond the German border!
Belgium’s capital city definitely can’t be conquered in a single day, but you’ll definitely be able to stroll through the city center and eat your body weight in piping hot waffles and crispy fries.
Make time to see the following during your visit:
- Grand Place — This is the most famous square in the city, and it’s where the Gothic town hall is located. This is a very popular tourist spot, but you absolutely cannot miss it!
- Walking tour — If you’ve only got one day in Brussels, a guided walking tour like this one can help you maximize your time by seeing the most famous landmarks at a sensible pace.
- Palais de Justice — Walk up the front steps for a fabulous view of the city.
- Royal Palace — Located on the edge of the gorgeous Brussels Park. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the park and take photos of the palace.
Bonn
Travel time by train: 1 hour 35 minutes by RE train (1 transfer in Cologne)
When Germany was divided into East and West, Bonn served as the western capital. It’s also the birthplace of the legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven and is just generally a lovely place to explore.
In one day, you should have time to do and see the following:
- Minster Basilica — Bonn’s 900-year-old basilica has a whopping five towers!
- Beethoven-Haus — Beethoven’s birthplace has been transformed into a museum all about his life and works.
- Old Town — The original Old Town was destroyed in WWII, but the newer area that’s left is still very pretty and full of shops and cafes.
- Haus der Geschichte — This fantastic free museum walks you through Germany’s history from WWII through the present day. It’s one of the best history museums I’ve ever visited, but know that it’s quite large! I suggest ending your day here and just going through as many exhibits as you have time for.
🎶 The Top Things to Do and See in Bonn 🎶
Places Nearby That Are On My Bucket List
I’ve not yet visited all of the easy-to-reach cities near Aachen, but the following are high on my bucket list:
- Liège, Belgium (22 minutes via ICE) — Is supposed to have a nice Old Town, and it has its own special variety of waffle that’s unique even within Belgium.
- Düren, Germany (25 minutes via RE train) — I really want to visit Burgau Castle, which is another 30 minutes or so from the central train station.
- Maastricht, Netherlands (1 hour by bus) — Supposed to be a pretty city with lots of good cafes, shops, and museums.
- Monschau, Germany (1 hour by bus) — Looks like it came straight from a fairytale, with tons of half-timbered houses.
Enjoy Your Time in Aachen and Beyond!
You sometimes have to get a little creative with train connections when planning a day trip from Aachen since it has a bit of a funky location, but I hope this guide has convinced you to explore this unique part of the world where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands meet.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!
More Places to Visit in Western Germany:
If you plan on traveling around western Germany, here are some more of my favorite cities. These won’t work as day trips from Aachen, but they can definitely be added to a larger itinerary.
- Day Trip Guide to Drachenburg Castle (The “Neuschwanstein of the Rhine”)
- 12+ Fun Things to Do in Wiesbaden: Western Germany’s Historic Spa City
- How to Spend 1 Day in Koblenz (Where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers Meet)
- What to Do and See in Rüdesheim: A Quaint Winemaking Town in the Rheingau
- All of my FREE Germany travel guides!
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