Osnabrück Central Station (in German: Osnabrück Hauptbahnhof) is unusual in that two major railroad lines cross here at right angles, on two different levels. On the upper level, with tracks 1-5, there are trains going from north to south or south to north. On the lower level, with tracks 11-14, there are trains going from west to east or east to west.

I arrived on the upper level, track 3, on an InterCity train from Duisburg and left two days later from the lower level, track 12, on an InterCity train going west to Amersfoort, in the Netherlands.

All the platforms on the upper level are connected by stairs and elevators with all the platforms on the lower level, so people who are changing trains can go directly to their next train without going through the main hall of the station.

Bicycle station at the central train station

At the central train station there is also a bicycle station, which offers guarded indoor bicycle parking, bike rentals, repairs, information and even an automatic bicycle washing machine like the one at the station in nearby Münster. 

Outdoor bicycle parking at the station

For those who do not want to pay for guarded indoor bicycle parking, there are numerous outdoor bicycle stands on the square in front of the station where people can lock their bikes to the stands.

Cycling in Osnabrück

Like most cities in northern Germany, Osnabrück has a high level of bicycle use by all age groups and all segments of the population.

Since 2005 the city has had a Bicycle Traffic Plan which defines criteria for infrastructure, service, information and communication, with the intention of encouraging even more people to use their bicycles for transportation and recreation.

Practically all the main streets have bicycle lanes and most of the main intersections have special traffic lights for cyclists.

Cycling in Osnabrück

My photos in this post are from 2012. I revised the text in 2017.

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