Shopping Guide

Shopping at Train Stations

Top 10 Main Stations for Shopping - Open on Sundays! Stores, Restaurants, and Insider Tips.

German main train stations are much more than just transit hubs. With hundreds of shops, restaurants, and services, they have become full-fledged shopping centers - with one decisive advantage: Open on Sundays!

Why Shop at Train Stations?

  • Open on Sundays: Station shops can open on Sundays (travel needs exception)
  • Extended Hours: Often 6am-10pm, even on holidays
  • Wide Selection: From groceries to fashion to electronics
  • Central Location: Right at the station, perfect before or after your train journey

Train Stations as Retail Hotspots

With over 5 million travelers daily at German train stations, they have become attractive locations for retail. The combination of high foot traffic, extended opening hours, and Sunday opening makes stations unique shopping destinations.

Retail trends and data at retail-data-insights.de

1. Top 10 Shopping Stations in Germany

These main stations offer the best shopping experience - from Europe's largest railway shopping center to cozy regional shops:

1

Leipzig Central Station

Europe's largest railway shopping center

140+
Shops
30,000 m²
Area
Promenaden Shopping Mall Food Court Luxury Boutiques Supermarket
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm
2

Berlin Central Station

Germany's most modern train station

80+
Shops
15,000 m²
Area
3 Floors of Shopping Roof Terrace International Cuisine 24/7 Pharmacy
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-10pm
3

Frankfurt Central Station

Germany's busiest train station

70+
Shops
12,000 m²
Area
Business Shops Duty-Free Atmosphere International Press Watches & Jewelry
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 8am-10pm
4

Munich Central Station

Bavarian Specialties

60+
Shops
10,000 m²
Area
Viktualienmarkt Branch Hofbrau Restaurant FC Bayern Fan Shop Organic Supermarket
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 9am-8pm
5

Hamburg Central Station

Gateway to the World

50+
Shops
8,000 m²
Area
Wandelhalle Fish Sandwiches North German Specialties Travel Accessories
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 9am-8pm
6

Cologne Central Station

Right next to the Cathedral

40+
Shops
6,000 m²
Area
Cathedral View Shopping Kolsch Specialties Souvenirs Chocolates
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 8am-9pm
7

Dusseldorf Central Station

Fashion & Style

35+
Shops
5,000 m²
Area
Fashion Boutiques Cosmetics Perfumery Delicatessen
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-9pm, Sun 9am-8pm
8

Stuttgart Central Station

Swabian Tradition

40+
Shops
6,500 m²
Area
Maultaschen & Spatzle Bosch Store Wine Shop Bakery Selection
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 8am-8pm
9

Hanover Central Station

Trade Fair City Service

35+
Shops
5,500 m²
Area
Trade Fair Information Business Center Travel Essentials Express Services
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 8am-8pm
10

Nuremberg Central Station

Franconian Lifestyle

30+
Shops
4,500 m²
Area
Gingerbread Shops Bratwurst Stands Toys Christmas Market Atmosphere
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-9pm, Sun 8am-8pm

2. What Can You Buy at the Station?

Groceries

  • • REWE To Go
  • • Edeka
  • • Lidl
  • • Aldi
  • • Bio Company

Perfect for travel provisions and last-minute shopping

Fashion & Accessories

  • • H&M
  • • Zara
  • • C&A
  • • Esprit
  • • Marc O'Polo

Forgot an outfit for an emergency? No problem!

Drugstore & Pharmacy

  • • dm
  • • Rossmann
  • • Muller
  • • Pharmacies

Stock up on travel medicine, sunscreen, hygiene products

Books & Press

  • • Hugendubel
  • • Thalia
  • • Press & Books
  • • Relay

Reading material for long train journeys

Tech & Electronics

  • • Media Markt Express
  • • Gravis
  • • Telekom
  • • O2

Forgot a charging cable? Need headphones?

Dining

  • • Starbucks
  • • McDonald's
  • • Nordsee
  • • Vapiano
  • • Local Restaurants

From quick bites to sit-down restaurants - everything available

3. Sunday Shopping: Taking Advantage of the Exception

Why Are Station Shops Open on Sundays?

German store closing laws allow an exception for shops that serve "travel needs." This includes not just kiosks and bakeries, but virtually all shops in train stations - from fashion to electronics to full supermarkets.

Typical Sunday Hours

  • • Leipzig: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
  • • Berlin: 8:00am - 10:00pm
  • • Frankfurt: 8:00am - 10:00pm
  • • Munich: 9:00am - 8:00pm

What's Open on Sundays?

  • Yes: Supermarkets & Drugstores
  • Yes: Fashion & Accessories
  • Yes: Electronics & Tech
  • Yes: Restaurants & Cafes

4. Practical Tips

Sunday Shopping

Train station shops are open on Sundays - take advantage of this exception to closing laws!

Early or Late

Before 9am and after 7pm, stations are less crowded - ideal shopping times.

Store Your Luggage

Use lockers (from 3 EUR) for relaxed shopping without heavy bags.

Card Payment

Almost all shops accept debit and credit cards. Contactless payment saves time.

Use Connection Time

With longer connection times (30+ minutes), it's worth visiting the shops.

Tax-Free Shopping

Non-EU citizens can fill out tax-free forms at larger train stations.

5. Services at the Station

Lockers

From 3 EUR/day, various sizes

Free WiFi

DB WiFi at all major stations

WC & Showers

Sanifair: WC 1 EUR, Shower from 5 EUR

Charging Stations

Free for smartphones

DB Information

Travel info & tickets

DB Lounge

For BahnCard 100 & 1st Class

Retail Data and Trends

Train stations record some of the highest customer frequencies in German retail. Revenue per square meter often exceeds traditional shopping centers - thanks to the unique combination of commuters, travelers, and Sunday opening.

Discover More Retail Insights

Notice: All information is provided without guarantee. Schedules and availability may change at any time. For current and binding information, please visit the official provider websites. This website is not affiliated with Deutsche Bahn AG or other railway companies.

Last update: December 2025

Sources & More Information:

Frequently Asked Questions

Are shops at train stations open on Sundays?

Yes! Train station shops are allowed to open on Sundays and public holidays because they serve "travel needs." Most major main stations are open on Sundays from 10am-8pm. This is an exception to German store closing laws.

Which main station has the most shops?

Leipzig Central Station is Europe's largest railway shopping center with over 140 shops across 30,000 m². It's followed by Berlin Central Station (80+ shops), Frankfurt Central Station, and Munich Central Station.

Can I buy groceries at the train station?

Yes, almost all major main stations have supermarkets like REWE To Go, Edeka, or Lidl. These are often open from 6am-10pm, including weekends. Ideal for last-minute shopping before your train journey.

Are there affordable shopping options at the station?

Yes, alongside premium shops, there are also budget-friendly options like dm, Rossmann, Tchibo, and discount supermarkets. Prices are usually not higher than in the city center.

Which stations have the best restaurants?

Berlin and Munich Central Stations have the greatest variety of dining options with fast food, restaurants, and cafes. Frankfurt offers good business restaurants, while Leipzig has a broad range from budget to upscale.

Can I store my luggage while shopping?

Yes, all major main stations have lockers (from 3 EUR/day) or luggage services. This allows you to shop comfortably without lugging heavy suitcases around.

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