Daily Life & Health

August 7, 2026

Mail & Parcel Services in Aachen: Packstation, branches, delivery

If you are new to Aachen, you might quickly wonder where your packages will end up if you aren't home or don't yet have a mailbox with your name on it. This article shows you how to register for a Packstation, where to find post offices and parcel shops in Aachen, how to redirect shipments, and what to do if you run into delivery issues.

Use the Deutsche Post location finder to find Packstations, branches, and parcel shops throughout Aachen by address or zip code ^[1].
To use a Packstation, you need a free DHL account and must verify your identity via Post-Ident or Video-Ident ^[2].
Alternatively, you can have packages sent directly to a post office or parcel shop if you aren't home during the day ^[5].
You can use the parcel redirection service to change the delivery address or Packstation for a shipment that is already on its way ^[6].
The shipment status in the tracking app shows you exactly where your package is, saving you from waiting by the window unnecessarily ^[7].
If you don't have a doorbell or nameplate, it is worth setting a preferred drop-off location in the app or speaking with your property management ^[8].
Living at Guter Hirte means enjoying a reliable address in Aachen-West with communal areas that make receiving packages in your daily life much easier.

Why is package delivery even an issue for newcomers to Aachen?

When you’ve just moved to Aachen, your daily routine can be a bit chaotic at first. Between lectures, administrative errands, and setting up your room, you’ll inevitably be ordering things online: bed linen, books, or that charging cable that went missing during the move. The problem is that your name often isn't on the doorbell yet, you’re at university during the day, and you might not have a permanent postal address until you’ve registered with the residents' office. That’s exactly why it’s worth looking into package delivery options in Aachen early on, before the first courier arrives to find a locked door and takes your parcel back with them. If you’re currently in the process of registering your address, you can find more information in our article on registering your residence in Aachen. There are several ways to get your packages in Aachen without waiting at home for hours for the courier. You can have shipments sent to a Packstation, address them directly to a branch, or redirect them later. Which option is most practical for you depends on how mobile you are, whether you have a bike, and how often you’re in the city center or Aachen-West anyway.

How do you find Packstations and branches in Aachen?

The fastest way to find a Packstation, post office, or parcel shop near you is the Deutsche Post location finder. Simply enter your address or zip code to see all collection points in the area, including opening hours and distance ^[1]. This is especially useful if you aren't yet familiar with the streets in your new neighborhood or where the nearest service point is located. Aachen has both traditional post offices with counter service and parcel shops, which are often integrated into kiosks, stationery stores, or supermarkets and therefore have longer opening hours than a standard branch. Packstations, on the other hand, are often located in busy areas like train stations, supermarket parking lots, or near residential neighborhoods and are accessible 24/7, which is a real advantage for students with irregular schedules. If you live in Aachen-West, for example, it’s worth checking the location finder to see which Packstation or branch is closest to your apartment or shared flat. For those who cycle a lot, a Packstation that is a bit further away might still be worth it if it’s on your daily route to university. You can find more on getting around in our article on cycling in Aachen.

How do you register for a Packstation?

To use a Packstation, you first need a free DHL customer account. You can register online via the website or the app, enter your details, and then select a Packstation as your preferred pickup location ^[2]. To fully activate your account, you need to verify your identity once, either via Post-Ident at a branch with your ID or conveniently online via Video-Ident from home ^[2]. For international students who don't yet have a German ID card, identification usually works with a valid passport as well. It’s still worth checking the specific requirements in the app beforehand. Once your account is verified, you can simply enter the Packstation as your delivery address for any online order, usually by using your personal postal number (Postnummer) received during registration. The advantage: you no longer have to rely on someone being home when the courier rings the bell; instead, you can pick up your package whenever it suits your schedule ^[3]^[4]For newcomers to Aachen who are also busy setting up a bank account, registering their address, and sorting out their residence permit, this is one task that can easily be taken care of at the same time. If you are currently opening your bank account anyway, take a look at our article Opening a bank account in Aachen.

What are the alternatives to a Packstation?

Not everyone wants to or can register for a Packstation, and some online shops do not even offer this as a shipping option. In this case, you can have your order sent directly to a post office branch near you instead. To do this, enter the address of the branch when placing your order and add your name along with a note indicating that it is a branch delivery ^[5]. The package will then be held at the branch, and you can pick it up with your ID as soon as you receive a notification. This option is ideal if you are out during the day and the branch is on your way home from university, for example. Parcel shops work on a similar principle but are often smaller and integrated into existing businesses, which means they are frequently open in the evenings or on weekends. For students who are unsure how long they will stay at an address or who are subletting, this solution can be less complicated than a permanent Packstation because you do not need to set up an account. If you are currently subletting and do not yet have a permanent registered address, you can find relevant information in the article Landlord confirmation explained.

What do you do if your package is sent to the wrong place?

Sometimes, despite entering the address carefully, things go wrong. The package has already been shipped, but you realize you won't be home at the time of delivery because, for example, an exam has come up. In such cases, package redirection helps: you can redirect a shipment that is already in transit to a different address, a Packstation, or a branch, provided the shipment is still at the appropriate stage of processing ^[6]. This can be done easily via the tracking feature in the app or your customer account; you just need to have your tracking number handy. It is important to arrange the redirection as early as possible, as it is no longer possible once the package reaches a certain point in the delivery process. If you are unsure where your package is, it is worth checking the tracking status: it displays various statuses such as "out for delivery," "at the destination parcel center," or "delivered," which give you a good idea of when to expect its arrival ^[7]. Especially if you live in a shared apartment or an apartment building with multiple doorbells, this transparency can help avoid misunderstandings, such as if a roommate has already accepted the package.

What do you do if you are missing a name tag or doorbell?

A classic problem for newcomers: you have just moved in, but your name is not yet on the doorbell or mailbox. Delivery drivers usually rely on the existing labels, so it can happen that a package is not delivered even if you are at home. The simplest solution is to put up a name tag as soon as possible after moving in, even if it is just a temporary one made with tape and a pen until the official label is ready. Additionally, you can set a preferred drop-off location in the delivery app, such as "with a neighbor" or a specific spot on the property, provided your living situation allows for it and it makes sense ^[8]. While this does not replace a personal handover, it can prevent the package from being taken back immediately. If you live in a building with property management or a concierge service, it is also worth having a quick chat to see if packages can be accepted there in your absence. In newly renovated residential buildings with common areas, this is often handled more easily than in classic older buildings because there are permanent contacts on-site. At "Guten Hirten" in Aachen-West, a listed former monastery with 71 furnished apartments, the concept includes a 24/7 emergency service, which provides relief for everyday organizational questions regarding mail and deliveries.

How do you keep track of multiple deliveries?

Once you have multiple orders running simultaneously in Aachen—such as university supplies, furniture for your room, and personal purchases—things can quickly become disorganized if you don't have a system. It helps to get into the habit of choosing a Packstation or a branch as your delivery address for larger or important shipments, rather than relying on home delivery if you are rarely home during the day anyway. This saves you from constantly checking the doorbell and allows you to pick up your packages all at once whenever it fits your class schedule. For very bulky deliveries, such as larger pieces of furniture, home delivery is usually the only option anyway. In these cases, it is worth coordinating the delivery window precisely with the sender. If you are just setting up your room and are wondering what you still need to order, you will find a good guide in the article on the Packing list for a furnished apartment. Anyone living in a furnished apartment has less need for large furniture deliveries anyway, as core items like a bed, desk, and kitchen are already provided. This noticeably reduces the organizational effort involved in receiving and delivering packages right from the start.

What are the specific options available in Aachen?

To give you a quick overview of the most important package delivery options in Aachen, we have summarized the central locations and their respective pros and cons here. This table does not replace an individual location search via the postal service's location finder ^[1], but it does give you an initial idea of which option fits your daily routine.

LocationAccessibilitySpecial FeaturePackstationAccessible 24/7Requires registration and identification ^[2]^[3]Post officeRegular opening hours, counter servicePersonal assistance, pickup with ID ^[5]Parcel shopOften long opening hours, integrated into shopsGood alternative without account registration ^[1]Home deliveryOnly when present or at a drop-off locationDrop-off location can be saved in the app ^[8]

If you are unsure which branch or Packstation is closest to your new address, the Deutsche Post location finder remains the most reliable source, as it displays up-to-date opening hours and addresses ^[1]. For students who have just moved to Aachen and haven't established a routine yet, it is worth registering for a Packstation right at the start of the semester while also noting a nearby branch in case the Packstation is full or out of service. This way, you are prepared for most situations without a missed delivery becoming a problem.

Frequently asked questions

Do you absolutely need a DHL account for a Packstation?

Yes, you cannot use a Packstation as a delivery address without a free DHL customer account. You can register online, but you will need to verify your identity once via Post-Ident or Video-Ident before you can receive shipments ^[2].

Can you redirect a package after it has already been shipped?

Yes, you can do this via package redirection as long as the shipment is still at the appropriate processing stage. All you need is the tracking number, and you can easily arrange the redirection online ^[6].

What happens if your name is not yet on the doorbell?

In this case, the delivery driver may not be able to identify the recipient and will take the package back with them. Put up a name tag as soon as possible or specify an alternative drop-off location in the app to reduce the risk of a missed delivery ^[8].

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