Coupling device for a rail-bound vehicle, for connecting to a mating coupling device of a further rail-bound vehicle, wherein the coupling device is characterized by an extent in the longitudinal direction along a theoretical coupling longitudinal axis, and in the vehicle-proximal end region that faces away from the coupler head has an interface for articulating or fastening to the frame of the rail-bound vehicle; having a coupler head for coupling to a coupler head of the mating coupling device; having a covering installation for protection against surrounding and environmental influences, which is configured and disposed in such a manner so as to enclose only the coupler head or the coupling device at least partially over the extent of the coupling device in the longitudinal direction and in the circumferential direction about the coupling longitudinal axis while at least in sub-regions forming a spacing from the external circumference of the coupling device, and which is at least in part formed by a flexible structure; wherein the sub-region of the covering installation that is formed by the flexible structure is supported on a support structure (30, 38, 55) disposed on the coupling device; wherein the covering installation comprises a hood which encloses only the coupler head and which, when viewed in the direction of extent in the longitudinal direction, in a first end region has an opening for releasing the access to the end side of the coupler head, and in a second end region has an opening for routing through parts of the coupling device; wherein the hood comprises the support structure having installations for fastening/mounting in a locationally fixed manner on the coupler head and/or a component connected to the latter; wherein the hood comprises a textile casing which encloses the coupler head and is protected by way of the support structure, and the covering installation in the first end region has a covering element for exposing or covering the opening for releasing the access to the end side of the coupler head, said covering element being releasably connected to the support structure; wherein the support structure is embodied as a rigid partial hood which is able to be connected to the coupler head and encloses the latter over a sub-region in the circumferential direction, comprising a frame element which in the end side-proximal end region encloses the coupler head over a sub-region in the circumferential direction and is able to be fastened to said coupler head, and a holder element which is able to be fastened in the vehicle-proximal end region of the coupler head or on the coupling bar connected to the latter, wherein the frame element and the holder element, while configuring the partial hood, are connected to one another by way of intermediate elements. having a coupler head for coupling to a coupler head of the mating coupling device; having a covering installation for protection against surrounding and environmental influences, which is configured and disposed in such a manner so as to enclose only the coupler head or the coupling device at least partially over the extent of the coupling device in the longitudinal direction and in the circumferential direction about the coupling longitudinal axis while at least in sub-regions forming a spacing from the external circumference of the coupling device, and which is at least in part formed by a flexible structure; wherein the sub-region of the covering installation that is formed by the flexible structure is supported on a support structure (30, 38, 55) disposed on the coupling device; wherein the covering installation comprises a hood which encloses only the coupler head and which, when viewed in the direction of extent in the longitudinal direction, in a first end region has an opening for releasing the access to the end side of the coupler head, and in a second end region has an opening for routing through parts of the coupling device; wherein the hood comprises the support structure having installations for fastening/mounting in a locationally fixed manner on the coupler head and/or a component connected to the latter; wherein the hood comprises a textile casing which encloses the coupler head and is protected by way of the support structure, and the covering installation in the first end region has a covering element for exposing or covering the opening for releasing the access to the end side of the coupler head, said covering element being releasably connected to the support structure; wherein the support structure is embodied as a rigid partial hood which is able to be connected to the coupler head and encloses the latter over a sub-region in the circumferential direction, comprising a frame element which in the end side-proximal end region encloses the coupler head over a sub-region in the circumferential direction and is able to be fastened to said coupler head, and a holder element which is able to be fastened in the vehicle-proximal end region of the coupler head or on the coupling bar connected to the latter, wherein the frame element and the holder element, while configuring the partial hood, are connected to one another by way of intermediate elements.