- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for its strong Picasso collection and Pop Art holdings.
Cheapest price
$104
Average price
$126
Fastest journey
21 h 35 m
Average duration
22 h 48 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
1132 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bilbao to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bilbao to Cologne will cost around $126 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $104.
It's difficult to get from Bilbao to Cologne without transferring at least once.
95926 · 50458
FlixBus · FlixBus+
FlixTrain
FlixBus · FlixBus
95920 · 50448
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
95920 · 50448
95926 · 50458
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Bilbao to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $60. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 52m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $60, and a flight costs an average of $147.
Distance: 703 miles (1132 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$86 Average price Cheapest | $689 Average price | $278 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
22h 28m Average total duration 21h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 52m Average total duration Fastest 2h 52m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 14h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bilbao to Cologne:
A bus is $603 (€494) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bilbao to Cologne costing on average $689 (€565).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 21h 58m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 23h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $106 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 27h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 22h25 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $104 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 23h40 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $140 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 26h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $86 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 23h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $79 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 21h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:05PM | Arrival Time 11:25PM | Duration 25h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $101 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 23h30 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $86 |
The table below shows live departures for Bilbao to Cologne buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:05 PM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 21h35 | 5:40 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:10 PM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 23h30 | 10:40 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 2 transfers | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:20 AM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 23h35 | 3:55 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:30 AM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 27h40 | 8:10 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
95920 · 50448 | 8:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 22h25 | 6:25 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:50 AM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 23h40 | 10:30 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 2:35 PM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 26h15 | 4:50 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 2:35 PM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 24h21 | 2:56 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
95926 · 50458 | 5:55 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 22h55 | 4:50 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Bilbao to Cologne run on average 6 times per day, taking around 21h 58m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $60 (€49) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 703 miles (1132 km) distance in 21h 30m.
Distance 703 miles (1132 km) |
Average bus duration 21h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price $60 (€49) |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 21h 30m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of Cologne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cologne trip today.
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for its strong Picasso collection and Pop Art holdings.
Cologne’s key archaeology museum for Roman heritage, especially famous for the Dionysus mosaic and Roman artifacts from the city.
Important fine arts museum with medieval, Baroque, and 19th-century painting, including one of Germany’s leading Impressionist collections.
Popular riverfront promenade in Deutz with one of the city’s best postcard views toward the cathedral skyline, especially at sunset.
Classic walking area with narrow lanes, traditional houses, churches, and river access, ideal for first-time visitors.
One of the Old Town’s best-known squares, surrounded by historic facades and a lively atmosphere close to major sights.
Cologne’s signature top-fermented pale beer, traditionally served in small cylindrical glasses. It is central to the city’s brewing culture and best enjoyed in a local brauhaus.
A classic Cologne dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, usually served with black pudding and fried onions. The sweet-savory combination is strongly associated with Rhineland home cooking.
Despite the name, this is not chicken but a rye bread roll with aged Gouda, butter, mustard, and onions. It is a beloved Kölsch beer snack in traditional Cologne pubs.
An established fine-dining restaurant in central Cologne offering refined modern European cuisine, polished service, and an elegant hotel dining room.
A well-known casual restaurant loved for schnitzel and hearty German comfort food. It has a relaxed, local feel and a strong reputation among visitors and residents.
One of Cologne’s most famous brauhäuser near the cathedral, known for Kölsch and classic Rhineland dishes in a lively traditional atmosphere.
Moderate by German standards. Museums and transit are reasonable, while hotels and central dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up small bills; tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Add EUR 1-2 for taxis, and round up in cafés if table service is provided.
Official public transport app
Köln ZOB, Cologne -> Köln Hauptbahnhof, Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bilbao to Cologne by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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