- 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
$97
Average price
$140
Fastest journey
15 h 55 m
Average duration
17 h 23 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
787 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bologna to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bologna to Cologne will cost around $140 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $97.
Of the 11 buses that leave Bologna for Cologne on Sun, Jun 21, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 787 km distance in an average of 17 h 23 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 15 h 55 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 18 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus+
FlixTrain
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Bologna 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 1h 50m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $60, and a flight costs an average of $26.
Distance: 489 miles (787 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train |
|---|---|---|
$89 Average price Cheapest | $207 Average price | $201 Average price |
20h 17m Average total duration 19h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 50m Average total duration Fastest 1h 50m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 12h 32m Average total duration 12h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bologna to Cologne:
A bus is $112 (€92) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bologna to Cologne costing on average $201 (€165).
A bus is $118 (€97) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bologna to Cologne costing on average $207 (€169).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 12h 2m.
Bus takes on average 19h 47m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 04:35AM | Duration 20h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40AM | Arrival Time 04:35AM | Duration 18h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 05:50AM | Duration 18h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 06:45AM | Duration 18h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 06:45AM | Duration 18h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $86 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 08:25AM | Duration 18h30 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $116 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 01:41PM | Duration 22h41 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 25h10 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $121 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 08:55AM | Duration 17h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 08:55AM | Duration 15h55 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 19h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator RegioJet a.s. | Departure Time 06:35PM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 37h30 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $177 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 09:35PM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 17h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $183 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 03:05PM | Duration 16h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 17h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $67 |
The table below shows live departures for Bologna to Cologne buses for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:30 AM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 20h05 | 4:35 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:20 AM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 18h30 | 5:50 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:15 PM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 18h30 | 6:45 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:55 PM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 18h30 | 8:25 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
94742 · 50458 | 3:40 PM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 25h10 | 4:50 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 5:00 PM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 15h55 | 8:55 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:20 PM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 16h45 | 3:05 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:30 PM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 17h15 | 4:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Bologna to Cologne run on average 7 times per day, taking around 19h 47m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $60 (€49) but you can travel from only $26 (€22) by flight.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 489 miles (787 km) distance in 15h 55m.
Distance 489 miles (787 km) |
Average bus duration 19h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $60 (€49) |
Buses per day 7 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 15h 55m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 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 Bologna 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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