- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Outstanding collection of Picasso, pop art, and modern masters in a central museum complex. A major stop for twentieth-century art lovers.
Cheapest price
$22
Average price
$31
Fastest journey
3 h 10 m
Average duration
3 h 43 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
183 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Brussels to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Brussels to Cologne will cost around $31 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $22.
Of the 8 buses that leave Brussels for Cologne on Fri, Aug 28, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Aug 28 the direct buses cover the 183 km distance in an average of 3 h 43 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 10 m .
On Fri, Aug 28 the slowest buses will take 4 h 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.
50428
50448
52119
FlixBus
50448
50428
FlixBus
52119
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Brussels to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $12, and a flight costs an average of $222.
Distance: 113 miles (183 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$27 Average price Cheapest | $76 Average price | $599 Average price | $43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 36m Average total duration 4h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 40m Average total duration Fastest 2h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 31m Average total duration 2h 31m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Brussels to Cologne:
A bus is $49 (€39) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Brussels to Cologne costing on average $76 (€62).
A bus is $572 (€460) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Brussels to Cologne costing on average $599 (€483).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Flight takes on average 2h 31m.
Bus takes on average 4h 6m.
Tickets start at around $27 (€22) compared to roughly $43 (€35) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $16 (€13). The journey takes 4h 6m versus 2h 30m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Infobus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:20AM | Arrival Time 05:05AM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:10AM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:15AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 03:15AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:22AM | Arrival Time 07:42AM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 09:50AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 02:25PM | Duration 3h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 03:25PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 02:05PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:20PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 03:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $16 |
The table below shows live departures for Brussels to Cologne buses for today, Thursday, August 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
52119 | 10:30 AM Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 3h55 | 2:25 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
50428 | 2:05 PM Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 3h45 | 5:50 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:15 PM Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 4h35 | 8:50 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:30 PM Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 4h30 | 3:00 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, August 28 | |||||
FlixBus | 1:20 AM Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 3h45 | 5:05 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
50448 | 3:15 AM Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 3h10 | 6:25 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:15 AM Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 5h15 | 8:30 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, 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 Brussels to Cologne run on average 6 times per day, taking around 4h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $12 (€10) if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 113 miles (183 km) distance in 3h 10m.
Distance 113 miles (183 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price $12 (€10) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 3h 10m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Cologne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cologne trip today.
Outstanding collection of Picasso, pop art, and modern masters in a central museum complex. A major stop for twentieth-century art lovers.
Excellent private museum for modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and a sculpture-filled former industrial hall.
Art museum of the Archdiocese of Cologne, blending contemporary architecture with historic ruins and carefully curated sacred art.
The heart of Cologne’s old town, filled with historic lanes, churches, squares, and Rhine views. Best area for first walks and atmosphere.
Broad riverside promenade ideal for walking, skyline views, and photos of the cathedral, bridge, and Rhine traffic.
Popular east-bank steps and terrace with one of Cologne’s best panoramic views across the Rhine to the cathedral and old town.
Marinated beef roast in a sweet-sour gravy, traditionally served with red cabbage and dumplings. It is a Rhineland classic long associated with Cologne.
Pan-fried black pudding with onions and mashed potatoes or rye bread. This hearty Rhineland dish is a long-standing Cologne pub favorite.
Halved rye roll with butter, Gouda, onions, and mustard. It is Cologne's iconic simple pub snack, traditionally enjoyed with Kölsch.
Celebrated fine-dining restaurant with modern German cuisine, polished service, and panoramic Rhine views from the upper floors.
Well-known brewery restaurant with classic local fare, seasonal dishes, and its own Kölsch in a spacious historic atmosphere.
Beloved traditional brauhaus serving Mühlen Kölsch, Halve Hahn, and other Cologne staples in a bustling old-city setting.
Moderate for Germany: hotels can be pricey in peak trade fair periods, but dining and local transit are generally manageable for most tourists.
Service is usually included, but rounding up is standard. Tip about 5-10% in restaurants, round up for taxis, and leave small change at cafes.
Buses from Brussels to Cologne run frequently throughout the day, beginning early in the morning at 5:00 a.m. and running a final service at around 8:15 p.m. Several providers service the route including Megabus, Flixbus, iD Bus, Bla Bla Car, and Eurolines. Overall travel time varies depending on time of departure and provider, and can vary between 2 hours and twenty minutes to just over four hours.
There are three key bus terminals located in the Brussels area: one at Brussels North Train Station, one at Brussels Central Train Station, and another at Gare du Midi Train Station. Your departure point will depend on which provider you opt to ride with, but each bus terminal is easy to get to given their presence within train station facilities. Each station has clear signposts showing you which way to go to find the bus terminal, and in many cases the providers will be signposted too.
Getting into Cologne by bus will usually see you arrive at the coach station located just behind the main railway transportation center in the city - Cologne Central Station. Cologne offers a wide variety of excellent transport links that run 24 hours day, meaning that public transport is usually the best and most affordable way to get around. The area is usually bustling with tourist activity, as visitors come from far and wide to see the delights of this incredible German city. The Cologne Cathedral, Museum Ludwig and the Rhein river are just some of the terrific sights to take in during your stay, and are all easily accessible by bus, rail and metrolink.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Brussels 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.

Most Brussels to Cologne buses use the Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) to Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) station pair, with some services arriving at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2). Use this guide to compare Brussels and Cologne bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) is 2 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:
Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Midi (in the station), Belgian Bites (in the station), Fritland Express (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and throughout the station.
Ticket office support is available at Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi).
Available at Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi): Elevators, ramps.
Schaerbeek, Bd Roi Albert II (Bruxelles Gare Du Nord Zone C) is 1 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:
Schaerbeek, Bd Roi Albert II (Bruxelles Gare Du Nord Zone C) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Schaerbeek, Bd Roi Albert II (Bruxelles Gare Du Nord Zone C). ATMs are available at Schaerbeek, Bd Roi Albert II (Bruxelles Gare Du Nord Zone C).
Ticket office support is available at Schaerbeek, Bd Roi Albert II (Bruxelles Gare Du Nord Zone C).
Available at Schaerbeek, Bd Roi Albert II (Bruxelles Gare Du Nord Zone C): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Schaerbeek, Bd Roi Albert II (Bruxelles Gare Du Nord Zone C): The station is accessible for disabled passengers.
Brussels-Noord is 1 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:
Brussels-Noord has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Noord (in the station), Quick Brussels Noord (in the station), Le Pain Quotidien (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Brussels-Noord.
Available at Brussels-Noord: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Brussels-Noord: Elevators, ramps.
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility, and WC.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Parking, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Elevators, ramps.
Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance and baggage claim area.
Ticket office support is available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2).
Available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Elevators, ramps.
Köln, ZOB is 1 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln, ZOB has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria im ZOB (in the station), McDonald's (0.2 km), Vapiano (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Köln, ZOB.
Available at Köln, ZOB: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, ZOB: Elevators, ramps.
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