- Must visit
Rijksmuseum
World-famous museum with Dutch masters including Rembrandt and Vermeer, plus decorative arts spanning centuries of national history.
Cheapest price on Sep 02
$22
Average ticket price on Sep 02
$25
Fastest journey on Sep 02
3 h 50 m
Average journey duration on Sep 02
4 h 1 m
Buses on Sep 02
12
Distance
214 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cologne to Amsterdam is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Amsterdam will cost around $25 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $22.
On Wed, Sep 02, we found 12 buses from Cologne to Amsterdam, including 11 direct services.
On Wed, Sep 02 the direct buses cover the 214 km distance in an average of 4 h 1 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 50 m .
On Wed, Sep 02 the slowest buses will take 4 h 15 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
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Amsterdam among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $29 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 47m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $29, while a flight costs an average of $554.
Distance: 132 miles (214 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$29 Average price Cheapest | $71 Average price | $554 Average price | $61 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 37m Average total duration 5h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 47m Average total duration Fastest 3h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 55m Average total duration 2h 55m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - 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 Cologne to Amsterdam:
A bus is $42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $71.
A bus is $525 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $554.
Other travel options to Amsterdam take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 17m.
Bus takes on average 5h 7m.
Tickets start at around $29 compared to roughly $61 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $32. The journey takes 5h 7m versus 3h 19m 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 FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International.
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 03:40AM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator RegioJet a.s. | Departure Time 08:05AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:14AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 4h16 | Departure days Mon, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:25AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 4h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 3h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 11h35 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:14PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 3h36 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:39PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 4h41 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:35PM | Arrival Time 08:15PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 08:15PM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:14PM | Arrival Time 08:15PM | Duration 4h01 | Departure days Mon, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:55PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:01PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 4h29 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:25PM | Arrival Time 10:45PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Amsterdam buses for today, Tuesday, September 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 1:20 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 5h25 | 6:45 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:15 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 4h55 | 8:10 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:55 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 4h35 | 9:30 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, September 2 | |||||
FlixBus | 3:40 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 3h50 | 7:30 AM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:45 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 4h15 | 9:00 AM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:10 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 6h10 | 12:20 PM Schiphol, Airport Terminal 1 | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:30 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 4h00 | 10:30 AM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
(Prague -> Amsterdam) | 8:05 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 5h25 | 1:30 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:25 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 4h05 | 12:30 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:25 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 4h55 | 2:20 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 0 transfersDirect | |
50429 · 83134 | 11:55 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 11h35 | 11:30 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 11:55 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 3h55 | 3:50 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) | 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 Cologne to Amsterdam run on average 12 times per day, taking around 5h 7m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $12 if you book in advance.
There are 11 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 132 miles (214 km) distance in 3h 50m.
Distance 132 miles (214 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $12 |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 3h 50m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 84 days |
Discover the best of Amsterdam — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Amsterdam trip today.
World-famous museum with Dutch masters including Rembrandt and Vermeer, plus decorative arts spanning centuries of national history.
Leading museum dedicated to Vincent van Gogh, with the largest collection of his paintings, drawings, and personal letters.
Poignant museum in the secret annex where Anne Frank hid. Essential for understanding the Holocaust through a personal story.
Amsterdam’s central square, surrounded by major monuments and historic buildings. A natural starting point for first-time visitors.
Elegant canal district lined with 17th-century merchant houses, bridges, and waterside views. Ideal for scenic walks and photos.
Amsterdam’s largest urban park, great for strolling, picnics, and open-air culture. A favorite retreat for locals and visitors.
Deep-fried beef ragout croquettes with a crisp crumb coating. A classic Dutch bar snack and street food often eaten with mustard.
Raw herring, usually served with onions and pickles. A famous Dutch seafood tradition, especially popular from street fish stalls.
Thin Dutch pancakes served sweet or savory. They are a long-standing everyday favorite in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands.
Two-Michelin-star restaurant offering inventive Dutch tasting menus in an intimate fine-dining space.
Historic canal-side cafe known for Dutch classics, beers, and genever in a traditional brown-cafe setting.
Popular pancake house serving classic Dutch pannenkoeken and poffertjes in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.
Amsterdam is pricier than many European cities, with high hotel rates, mid-range dining, and paid transit, though budget eats and supermarket meals can help control daily costs.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Small tips at cafes are appreciated but not expected.
Official public transport app
Amsterdam Sloterdijk -> Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam
Buses from Cologne to Amsterdam are operated by Eurolines and Flixbus, with direct journey times of between 3 and 6 hours. There are around nine departures a day, from about 6:30 a.m., until just before 7:00 p.m.
Buses from Cologne to Amsterdam depart from Breslauer Platz Bus Station, located next to the main railroad station in the city centre. Both are on Cologne's transport network of frequent underground and suburban trains, buses and trams. Cologne also has several night bus routes. A cab rank is located at the station.
Amsterdam is a charming city full of history, architecture, cafes and restaurants, and is the ideal place for exploring either on foot or by water ferries and cabs. Amsterdam has several world-class museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Hermitage Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum, the National Maritime Museum and Anne Frank's House. There is also a lively cafe culture throughout the day and evening. Buses from Cologne to Amsterdam arrive at Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station. This is slightly further out of the city than Amsterdam Centraal Station, but linked by local trains and buses, as well as trams. Amsterdam's bus routes cover the outer areas of the city, and run throughout the night, while trams operate within the historic centre. Hop-on hop-off water ferries are a perfect way to get around the city. A cab rank is located outside Sloterdijk Bus Station.
Buses from Cologne to Amsterdam depart from Breslauer Platz Bus Station, located next to the main railway station in the city center. Both are on Cologne's transport network of frequent underground and suburban trains, buses and trams. Cologne also has several night bus routes. A taxi rank is also located at the station.
Amsterdam is a charming city full of history, architecture, cafes and restaurants, and is the ideal place for exploring either on foot, bicycle or by water ferries and taxis. Amsterdam has several world-class museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Hermitage Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum, the National Maritime Museum and Anne Frank's House. There is also a lively cafe culture throughout the day and evening. Buses from Cologne to Amsterdam arrive at Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station. This is slightly further out of the city than Amsterdam Centraal Station but linked by local trains and buses, as well as trams. Amsterdam's bus routes cover the outer areas of the city and run throughout the night, while trams operate within the historic center. Hop-on hop-off water ferries are a perfect way to get around the city. A taxi rank is also located outside Sloterdijk Bus Station.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Amsterdam buses use the Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) to Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) station pair, with some services arriving at Schiphol, Airport Terminal 1. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Amsterdam bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) is 3 km from Amsterdam city centre. Public transport options include:
Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Sloterdijk (in the station), Burger King (in the station), Julia's (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the shopping area.
Ticket office support is available at Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk).
Available at Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk): Elevators, ramps.
Schiphol, Airport Terminal 1 has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several dining options available inside the terminal.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal. ATMs are aTMs available in the terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Schiphol, Airport Terminal 1.
Available at Schiphol, Airport Terminal 1: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Schiphol, Airport Terminal 1: Facilities available for persons with reduced mobility.
Amsterdam, De Ruijterkade is 1 km from Amsterdam city centre. Public transport options include:
Amsterdam, De Ruijterkade has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Amsterdam, De Ruijterkade: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need