- Must visit
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
Major fine arts complex covering Old Masters, Magritte, and modern collections. One of the city's most important museum visits for art lovers.
Cheapest price
$26
Average price
$41
Fastest journey
8 h 30 m
Average duration
8 h 50 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
173 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cologne to Brussels Airport is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Brussels Airport will cost around $41 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $26.
Of the 8 buses that leave Cologne for Brussels Airport on Sat, Jun 20, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 173 km distance in an average of 8 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 30 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 9 h 20 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Brussels Airport among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $25. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 17m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $25, and a flight costs an average of $191.
Distance: 107 miles (173 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$39 Average price Cheapest | $94 Average price | $548 Average price | $40 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 12m Average total duration 3h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 47m Average total duration Fastest 2h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 57m Average total duration 4h 57m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Brussels Airport:
A bus is $55 (€45) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Brussels Airport costing on average $94 (€77).
A bus is $510 (€417) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Brussels Airport costing on average $548 (€449).
Other travel options to Brussels Airport take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 42m.
Flight takes on average 4h 57m.
Tickets start at around $39 (€32) compared to roughly $40 (€33) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $1 (€1). The journey takes 3h 42m versus 2h 21m 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.
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 01:05AM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 04:50AM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 12h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:25AM | Arrival Time 04:35PM | Duration 10h10 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:25AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 10h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:25AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 10h10 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10AM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:55PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:35PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:35PM | Arrival Time 02:05AM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:25PM | Arrival Time 05:35AM | Duration 12h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Brussels Airport 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 | 3:55 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 8h45 | 12:40 AM Zaventem, Brussels Airport Leopoldlaan (Parking P16) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:35 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 9h30 | 2:05 AM Zaventem, Brussels Airport Leopoldlaan (Parking P16) | 1 transfer | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
![]() | 6:25 AM Cologne | 10h10 | 4:35 PM Brussels Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:25 AM Cologne | 10h10 | 5:35 PM Brussels Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:10 AM Cologne | 8h30 | 5:40 PM Brussels Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:55 AM Cologne | 9h20 | 7:15 PM Brussels Airport | 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 Brussels Airport run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 42m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $25 (€20) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 01:05, the last at 17:25. The fastest bus covers the 107 miles (173 km) distance in 7h 40m.
Distance 107 miles (173 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 42m |
Cheapest ticket price $25 (€20) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 7h 40m |
First bus 1:05 AM |
Last bus 5:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Brussels Airport — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Brussels Airport trip today.
Major fine arts complex covering Old Masters, Magritte, and modern collections. One of the city's most important museum visits for art lovers.
Dedicated to René Magritte with a substantial collection of works and archives. A signature Brussels museum and especially popular with first-time visitors.
Large transport museum in Cinquantenaire Park with classic cars, Belgian motoring history, and rotating exhibitions. A strong museum choice for a layover trip into Brussels.
Landscaped cultural hill linking the upper and lower city, known for gardens, museums, and one of Brussels' classic skyline viewpoints.
Historic covered shopping arcade with elegant glass roofing and a very photogenic interior. Popular for architecture, strolling, and social-media shots.
Elegant square known for antiques, architecture, and an upscale historic atmosphere. A pleasant area for walking between central landmarks.
Belgium’s classic pairing of mussels and fries, often cooked with white wine, celery, and herbs. It is one of the country’s most iconic traditional meals.
A rich Flemish beef and onion stew slowly braised with Belgian beer. It is a comforting regional specialty with deep, sweet-savory flavor.
A traditional Brussels-style mash of potatoes with vegetables such as carrots, leeks, or spinach. It is a simple, hearty local comfort dish.
Historic Brussels brewery and tasting venue known for traditional lambic and gueuze beers. Atmospheric and deeply rooted in local brewing heritage.
One of Brussels’ most famous fine-dining restaurants, celebrated for refined Belgian and French cuisine in an elegant historic setting.
Well-known traditional eatery serving generous Belgian comfort food such as carbonnade and stoemp. Casual atmosphere with strong local character.
Airport prices are higher than in central Brussels. Coffee, snacks, and sit-down meals usually cost more than city averages.
Service is usually included. Rounding up or leaving EUR 1-2 for good service is appreciated but not expected. Taxis can be rounded up.
Official public transport app
Brussels Airport-Zaventem -> Bruxelles-Central
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Brussels Airport 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 Brussels Airport, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need